Firefighter (Paid-On-Call)

• Performs fire fighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose and performing fire suppression, containment, ventilation, salvage and overhaul, and extinguishment tasks.
• Performs emergency medical services and rescue activities including administering first aid and CPR, operating EMS equipment such as an automatic external defibrillator, portable suction units, etc., performing extrication and providing other assistance as required.
• Performs fire prevention activities including public safety education, fire code and life safety code inspections of buildings and businesses within the City and fire investigations to determine origin and cause of fire situations as assigned.
• Responds to and assists in all emergency situations when available, including but not limited to: rescuing persons, properties and premises; evacuating, securing and coordinating emergency scenes; operating equipment in an efficient and safe manner; and assisting other emergency agencies in the performance of their duties.
• On occasion, may be assigned or responsible for administrative responsibilities, to include completion of incident response reports.
• May take a limited leadership role during calls for service providing direction to less experienced firefighting personnel, as assigned by a supervisor or in the absence of a supervisor.
• Must be able to accept authority and work as a team member under stress caused by emergencies, danger, or criticism, and must be able to work fast while concentrating very hard.
• Maintains and expands knowledge and skills in the areas of fire suppression, rescue, EMS, hazardous materials mitigation, and fire prevention; by attending regular and assigned department training sessions, shall also avail themselves of advanced and outside training per department policies.
• Makes suggestions to supervisors regarding the organization structure, operations, equipment used, and may participate on committees from time to time to evaluate department needs.
• Serves as a representative of the City, performing duties in a courteous and professional manner that conveys a positive image of city government and that fosters cooperation and support.
• Performs such other duties as are consistent with the tasks of the position and as may be assigned by the City.                                      

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Lifting and Pulling: both from overhead and dead weight positions, a variety of equipment (e.g., hoses, ladders, fans, rescue saws, portable lights, hydraulic rescue tools). Lifting patients from dead weight positions under emergency response conditions. Advancing hose lines at fires, pulling ladder halyard to extend ladders, dragging/removing fire victims. When assistance is available, one person's share of weight load would commonly be 35 – 40 pounds; however, it is not uncommon for a firefighter to have to carry 75 or more pounds of equipment without assistance. 

Climbing and/or Balancing: ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolds, ramps, and alike using feet and legs and/or hands and arms during emergency response activities. Must be able to balance and have the ability to steady oneself and keep from falling when walking, standing, crouching, crawling on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. Must be capable of applying a leg lock with either leg upon a ground ladder to provide a safe anchor when operating hose lines or performing rescue work. Capable of working on roofs.

 Grasp, Touching, Feeling, and Using Fingers: capable of utilizing both gross and fine muscle functions for the handling (seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with the hands); fingering (picking, pinching, or otherwise working with the fingers); and feeling (perceiving attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by means of receptors in skin, particularly those of the fingertips). Manipulate items such as SCBA valves, apparatus controls, alarm panel controls, nozzle controls, and tie knots in ropes.

 Walking, Crawling, Kneeling, and/or Squatting Mobility: must be able to walk, crawl, kneel, or squat while carrying or lifting equipment and patients. Must be able to balance and have the ability to steady oneself and keep from falling. Must be capable of reaching (extend the hands or arms in any direction); All lifting, dragging and/or walking/crawling/kneeling/squatting mobility requirements are to be met while in full protective gear, which weighs approximately 50 pounds.

 Reaching, Bending, and Twisting: picking up and carrying ladders, hoses, and other fire and rescue equipment, raising ladders against a structure, opening hydrants, connecting hose lines, using axes, sledgehammers, upward thrusting of "pike poles" into ceilings to open up access to attic spaces, and rescue tools. Must be capable of reaching and extending the hands and/or arms in any direction frequently and from awkward positions.

• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Must possess a valid Minnesota driver's license without restricted driving privileges.
• No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years.
• Must live within 4 minutes of an Apple Valley Fire Station as determined by department policy.
• Ability to complete training and possess "Firefighter 1 ", "Firefighter 2" and "NFPA 1072 Haz-Mat Ops" certification from the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board within one year of hire date.
• Ability to complete training and possess "Emergency Medical Responder" (EMR) or higher certification from the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board within one year of hire date.
• Ability to complete FEMA NIMS IS-100, IS- 200 and IS-700.   
• Has the ability to regularly respond to emergency calls within established department policies.
• Must successfully pass City administered initial and periodic tests, which may include: physical agility test, physical examination (medical), stress test, drug screen, pulmonary function test, and psychological evaluation.
• No firefighting experience or training is required.  City will provide necessary training to successful candidates.

• An Associates Degree in Public Safety or related field; Fire Apparatus Operator, Hazardous Materials Technician, Public Fire Safety Education, Fire Investigator, and Fire Inspector courses are all desirable qualifications.

Schedule:  On call for emergency response.  Regularly scheduled training requirements.

• Firefighter Informational - Open houses:  "What does an Apple Valley Firefighter do?" - Information for all interested persons and their significant others.  We strongly encourage interested applicants to attend one of these meetings.  Open houses will be Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 19, 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.  All meetings will be held at Apple Valley Fire Station 2, located at 13995 Galaxie Avenue. 
• Firefighter Written Exam:   Written testing for invited applicants will be Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the Municipal Center. Make-up test date for those unable to make the May 3rd date will be on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Municipal Center.
• Firefighter Interviews:  Week of May 12, 2025 - May 16, 2025.  Times of interviews TBD.
• Employment:  Offers will be contingent upon successful background investigation, including a criminal & driving history check, physical and psychological exam.
• Start date (approximate): New Hire Orientation/Recruit FF training begins the evening of Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.  All Recruit Firefighter online and in-person training is paid at the firefighter hourly wage.

Salary : $21