Firefighter/EMT-Basic or Paramedic

City of Helotes•Helotes, TX

13h

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Shift Supervisor, the Firefighter/EMT-Basic or Paramedic works a 48-hour shift to control and extinguish fires, protect life and property, administer emergency medical treatment, and perform related duties. With approval from the Deputy Fire Chief or Fire Chief, the employee may serve in a step-up Engineer role and perform the Engineer’s duties. The position responds to fire, emergency medical, rescue, and other emergency calls; performs fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical care, inspections, equipment maintenance, training, and public education activities; and may operate fire apparatus. The employee must work effectively with the public and coworkers, maintain required certifications and licenses, meet physical and behavioral demands, and comply with departmental safety requirements. The position works a 48-hours-on/96-hours-off shift schedule, with a flexible schedule that includes evenings, weekends, and holidays. Employees may need to respond to emergencies while off duty and may be called in for compensated backfill. The role involves hazardous and physically demanding work, including exposure to extreme weather, hazardous materials, confined spaces, loud noise, and traumatic incidents.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Firefighter certification.
Texas State Department of Health Services Basic Emergency Medical Technician certification or higher.
All required certifications and licenses must be current and valid.
Must obtain and maintain a valid Texas Class B Commercial Vehicle Operator’s License within one year of employment.
Must converse fluently and read in English.
Must have no history of criminal or improper conduct that may affect suitability for fire service or EMS work.
Must not have been convicted, placed on deferred adjudication, probation, or any type of court-ordered supervision for a felony under the laws of Texas, another state, or the United States.
At application, must not be on probation, community supervision, deferred adjudication, or other court-ordered supervision for any criminal offense. Other arrests and convictions are evaluated individually based on the nature and gravity of the offense and time elapsed since conviction or sentence completion.
Any prior military service must have resulted in at least an honorable-conditions discharge.
Must reside within 60 minutes of the Helotes City Hall complex within 90 days of hire.
Knowledge of operation and maintenance of firefighting, rescue, hazardous-materials, EMS, and specialized departmental equipment.
Knowledge of City fire-safety ordinances and codes, the City water supply system, fire hydrant locations, street layouts, and associated hazards.
Knowledge of principles, equipment, technical information, and practices for fighting residential, commercial, and open-space fires.
Ability to communicate, read, write, and understand written and oral instructions, reports, and documents.
Ability to reason abstractly using mechanical concepts and take effective action in emergencies.
Ability to maintain emotional stability and operational composure under stress, exercise sound judgment, and make rapid life-saving decisions in extreme duress and chaotic conditions.
Ability to maintain physical endurance and agility, practice safe work habits, and work effectively with the public and other employees.
Must remain eligible to drive under the City’s driver evaluation program.
Must be able to perform ambulance duties and must not pose a threat to the health and safety of self or others.
Must demonstrate adaptive coping mechanisms for the cumulative psychological impact of emergency service work and willingness to participate in department wellness initiatives, including Peer Support and Critical Incident Stress Management debriefings.
May be required to carry, hold, lift, push, and pull a minimum of 100 pounds; sustain physical activity over prolonged periods; stand, walk, kneel, and stoop in awkward positions; and climb ladders or work at considerable heights while supported by a ladder or ropes.
All employees are subject to random drug testing.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Fire Science, EMS, or Emergency Management.
Texas State Department of Health Services Intermediate certification or Paramedic certification or license.

Responsibilities

Respond to fires, fire alarms, emergency medical service calls, and other emergency calls.
Perform fire suppression, including rescue, deploying and operating hose, ventilating roofs, and post-fire salvage work.
Administer first aid and emergency medical treatment to sick and injured persons and perform ambulance duties.
Operate emergency medical, fire, rescue, and other assigned equipment safely; may drive and operate fire apparatus, including its pump.
Perform rescue or rescue-support operations at technical rescue scenes, including water or swift-water, confined-space, trench, vehicle extrication, vertical, building-collapse, and other entrapment incidents.
Inspect, clean, and maintain apparatus, equipment, quarters, and grounds.
Inspect businesses and fire hydrants for compliance with City fire-prevention ordinances and codes.
Conduct pre-incident evaluations and develop emergency response plans for properties.
Participate in and occasionally conduct fire training classes and drills; study technical materials to maintain or improve performance.
Perform related duties such as physical training and studying maps to learn the assigned district.
Use and maintain safety equipment as required by departmental regulations and work effectively as a team member.
Conduct station tours and lectures or demonstrations.
Communicate courteously and effectively with the public, council, and coworkers in person, in writing, and by phone.
Perform other duties as assigned.
When approved by the Deputy Fire Chief or Fire Chief, act as Engineer in a step-up role and perform the Engineer’s duties.
Attend work regularly and predictably, report on time, and remain on duty for the duration of the workday.
Respond to off-duty emergencies and work fill-in or compensated backfill shifts as needed.
Maintain physical fitness, appropriate uniform, personal hygiene, and safe work habits.