Firefighter - Entry Level/Lateral
Firefighter (Entry Level/ Lateral)
City of Watsonville. $24.68-$33.07/hour.
Filing deadline: Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 5 pm.
DEFINITION
To 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. Firefighters are typically assigned to a 24-hour rotating shift schedule averaging a total of 56 hours per week.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
receives direct supervision from the Fire Captain
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES - Duties may 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 such firefighting activities 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 such collateral assignments as maintaining emergency medical supplies, presents training classes in firefighting and first aid techniques repairing equipment, training cadets, and others
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
responds to fire, medical and other emergencies on a ladder truck or on an engine
performs inspections and preplans of industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential occupancies
completes records and prepares reports as assigned
performs other related duties as assigned by the Fire Captain
provides Basic or 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
emergency medical procedures necessary to deal with life threatening illness and/or injury
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
proper methods of preparation and delivery of a speech and public presentations
basic mechanical principles that demonstrate technical concepts, procedures, and equipment operation
basic computer skills
customer service techniques
emergency medical procedures necessary to deal with life threatening illness and/or injury
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 stats 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
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
stoop and bend; twist; reach above and below shoulder level
stand for long periods of time
lift equipment weighing 50 to 90 lbs.
carry fire hose, ladders, tools, etc.
push and pull; balance on ladders
distinguish red, yellow, and blue flashing lights
smell to detect odors such as alcohol, smoke, gases, etc.
hear effectively and communicate in both emergency and non-emergency situations
work in various environments subject to heat, cold, inclement weather, etc.
maintain physical health, strength, and agility to meet the physical demands of fire fighting
learn technical concepts, procedures and the operation of equipment utilized in firefighting, prevention, and education
read, comprehend, retain and apply a large number of technical procedures, policies, codes and orders
write comprehensive and grammatically correct reports
sit at a desk and in meetings and trainings for long periods of time
work under physically demanding conditions and in potentially hazardous or stressful situations
maintain a level of performance consistent with the standards of the department
work a 24-hour continuous shift, and be subject to recall during emergencies
effective use radios to communicate
meet and maintain standards of physical conditions as prescribed in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582-1992 (National Fire Codes)
speak English; speak Spanish highly desirable
Accredited Paramedic (In addition to the above):
observe and evaluate patient status and conditions
determine appropriate BLS and ALS procedures
make paramedical decisions rapidly, under stressful conditions
perform BLS and ALS life support, including CPR, cardiac monitoring (EKG interpretation), and defibrillation
administer medications via appropriate route per protocol
monitor and maintain patient airway to include endotracheal intubation, and needle cricothyrotomy
learn and apply Santa Cruz County radio format to transmit medical information to base hospitals
prepare accurate and complete reports
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
posession 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 and as applied to the position
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
six months experience as a paramedic
possession of a current license as a paramedic
possession of current CPR, ACLS provider certification, BTLS and PALS or equivalent
possession of EMT-Paramedic accreditation in Santa Cruz County within sixty days of appointment
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 Driver's License Firefighter endorsement
Equal Opportunity Employer.