Paramedic (Full-Time)

Paramedic Position

Catawba County EMS is looking for Paramedics who want strong pay, solid benefits, and a team that invests in their growth. Our crews work out of newly constructed bases across the county, and new hires complete field training before independent release.

Competitive Pay & Incentives:

• $66,170 to $109,180+ per year with built-in overtime
• Base Salary: $56,616.46 ($27.22/hour) to $93,417.15 ($44.91/hour)
• Higher starting pay for experienced EMS professionals based on years of service
• New Hire Recruitment Incentive: $2,000, paid as $1,000 after training/independent release and $1,000 after ~6 months of continued employment
• Night shift differential (+$2.00/hour), FTO pay (+$1.25/hour), degree pay (up to +$0.75/hour), and National Registry certification pay (up to +$0.50/hour)
• Employee Referral Incentive: Once you join our team, you may be eligible to earn $400 for referring a Paramedic candidate who meets the program's successful-hire requirements.

All incentives are subject to eligibility requirements, good-standing standards, applicable taxes and withholdings, budget availability, and final approval.

Responsibilities

• Administering pre-hospital medical care and trauma care to the sick and injured
• Operating emergency vehicles
• Attending continuing education programs to maintain recertification hours
• Completing electronic patient care reports and other documentation
• Cleaning and restocking ambulances and bases
• Other assigned duties

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent and completion of a Paramedic degree or certification program
• Certification by the NC Office of Emergency Medical Services as a Paramedic

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's license with a safe driving record (Driving is an essential function of this position)
• Excellent patient care skills with thorough knowledge of paramedic-level emergency medical protocols and the ability to properly use the appropriate equipment and supplies
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and adherence to policies/procedures
• Dedication to outstanding customer service and community focus
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interact with a variety of individuals, including citizens, co-workers, managers, hospital staff, and other agencies
• Exceptional initiative and motivation
• Knowledge of the geographical layout of Catawba County
• Working conditions are inside/outside, and candidates must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull at least 200 pounds with a partner regularly

Preferences:

• Applicants who are bilingual in English/Spanish or English/Hmong are encouraged to apply. Extra duty pay for bilingual skills is available upon successful test results.

Benefits

You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees' suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization. Available benefits include:

Health Care:

• Health: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.
• Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.
• Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents, with 2 plan options to choose from.
• Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts that can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses.

Employee Wellness:

• Employee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic, available to all County employees, which operates 40 hours a week. Services provided include acute care, first aid, evaluation and care for workers' compensation injuries, pre-employment screenings, health education, and behavioral health referrals. Services are offered both in person and through telehealth. Acute care is available to employee's children ages 3-17, regardless of health insurance coverage, and for employee's adult children (ages 18-26) or employee's spouse if covered on the county's health insurance.
• Wellness: The County recognizes the importance of our health and well-being. We maintain a very proactive and effective Wellness Program, including reimbursement and discounts for gym membership, incentives for physical activity, on-site nutrition counseling, free exercise opportunities, wellness education, and more.
• Employee Assistance Program: Counseling services are available to all County employees and immediate family members in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting (in-person or virtually). The County provides coverage for the first six visits.

Work Life Balance:

• Annual Leave: Full-time employees earn from 10-24 days annually based on years of service. Service credit from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County. To help new employees settle in, up to 40 hours of annual leave is advanced upon hire, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
• Sick Leave: Full-time employees earn one day (8 hours) of sick leave per month. Sick leave from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County. New hires are advanced up to 40 hours of sick leave, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
• Holiday Leave: Throughout the year, 11 days of paid leave are provided in recognition of holidays.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Time off for activities that support our local schools.
• Continuing educational assistance.
• Discount tickets to recreational venues.
• Employee appreciation days/activities.
• Tax-free flexible spending account to pay for dependent care.

Financial Security:

• Local Governmental Employees Retirement System: For employees assigned to work 20 hours per week or more in a benefitted position, participation in this program is automatic. Employees contribute 6% of their salary, which is tax-deferred. After (5) years of creditable service, you become fully vested in the retirement system. Employees may also take advantage of individual and group retirement counseling through the Human Resources department.
• 401K: The County provides a 2% contribution plus an additional 1% match (up to 3% total contribution by the County). Our sworn law enforcement officers receive a flat 5% contribution to their 401k.
• Other Tax Deferred Programs: Other tax-sheltering programs are available through IRS Code 125 (Cafeteria Plan), and a 457 supplemental retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).
• Longevity Pay: After 5 years of creditable service, employees receive an annual longevity payment that is paid every year thereafter. This lump sum payment rewards employees for their length of service to Catawba County. The amount is based on years of service.
• Life Insurance: Death benefit equal to one times the employee's annual salary, with a minimum coverage amount of $25,000. Optional supplemental life insurance coverage is also available for both employee and dependents through payroll deduction at group rates.
• Short Term Disability: Available at