What are the responsibilities and job description for the Entry Level Firefighter position at City of Tumwater?
The City of Tumwater
The livable town with open minds, vibrant people and healthy neighborhoods.The City of Tumwater is located at the base of the Deschutes River, where the water cascades to its final destination at the southern tip of Puget Sound. The rugged Olympic Mountains rise in the distance and Mount Rainier seems close enough to touch on a clear day.
The vibrant mix of community-minded people and prosperous natural resources make Tumwater rich in history, community and opportunity. Tumwater is placed in the ancestral lands of the Coastal Salish peoples and near the homes of the Nisqually and Squaxin tribes. The modern City was settled by founders George and Isabelle Bush and Michael and Elizabeth Simmons.
Our vision is to create a future that is people-oriented and highly livable, with a strong economy, dynamic places, vibrant neighborhoods, a healthy natural environment, diverse and engaged residents, and with a living connection to its history. Check out our city's vision, mission and beliefs.
Safe neighborhoods, quality schools, and a sense of community pride make Tumwater a great place to live, work, and play.
The Opportunity
The City of Tumwater is actively seeking qualified applicants for the position of Firefighter. Applicants interested in this position must complete the Fire Selection Tool written test through Public Safety Testing. Please visit their website (www.PublicSafetyTesting.com) to register for testing. Be sure to select Tumwater Fire Department under the Puget Sound agency section.
Candidates must score 80% or more on the written test and submit their scores to Tumwater by January 31, 2024, 5:00 p.m. All qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a speed interview. See below for full recruitment process and schedule.
You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process continues. Please refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) for more information on the City of Tumwater website at www.TumwaterFireJobs.com.
Firefighters provide emergency assistance and protective services to people in our community. They are trained and equipped to protect life and property threatened by disaster, fire, explosion, hazardous materials, illness, accidents and other hazards. Firefighters perform rescue and emergency medical services in accordance with Thurston County Medic One protocols. Work may involve environments that are dangerous to life and health. Strenuous physical exertion under stressful conditions may be required during training and emergency scene operations. The work environment includes, but is not limited to, confined spaces, temperature extremes, inclement weather, extreme heights, exposure to diseases, and violent acts.
The career firefighter also conducts or participates in non-emergency services, including training, pre-incident planning, fire/injury prevention, public education, building inspections, public relations, facility and equipment maintenance, apparatus and equipment checks, report writing, and other activities.
Supervision: Direct supervision is from a superior Firefighter, Fire Lieutenant, or Fire Captain. Performance evaluations are conducted by a Company Officer.
Essential Functions: Typical firefighter tasks and or assignments include but are not limited to:
- Compliant with Agency policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations.
- Responds to emergencies.
- Public education, outreach, and training.
- Participates in assigned training.
- Responds to customer requests.
- Operating agency equipment and apparatus.
- Physical training/conditioning.
- Obtaining and retaining Agency-required professional certifications.
- Timely and accurate documentation of activities.
- Operating a variety of telecommunication tools and computer programs.
- Mentoring other firefighters.
- Opportunity to work out of class after sufficient training and experience is completed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Contacts: Firefighters routinely come in contact with the general public, law enforcement personnel, medical professionals, and fire service personnel from other jurisdictions. Contacts with the public are generally in emergency and stressful situations, which require the employee to present and maintain a professional, service-oriented public image. Firefighters must be able to use tact, discretion, and may exercise independent judgment in emergency or dangerous situations.
Accountability: Firefighters are accountable for maintaining public safety through fire suppression and prevention, basic life support emergency medical response, and for compliance with departmental or other policies, procedures, regulations and/or codes.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to work in a closely managed, paramilitary management system.
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and comply with safety regulations.
- Ability to work under hazardous conditions using proper techniques and wearing proper equipment.
- Ability to learn principles and techniques of modern fire suppression, prevention, and lifesaving procedures and techniques.
- Ability to maintain composure and self-control under adverse conditions.
- Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and with respect for the rights of the others.
