Depending on qualifications, this position may begin as a Firefighter Trainee, a Firefighter I, or a Reserve Driver/Engineer.

All applicants will be invited to sit for a written exam on Monday, January 27th, 2025, 8:00am central; location to be determined. An RSVP is required to reserve a seat for the written exam and should be sent to jobs@cookeville-tn.gov. (If you are currently a Certified Firefighter (must have Firefighter I and AEMT), please contact Battalion Chief Snyder at (931)520-5252 for additional information. Applicants who successfully complete, or are exempted from, the written exam will undergo the physical agility course in the afternoon hours of January 27th and should bring appropriate clothing for strenuous physical activity. Additional information regarding the physical agility exam will be given to you at the time of the written exam.

The following forms must be completed and notarized (as required) and brought with you to the testing site. These forms may be found in a fillable format online at: Cookeville Fire Department Careers | Cookeville, TN (cookeville-tn.gov)

1. Physical Agility Physician's Authorization - Your physician must sign this form.
2. Release and Waiver of Claims form - This form must be signed by applicant and notarized.
3. Photograph and Photo ID - Applicants should bring with them a copy of a photo ID to remain with the exam proctor. Applicants will also be required to present a photo ID (such as Driver's License).

Applicants successfully completing the written exam and physical agility course will then be scheduled for an interview on Tuesday, January 28th.

PAY RANGE:

Firefighter Trainee: Beginning Salary- $41,091

Firefighter: Beginning Salary- $43,600

Reserve Driver/Engineer: Beginning Salary- $45,789

Firefighter

Job description statements are: intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title; not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required; and subject to change, as approved by the City Manager.

Job Summary:

Employees in this class are under general supervision, typically by a Lieutenant. Work is performed in controlling and extinguishing fires, engaging in search and rescue, responding to medical emergencies and treating ill or injured individuals, responds to other emergency calls to protect life and property as directed and performs appropriate actions up to level of training.

Examples of work performed: Controls and extinguishes fires; performs forcible entry, search, rescue, and vehicle extrication; treats ill or injured persons; responds to hazardous materials incidents; performs station and equipment maintenance; responds to alarms; participates in fire prevention and training activities; operates all emergency equipment as qualifications permit; performs daily equipment checks and upkeep tasks; keeps all equipment in a state of readiness; participates in pre-fire planning, and assigned training; maintains and flows fire hydrants; may make public presentations or conduct station tours on occasion; participate in the (Cookeville Community Response) CCR program; uses computer to enter data and generate reports; performs related duties as required.

Required Knowledge and Abilities:

Knowledge normally possessed by a Firefighter trainee

Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations and to determine proper courses of action

Ability to pass an annual physical agility test and medical surveillance

Ability to complete general recruit training as approved by the Tennessee Commission on Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education

Ability to learn to operate a variety of fire-fighting, hazardous materials, and emergency medical equipment

Ability to teach CPR/AED classes

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing

Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the public and co-workers

Minimum Qualifications:

High School diploma or equivalent

Valid Tennessee driver's license

Must be a Tennessee resident within 4 months of hire date and at least eighteen years of age

Must be able to pass a criminal background check and a pre-employment physical and drug screen

Must be Tennessee Fire Commission, Pro Board, and/or IFSAC Accredited Certifications

Post Hire/Promotion:

Must complete a sixty-four hour, two-week internal training program.

Must attain a Tennessee Commission on Firefighting Firefighter II certification within eighteen months of

hire/promotion date.

Must obtain certification as a CPR/AED instructor within twelve months of hire/promotion date.

Must attain the position of Reserve Driver/Engineer within twenty-four months of hire/promotion date.

Must obtain certification as a Tennessee AEMT within thirty-six months of hire/promotion date.

Essential Functions:

Physical strength and ability to perform very heavy labor and strenuous work for extended periods of time under extremely dangerous and uncomfortable conditions, while wearing bulky protective gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus, weighing in excess of sixty pounds. Must be able to lift up to 100 pounds frequently. Pulls and drags hose. Forces entry, performs ventilation, climbs ladders, works from aerial equipment, performs rescue, endures heat, cold, smoke, and hazardous materials. Must be able to pass an annual physical agility and medical surveillance test. Must be able to work a twenty-four hour shift. Requires fast response or reaction time. Requires good hand-eye coordination to operate equipment.

Reserve Driver Engineer

Job description statements are: intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title; not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required; and subject to change, as approved by the City Manager

Job Summary:

Employees in this position are under general supervision by a Lieutenant. Work is performed in driving and operating fire department apparatus in the absence of a Driver/Engineer and controlling and extinguishing fires, engaging in search and rescue and responding to medical emergencies.

Examples of work performed: Controls and extinguishes fires, performs forcible entry, search and rescue; responds to medical emergencies and treats ill and/or injured persons; responds to hazardous materials incidents; performs equipment maintenance; responds to alarms, participates in fire prevention and training activities; drives and operates fire apparatus including pumping operations at fire scenes; assumes primary responsibility for servicing and maintenance of fire apparatus in the absence of a Driver/Engineer; performs daily equipment checks and upkeep tasks; keeps all equipment in a state of readiness; participates in pre-fire planning and assigned training; maintains and flows fire hydrants on a regular schedule as required by policy. May on occasion make public presentations and/or conduct station tours. Uses computers to enter data and generate reports. Performs related duties as required.

Required Knowledge and Abilities:

Knowledge of technical fire-fighting techniques and principles of hydraulics as applied to fire suppression

Ability to drive and operate assigned fire apparatus

Ability to complete on-the-scene reports

Ability to react quicky and calmly in emergency situations and to determine proper courses of action

Ability to pass an annual physical agility test and medical surveillance

Ability to operate a variety of fire-fighting, hazardous materials and emergency medical equipment

Ability to certification as CPR/AED instructor

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing

Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the public and co-workers

Minimum Qualifications/Certifications:

High School diploma or equivalent
Valid Tennessee drivers license
Must be a Tennessee resident within four months form hire date and at least eighteen years of age
Must be certified by the Tennessee Commission on Firefighting as a Firefighter I
Must be certified by the Tennessee Commission on Firefighting as a PDO (Pumper Driver/Operator)
Must successfully complete and pass a skills evaluation test

Must be Tennessee Fire Commission, Pro Board, and/or IFSAC Accredited Certifications
Post Hire:

Must obtain a Tennessee Commission on Firefighting certification as an AADO (Aerial Apparatus Driver Operator) within eighteen months.
Must obtain certification as an AEMT within thirty-six months of hire date
Must attain Certified Firefighter II status within eighteen months from promotion date

Essential Functions:

Must be able to drive a fire department apparatus safely under emergency and non-emergency conditions. Must be able to operate fire department equipment at the scene of an emergency. Requires physical strength to perform very heavy labor and strenuous work for extended periods of time under extremely dangerous and uncomfortable condition while wearing bulky protective gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus weighing in excess of sixty pounds.

Must be able to lift up to 100 pounds frequently. Pulls and drags hose. Forces entry, performs ventilation, climbs ladders, works from aerial equipment, performs rescue, endures heat, smoke and hazardous materials. Must be able to work a twenty-four hour shift. Requires fast response or reaction time. Requires good hand-eye coordination.

Full Time Benefits Summary:

Medical
Dental
Vision
Paid Life Insurance
Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Account
Voluntary Benefits
Pension and 401k Retirement Savings
Paid Holidays
Paid Sick time

City of Cookeville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring decisions are administered without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Reasonable Accommodations:

Qualified individuals with known disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the Human Resources department at (931) 520-5289.

Successful applicants must pass a limited background check, pre-employment physical, and drug screen. 

Salary : $41,091 - $68,203