Firefighter (Entry Level)

City of Midlothian•Tx 76065, TX

10d

About The Position

Under direct supervision, the Firefighter protects lives and property by performing firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and fire prevention duties, and maintains fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities. The position performs fire suppression and emergency medical services, participates in training and inspections, communicates by radio, provides community safety programs, and assists with emergency preparedness and other departmental activities. It may include helping train new recruits, performing Field Training Officer duties, and performing Fire Engineer duties as needed. The work is primarily performed in vehicles and outdoors, in all weather conditions and during day and night shifts. Duties may take place in emergency and stressful situations and involve exposure to fire and medical-response hazards, including smoke, chemicals, electrical risks, noise, vibration, wet conditions, and contagious diseases. The position requires strenuous physical effort during emergencies and is subject to call-back to duty. Applicants must meet the stated age, education, driver’s-license, language, certification, screening, and physical standards. Candidates must pass the required hiring assessments and background checks. The role is safety-sensitive and subject to random drug and alcohol testing during employment. Required certifications must be maintained or obtained within the specified deadlines.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
Must possess a valid driver’s license.
Must demonstrate the ability to read, write, and speak English.
Must possess and maintain a valid Texas Class B Commercial Driver’s License, or equivalent if out of state, with an acceptable driving record, or be able to obtain it within one year of employment.
Must meet one of the listed certification pathways: Texas DSHS EMT-B or EMT-P and Texas Commission on Fire Protection Structure Firefighter Certification, or Texas DSHS Paramedic Certification.
Applicants with EMT-B and TCFP Basic Structure Firefighter Certification must obtain Texas DSHS Paramedic Certification within two years of employment to remain employed.
Applicants with Texas DSHS Paramedic Certification must obtain TCFP Basic Structure Firefighter Certification within one year of employment.
Must pass the required certification verification, Physical Agility Test, oral interview, background investigation, drug and alcohol screening, medical physical assessment, psychological examination, and polygraph examination.
Must pass pre-employment drug screening, polygraph, psychological exam, CJIS and fingerprint check, criminal background check, and physical exam.
Must meet Texas Commission on Fire Protection and applicable Texas Administrative Code standards.
Must meet stated visual standards, including uncorrected visual acuity of at least 20/100 in both eyes for applicants who wear glasses or hard contact lenses, corrected visual acuity of at least 20/20 in both eyes and 20/40 in each eye, a horizontal visual field of at least 120 degrees in each eye, and normal night vision.
Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must demonstrate practical knowledge of firefighting and emergency medical services and sound analytical judgment and decision-making appropriate to the work environment.
Must have knowledge of city and departmental practices, procedures, and systems.
Must know how to safely and effectively extinguish fires using tools such as hoses, fire extinguishers, and fire trucks.
Must be able to use Basic and Advanced Life Support equipment and skills in accordance with the applicable DOT/EMT Basic, EMT-I, and EMT-P curriculum.
Must be skilled in operating tools and equipment including fire pumps, hoses, ladders, radios, personal computers, and phones.
Must be able to read varied materials, perform practical calculations and measurements, and write reports, business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
Must communicate clearly, effectively, and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Must interact effectively and tactfully with others, provide customer service, work independently with discretion, and maintain confidentiality.
Must maintain emotional control in emergency situations and handle interactions with irate, hysterical, frightened, or injured individuals.
Must follow instructions and safety practices, work accurately and thoroughly, and handle multiple tasks under time pressures and deadlines.
Must establish and maintain effective working relationships and attend work punctually and regularly.
The position is subject to random drug and alcohol testing during employment.
Applicants are subject to the stated disqualifying standards, including certain criminal convictions, recent substance use, specified driving violations, false or withheld application information, prior employment misconduct, and prohibited or offensive visible tattoos.

Responsibilities

Perform firefighting activities, including operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose, and carrying out fire combat, containment, and extinguishment tasks.
Perform pre-hospital emergency medical treatment and transportation at the EMT-P and Paramedic level.
Participate in fire drills and attend classes in firefighting, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, and related subjects.
Receive and relay fire calls and alarms and operate radio and other communication equipment.
Participate in inspections of buildings, hydrants, and other structures as part of fire prevention programs.
Maintain fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities; perform minor repairs; wash, hang, and dry hose; and clean, polish, maintain, and test apparatus and equipment.
Assist with coordinating, instructing, or supervising new recruits and others as assigned, including Field Training Officer duties such as training, evaluations, and quality-assurance checks on reports.
Perform Fire Engineer duties on an as-needed basis.
Present community programs on safety, medical, and fire prevention topics.
Perform general maintenance of fire facilities and equipment, including cleaning, grounds care, and minor repairs.
Assist in developing plans for emergency preparedness, hazardous communications, training, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency medical activities.
Perform salvage operations, including placing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris.
Perform other duties as assigned.