Firefighter/Paramedic (Entry / Lateral)

City of Oak Harbor; Oak Harbor (WA); On-site; USD 93,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education pay

Longevity pay

Great benefits

Job summary

City of Oak Harbor is seeking firefighters to join a 30–position full-time department serving Oak Harbor, WA. Work includes firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical response on a 48/96 schedule with two fire stations.

Applicants undergo in-person interviews, testing, medical and psychological evaluations, with veteran preference considerations and pre-employment screenings. Paramedic-level duties may apply where certified.

Responsibilities

• Firefighters perform firefighting, rescue and EMS duties.
• Operate equipment and perform maintenance on apparatus and gear.
• Engage in training and community safety activities.

Job description

2026 salary range is $8,374.51 - $10,135.98 monthly salary dependent on qualifications and experience.

JAN 2027 COLA increase of 3.15%

Application/Testing Process

Please read the below carefully to qualify for this position.

Step 1. Candidates will submit an application of employment and will be invited to an interview to establish an eligibility list. Candidates that are selected for interviews will be required to participate in-person. You will be notified of the date of the first round of interviews.

Step 2. The finalist candidate(s) will receive a conditional offer and be required to successfully complete and pass the following to receive an official offer of employment:

• Pass the Drug Screen test.
• Pass the required Medical Exam.
• Pass the Psychological Evaluation.

VETERAN CREDIT- RCW 41.04.010 provides for a veterans' scoring criteria status to be added to the passing grade of certain veterans at the completion of all testing. If you believe that you are eligible to be considered for such preference you should upload and submit your DD-214 to your application to determine eligibility.

About our Department:

Oak Harbor Fire Department (OHFD) provides fire protection, rescue, and first response advance life support to the City of Oak Harbor, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from Fire Station 81 & 82.

OHFD serves the City of Oak Harbor located on Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington State. OHFD protects the 9.7 square mile City (including several miles of shoreline) and an estimated population of 24,700. In addition, OHFD maintains mutual and automatic aid contracts with Island County Fire Districts Number 2 (North Whidbey) and Number 5 (Central Whidbey), Whidbey Health, and the Naval Air Station-Whidbey Island (NAS-WI) Federal Fire Department.

Schedule

• 30 full-time firefighters - 3 shifts 48/96 schedule
• Two Fire Station - Station 81 located on Whidbey Avenue / Station 82 located on Swantown Rd.
  • 1 Battalion Chief
  • 1 Ladder Truck
  • 1 Rescue Truck
  • 1 Fire Engine

Benefits

We also offer education and longevity pay and great benefits! (See benefits tab)

We are a progressive department, anticipating department and community needs now and for the future!

Summary

Under the close supervision of the fire Captain or other ranking officer, firefighters perform a complete range of firefighting and emergency medical activities. Fire prevention and suppression assignments are performed in accordance with departmental policies, rules, standard operating practices and established precedent, with matters deviating from normal procedures being referred to the ranking assigned officer for decision and/or direction. Work involves the potential for personal injury and individuals must be able to act without supervision and to exercise independent judgment and discretion during emergencies to assure safe operations.

Firefighters are required to operate all department equipment; tools and apparatus within its full operational capability to protect life and property, and to maintain assigned fire prevention, suppression and medical equipment. Individuals spend substantial amounts of time engaged in routine inspection, testing, cleaning, and maintenance of equipment, apparatus and quarters and/or in supervised emergency responses or other associated training as directed, and also conduct training classes.

Firefighters are expected to perform conscientiously, proficiently and independently on all emergency and non-emergency assignments and duties of a regular or irregular nature. Firefighters must recognize the importance placed on activities by the public and respond with tactful, professional treatment of citizens.

Supervisory Relationship

Firefighters receive training and day-to-day direction from the fire Captain, as first line supervisors, and maintain close working relationships with all department personnel and command staff, as well as personnel from other City departments. All firefighters report to the Fire Chief through the chain of command. Performance is reviewed on a continuous basis through an appraisal of work methods, results achieved, reports, personal inspection and discussion with superiors.

Work activities involve multiple skills and may include, but are not limited to, any or all of the following depending on area of assignment, crew needs, emergency services, special projects, and seasonal factors:

1. Respond to fire, rescue, vehicle accidents, hazardous materials and other life threatening emergencies to suppress, control, remove contain or otherwise mitigate the situation. Respond to emergency medical calls for service providing life saving care with the scope of a Paramedic.
2. As required, clean, service and test designated fire apparatus and equipment to ensure constant readiness for emergency response; inventory associated tools, equipment and locate their appropriate placement; report observations of actual or potential deterioration, malfunction, failure, or loss of equipment to superiors.
3. As required, remove individuals and property from hazardous situations in accordance with established departmental procedures governing the circumstances.
4. Perform salvage tasks as required including covering furnishings, ventilation of premises, removing debris and pumping, sweeping and vacuuming water.
5. Participate in training drills, simulated catastrophes, classes, seminars and other learning/training exercises.
6. As directed, perform, general maintenance work on fire department equipment such as cleaning, sanitizing, polishing, and minor adjustments and repairs of apparatus and accessories; washing and polishing vehicles; washing, hanging and drying hose and personal protective equipment; vacuuming carpets; washing walls and floors; and checking and replenishing disposable supplies.
7. Perform designated activities in the preparation of pre-fire maps including familiarization of building drawings and gas and/or electrical service(s) shut-offs, utilizing a personal computer and/or hand drawing sketches and layouts.
8. Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City officials, department heads, co-workers, supervisor and other City departments, and interact with the public using good judgment in a courteous and helpful manner in stressful situations.

