Entry Firefighter/Paramedic

The City of Kettering is offering an opportunity to participate in an Entry Level Firefighter/Paramedic Examination.  The examination will be held virtually. Candidates are required to submit application materials by 11:59 p.m. on October 1, 2023. All candidates who meet minimum qualifications will receive an email with further instructions regarding the virtual examination such as how to log on to schedule their date and time as well as minimum technology requirements. For those candidates who do not have the required technology, other arrangements will be made. It is anticipated that all examinations will be completed by October 31, 2023.  Eligibility lists are certified for a period of 12 months with the possibility of two separate six-month extensions.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE POSITION:

The Kettering Fire Department is a full-service fire department. Members are expected to work as scheduled at assigned locations and maintain certification and proficiency in a range of skills, including up-to-date fire suppression techniques, basic and advanced life support, technical rescue, hazardous materials, fire code enforcement/inspection, public education, hazardous materials, and equipment care.

Three levels within the Firefighter classification have been established. Advancement through these levels is based upon the satisfactory performance of duties at each level. As the Firefighter progresses through these levels, responsibilities are broadened.

At all levels, firefighting activities are often performed under hazardous conditions and require strenuous physical exertion. The critical physical task confronting firefighters requires performance for unpredictable work durations in extreme environmental conditions and under time constraints. A failure to effectively perform in such conditions may lead to loss of life, serious injury or extensive property damage. Specific duty assignments and training requirements are made throughout this class by the Fire Chief or his delegated representative in compliance with local and state requirements.

All personnel within the Firefighter class shall have and maintain Firefighter Level II and Paramedic certification from the State of Ohio. Within 30 days of appointment, must have or obtain certification in accordance with Greater Miami Valley EMS Council Standing Orders.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates should have the ability to learn a variety of complex paramedic and firefighting duties, methods, and fire science information, including fire codes and the operation of firefighting apparatus as specified by management; understand and follow oral and written instructions; work cooperatively with other City employees and deal courteously with the general public; perform prolonged physical work under adverse conditions; work at heights and in confined spaces; demonstrate conscientiousness, good judgment and dependability in the performance of duties; demonstrate mechanical aptitude, skill and dexterity in the performance of duties; maintain a level of good health and excellent physical fitness to perform duties; perform the related duties of the position of Firefighter/Paramedic (fight fires, rescue victims, treat injured and ill patients, apply lifesaving techniques, transport patients); extend arms in a wide range of movements (reach stored equipment, don protective clothing, use tools and equipment); effectively manipulate hands, fingers and wrists or to duplicate the following by other means (grasping, holding, keyboarding, repetitive movements); visually define, recognize, evaluate and differentiate objects (seeing written information, messages, signs, warnings, safety hazards); effectively communicate verbally (talk on telephone, talk on radio in public, in person); receive audible messages and convey their meaning to others (listen on telephone, listen to radio, listen to directions); effectively apply logical/critical thought to a wide range of intellectual/practical problems (reason, create, initiate); effectively read and comprehend written communication (read memos, technical manuals, instructions, labels); prepare, compose and communicate by using written vocabulary or by dictation (memos, instructions, reports, correspondence, directions); stand upright for prolonged periods of time without movement of body position (provide scene security, operate aerial ladder controls, hold fire hoses, hold IV bags); physically negotiate different types of terrain with proper mobility to control body direction (walk over curbs and obstacles, on gravel, over unimproved paths and roadways, on flat surfaces, tile, carpet); make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods; work in the presence of grotesque sights and smells associated with major trauma and burn victims; perpetuate the body in an accelerated manner on different types of terrain (run on grass, sand, gravel, over obstacles); exert enough force to elevate objects of varying weight and size (lifting equipment, tools, humans, protective equipment); exert enough force to move stationary objects toward or away from their former position (pull carts, equipment, push carts, machinery, pull levers, open and close nozzles); apply enough physical effort to lift the body’s center of gravity to a higher or lower position (climb ladders, stairs, ropes, walls, equipment, towers, climb in and out of vehicles); lower the body’s center of gravity in order to manipulate objects located at ground level (squat to treat patients or to access storage areas, bend to operate equipment); navigate under low overheads by moving along on hands and knees (crawl in confined spaces, under equipment, wreckage); maneuver a motorized vehicle in all types of traffic and weather conditions (drive to work sites, drive work related vehicles); maintain proper eye-hand coordination (directing fire streams, use medical equipment, operate heavy equipment); use olfactory senses to discern different types of odors (smell potentially hazardous chemicals, refuse, gases); wear a full-face air mask (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) for durations of air supply without removing mask (structural firefighting, hazardous materials operations);  and wear personal protective equipment and use tools and equipment while performing physically demanding work in the following environments: 1) hot temperature (up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit), 2) adverse weather conditions, 3) high humidity, 4) toxic atmospheres, 5) chemical hazards, 6) infectious agents, 7) high noise, 8) poor visibility, 9) limited mobility, 10) at heights, 11) in enclosed or confined spaces, 12) wet, icy or muddy areas. Ideal candidates will have the knowledge of the street system and physical layout of the City of Kettering or the ability to acquire this knowledge rapidly.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

A high school education or its equivalent is required with further education a plus. Must be physically capable of performing all firefighting assignments including an appropriate degree of agility and dexterity. Must have no communicable diseases or physical defects which interfere with firefighter/paramedic duties. In addition, there are minimum service requirements at each pay grade.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age, be eligible to work in the United States, and must be a United States citizen or have a valid permanent resident card at the time of appointment. Applicants must also hold a valid motor vehicle operator’s license issued by the State of Ohio. At time of application, candidates must have (1) Ohio Level II certification and EMT-B Certification.  Ohio EMT/Paramedic certification is not required at the time of test or application; however, it is required at the time of interview to be considered for appointment.  Final appointment requires the completion of an approved basic training program, completion of the prescribed on-board training program and the one-year probationary period. Appointed candidates will be required to complete annual recurrent training as a condition of continued employment and successful completion and maintenance of current state and department-mandated certification including, but not limited to, Hazardous Materials Operations.

COMPENSATION

The current pay for this position ranges from $74,173/yr. up to $97,365/yr.  Entry rate is contingent upon the candidate’s related experience, skills, knowledge, and abilities.  Excellent Benefits.

TO APPLY

Candidates interested in this employment opportunity should complete an Application, and attach a Resume, Cover Letter via our online application portal by 11:59 PM on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Please visit www.ketteringoh.org/jobs for additional information.

Lateral Candidates Welcome to Apply

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER