Lateral Firefighter Paramedic

South-County-Fire; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

South County Fire in Washington is seeking a Firefighter Paramedic to provide Advanced Life Support and firefighting services outside of hospital settings under the Medical Director's direction.

The role includes fire suppression, EMS transport, apparatus operations, training participation, and ongoing professional development, reporting to the Captain and upholding core values while working with a diverse community and a bargaining-unit schedule.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Washington State Paramedic Certification required (noted prerequisites apply).
• Experience as a full-time firefighter paramedic preferred.
• Strong CPR/EMS protocol knowledge and familiarity with South County EMS standards.

Responsibilities

• Participates in training, pre-fire planning and inspections to maintain readiness.
• Delivers ALS medical treatment and patient transport per standards.
• Rides/drives department apparatus and performs pump/ladder operations as trained.
• Attends required meetings and training sessions.
• Transfers patients to medical facilities and manages EMS equipment.

Skills

Firefighter Paramedic duties

ALS knowledge

Apparatus operation

Emergency response

Communication under stress

Team leadership

Reading/writing English

Physical conditioning

Education

High school diploma or GED

Washington State Paramedic Certification

Job description

Recognized IAFF Service Credit:

South County Fire and Local 1828 will recognize your prior IAFF years of service, providing you with valuable seniority credit upon joining the organization. if electing to claim prior IAFF service time, please see the IAFF - Longevity Pay statement located within the additional requirements section.

Core Values:

All employees of South County Fire are expected to hold themselves accountable for upholding and demonstrating our core values at all times: Integrity, Humility, Compassion, Family and Trust.

Summary:

This company-level position is a skilled para-professional who provides emergency and non-emergency Advanced Life Support (ALS) services to the sick and injured outside of a hospital setting and under the direction of the County Medical Director. The Firefighter Paramedic (PM) also performs emergency and non-emergency services including fire suppression, execution of training drills, inspection and maintenance of fire equipment and high value apparatus, safety, and enhancing morale through leadership by example. The Firefighter-PM shall report to and is responsible to the Captain, who will evaluate performance. Optimum performance is achieved based on the Firefighter-PM's ability to adequately perform all facets of the job duties and responsibilities. The shift Firefighter-PM shall work an assigned shift schedule in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participates in training activities, pre-fire planning, inspections, and other company programs that enhance a high state of readiness to respond to all emergency situations. Participation in specialized areas of fire service responsibility such as hazardous materials training, facility and equipment maintenance, and rescue techniques and capability is also required.
• Communicates with a culturally diverse community in a tactful and effective manner under emergency stress or property-/life-threatening situations. This may involve managing individuals in a highly agitated state.
• Rides in and/or drives department apparatus, as required.
• Attends all meetings and training sessions, as required by local, state, and contractual requirements.
• Delivers/administers ALS medical treatment and transportation to injured and ill patients in accordance with local, state, and nationally recognized standards.
• Transfers patients from emergency scenes to the ambulance and transports patients to the appropriate medical facility.
• Performs fire suppression activities and tasks including pump operations, ladder operations, salvage duties, raising and climbing ladders, removing persons from danger; uses chemical extinguishing agents and other tools and equipment as required.
• Assists in extricating trapped victims or moving obstacles in order to obtain access to patients.
• Pursues on-going career development and educational advancement to enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to responsibilities.

Other Job Duties:

• May be provisionally appointed as acting Captain or MSO, on a voluntary basis, when minimum time in grade and requirements are fulfilled.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of this job description.

Qualifications

Knowledge Of:

• Modern firefighting principles, practices, techniques, equipment and procedures and EMS.
• Geographical area of service.
• Operation and maintenance procedures of fire department apparatus and equipment.
• South County EMS protocols, procedures and checklists.
• Departmental standard operating procedures.
• Rescue and hazardous materials response procedures.
• Training methods, procedures and material resources.

Skills and Ability To:

• Perform all duties of a firefighter.
• Perform as a Paramedic in Snohomish County.
• Perform as a pump operator and/or ladder company operator (only if fully trained in accordance with standards).
• Adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action during emergency operations with due regard to surrounding hazards, circumstances and safety.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel and the public.
• Demonstrate predictable, reliable and timely attendance.
• Follow written and verbal directions and complete assigned tasks on schedule.
• Read, write and communicate in English and understand basic math.
• Maintain good physical conditioning and have the ability to carry out physically demanding tasks under dangerous and stressful conditions.
• Interact effectively with individuals and groups to achieve cooperation and support of departmental services, goals and objectives.
• Demonstrate proficiency in South County Fire software programs, including Microsoft Office applications and other programs as applicable.
• Operate all fire-based apparatus and equipment; and operations level hazardous materials equipment, rescue equipment and ALS EMS equipment.
• Maintain and project a calm, informational and persuasive demeanor in stressful situations.
• Strong organizational and problem solving skills.
• Effectively handle frequently changing priorities.
• Maintain confidential information as appropriate.

