Firefighter

Description

Applications being accepted for current and/or future openings
Responsible for performing skilled and specialized technical emergency response work in firefighting, emergency medical services, rescue, hazardous materials/technical rescue situations and emergency responses. Performs firefighting; provides pre-hospital emergency medical care and transportation of the sick and injured; rescue work, fire and injury prevention public education and community services; contains hazardous materials response; perform technical rescues and disaster response services. Provides public assistance. Trains in methods and techniques of emergency response operations and the use of equipment and apparatus. Responsible for life safety and emergency response operations until relieved by a Senior/Master Firefighter or officer/acting officer.

Graduation from the Tidewater Regional Fire Academy, Southside Regional Fire Academy,
Hampton Roads Recruit Fire Academy, or graduation/current enrollment in the Hampton Roads Fire Academy, and/or current certification as a Virginia/Nationally Basic-Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced-EMT, EMT-Intermediate or EMT-Paramedic preferred.

United States Military Veteran and/or current or previous public safety experience (uniformed members of fire, EMS, rescue, or law enforcement) preferred.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be 18 years of age, a high school graduate or equivalent.

Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Virginia Basic EMT certification. The applicant may be required to obtain and/or maintain Advanced Life Support Certification up to the level of Paramedic and released by the department at that level within the period designated by the department.

Must be able to satisfactorily complete the Hampton Roads Fire Academy and/or other recruit school programs as assigned, as well as all associated courses/certifications. Must have the ability to acquire the following certifications: Virginia Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials Operations, specified Emergency Vehicles Operator course(s), specified technical rescue, and/or rope rescue programs and/or other fire, EMS, rescue, and/or emergency management programs/certification as required and/or assigned.

Requires the ability to obtain Professional Rescuer CPR certification from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association equivalent. Must also successfully become certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Fire Programs as a Pumper Driver/Operator and complete the department's Driver Pump Operator program in addition to any other training, education, or certifications as required for continued employment.

Must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record and the ability to obtain a driver’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Supplemental Information

Excellent Pay and Benefits:

• Starting pay of $51,959 annually, along with overtime pay
• EMS certification incentive paysVirginia EMT-Paramedic--$10,000 annually upon releaseVirginia EMT-Intermediate--$4,000 annually upon release
• Educational incentive pay for approved college degrees upon completion of the probationary periodAssociates degree--$1,000 annuallyBachelor’s degree--$2,000 annuallyMaster’s degree--$3,000 annually
• Advancement opportunities
• Retirement benefits - Retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Insurance benefits - Health, life and dental insurance
• Holidays - additional pay for working any of the County’s 14 holidays, along with a special stipend when not working a specific holiday
• Paid vacation
• Tuition reimbursement benefit

Experienced Hire Bonuses for Certain Selected Pre-qualified Hires

• Graduates of the Hampton Roads (recruit) Fire Academy (or approved equivalent)With certification as a Virginia EMT-Basic or Virginia Advanced-EMT--$5,000 one-time signing bonus after release at the certified EMS level (EMT-B or A-EMT) with 3-year employment agreement.With certification as a Virginia EMT-Intermediate--$6,000 one-time signing bonus after release at the certified EMS level (EMT-Intermediate) with a 3-year employment agreement.With certification as a Virginia EMT-Paramedic--$9,000 one-time signing bonus after release at the certified EMS level (EMT-Paramedic) with a 3-year employment agreement.
• Certified Virginia EMT-Paramedics (and/or eligible for such through reciprocity) without Hampton Roads (recruit) Fire Academy (or approved equivalent)Eligible for a $4,000 one-time signing bonus upon successfully completing the Hampton Roads (recruit) Fire Academy and after operational release to perform at the EMT-Paramedic level—with a 3-year employment agreement.

Works wherever emergencies occur both indoors and outdoors; is exposed to a variety of hot and cold temperatures and may, at times, be exposed to fire, smoke, infectious diseases, hazardous chemicals, and other dangerous situations; may be required to walk, climb, crawl, bend, pull, push, or lift and balance on less than ideal terrain; is exposed to a wide variety of noise levels, which at times can be quite high, particularly when multiple sirens are sounding; administrative and management duties are carried out indoors at the department's administrative offices, in the fire stations, at indoor and outdoor training locations, or in the buildings and offices of County government; supervision of personnel occurs both indoors and outdoors, on emergency scenes, in the fire station, at training locations, and in the community.

This position is considered to be essential (County designation as ALPHA). In the event of emergency/inclement weather conditions, the incumbent is expected to remain at the worksite or report to the worksite in accordance with the department's standard operating procedures, or as notified by a supervisor.

Applicants selected for further consideration will be notified of the date and time of the next steps.

Physical Demands

Must meet NFPA 1582 Standard. Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment, including driving fire and rescue apparatus and operating such firefighting and rescue equipment as pumps, ladders, aerial platforms, hoses, nozzles and appliances, hand tools, gasoline and electric powered tools, hydraulic and pneumatic tools, self-contained breathing apparatus, two-way radios, etc. Must be able to operate emergency medical equipment, including radio communications systems between the ambulance and the physician at the hospital emergency department, cardiac monitor/defibrillator/pacers, medications, intravenous fluid administration systems, oxygen-powered cardiopulmonary resuscitation devices, oxygen administration equipment, airway management equipment, wound care and fracture immobilization equipment, ambulance cots, stretchers, backboards, stair chairs, and other patient movement equipment. Must be able to operate hazardous materials management equipment and supplies, including radiological monitoring equipment. Must be able to lift, push and pull objects weighing 25-165 pounds. Must be able to work in full gear that easily weighs 40-50 pounds while carrying tools and equipment weighing an additional 20-40 pounds. Physical demand requirements are those for Very Heavy Work.