Firefighter / Paramedic

Summary

*** The Civil Service written exam may be accessed via the National Testing Network (NTN); paramedic skills exam, written assessment, and oral boards will take place July 9, 2026. All applicants will receive a welcome letter via email. The letter will contain further instructions and a Civil Service number.***

Under the direction of a company officer, performs duties relating to the protection of life and property through fire suppression, rescue, fire prevention and community education activities, and provides advanced life support care to the sick and injured.

Work includes responding to and mitigating emergency situations or natural conditions that pose a threat to life or property; and driving and operating fire apparatus and vehicles. Individual also perform duties in the following areas: apparatus, equipment, and hydrant inspection, testing, maintenance, and repair; facility maintenance and repair; fire prevention inspections and code enforcement; public education; fire investigation; and training activities.

This position requires frequent and routine contact with others within the Department, the public, and other agencies; requires good communication skills, teamwork, tact, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Because this classification is directly involved with the activities of emergency response, fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, emergency medical services, and training, there is a high degree of exposure to physical hazards.

Effective August 16, 2021, all new hires to the City will be required as a condition of employment to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to start date. If you have questions or need an accommodation for this requirement due to a disability or religious reason, you can speak to our HR Department for further information.

Essential Functions

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following

• Performs hazardous tasks for long periods of time under emergency conditions of high stress; strenuous physical exertion under such conditions as heights, wet and/or cramped surroundings, hot/smoky environments, and limited visibility.
• Performs fire suppression activities including rescue, operation of fire streams from within or outside a burning structure; ventilation activities; salvage; laying and connecting hoses and nozzles, raising and climbing ladders; and other related tasks using tools and equipment as required.
• Drives and operates fire apparatus, including pumpers, ladder trucks, rescue trucks, ambulances, and other emergency and support vehicles.
• Develops and maintains effective fire streams.
• Performs the delivery of emergency medical services, including emergency transport functions.
• Performs the delivery of hazardous materials, bio-hazard, and weapons of mass destruction response activities within the scope of training, equipment, and policies of the Mount Vernon Fire Department.
• Performs the delivery of rescue services; which may include vehicle extrication, rope rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue, water rescue, and rescue from damaged or collapsed structures.
• Performs initial fire cause investigations.
• Performs additional duties associated with support functions; and other duties that may be required from time to time by a shift, station, or Chief Officer.
• Participates in the planning and implementation of Department goals and objectives, standard operating procedures, rules and regulations, development and management of budgets, and other administrative assignments.
• Participates in the development and delivery of training programs. Instructs courses relating to fire protection and emergency medical services.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with City staff, employees, volunteers, affiliated professionals, business owners, and the public. Initiates and maintains effective communications with peers, assigned personnel, and administrative personnel, within the chain of command.
• Performs activities and functions relating to the maintenance of a station, apparatus, equipment, and fire protection and support activities within a response zone.
• Participates in fire prevention inspections of buildings and premises to ensure compliance of adopted codes, ordinances, and good practices of the Department as directed by the company officer. Communicates the findings of the fire prevention inspections to the occupant and Fire Marshal. Investigates complaints and inspects requests for open burning. Observes fire drills.
• Participates in community education and public relations events such as station tours, fire extinguisher classes, Citizen Emergency Response Team training, block parties, and other events as required by the Department.
• Prepares and submits appropriate, accurate, and complete reports for alarm responses, training, accidents/injuries/exposure, and other events relating to a company or administrative assignment.
• Attends meetings, seminars, schools, and/or training sessions as assigned to maintain knowledge of modern fire protection, emergency medical, rescue, hazardous materials response, occupational health and safety, and administrative techniques.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or lawfully allowed to work in the U.S.
• Must be at least 21 years of age at time of application.
• Graduation from High School or equivalent GED certificate.
• Possess a Washington State Paramedic Certification, National Registry or other State equivalency no later than July 14, 2026 , with the ability to be certified in Washington. Failure to a provide Paramedic Certification by July 14, 2026, will disqualify you from the process .
• Must possess a valid CPAT by June 28, 2026.
• Meet the medical, psychological and Civil Service requirements.
• Ability to obtain a Firefighter II certification upon completion of the Washington State Fire Academy. (City will send candidate to Academy.)
• Ability to pass criminal background investigation.
• Possess a valid driver's license and a driving record acceptable to the City's insurance carrier. Must successfully complete the employer's driving program.
• Required to pass the Skagit County Paramedic knowledge exam and skills assessment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Modern firefighting, fire prevention, rescue, hazardous materials, and advanced life support emergency medical services techniques.
• Mount Vernon Fire Department Policies and Procedures and Rules and Regulations.
• Operation of fire apparatus, ambulances, and other emergency and support vehicles.
• Skagit County BLS and ALS medical protocols.
• Fire codes, laws, and ordinances.

Ability to:

• Develop and maintain effective fire streams.
• Apply fire codes, laws, and ordinances.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Implement Skagit County BLS and ALS medical protocols.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and work cooperatively with others as the leader or member of a service-oriented team.
• Understand and follow complex written and oral communications.
• Problem solve, make quick decisions, and use innovative approaches to situations.
• Accurately prepare reports, records, and correspondence.
• Work efficiently under stress and physically demanding conditions. Must meet the medical and physical requirements specified by the State LEOFF retirement system and the Washington State Fire Training Academy.
• Perform the physical activities required of firefighting and associated activities. Must be able to complete the physical ability standards of the Public Safety Testing and the Civil Service Commission.
• Successfully complete Firefighter 1, Apparatus Operator, and HazMat Operations training.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurances
• Life Insurance policy
• Employee Assistance Program
• Contribution to MERP Benefit
• Department of Retirement Systems Retirement Plan
• Paid vacation, holidays and sick leave
• Gym Membership reimbursement
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Step 1: Applicants interested in this position must complete the testing process through National Testing Network (NTN) ( ).

Step 2: Submit an application through the City of Mount Vernon's website at no later than June 28 , 2026 .

In addition, a current and valid CPAT certification is required and must be submitted with your application no later than June 28, 2026.

Failure to apply through the National Testing Network AND the City of Mount Vernon will disqualify you from the process.

Step 3: Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications AND have completed steps 1 and 2 above, will be invited to an oral board and assessment on July 9, 2026 . Not all applicants will progress through the entire process.

Step 4: Candidates will be placed on a ranked eligibility register based on their scores achieved on the NTN Written Exam, the Oral Board Interviews, Assessment Center plus Veteran's preference.

Step 5: The most qualified candidates will be invited to a Chief's Interview.

Step 6: Conditional offers of employment will be issued after the Chief's interview and will be contingent upon the following:

• Passing a psychological exam
• Passing a pre-employment medical exam and drug screen
• Passing a criminal convictions check, child and adult abuse records check and local background check with no felony convictions within the last seven years.
• Satisfactory reference checks
• Satisfactory driving abstract

The Eligibility register from this recruitment will be valid until July, 2027.

The City of Mount Vernon provides and enforces a drug free workplace and maintains a smoke free work environment.

The City of Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.