Education and Experience

As outlined in the current applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Special Requirements/Recommendations

• Maintain a valid's driver's license with acceptable driving record and the RFA approved defensive driving certificate.
• Participation in the South County Fire Respiratory Protection Program.
• Prior to Final Offer: Firefighter Mile results from National Testing Network scheduled through South County Fire during the Conditional Offer phase.

Required

• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid Washington State Paramedic Certification (not required at the time of hire, but must meet WA State Department of Health requirements for reciprocity and attain before working as a paramedic)
• Must have at least 1 year of experience as a current full-time career Firefighter Paramedic.

Desirable

• IFSAC Firefighter I and II, and HazMat Operations certification.

Physical Demands

Must maintain physical condition, ability, agility and stamina to act in emergency, heavy physical labor, life-threatening, fire, accident and disaster situations. Must be able to climb and descend ladders, crawl into tight confined spaces, lift and carry, or drag heavy objects in excess of 150 pounds, bend at the waist, kneel, crouch, crawl, and stoop, sit, stand, walk for extended periods of time and reach overhead. Individual must possess acceptable auditory and visual senses to meet the requirements of the position. Individual must be dexterous with their hands and fingers to operate various emergency tools and equipment and psychologically able to function within reduced visibility and restricted environments. Individual is required to wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and protective equipment weighing up to 60+ pounds and be able to pull hose to suppress fires and use ropes and pulleys to rescue victims.

Working Conditions

This position requires individual to work in adverse weather conditions, and work in indoor and outdoor environments, and at heights and below grade. Individual will be exposed to cold, heat, fire, smoke, high-decibel noise, falling debris, toxic material, blood and blood-borne pathogens. Individual will work around and with machinery having moving parts, traffic hazards, and rides in and/or drives department apparatus, as required. Individual must be able to operate a computer, related software, printer, fax machine, copier, telephone, pager, EMS and fire equipment, radio and other electronic communication devices. Individual may be required to travel to meetings, seminars and conferences.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

The following requirements must be met, or you will not move forward in the hiring process.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old at time of application.
• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Valid driver's license.
• Applicants are required to complete the Firefighter written exam through Public Safety Testing (PST) before applying.
• National Registry or Washington State certified Paramedic.
• Must have a minimum of 1 year full-time experience as a career Firefighter Paramedic, and have successfully completed probation with the same agency (within the last 3 years).
• All new hire firefighters are required to participate in the Respiratory Protection Program.
• Graduate of a Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs (CoAEMSP) accredited Paramedic Program and qualify for Washington State reciprocity.

Required Documents:

• Current resume.
• Current Paramedic Card*. Your certification must meet these requirements:
  • National Registry or Washington State (Department of Health) Paramedic Certification only.
  • We do not accept out-of-state Paramedic cards.
  • We do not accept any other BLS, first aid, or other certifications or courses, including Red Cross.
• *If you are not currently certified, but in the process of becoming certified with National Registry or Washington State Department of Health, you will be required to provide certification via email prior to application deadline or you will be disqualified.

If claiming Veterans Preference: Attach copy of DD 214 form.

Preferred Qualifications

• IFSAC Firefighter I and II certifications.
• IFSAC HazMat Operations certificate.

IAFF - Longevity Pay

South County Fire recognizes qualifying prior service in IAFF-represented positions for purposes of determining seniority for longevity pay and other applicable benefits as outlined in Article 20.3 of the IAFF Local 1828 Collective Bargaining Agreement and further explained in the Letter of Understanding dated July 1, 2026.

Qualifying prior service is defined as the total professional firefighting experience an employee obtained in continuous full-time service in a bargaining unit represented by the IAFF as a professional firefighter, paramedic, or EMT, prior to their hire date with the RFA.

Lateral hires seeking credit for prior IAFF-represented service will be required to provide documentation of their qualifying service and complete a certification form. Documentation may include prior paystubs showing IAFF dues, a letter from a former employer verifying IAFF-represented service, or documentation from a state pension administrator, when applicable. Human Resources can assist with questions regarding documentation and alternative means of verifying prior service.

View the IAFF Local 1828 Collective Bargaining Agreement for the current longevity incentive schedule and applicable requirements.