Firefighter/EMT - Recruit

Description

PLEASE READ THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POSTING FOR CURRENT HIRING ROUND INFORMATION.

The Firefighter serves as a team member to carry out fire suppression and technical rescue, medical emergency response, fire prevention and hazardous material emergency response activities. The Firefighter also performs various maintenance activities on fire equipment and fire station facilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responds to emergency and non-emergency situations including fires, medical injuries and illness; hazardous materials spills; technical rescues such as river, trench, rope rescues, and auto, train and aircraft extrication; false alarms; flooding; and other situations, and carries out specific assigned duties such as connecting hoses, operating equipment, emergency vehicle driving and operation, positioning ladders, rescuing victims, and providing basic life support care as allowed as an EMT.
• Directs volunteers at emergency situations when necessary, until additional responders arrive on the scene, or as assigned.
• Conducts fire prevention inspections of public buildings andlocal businesses requiring application of national fire codes and City standards. Works independently or as part of a team. Establishes relationship with building managers to effectively communicate fire codes and safety procedures.
• Identifies deficiencies, completes appropriate paperwork, references fire codes and notes explanations for property owners.
• Initiates corrective action according to established procedures.
• Creates rough drawings for every structure investigated and submits these to office staff to input into computer system.
• Conducts follow-up inspections and forwards violations to Fire Prevention Bureau.
• Cleans and maintains equipment in a state of readiness and performs maintenance to prolong the useful life of expensive equipment.
• Performs routine checks and maintenance of department equipment
• Performs general fire station building and grounds maintenance as required.
• [SG1]Maintains personal protective gear and requests replacements when the functionality of equipment is compromised.
• Participates in and/or conducts training exercises, demonstrations and instruction to prepare for emergency situations.
• Provides on-the-job training, mentoring, and some work direction to new firefighters.
• Performs public relations and education activities, including fire station tours.
• Gives presentations, demonstrations and instruction on fire and safety procedures to schools, community groups and other interested parties.
• Takes fire trucks to schools, block parties, and other events as scheduled.
• Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
• Frequently interacts with others in the work unit, the public, vendors or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information.
• Works safely, follows safe work practices, and identifies and reports unsafe work conditions.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Approved state or national accredited (IFSAC or ProBoard) Firefighter I & II certification that conforms to NFPA 1001 (2008 or 2013 Standards).
• Current NREMT Certification as an Emergency Medical Tech (EMT) or ability to gain certification within 12 months of hire.
• Ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with peers, superiors, other City departments, vendors, contractors, external government agencies and organizations.
• Strong communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

Work involves response to unpredictable emergency situations for prolonged periods of extreme physical exertion without benefit of warm-up, scheduled rest periods, meals, access to medications, or hydration. While at emergency scenes, incumbent may have exposure to injury, trauma, blood-borne pathogens, traffic accidents, and visual and emotional trauma. Incumbent is required to take appropriate safety precautions and wear protective equipment. While wearing personal protective equipment, including SCBA, perform firefighting tasks (e.g. hoseline operations, extensive crawling, lifting and carrying heavy objects, ventilating roofs or walls using power or hand tools, forcible entry), rescue operations, and other emergency response actions under stressful conditions including working in extremely hot or cold environments for prolonged time periods. While wearing personal protective equipment, including SCBA incumbents must be able to stand, climb ladders, balance, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl and reach; to walk or run on uneven surfaces; and to drag up to 200 pounds for a distance of 50 feet. There is fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, occasional lifting, pushing or pulling of up to 100 pounds, frequent lifting, pushing or pulling of up to 50 pounds and regular moving of objects up to 20 pounds. Moderate attention to detail and deadlines is required in completing reports and paperwork. Working 24 hour shifts is required, where sleep is frequently disrupted. The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

There is regular exposure to very disagreeable working conditions such as fumes, fire, smoke, extreme weather conditions including ice, snow, extreme high and low temperatures, humidity, rain, dirt, mud. The work involves exposure to hazardous conditions such as toxic chemicals, slippery conditions, working in traffic areas and adverse road conditions. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.

Supplemental Information

2026/2027 Firefighter Recruit Hiring Process

Phase 1 – Application

To be considered for this hiring process, applicants must submit an online application by 11:59 PM CST on August 2, 2026 .

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will advance to Phase 2 and will receive additional information regarding the testing process after the application period closes.

Phase 2 – Testing

Candidates will first complete an Online Examination . The top-scoring candidates will be invited to participate in the Physical Agility Test .

The following testing dates are tentatively scheduled:

• Online Examination: Tuesday, August 11, 2026
• Physical Agility Test: Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Candidates selected to advance to the Physical Agility Test will be notified following the online examination. Candidates who successfully complete the Physical Agility Test will be notified by the end of the day on August 25, 2026 , regarding their eligibility to participate in panel interviews.

Phase 3 – Panel Interview

Qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview on one of the following dates*:

• Wednesday, August 26, 2026
• Thursday, August 27, 2026

Interview times will be scheduled and communicated to candidates at a later date.

• Retirement: Defined Contribution Plan or NDPERS Pension if eligible
• Up to 15.26% Employer Contribution on Defined Contribution Plan, 16.26% Employer Contribution for Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Main, Main 2020, Public Safety). Inquire with HR for eligibility, conditions and details.
• High-Deductible Health Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution match
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Medical and Dependent Care Spending Accounts
• Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Vacation Accruals
• Sick Accruals
• Personal Days Inquire with HR for additional information on our benefits package, including rates and employer contributions.