Lateral Firefighter (Multiple Vacancies)

City of Kirkland; Kirkland (WA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Kirkland is seeking up to three Lateral Firefighters who are committed to protecting life, property, and the environment through professional emergency response and compassionate service. This role requires ongoing training, teamwork, and the ability to work 24-hour shifts in a dynamic urban fire department.

Successful candidates will hold NFPA 1001 Firefighter I/II, WA EMT certification, and a valid WA driver’s license, with a strong emphasis on physical fitness and safety.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED.
• No less than two years' experience as a full-time paid firefighter within the past three years.
• Graduated from a training academy meeting NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II requirements.
• Must possess a current EMT certification within the State of Washington.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's License and be insurable to operate city vehicles.
• Background check, medical, psychological, and physical assessments required; age/physical standards apply.
• Must pass a physical fitness test, EMS skills evaluation, and Firefighter skills evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Respond to alarms with a company; lay and connect hose, direct water stream, and climb ladders.
• Drive fire apparatus and operate pumps and other equipment.
• Ventilate burning buildings by opening windows or cutting holes.
• Rescue and provide emergency medical care to injured persons.
• Perform routine maintenance and upkeep of equipment and facilities.
• Participate in fire drills and continuing education in firefighting and EMS.

Skills

Physical stamina

Teamwork

Emergency response

Education

NFPA 1001 Firefighter I & II

Emergency Medical Technician (WA)

Washington Driver's License

Job description

Note: The salary increase for 2027 will be 4.8%.

The Kirkland Fire Department is seeking up to three Lateral Firefighters who are passionate about serving their community and answering the call in times of need. We are looking for individuals who are committed to protecting life, property, and the environment through professional emergency response and compassionate public service.

Working for the Kirkland Fire Department provide a unique opportunity to join a collaborative, community-focused team that values preparedness, teamwork, and continuous learning. Our firefighters take pride in delivering high-quality emergency medical care, fire suppression services, and public safety education while building trust and connection through the Kirkland community.

Click here to learn more about the Kirkland Fire Department.

Job Summary

Responsible for performing general firefighting and emergency medical care at fire and disaster scenes.

Essential Duties

• Respond to fire alarms with a company; lays and connects hose, holds nozzles and direct water stream; raises and climbs ladders; uses chemical extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines, and other equipment.
• Drive fire apparatus; operates pumps, and other auxiliary fire apparatus.
• Ventilates burning buildings by opening windows and skylights or cutting holes in roofs and floors.
• Removes persons from danger and administers emergency care to injured or ill persons.
• Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of department property, clean and washes walls and floors, cares for grounds around station; making minor repairs, washes, hangs and dries hose; washes, cleans, polishes, maintains, and tests apparatus and equipment.
• Performs salvage and overhaul operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water and removing debris.
• Participates in fire drills and attends classes in firefighting and emergency medical care.
• Inspects buildings to determine fire hazards.
• Performs other work as assigned.
• Writes and maintains accurate reports.
• At higher level of Firefighter, instructs job skills to others.
• May be required to perform duties as a disaster worker in the event of a disaster affecting the City of Kirkland. This may require returning to work during off-hours or remaining at work past normal work hours.

Peripheral Duties

• Performs administrative and/or technical support tasks for Fire Administration such as computer data entry, maintaining maps, researching programs and issues, and other related support tasks.
• Instructs the public in fire and emergency medical safety.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a working knowledge of fire suppression techniques.
• Ability to perform prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions and to maintain an adequate level of physical fitness at all times.
• Ability to achieve and maintain certified status as an Emergency Medical Technician.
• Ability to learn a wide variety of firefighting duties and methods within a reasonable working test period.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or a GED.
• No less than two years' experience and have served for a minimum of one (1) out of the past three (3) years in the capacity of a full-time paid (career) Firefighter with an agency providing emergency medical and fire protection services.
• Graduated from a training academy which meets current NFPA 1001 (National Fire Protection Association) Firefighter I and II requirements.
• Must possess a current EMT (Emergency Medical Technician level certification within the State of Washington.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's License and ability to remain insurable under the City's insurance to operate motor vehicles.
• Successful completion of background check, medical exam, psychological assessment, physical assessment, and must meet such age and physical standards as may be prescribed.
• Must Pass a physical fitness test, and EMS skills evaluation, and Firefighter skills evaluation.

Advancement through the five Firefighter steps shall be governed by the following:

• Firefighter 1: Date of hire to 12 months of employment (probationary).
• Firefighter 2: Completion of 12 months of continuous employment.
• Firefighter 3: Completion of 24 months of continuous employment, have and maintain EMT certification.
• Firefighter 4: Completion of 36 months of continuous employer, have and maintain EMT-D certification.
• Firefighter 5: Completion of 48 months of continuous employment, have and maintain EMT-D certification.

Working Conditions

Work is usually performed during 24-hour shifts. May frequently require exposure to hazardous conditions that are typical to a fire or emergency situation, such as, intense heat, smoke, burning debris and falling structures. Wears self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing in emergency situations. A large part of the time is spent in the performance of routine duties at a fire station. Must be able to move objects up to 150 pounds.

Selection Process

Position requires a resume and cover letter (letter of interest) and completed supplemental questionnaire for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or email. Job open until filled with first review of applicants on October 2nd, 2026.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 711.

Final candidates for this position will be required to successfully complete a background check, consistent with applicable law.