Additional Work Performed

1. Serve as acting fire Captain when authorized by the Fire Chief or designee.
2. Conduct fire protection and other related inspections as assigned.
3. Conduct presentations before school groups and service organizations on fire prevention, suppression procedures and equipment as assigned.
4. May present CPR/First Aid/AED training courses to City employees and the public.
5. Conduct tours of department facilities.

Performance Requirements (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Thorough knowledge of the field of fire science and emergency medical response.
• Skill and ability in tactful communication to express oneself clearly and concisely in speaking and legibly in writing.
• Thorough knowledge of English, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, punctuation and mathematics.
• Ability to drive fire emergency service vehicles safely and effectively under emergency conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, other City departments, employees and the general public.
• Ability to learn to read, interpret and properly apply laws applicable to fire service work.
• Ability to memorize and recall details, e.g., streets, roads and related geographical features to facilitate response to calls and alarms.
• Ability to maintain composure and self-control under adverse conditions, e.g., critical injuries and death.
• Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and with respect for the rights of citizens.
• Ability to perform duties and maintain personal conduct, attitude and appearances that conform to strict policies, procedures, discipline and within a "chain of command" management system.
• Ability to keep oneself in readiness at all times, to answer calls for service, accept authority, obey orders of superiors, and accept a strict personal and organizational code of conduct and ethics.
• Ability to maintain balanced perspective about life in general not withstanding continuous potential life‑threatening situations.
• Ability to use a computer system and software required by City and the fire department, including Microsoft 365, cloud-based and desktop software, and smart phone applications.

Equipment Utilized

Equipment utilized includes a wide variety of fire suppression, medical and rescue equipment such as apparatus (engines, aerial ladder trucks, trucks and trailers, and other specialized mobile equipment), ground ladders, hoses, oxygen apparatus, small gas, hydraulic, electric, and/or gas powered tools (chain saws, extrication tools, fans, pumps, lawn equipment and others), various hand tools (shovels, hooks, axes, lines, etc.), various medical tools (backboards, dressings, splints, tourniquets, etc.), and various electronics (personal computers, tablets, smart phone, pager, etc.). An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential job functions may be considered.

Entry Requirements

• 18 years of age at time of application.
• A United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident and have the ability to read, write and speak the English language.
• High school diploma, GED or equivalent.
• Valid Driver's License in state of residency and able to obtain WA state DL with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) endorsement or current Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention (EVIP) certification.
• A driver’s abstract with a good driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier.
• State of Washington Paramedic certification or equivalent National Registry Paramedic Certificate.
• Able to meet performance standards established by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and testing approved by the Civil Service Commission.
• Must pass comprehensive background investigation including fingerprint and criminal history, sexual offenses, and recent drug use.
• Conditional employment offer will include medical examination with pre-employment drug screen and psychological evaluation for aptitude to work in fire service.

Lateral-Entry Requirements

• IFSAC Firefighter I Certification or equivalent.

Other Necessary Requirements for Entry and Lateral Positions

• Able to pass annual City of Oak Harbor Fire Department medical exam and established physically fit for duty test.
• Able to adjust to a lifestyle that requires working 48-hour shifts or other work schedules, including work on holidays and being subject to over-time, hold-over and call-back at any time.
• Able to satisfactorily complete course work and training such as Washington State Fire Academy and other in-service training methods, procedures and techniques of fire service work presented by employees of a higher classification in the department or by attendance at special courses/schools.

*Certification at the Paramedic level will receive 15% premium based off the top step of the Firefighter/EMT salary schedule.*

The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those occurring in the performance of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

While some duties are performed indoors at a fire station, fire suppression and emergency medical duties are performed in or out of doors in all types of weather conditions under extremely hazardous, unpleasant and stressful conditions. The work of a firefighter involves performance of extremely physically demanding tasks for extended periods of time and requires firefighters to meet and maintain prescribed physical and endurance abilities. Requirements include but are not limitedto the ability to bend, twist, stoop, squat, crouch, kneel, and climb; perform repetitive lifting, overhead work, and heavy manual labor. Manual dexterity and visual acuity are necessary to operate small tools and electronics.

Safety Statement

We expect employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and the City’s Accident Prevention Program (APP). This includes, but is not limited to, actively identifying, and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers. Leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action, emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.