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City of Oak Harbor•Oak Harbor, WA

1d•$8,375 - $10,136•Onsite

About The Position

Join our City of Oak Harbor team to help build a legacy of commitment to excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion in our vibrant waterfront community. The 2026 salary range is $8,374.51 - $10,135.98 monthly, dependent on qualifications and experience. A JAN 2027 COLA increase of 3.15% is anticipated. The Oak Harbor Fire Department (OHFD) provides fire protection, rescue, and first response advanced life support to the City of Oak Harbor, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from Fire Station 81 & 82. OHFD serves the City of Oak Harbor located on Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington State, protecting 9.7 square miles and an estimated population of 24,700. In addition, OHFD maintains mutual and automatic aid contracts with Island County Fire Districts Number 2 (North Whidbey) and Number 5 (Central Whidbey), Whidbey Health, and the Naval Air Station-Whidbey Island (NAS-WI) Federal Fire Department. The department operates with 30 full-time firefighters across 3 shifts on a 48/96 schedule, utilizing two fire stations: Station 81 on Whidbey Avenue and Station 82 on Swantown Rd. The fleet includes 1 Battalion Chief, 1 Ladder Truck, 1 Rescue Truck, and 1 Fire Engine. We are a progressive department, anticipating department and community needs now and for the future.

Requirements

18 years of age at time of application.
A United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
Ability to read, write and speak the English language.
High school diploma, GED or equivalent.
Valid Driver's License in state of residency and able to obtain WA state DL with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) endorsement or current Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention (EVIP) certification.
A driver’s abstract with a good driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier.
State of Washington Paramedic certification or equivalent National Registry Paramedic Certificate.
Able to meet performance standards established by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and testing approved by the Civil Service Commission.
Must pass comprehensive background investigation including fingerprint and criminal history, sexual offenses, and recent drug use.
Conditional employment offer will include medical examination with pre-employment drug screen and psychological evaluation for aptitude to work in fire service.
Able to pass annual City of Oak Harbor Fire Department medical exam and established physically fit for duty test.
Able to adjust to a lifestyle that requires working 48-hour shifts or other work schedules, including work on holidays and being subject to over-time, hold-over and call-back at any time.
Able to satisfactorily complete course work and training such as Washington State Fire Academy and other in-service training methods, procedures and techniques of fire service work presented by employees of a higher classification in the department or by attendance at special courses/schools.
Thorough knowledge of the field of fire science and emergency medical response.
Skill and ability in tactful communication to express oneself clearly and concisely in speaking and legibly in writing.
Thorough knowledge of English, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, punctuation and mathematics.
Ability to drive fire emergency service vehicles safely and effectively under emergency conditions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, other City departments, employees and the general public.
Ability to learn to read, interpret and properly apply laws applicable to fire service work.
Ability to memorize and recall details, e.g., streets, roads and related geographical features to facilitate response to calls and alarms.
Ability to maintain composure and self-control under adverse conditions, e.g., critical injuries and death.
Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and with respect for the rights of citizens.
Ability to perform duties and maintain personal conduct, attitude and appearances that conform to strict policies, procedures, discipline and within a "chain of command" management system.
Ability to keep oneself in readiness at all times, to answer calls for service, accept authority, obey orders of superiors, and accept a strict personal and organizational code of conduct and ethics.
Ability to maintain balanced perspective about life in general not withstanding continuous potential life-threatening situations.
Ability to use a computer system and software required by City and the fire department, including Microsoft 365, cloud-based and desktop software, and smart phone applications.

Nice To Haves

IFSAC Firefighter I Certification or equivalent (for lateral-entry applicants).
Certification at the Paramedic level will receive 15% premium based off the top step of the Firefighter/EMT salary schedule.

Responsibilities

Under the close supervision of the fire Captain or other ranking officer, perform a complete range of firefighting and emergency medical activities.
Perform fire prevention and suppression assignments in accordance with departmental policies, rules, standard operating practices and established precedent.
Operate all department equipment, tools and apparatus within its full operational capability to protect life and property.
Maintain assigned fire prevention, suppression and medical equipment.
Spend substantial amounts of time engaged in routine inspection, testing, cleaning, and maintenance of equipment, apparatus and quarters.
Participate in supervised emergency responses or other associated training as directed.
Conduct training classes.
Respond to fire, rescue, vehicle accidents, hazardous materials and other life threatening emergencies to suppress, control, remove, contain or otherwise mitigate the situation.
Respond to emergency medical calls for service providing life saving care within the scope of a Paramedic.
Clean, service and test designated fire apparatus and equipment to ensure constant readiness for emergency response.
Inventory associated tools, equipment and locate their appropriate placement.
Report observations of actual or potential deterioration, malfunction, failure, or loss of equipment to superiors.
Remove individuals and property from hazardous situations in accordance with established departmental procedures.
Perform salvage tasks including covering furnishings, ventilation of premises, removing debris and pumping, sweeping and vacuuming water.
Participate in training drills, simulated catastrophes, classes, seminars and other learning/training exercises.
Perform general maintenance work on fire department equipment such as cleaning, sanitizing, polishing, and minor adjustments and repairs of apparatus and accessories; washing and polishing vehicles; washing, hanging and drying hose and personal protective equipment; vacuuming carpets; washing walls and floors; and checking and replenishing disposable supplies.
Perform designated activities in the preparation of pre-fire maps including familiarization of building drawings and gas and/or electrical service(s) shut-offs, utilizing a personal computer and/or hand drawing sketches and layouts.
Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City officials, department heads, co-workers, supervisor and other City departments.
Interact with the public using good judgment in a courteous and helpful manner in stressful situations.
Serve as acting fire Captain when authorized by the Fire Chief or designee.
Conduct fire protection and other related inspections as assigned.
Conduct presentations before school groups and service organizations on fire prevention, suppression procedures and equipment as assigned.
May present CPR/First Aid/AED training courses to City employees and the public.
Conduct tours of department facilities.