Firefighter

City of Caldwell; Caldwell, Northern (ID, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Caldwell is seeking a dedicated firefighter/EMT to provide firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical services in Caldwell, Idaho. The role involves operating fire, rescue, and medical apparatus within a team, performing physically demanding tasks, and delivering public safety education.

The position requires completion of a high school diploma or GED, Idaho EMT/Paramedic certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days), and the ability to work under supervision while maintaining

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Possession of Idaho EMT/Paramedic certification or ability to obtain within 90 days.
• Familiarity with incident command and safety protocols is expected.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks in hazardous environments.

Responsibilities

• Respond to fires, rescues, and medical emergencies.
• Operate firefighting and rescue equipment following safety standards.
• Complete incident reports and training documentation.
• Participate in community risk reduction and public education activities.
• Maintain station facilities and equipment cleanliness and readiness.
• Work under supervision while demonstrating independent judgment when needed.

Skills

Physical stamina

Team collaboration

Clear communication

Decision making under stress

Report writing

Education

High school diploma or GED

Idaho EMT/Paramedic certification

Tools

SCBA

Incident Command System

Job description

Applications closing on November 16, 2026, 11:59 PM

Specifications do not reflect all duties performed within the job or assignment.

Job Objectives

This position provides firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical services focused on saving lives and protecting property. Operates fire, rescue, and emergency medical equipment as part of an organized firefighting team. Performs physically intensive work in hazardous and stressful environments while exercising careful judgment and working under general supervision.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

This position routinely works under the direct supervision of a company officer and may take direction from all fire department officers as necessary for the delivery of critical services. Some leeway is granted to exercise independent judgement and initiative.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The following tasks are typical for positions in this classification. Any single position may not perform all these tasks and/or may perform similar related tasks not listed here.

• Perform assigned duties in environments that are immediately dangerous to life or health, while complying with established safety practices, standard operating guidelines, and the incident command system.
• Utilize firefighting, rescue, ventilation, forcible entry, and extrication tools and equipment in accordance with applicable standards and training.
• Perform firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical operations at emergency incidents, including fires, rescues, medical emergencies, hazardous conditions, and related incidents.
• Participate in and successfully complete structured training programs to maintain required knowledge, skills, certifications, and physical performance necessary to meet professional standards.
• Deliver fire prevention, public education, and community risk reduction activities as assigned.
• Assist with the cleaning, care, and basic maintenance of fire stations, facilities, grounds, and associated equipment.
• Accurately complete and enter incident reports, inspection records, training documentation, and other required data using department-approved records management systems or electronic devices.
• Work cooperatively with supervisors, co-workers, allied agencies, and the public to support effective emergency operations and customer service.
• Maintain current knowledge of fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical services, hazardous materials awareness, and related professional practices.
• Perform all assigned duties in a safe, efficient, and professional manner in accordance with departmental policies, rules, and procedures.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the mission, goals, and objectives of the fire department.
• Contributes to a positive workplace.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge

• Fire behavior, fire dynamics, and principles of fire suppression, including structural, wildland, and vehicle fires.
• Firefighting tactics, strategies, and standard operating guidelines for emergency incidents.
• Operation, care, and limitations of fire department apparatus, tools, protective clothing, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
• Emergency medical care consistent with the level of certification held, including patient assessment, treatment, and transport procedures.
• Rescue operations, including forcible entry, ventilation, search and rescue, ladders, and vehicle extrication techniques.
• Hazardous materials awareness and operations-level response, including recognition, isolation, and reporting procedures.
• Department policies, rules, regulations, and the incident command system.
• Fire prevention methods, public education practices, and community risk reduction principles.
• Recordkeeping, reporting procedures, and the use of department-approved records management systems.

Skills

• Performing firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical tasks in hazardous, physically demanding, and time-critical environments.
• Donning, operating, and working while wearing personal protective equipment and SCBA.
• Use of hand tools, power tools, and hydraulic rescue equipment commonly used in fire and rescue operations.
• Effectively communicating with supervisors, team members, allied agencies, and the public using clear oral and written communication.
• Accurately completing reports, forms, and electronic documentation in a timely manner.

Abilities

• Perform strenuous physical work in immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) environments, including climbing, crawling, lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing, and working in confined spaces.
• Carry and operate firefighting and rescue equipment weighing 50 pounds or more, with or without assistance.
• Work effectively as part of a team while following orders within a structured chain of command.
• Make sound decisions and adapt to rapidly changing conditions during emergency incidents.
• Remain calm, focused, and effective while working under extreme stress and exposure to risk.
• Understand, learn, and apply new information, techniques, and technologies related to firefighting and emergency services.
• Read, interpret, and follow written materials such as policies, pre-incident plans, maps, manuals, and safety information.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with diverse individuals, including coworkers, victims, and members of the public.
• Maintain mental alertness and situational awareness during extended emergency operations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED: and
• Possession of a valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record. Must be insurable by the city’s carrier.
• Subject to an extensive background check, drug testing, and physical examination.
• Possession of State of Idaho EMT/Paramedic certification; or the ability to obtain a State of Idaho certification within 90 days.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.

• Duties involve fieldwork, requiring above-average physical fitness and endurance. Work requires prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, reoccurring bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds, shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar strenuous activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity.
• Duties include demands for strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods. Operation of some specialized fire equipment can place extended physical stress on incumbent during fire activities.

Position requires that the individual be capable of meeting the 13 essential job tasks listed in Chapter 5, NFPA 1582 "Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments" 2007 Edition. This standard may be reviewed online at www.nfpa.org.

• Environment: Work is performed in fire station and emergency incident environments and involves exposure to hazardous, stressful, and physically demanding conditions, including extreme temperatures, smoke, fire, noise, hazardous materials, and adverse weather. Often requires irregular hours, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Mobility: Incumbent may be required to maintain physical condition necessary for performing emergency firefighting duties; standing and walking for prolonged periods of time; heavy or moderate lifting; bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling; climbing with both legs and arms; operating motorized equipment and vehicles.
• Vision: Vision sufficient to distinguish objects in limited visibility; to read small print, computer screens and printed documents.