Firefighter (Entry-Level and Lateral) - November

Cobb County Government•Cobb County Fire Department Training Center Marietta, GA

About The Position

This position is with Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services. Applicants whose applications are approved by the Office of Professional Standards will receive further information by email about the required entry-level exam. The starting salary is $25.96 per hour. Lateral firefighters receive credit for years of service, with final eligibility determined by the Fire Chief or designee. Education incentive pay is $1,000 for an associate degree, $2,000 for a bachelor's degree, and $3,000 for a master's degree. A specialty incentive is available for paramedics and specialty-unit assignments, including Technical Rescue, HazMat, and Med Ops. The firefighter responds to emergency calls and protects life and property through fire suppression, emergency medical assistance, rescue, extrication, and related operations. The role also involves safely operating firefighting apparatus and equipment, maintaining readiness and supplies, participating in training and public fire-prevention activities, and maintaining vehicles, buildings, equipment, and station quarters. Entry-level applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and be able to graduate from the Fire Academy within 12 months. Lateral applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and at least two consecutive years of service in a full-time sworn/certified firefighter position, with specified EMT credentials and no more than a one-year break in service at the time of application. The position requires substantial physical exertion and may involve exposure to hazardous and adverse environmental conditions.

Requirements

Entry-level: High school diploma or GED.
Entry-level: Ability to graduate from the Fire Academy within 12 months.
Entry-level: Valid driver's license that must be maintained.
Entry-level: Ability to obtain NPQ Firefighter I and Emergency Medical Technician certifications within 12 months.
Lateral transfer: High school diploma or GED.
Lateral transfer: At least two consecutive years of service in a full-time sworn/certified position as a Firefighter/EMT-I, AEMT, or EMT-P.
Lateral transfer: Break in service must not exceed one year at the time of application for any agency.
Lateral transfer: Must maintain an active certification as specified in the posting: NPQ Firefighter I combined with National Registry or State of Georgia EMT-I, AEMT, or EMT-P; or an active National Registry or State of Georgia EMT-I, AEMT, or EMT-P; or an active State of Georgia certification as a Fire Investigator, Fire Inspector, or Fire Educator.
Ability to perform heavy physical work involving climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects weighing 20–50 pounds, with occasional handling of objects weighing up to 100 pounds.
Some tasks require perceiving and discriminating colors or shades, sounds, odors, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals, and communicating orally.

Responsibilities

Respond to emergency calls involving fires, medical assistance, hazardous materials, motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, explosions, bomb threats, downed power lines, and other emergencies; follow dispatcher instructions and contact related agencies as needed.
Protect life and property by suppressing, controlling, and extinguishing fires; performing search, rescue, extrication, and forcible entry; assisting people from burning structures; ventilating buildings; conducting salvage and cleanup operations; and controlling emergency scenes until relieved by a superior officer.
Provide basic first aid and medical treatment, stabilize victims, and respond to medical emergencies such as airway management, cardiac emergencies, allergic reactions, altered medical status, cerebral vascular accidents, and trauma.
Safely drive firefighting apparatus to and from emergencies, operate pumps, aerial devices, power equipment and other mechanical equipment, and maintain an inventory of apparatus tools and equipment.
Maintain readiness by checking and restocking equipment and supplies, reloading equipment after calls, preparing apparatus for subsequent emergencies, testing equipment, hoses, pumps, and tools, and ensuring emergency medical equipment is stocked and operational.
Maintain current knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, equipment, and developments in the profession; participate in fitness training, drills, continuing education, meetings, workshops, and seminars.
Participate in fire prevention, pre-fire planning, and public education, including safety programs, demonstrations, station and truck tours, community events, and fundraisers.
Perform general maintenance on vehicles, buildings, quarters, apparatus, equipment, and tools, including inspecting, testing, cleaning, servicing, and reporting faulty equipment.

Benefits

Eligible health and dental coverage
Retirement plan
Life insurance
Long-term disability insurance
Deferred compensation
State of Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund
Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services Death Benefit Fund
Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services Flower Fund
Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services Benevolent Fund
Paid vacation leave: 13 days per year after 1 year of service; 15 days after 5 years; 20 days after 10 years; 22 days after 15 years; and 25 days after 20 years
12 paid holidays per year
Paid sick leave accruing at 4.0 hours per biweekly period
Six weeks of paid maternity and paternity leave for eligible employees
Up to 18 days of paid military leave per year
Bereavement leave with pay: full-time employees receive up to 3 days (24 hours); part-time employees receive 3 part-time days off