Firefighter / Emergency Medical Technician

Fire Rescue

Full-Time, 12 Months

Non-Exempt, Pay Grade 13, VRS-Eligible, Benefits-Eligible

Join a dedicated team of principled public servants that are committed to building leaders who inspire and achieve excellence through the practice of our core values including innovation, learning, integrity, and stewardship. We are seeking individuals to serve the citizens of Albemarle County as a Firefigher / EMT who are committed to partnering with the community and has demonstrated superior ability as a leader. Successful candidates will be placed on an eligibility list good for 12 months.

THE POSITION – FIREFIGHTER / EMT

The Firefighter / EMT performs responsible protective service work involving fire suppression, emergency medical care, specialized rescue, hazardous material mitigation, prevention activities, pre-planning, building inspections, training, physical fitness and performs other work as required. Will perform customer service/community service projects of a varied nature to include such tasks as safety outreach to the elderly, public education and as a community contact for the County’s public safety team. Will serve as a community contact for accessing other county services. Due to the structure of the fire and emergency medical services in Albemarle County, individuals in this position must have the ability to interact with volunteer units based on the prevailing situation at the scene of an emergency. Must function effectively as a leader, follower or advisor with various volunteer fire and EMS units and personnel. May be required to rotate as an Attendant In Charge. Work involves operation of both County and Volunteer emergency equipment, with responsibilities to include maintaining, cleaning and performing minor repairs of all associated fire and EMS apparatus and equipment. Maintains and performs custodial duties at assigned station. He/she may be assigned to various divisions within the department including operations, training, prevention, and administration.

THE DEPARTMENT – FIRE RESCUE

Albemarle County has a unique emergency services system. Volunteer and career personnel cooperatively provide fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to the community while partnering with other local and regional emergency services organizations.  We are an equal opportunity, progressive organization whose goal is to provide the highest quality service within the constraints of our funding and personnel resources.

The department provides emergency fire, rescue, and medical services for nearly 93,000 residents and 726 square miles of land.  Our stations serve response areas that are urban and rural with an annual population growth increase of 2.1 percent.  Our population growth, while moderate compared to some, challenges us to find creative ways to maintain high standards and meet our ever-increasing demands for service.

Albemarle County maintains a centralized headquarters to coordinate the provision of fire, rescue, and emergency medical services.  Commonly referred to as ACFR, these staff members handle administrative tasks, training, volunteer programs, fire prevention and life safety programs, and provide career operations staffing to supplement volunteer staffing.

To learn more about working for Albemarle County Fire Rescue click here or visit www.albemarle.org/fire.

EXPECTATIONS

Essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responds to incidents requiring firefighting, emergency medical care, specialized rescue and hazardous material emergencies. Activities include driving/operation fire apparatus and emergency medical vehicles; may make initial determination of necessary personnel, equipment and suppression or containment tactics until relieved by superior officer;
• Advances hose lines into fire area; selects hose size and nozzle, depending on type of fire; lays and connects hoses; holds nozzles and directs streams of water onto fire; raises and climbs ladders; creates openings in building for ventilation or entrance using various hand and power tools; receives and relays information related to emergency calls; operates radio and other communication equipment; enters premises for firefighting, rescue, and salvage operations; assists in investigation of fire cause and determination; uses various types of extinguishing agents;
• Performs necessary rescues; removes persons from danger; responds to calls for lost individuals and participates in searches; administers emergency medical techniques in accordance with established protocols for basic life support; responds to emergency medical calls for the sick and injured requiring the use of suction equipment, immobilization equipment, and oxygen delivery systems;
• Responds to hazardous material situations, identifies the type and state of material involved, initiating the appropriate protective action to control or contain any spilled material; deploys various booms, pads and barriers to contain spills and mitigate runoff; performs fire suppression activities, as necessary; assists in direction of evacuation operations, as necessary;
• Performs fire safety inspections; conducts pre-planning of business establishments within the assigned area; inspects hydrants and prepares and maintains required reports and drawings of each structure inspected; forwards all required inspection reports to the County Fire Prevention Office; maintains pre-plan files and street map books at the assigned station;
• Prepares drawings of locations of sprinkler, standpipe and Fire Department connections;
• Performs home fire safety inspections at the request of the owner;
• Presents various safety programs to community groups and school systems on fire safety, prevention, personal safety and emergency medical services;
• Inspects and Installs Child Safety Seats
• Drives, maintains and operates all assigned apparatus; inspects assigned apparatus daily to ensure efficient operation and readiness; washes, cleans, polishes, maintains and tests apparatus and equipment as necessary after completion of emergency response operations;
• Performs general custodial duties in the required upkeep of the fire/rescue facilities assigned; cares for grounds around the station; makes minor repairs as needed;
• Participates in classes in firefighting, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, heavy and technical rescue and other related subjects;
• Participates in daily physical fitness training programs;
• Does related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must be at least 18 years of age.  High school diploma or GED required.  Emergency Medical Technician Basic (Virginia or National Registry Certification); Possession of a valid Virginia Driver’s License required at time of employment.  At completion of County-sponsored recruit school, must have successfully obtained certifications in VADFP Firefighter I, VADFP Hazardous Materials Operations, VA EVOC Level 2, FEMA Incident Command System 100, 200, & 700; Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support; Safe Kids Child Safety Seat Technician.  At completion of one year probation, must have successfully completed ACFR release process for firefighter, EMT-B, and ambulance driver.. Must maintain all required certifications and licenses. Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic (Virginia or National Registry Certification) preferred. The following special requirements may be required within one year of appointment based on assignment: Prevention – NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector. Training – VDFP FF 1 and 2 Train the Trainee.

The ability to function effectively as part of a team; considerable skill in performing firefighting duties and emergency medical technician procedures; physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including driving a fire truck, and operation of such firefighting and emergency response equipment as pumps, ladders, aerial platforms, air compressors, self-contained breathing apparatus, two-way radio, etc.; and emergency medical equipment such as suction units, immobilization equipment, oxygen delivery systems and defibrillation equipment ; ability to follow verbal and written instructions; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to establish effective working relations with employees, volunteers, other agencies and the general public.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS AND NATURE OF WORK CONTACTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach and stretch with hands and arms with a full range of motion. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; jump; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 165 pounds. Wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus is required and each employee must be able to pass a NFPA 1582 physical and respirator fit test annually. Employee is subject to a no tobacco policy. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in high precarious places and confined spaces. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electric shock and vibration. The employee is often exposed to extremely high temperature intensities and sudden temperature changes. The noise level in the working environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud. The employee may be required to work rotating shifts, or a set, business hour schedule depending on position, and is considered essential emergency personnel. Any personnel in this position are required to work during emergency situations and are subject to be recalled to work at any time.

HIRING SALARY RANGE: The hiring salary range for this position is $38,727 – $46,473 with excellent benefits including 12 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, VRS retirement, and continuing education/training opportunities. This is a full time, FLSA non-exempt position. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy, §P-60.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 5:00 p.m. EST

Learn more about the County as a great place to live at: New Resident Guide

You may find more information at the Albemarle County Human Resources page http://www.albemarle.org/hr.

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EEO/EOE