What are the responsibilities and job description for the Firefighter Candidate position at The City of Elkhart?
Future Firefighter Interest List – Get Notified When Hiring Opens!
The City of Elkhart Fire Department is looking for future firefighters! This is a passive job posting, applications are not yet open, but by applying, you’ll be the first to know when the hiring process begins.
Why Join?
- Great Pay: Starting at $65,200, increasing with experience and certifications
- Bonuses: Up to $7,000 for EMS certifications
- Paid Time Off: Personal, vacation, and sick days
- Overtime Pay: Double-time for holdover shifts
- Full Benefits: Health, dental, life insurance, and pension retirement (PERF)
What to Expect in the Hiring Process
- Written Test – Basic knowledge assessment
- Physical Agility Test (CPAT) – Eight fitness challenges
- Background Check & Interview – Meet the team
- Final Steps – Psychological & medical evaluations
Get on the List Now!
Applications aren’t open yet, but don’t miss your chance! Sign up today to be notified when hiring begins.
CITY OF ELKHART – JOB DESCRIPTION
DEPARTMENT
Fire Department
POSITION
Firefighter
DIVISION
Suppression
STATUS
Full-time,
CATEGORY
Salary, F1 $65,200
FLSA
Non-Exempt
REPORTS TO
Lieutenant, Captain
DATE
2025
JOB SUMMARY
The purpose of this position is to have available on a 24-hour basis, a person specifically trained to respond to emergency situations involving fire, medical emergencies, hazardous materials or special rescues, and to provide support to fire prevention and public education efforts.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintain physical ability to perform required job duties.
- Responds to all fires and emergency alarms.
- Maintaining safety and efficiency within all operations.
- Integrate risk management within all operational tasks.
- Make risk decisions at the appropriate level in the chain of command, and not accepting or delegating unnecessary risks that will have a potential negative impact on life safety.
- Maintain situational awareness in order to achieve operational safety and efficiency.
- Inspect daily apparatus, equipment, and protective clothing on departmental grounds and station to insure proper order and condition.
- Train during company or departmental drills, lectures, practical performance and demonstrations, ensuring crew safety and efficiency with operating all tools and equipment.
- Recognizing safety concerns, along with providing assistance with establishing a safety mindset within the culture of the fire department.
- Take part of in-service training, pre-plan public buildings, industry, business, hospitals and nursing homes, schools and places of public assembly.
- Prepare records and reports of company responses to fires or other emergencies, personal actions, activities of the company and such other information as may be required.
- Maintain full compliance adhering to the minimum standards of the position, Rules and Regulations and Standard Operating Procedures of the Department and/or direct orders.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Indiana Certified as NFPA Firefighter I/II (required to obtain within 1st year of employment)
- Indiana State Licensed/Certified EMT (required to obtain within 1st year of employment)
- Minimum of 21 years of age by date of appointment.
- Absent of a felony conviction.
- Established residence in accordance with Indiana State Code’s.
- Complete all application requirements set forth by the Merit Commission.
- Must have valid Indiana driver’s license.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND VISUAL SKILLS
- Ability to exert heavy to extremely heavy, though not constant, physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials weighing 20-50 lbs; may occasionally involve objects and materials up to and exceeding 165 pounds for distance.
- Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, toxic agents, violence, disaease or pathogenic substances.
- Performance of essential functions may require life-or-death decisions based on circumstance beyond incumbent’s control; decisions may affect the general public and co-workers as well as incumbent.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- The firefighter will perform at a professional level for the fields of suppression, rescue, fire preventions, training and Emergency Medical Services, which may occur under extreme and hazardous conditions.
- Under the general supervision of the Battalion Chief, or another superior officer, the firefighter will perform such duties and activities as required by the department rules and regulations, codes, ordinances, state statutes and federal law.
- The FLSA schedule applies to the position, as set in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
POST OFFER TESTING REQUIRED
- The City of Elkhart is a Drug Free Workplace. Therefore successfully passing a post offer drug screen is required (random drug testing may be conducted after employment).
- Annual Medical/Physical and performance evaluations will be conducted.
- Background checks producing acceptable BMV and criminal history reports required.
POLICY STATEMENT
- The incumbent is required to possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities, and the physical, mental, and visual skills described in this job description to perform the principal duties, responsibilities and essential job functions.
- This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent. Principal duties and responsibilities are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job and other duties and responsibilities include those that are considered incidental or secondary to the overall purpose of this job.
- This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employee holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by the Mayor. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.
Salary : $65,200
