Firefighter/Paramedic (Entry Level & Up Including Lateral Positions)

Job Description

Job Description

This is a continuous recruitment posting. Applications are accepted year-round, and qualified candidates are placed in an applicant pool. When a position becomes available, we will review applications and contact selected candidates for the next steps.

 

The South Salt Lake Fire Department offers full testing services for the position of Firefighter Paramedic through National Testing Network (NTN). Candidates are required to complete NTN's FireTEAM Exam, PSSA and PHQ to move forward in the hiring process.

To register with NTN and schedule a test, go to select 'Find Jobs', then select Firefighter/Paramedic Jobs and sign up for South Salt Lake Fire Department.

When you visit the website:

• Complete the NTN registration process and schedule your test.
• Review all information related to the South Salt Lake Fire Department (Firefighter Paramedic), including minimum requirements, salary, and benefits.
• Review detailed information about the testing process.
• Review the Frequently Asked Questions and take an online practice test (if desired).

Upon completion of your scheduled exam, scores are automatically forwarded to the South Salt Lake Fire Department. Candidates who attain a passing score on the entry-level exam will be placed on South Salt Lake's eligibility list. The South Salt Lake Fire Department will contact candidates on the list and will invite them to participate in further stages of the selection process.

National Testing Network is a service provided to conduct entry level testing in a standardized, professional environment. National Testing Network does not replace the South Salt Lake Fire Department's responsibility and decision making in the testing process. All candidate results are provided to the South Salt Lake Fire Department where the final decisions are made.

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC (ENTRY LEVEL & UP INCLUDING LATERAL POSITIONS)

 

The Firefighter/Paramedic works under the direction of a Station Officer; performs multiple, complex and high-risk procedures and techniques in responding to fire and non-fire emergencies; emergency medical and life support care.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

1. Responds to fire, accident, medical and other emergencies.
2. Directs or performs emergency medical procedures and duties.
3. Checks apparatus and maintains medic units.
4. Carries raises and takes down ground ladders ranging from 12 to 45 feet; operates aerial ladders.
5. Lays, charges and operates fire hose (line); collects, folds and re-loads hose on fire apparatus.
6. Carries and throws tarps; operates portable pumps, saws; breeches walls, moves or removes furniture and obstacles.
7. Climbs stairs and ladders carrying equipment such as forcible entry tools, protective gear, fire hose and Fire/EMS victims.
8. Wears a respirator (SCBA) in order to safely perform firefighting operations, or perform rescue in a hazardous atmosphere; duties may require a Firefighter to wear an SCBA thirty (30) minutes to several hours at one time.
9. Cuts or creates openings in structures to ventilate smoke/gases using power saw, ax or other tools.
10. Searches premises and rescues (and removes) victims by carrying them down stairs or ladders; administers first aid to victims (includes starting IVs, placing victim on backboard, administering cardiac care).
11. Sizes up motor vehicle accident scenes; operates extrication tools such as hydraulic jaws, ram, and cutters; dismantles vehicles to safely extricate victims.
12. Performs equipment checks; pulls equipment out of compartments for cleaning and maintenance, maintains medical equipment and checks inventory of equipment and supplies; washes apparatus.
13. Performs household duties at a fire station such as sweeping, mopping, power washing, lawn mowing.
14. Inspects business/industrial and fire hydrant locations for compliance with fire codes.
15. Educates the public on fire safety issues and rules; trains Paramedic students.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Graduation from high school or General Education Certificate (GED) equivalent.
• Possession of Paramedic certification; Firefighter II certification preferred. The required certification may not be substituted with other experience.
• Must possess a valid state driver's license and positive record (Driving records will be checked in all 50 states).
• Skills in applying advanced emergency life-saving medical care.
• Candidates must be able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Be at least 18 years of age.

Candidates must pass a comprehensive practical and written examination, be in physical condition to successfully pass a physical ability and strength test, be subject to a complete NFPA 1582 medical

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Knowledge of International Fire Code and City Codes; Current EMS protocol guidelines.
2. Ability to cope with and perform under chaotic and emergency situations; guide and communicate with victims who may be distressed.
3. Ability to maintain focus on task while integrating information from multiple sources such as radio communications, and communications from fellow firefighters.
4. Recall, process and apply detailed complex emergency response protocols and instructions.
5. Organize and prioritize time, decisions, and resources.
6. Adapt quickly and efficiently to changing priorities, tasks, emergencies and environmental circumstances.
7. Respond to and execute orders from commanders.
8. Cope with heights; ability to ascend and descend ground and aerial ladders.
9. Ability to perform duties professionally and satisfactorily in a full 24-hour shift.
10. Ability to self-assess and report any diminishing physical and/or psychological capacities affecting job performance.
11. Ability to skillfully perform repetitive tasks.
12. Ability to work and cooperate with a close-knit team.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands of this position and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met or will be encountered by an employee while successfully performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to lift or carry weight or exert forces of 25-50 pounds, stand, walk on even and uneven/rough ground and surfaces, twist or turn, reach objects from waist to shoulder and hold/grasp firefighting tools and appliances. The employee is occasionally required to lift or carry weight or exert forces of 50-100 pounds, run, sit, drive, balance, work at heights, climb stairs or ladders, bend/stoop, crouch/squat, crawl, kneel, work in awkward positions, reach from shoulder height to overhead, reach from waist to floor, have good extension and flexion, finger feel and operate foot controls.

Work is performed primarily in office, vehicle and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. The employee is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including bodily fluids, smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils.

The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and loud at emergency scene.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of the specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Possible Job Modifications: The availability of temporary modified-duty assignments will be determined on a case-by-case basis, consistent with the operational needs of the Department. Temporary modified-duty assignments are subject to continuous reassessment, with consideration given to operational needs and the employee's ability to perform in a modified-duty assignment. Individuals returning from leave due to a disability must be in physical condition to successfully pass a physical ability and strength test, be subject to a complete NFPA 1582 medical exam.