- Ability to interact and communicate effectively with people of different genders, races, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, and experiences. Multilingual skills are desirable.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees and external partners.
- Ability to meet adopted performance standards.
- Ability to hold self in readiness at all times to answer calls, accept authority, and obey orders from superiors.
- Ability to attend school, conferences, and training sessions, keeping current in tactics and other information related to this position.
- Ability to work/operate cooperatively in small groups and team environments to accomplish mission, task, and/or assignments.
- Must be able to drive fire apparatus, medic units, and Agency vehicles.
- Ability to understands and adheres to the Agency's policies, procedures and operating guidelines.
- Must complete the written exam (Firefighter Selection Tool) through Public Safety Testing (PST) and a City of Tumwater Application for employment by January 31, 2024.
- Successfully complete an Agency-recognized firefighter recruit academy upon offer.
- Obtain Washington Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification as required by Thurston County Medic One within one (1) year of appointment and maintain throughout the period of employment.
- Obtain IFSAC Firefighter I within the first year of employment.
- Obtain IFSAC Firefighter II with the first two (2) years of employment.
- Complete the Washington State Fire Fighters Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) program for Firefighter within first three (3) years.
- Must be a minimum of 21 years of age at time of appointment.
- Must be able to read, utilize a computer (screen, keyboard, etc.), write, and understand various reports, letters, documents, emails, training materials, etc.
- Frequent movement is necessary in a fire station setting, in meetings and/or training, at conferences, etc., for long periods.
- Occasionally ascends/descends stairs and/or ladders; occasionally positions self to reach high/low work spaces; occasionally kneels, stoops, crouches, or crawls.
- Must successfully pass Agency's requirements for fitness for duty test and SCBA/HEPA mask fit test.
- Lifting and or moving up to 50 pounds and occasionally lifting or moving up to 150 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Corrected vision is permitted.
- Frequently operates a computer and other office production machinery such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
- Frequently works in an indoor or outdoor setting; occasionally required to work for prolonged periods without rest during disasters or in inclement weather.
- Must successfully pass the Agency's pre-hire background, medical physical, drug screen, and suitability testing.
- Firefighters work in a team environment.
- Shifts are generally 24 hours.
- Training outside the normal shift schedule will be required.
- Subject to callback situations.
- Work in various indoor settings including living quarters, office areas, classrooms, automotive, mechanical, and other storage areas.
- Majority of work is performed preparing or responding to emergency situations, indoors or outdoors, including exposure to hazards associated with firefighting, emergency medical response, rescue operations, natural and manmade disasters.
Selection Process Overview - 2025(26) Hiring List
Step 1: Candidates interested in this position must complete the written exam (Firefighter Selection Tool) through Public Safety Testing (PST) and a City of Tumwater Application for employment by January 31, 2025.
Step 2: All candidates with a combined score of 80% on the PST written test will be invited to participate in 9-minute speed interviews scheduled for mid-February 2025 in Tumwater. Candidates must pass with a minimum of 70% on the speed interview will be considered for the next step.
Step 3: Top candidates from speed interviews will be invited to participate in oral board interviews. Candidates must pass with a minimum of 70%.
Step 4: Candidates will be placed on a ranked eligibility register based on their scores achieved on PST Written Exam (40%) and the Oral Board Interviews (60%), plus Veteran's preference.
Step 5: The top seven candidates will be invited to a Chief's Interview, which will be potentially scheduled for Spring/Summer of 2025.
Step 6: In the Spring/Summer of 2025, conditional offers of employment may be issued. Candidates will be required to participate in pre-employment screenings, including a medical and psychological exam.
A valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certification is needed by prior to appointment letter. CPAT certification is accepted from PST or another agency provider licensed by the IAFF/IAFC. To be valid, CPAT testing must be completed within the last calendar year. Candidates without valid certification that are scheduled for oral board interviews may request a test fee waiver.
Step 7: TBD - Successful candidates will begin a Firefighter Recruit Academy at a location and time to be determined later.
Salary : $6,775 - $9,678
