Washington State Lateral Firefighter Paramedic

South-County-Fire; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

South County Fire in Washington is seeking a Firefighter Paramedic to deliver Advanced Life Support and participate in fire suppression and rescue operations outside the hospital, under Medical Director guidance.

Responsibilities include training, equipment maintenance, and assisting in various EMS and fire service activities while upholding professionalism and community safety. Requires WA paramedic certification and multiple certifications; competitive shift schedules apply.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid Washington State Paramedic Certification.
• Minimum 3 years as a full-time firefighter-paramedic in Washington.
• IFSAC Firefighter I & II; HazMat Operations; NIMS 100/200/700/800.
• Ability to communicate effectively under stress and in diverse communities.

Responsibilities

• Provide ALS emergency medical care and transportation outside of a hospital.
• Participate in training, pre-fire planning, inspections, and readiness activities.
• Drive department apparatus and perform firefighting and rescue tasks as required.
• Maintain equipment and participate in safety programs and morale-building.

Skills

Paramedic duties

EMS knowledge

Communication under stress

Leadership

Team collaboration

Physical stamina

Education

Washington State Paramedic Certification

High School Diploma or GED

IFSAC Firefighter I

IFSAC Firefighter II

IFSAC HazMat Operations

NIMS 100

NIMS 200

NIMS 700

NIMS 800

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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 are 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 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.
• 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 driver's license with acceptable driving record, and the RFA approved defensive driving certificate.
• Participation in the South County Fire Respiratory Protection Program.
• Successfully pass South County Fire’s EMS and fireground skills assessments.

Required

• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid Washington State Paramedic Certification
• Must have at least 3 years of experience as a current full-time career Firefighter Paramedic in Washington State.
• IFSAC Firefighter I and II.
• IFSAC HazMat Operations certification.
• NIMS 100
• NIMS 200
• NIMS 700
• NIMS 800

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. Individuals must possess acceptable auditory and visual senses to meet the requirements of the position. Individuals 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. Individuals are required to wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and protective equipment weighing up to 60+ pounds, 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. Individuals will be exposed to cold, heat, fire, smoke, high-decibel noise, falling debris, toxic material, blood and blood-borne pathogens. Individuals will work around and with machinery having moving parts, traffic hazards, and rides in and/or drives department apparatus, as required. Individuals 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. Individuals 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.

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 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 pay stubs 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 at the following link,