Firefighter (Paramedic) -Entry Level/Lateral

City of Watsonville; Watsonville (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking dedicated firefighters to respond to emergencies and provide critical medical care. This role involves not only fighting fires but also conducting public education and training sessions. Ideal candidates will possess strong physical endurance and the ability to work under pressure in hazardous conditions. The position offers a unique opportunity to serve the community and make a significant impact on public safety. Join a team committed to excellence and community service, where your skills and dedication will be valued and developed.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license.
• Experience in emergency medical care and firefighting is essential.

Responsibilities

• Respond to fire, medical, and other emergencies.
• Perform fire prevention inspections and public education talks.

Skills

Emergency Medical Procedures

Fire Ground Management

Public Presentation Skills

Safe Vehicle Driving Techniques

Basic Computer Skills

Customer Service Techniques

Physical Strength and Endurance

Communication Skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

AS/AA Degree in Fire Protection Technology

Tools

Fire Department Tools and Equipment

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

Job description

Attach copies of the following to your application (failure to provide these copies may disqualify your application from moving forward in the recruitment process):

• Paramedic License card
• C.P.R. card
• A.C.L.S. card
• BTLS or PHTLS or Santa Cruz County Trauma Equivalency certification/card
• PALS or PEPP Provider certification card
• Copy of current (within one year) Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
• An original and current (issued within 60 days of the final filing date) Department of Motor Vehicles driving record print-out
• Proof of relevant course completion
• Resume

DEFINITION
Firefighters respond to fire, medical, and other emergencies; perform emergency medical care; fight fires; perform rescues; participate in hazardous materials control; conduct training sessions; perform fire prevention inspections and pre-fire planning; perform public education talks and classes; perform other support functions to carry out City policy and the mission of the Fire Department and other related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This job class functions at the Firefighter level. (Paramedic-accredited Firefighters perform advanced life support and receive a pay differential). Firefighters are typically assigned to a 24-hour rotating shift schedule averaging 56 hours per week.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Receives direct supervision from the Fire Captain. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responds to fire, medical and other emergencies on a rescue unit or on an engine
• Connects and lays hose lines, enters burning buildings and directs stream onto fires
• Raises, positions and climbs ladders
• Assists in firefighting activities such as rescue, protecting exposures, ventilation, salvage, overhaul and other operations
• Assists paramedics in providing emergency medical care
• Inspects, services and maintains equipment to ensure proper operating condition
• Maintains clean and orderly conditions in and about the fire station
• Attends and participates in special drills and other training activities
• Performs collateral assignments such as maintaining emergency medical supplies, presenting training classes in firefighting and first aid techniques, repairing equipment, training cadets
• Performs fire prevention inspections and preplans of industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential occupancies
• Conducts presentations and classes with public groups on fire safety, emergency response and other Fire Department related subjects
• Works long hours, at all hours, under physical and mental pressures in hazardous conditions, in inclement weather and during emergency response and disaster situations
• Wears self-contained breathing apparatus
• May be assigned to attend meetings and make presentations
• Completes records and prepares reports as assigned
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Fire Captain

Accredited Paramedic (In addition to the above):

• Provides Advanced Life Support first responder emergency medical care and assistance to victims of accidents, injuries or illness

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of modern methods and techniques of fire ground management, fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue and the Incident Command System (ICS)
• Emergency medical procedures necessary to deal with life threatening illness and/or injury
• Proper methods of public presentations
• Safe vehicle driving techniques
• Proper pump operation procedures
• Maintenance and repair procedures of fire department apparatus and equipment
• Basic fire prevention and hazardous materials inspection procedures
• Basic arithmetic, correct English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Basic chemistry of fire and hazardous materials
• Proper methods of developing a lesson plan and delivering a basic training class
• Basic computer skills
• Customer service techniques

Accredited Paramedic (In addition to the above):

• Advanced Life Support pre-hospital emergency medical care techniques, principles, and practices
• Basic human anatomy and physiology
• Medical terminology
• Techniques and analytical processes used in the description and assessment of patient status
• Categories, indications and contraindications, and appropriate dosage levels of medications
• Procedures and equipment used in monitoring patient vital signs, symptoms of impaired cardiac and respiratory functioning, altered states of consciousness, various types of toxicity and poisoning, shock, and common diseases

Ability to:

• Safely and effectively operate fire department tools and equipment
• Perform departmental fire suppression, rescue, and other related tasks
• Communicate, understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Think clearly and act decisively under stressful conditions
• Maintain a good driving record
• Read English, understand and apply information received from fire service handbooks, manuals and regulations
• Perform strenuous physical labor under adverse and dangerous conditions
• Keep maintenance and repair of fire department apparatus
• Perform as an effective team member and co-worker
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, other departments and agencies, business and community groups, and the general public
• Walk to perform assigned duties; walk on uneven surfaces; crawl and run
• Lift equipment weighing 50 to 90 lbs.
• Work in various environments subject to heat, cold, inclement weather, etc.
• Maintain physical health, strength, and agility to meet the physical demands of firefighting
• Write comprehensive and grammatically correct reports
• Work a 24-hour continuous shift, and be subject to recall during emergencies
• Effectively use radios to communicate

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license and a safe driving record
• Must meet minimum medical requirement defined in NFPA Standard 1582
• Must demonstrate physical strength, endurance and agility as defined by NFPA Standard 1582
• At least 18 years of age at time of hire
• High School Diploma or GED or equivalent is required
• An AS/AA degree from a properly accredited institution in Fire Protection Technology or other related field is highly desirable
• Possession of Certified Firefighter I or equivalent prior to working or completed during probation (within first year) on shift including the following courses:
  • CSTI Haz Mat FRO
  • SFT or NWCG ICS 100, 200
  • NIMS IS-700
• Complete SFT RIC Tactics course within first year of employment
• EMT at time of hire
• Current CPR card

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prior to appointment, the Department may require candidates to successfully complete a psychological examination and/or background investigation
• Must sign non-tobacco use agreement
• Must maintain physical fitness according to Department Standards
• Second year of employment must complete Driver Operator 1A and 1B and Drivers License Firefighter endorsement

The candidate will be appointed for a 12-month probationary period. The City of Watsonville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages workplace diversity. The City of Watsonville is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by including people with disabilities in all of its programs and activities.
NOTE: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND ANY PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVISED WITHOUT NOTICE.