Firefighter/EMT-B

Sterling Police; Sterling (IL); On-site; USD 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a forward-thinking fire department that serves a vibrant community. As a firefighter, you'll play a crucial role in responding to emergencies, conducting fire safety inspections, and providing medical assistance. This role offers a competitive starting salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental insurance, vacation time, and education incentives. If you're passionate about serving your community and making a difference, this is the perfect opportunity to launch your career in public safety. Become a part of a team that values your skills and commitment to excellence.

Benefits

Medical and Dental Insurance

Sick Time

Vacation Time

Flex Spending

Specialty Pay

6% of Base Pay in Lieu of Holidays

Education Incentives

Qualifications

• Must demonstrate physical agility and coordination.
• Must be able to read and speak English.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency calls and provide medical assistance.
• Conduct fire safety inspections and community education.

Skills

Physical Agility

Communication Skills

Teamwork

Problem Solving

Education

High School Diploma or GED

College or University Degree

Job description

Job Opportunities

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The Sterling Fire Department is conducting ongoing testing to develop a list of candidates for FIREFIGHTER. Candidates who meet all entry requirements that do not possess Basic Firefighter Operations (BOFF) or EMT-B will be sent for paid training.

Candidates must complete Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ), the Fire Team test, and the Public Safety Self-Assessment (PSSA) on the National Testing Network website - https://nationaltestingnetwork.com

As needed, candidates will be contacted to participate in the remainder of the hiring process.

The CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) with ladder climb must be valid at the time of the conditional offer of employment.

Applicant must provide the following documents at the time of Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) submittal:

• High School diploma or GED certificate (copy)
• Certified Birth Certificate (copy)
• College or University degree (copy) – if applicable
• Veterans: Military Service record and DD214 (copy)
• EMT-P or EMT-B certification (copy) – if applicable
• Firefighter Basic or Advanced certification (copy) – if applicable
• Citizenship and/or naturalization papers – if applicable
• Social security card (copy)
• Age: Applicants must be at least twenty (20) years of age, but shall not be appointed until applicant reaches twenty-one (21) years of age. All applicants must be under thirty-five (35) years of age unless otherwise exempted by statute.
• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States at the time of filing formal application.
• Residence: Residence in the City of Sterling is NOT required prior to employment. Residency within a 20-minute response time of the main station as calculated by MapQuest or Google Maps is required within 12 months of graduation from the academy.
• Education: Must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED certificate.
• General Physical Condition: Must be able to demonstrate physical agility and muscular coordination; and pass a rigid background, physical, and psychological examination.
• Vision: Visual acuity must be 20/20 or correctable to 20/20 normal color vision/depth perception. Contact lenses permitted with the above requirements.
• Driver’s License: Must have valid driver’s license.
• Criminal Record: Must not have any felony convictions nor have been convicted of certain misdemeanors.
• Must be able to read/speak English.

Department Overview: The Sterling Fire Department was organized in 1872 and covers an area of 82 square miles with two strategically located fire stations. The department serves over 15,000 residents within the City and is contracted for responses to the Sterling Rural Fire District. The main station is staffed by one Officer and three firefighters and the sub-station is manned by one officer and one firefighter both on a 24-hour basis. The department has 18 career positions, which are supported by the Fire Chief, Deputy Chief and a full-time Administrative Assistant and paid-on-call members. Our firefighters are members of IAFF Local 2301 and the current collective bargaining agreement is in effect through April 30, 2026. In 2023, the department responded to over 1,500 calls for service. The Emergency Medical System (EMS) is hospital based with Advanced Life Support unit response and transport.

The department responds to urgent and critical nature EMS incidents, auto accidents, and patient assists with our EMS partner organization. Sterling Fire is a member of MABAS Division 30 and has members on the Division’s Technical Rescue Teams. The department enjoys a strong automatic aid response system with the Rock Falls Fire Department situated across the Rock River on a majority of all incident type responses. A regional training facility is in the planning stages with the Rock Falls Fire Department bringing a training tower and future training facility / campus to the area. Front line apparatus includes three Engines, one Tower Ladder, one Tender, a Water Rescue Unit, Brush truck and various support and command units. We anticipate an immediate hiring of three firefighters from this eligibility process.

City Information: Situated along the Rock River, Sterling (population 15,370) is located in Northwestern Illinois on the eastern edge of Whiteside County, one of the largest counties in the state. The city is approximately 100 miles due west of the Chicago loop, 55 miles southwest of Rockford, Illinois, 55 miles East of the Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities and 70 miles north of Peoria. It is 35 miles east of the Mississippi River, which forms the western boundary of Whiteside County.

Interstate 88 andU.S.Highway 30 both run just south of the City limits, providing quick access to the Illinois-Iowa Quad City area and the Chicago area. Illinois Route 40 and Illinois Route 2 both run through the City of Sterling and provide quick access to Rockford and Peoria.

Our location along majorU.S.thoroughfares, and central location in relation to Chicago, the Quad Cities, Rockford, and Peoria, contributes to Sterling's excellent business atmosphere. As well, being able to access these larger cities with ease makes the area popular for residents as well. Imagine all the qualities of living in a smaller town without the headaches of living in large metro areas, yet still being able to make themost of the big city attractions within a short drive.

Starting Salary - $58,647.48 (Effective 5/1/2024)

• Medical and Dental Insurance
• Sick Time
• Vacation Time
• Flex Spending
• Specialty Pay
• 6% of base pay in lieu of holidays
• Education Incentives

Hiring Process:

Application: Completed Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) and required documents submitted thru National Testing Network (NTN).

Written Examination:Successful completion of the FireTeam exam through National Testing Network and completion of the Public Safety Self-Assessment (PSSA). All modules of the FireTeam test must successfully be passed and overall cumulative score of 70% obtained.

Preliminary Eligibility Register:Candidates shall be placed on the preliminary register in order as determined by their written test scores.

Oral Interview: Oral interviews will be held. This is a structured interview with the Sterling Fire & Police Commission. Candidates will be notified of the date and time of their interview by email & regular mail.

Final Eligibility Register: The final eligibility register will be posted after the oral interview and application of all preference points allowed by the Fire & Police Commission.

Candidates will be notified when an opening for firefighter exists. Candidates will be required to pass a background check, polygraph examination, psychological examination, and medical examination including drug screening.

Candidates are not guaranteed employment with the Sterling Fire Department or by the City of Sterling; employment is conditional based on passing the post offer medical examination and drug screen. Regulations governing testing and eligibility are set forth in the Sterling Fire & Police Commission Rules and Regulations. The final list terminates no later than two (2) years from the date of posting.