Description

Under general direction of assigned Company Officer, Firefighters perform public safety work involving the protection of life and property through responding to fire alarms and engaging in fire suppression, other emergency incidents and performing highly skilled work providing emergency medical services (EMS), technical rescue, and hazardous materials emergency response.  Work is performed under close supervision in accordance with well-defined procedures.  Additionally, firefighters interact regularly with the community in non-emergency related functions including public education and fire prevention activities. 

Firefighters are required to work 24-hour shifts and 56-hour work weeks; and may be assigned to work a day assignment (40-hour work week) while assisting with special projects.  Uncertified Firefighters (Paramedic) will be assigned to a work a 40-hour work week.

Principal Duties

1. Respond emergency and non-emergency situations to fire alarms with assigned company; participate in fire suppression, technical rescue, and emergency medical services activities which may include, but is not limited to, assisting in freeing victims from physically trapped situations and operating pumping apparatus.
2. Respond to emergency calls for specialized service such as such as hazardous material, confined spaces rescue, extrication, and technical rescues.   Assist in overhauling, salvage, and cleanup operations.
3. Provide emergency medical technician (EMT) level assistance at injury or accident scenes involving basic life support and paramedic support functions, including but not limited to administering medical care utilizing accepted guidelines of basic and advanced life support procedures, examining victims, and communicating physical assessment to base hospital physician.
4. Participate in the cleaning, repair, and maintenance and of firefighting equipment, apparatus, and fire department facilities; maintain assigned Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as required; work safely, follow safe work practices, and identify and report unsafe working conditions and/or equipment in accordance with established procedures.
5. Conduct pre-fire planning of businesses and places of assembly.  Establish relationships with building managers to effectively communicate fire codes and safety procedures.
6. Participate in and assist with public education and community relation activities, including but not limited to, training classes, drills, fire station tours and school visits.
7. May step-up or act as Apparatus Operator and/or drive ambulance or fire apparatus, as needed.
8. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:   

High School Diploma or GED equivalent

Valid Texas Driver’s License

Certifications:

Certified Firefighter

• Current certification by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) in Basic Structure Fire Suppression or above and current certification with the Texas Department of State Health Services as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT – Basic) or above

Uncertified Firefighter

• Current certification with the Texas Department of State Health Services as Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT – Paramedic) or Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (NREMT- Paramedic) and ability to obtain certification by Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) in Basic Structure Fire Suppression within (6) six months

Knowledge and proficiency of Emergency Medical Technician basic life support procedures and paramedic support procedures/protocols

Ability to think and act quickly and effectively in emergencies

Ability to deal effectively with people under stressful situations

Ability to comprehend and follow verbal and written direction promptly and accurately

Ability to obtain and maintain all applicable certifications, as directed by the department, and meet all requirements of the Professional Development Guide for this position

Preferred:   

Knowledge of principles, practices and procedures of modern firefighting, technical rescue,

     EMS, and hazardous material techniques

Knowledge of city streets, water supply systems, and fire suppression systems  

Certified Firefighter/Paramedic – Highly preferred (eligible for sign-on bonus) 

Supplemental Information

Physical assessment: August 29 - 30, 2022. You must be available on one of these days. 

This posting closes at noon on August 8th.
Potential Hire Date: October 24, 2022

Certified Firefighter Paramedic eligible for $5,000 Hire-On Bonus, after successful completion of FTEP. 

Lateral credit for 1 - 4 years of service for certified external hires with TCFP Basic Structural Firefighter Certification and DSHS EMT Certification.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described are representative of this job or that an employee encounters while performing the essential duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to perform essential duties in an unpredictable emergency response situation for prolonged periods of extreme physical exertion in an environment that entails a variety of weather conditions and extreme temperatures; frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing, pushing/pulling; exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, fire, fumes, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, traffic hazards, disease, and pathogenic substances; and ability to use appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), including a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Drug Screening:  Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this position, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment or pre-placement drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy.
Additional Criminal Background Screening Required:  In addition to the standard pre-employment criminal background check, individuals receiving a conditional offer for this position shall be subject to a fingerprint- based background screening due to the required access to secured buildings and/or secure data systems.