All applicants must complete a standard City of Sonora "Application for Employment" form.

Application, job description, and recruitment flyer may be obtained at:

www.sonoraca.com/city-services/departments/administration/employment/jobs

City Hall Administration
94 N. Washington Street, Sonora
(209) 588-8946

City of Sonora Fire Department
201 S. Shepherd Street, Sonora
(209) 532-7432

Mail or drop off your application and certificates to:
94 N. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Tracy Skelly at (209) 588-8946.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, operates and maintains firefighting apparatus and equipment; responds to fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, rescues, and other all risk emergency and non-emergency situations; participates in all other suppression, prevention, inspection, education, and related activities to protect life and property; performs fire station maintenance; provides information and assistance to the public; and performs other duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Fire Captain and/or the Fire Chief. Exercises technical and function direction over and provides scheduling and training to part-time staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced-level class in the fire service series. Incumbents work under general supervision and exercise discretion and independent judgment in performing the full range of fire suppression, basic medical emergency, hazardous materials, and other all risk emergency response activities and functions. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of and ability to drive and operate a truck, engine, and all other emergency vehicles, equipment, and apparatus and the performance of heavy physical work at potential risk to health and safety. This class is distinguished from Fire Captain in that the latter has supervisory responsibility for fire safety programs, functions, and activities.

Examples of TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Operates tests and maintains all fire apparatus and related fire services and medical equipment to ensure operational readiness and safety of fire personnel, including operating hydraulic pumps and aerial equipment, performing daily inspections, maintenance, training, and inventory.
Responds to fire alarms, emergency medical calls at the basic life support level, emergency rescues, hazardous materials incidents, public service calls, or other all risk emergency incidents, which require the mitigation of circumstances that may threaten life or property, such as fire suppression, emergency medical care, and rescue of victims.
Drives fire apparatus to emergency scene and positions and prepares equipment for use, including fire apparatus to emergencies, training, and inspections.
Operates and oversees the use of a variety of fire apparatus, vehicles, and equipment, including operating fire pumps, calculating and monitoring hydraulic conditions, directing engine hook-up, setting controls to ensure proper water flow levels, operating aerial ladder truck, lays, connects, charges, and uses supply lines and various water appliances to control and extinguish fires; places water curtains and performs ventilating and access maneuvers; uses foam and chemical extinguishers as required by the nature of the fire.
Searches and rescues victims from buildings, motor vehicles, water hazards, and other locations.
Applies medical treatment and life support techniques within the scope of an Emergency Medical Technician I (EMT); provides assistance to qualified paramedics, as directed; assists in the emergency transportation of patients.
Contains, isolates, and minimizes hazardous materials spills.
Works closely with other emergency medical staff, police, and public safety and fire personnel from other agencies; responds to mutual aid situations as required.
Performs daily checks of equipment to ensure all equipment is in good working order, including inspecting all aerial apparatuses, tools, and other related equipment to ensure their efficient operation and readiness for any emergency response situation; keeps complete and accurate inspection records and apparatus usage log as required; inspects all emergency medical equipment.
Performs fire safety inspections on a variety of businesses and multi-family residences, and participates in a variety of public awareness activities to promote good public relations and fire safety awareness, including providing tours of fire facilities and giving presentations at local schools as requested.
Makes verbal and written analyses of activities involved in any emergency fire situation.
Performs and conducts all necessary training activities as assigned and in accordance with readiness and preparation for firefighting activities, including training in fire suppression, fire pump operation, aerial apparatus operation, emergency medical training, hazardous materials, vehicle extrication, technical rescues, equipment use and maintenance, and other related functions.
Performs physical fitness training to maintain physical abilities necessary for firefighting.
Provides instruction to other fire personnel on topics related to fire apparatus maintenance, use, and other related topics.
Maintains station and personal living areas in a clean and orderly manner; maintains surrounding grounds to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for fire personnel and the general public.
Serves within a command structure, requiring adherence to officers’ orders in life threatening situations.
Performs collateral duties related to one or more departmental programs, such as fire hydrants, wild land training coordination, emergency management services, mapping, hose testing, monthly reports, legal compliance, etc.
May act as a Fire Captain.
Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Practices and techniques of driving varied vehicles and operating, and maintaining a wide range of fire equipment and apparatus, including related fire hydraulics.
Principles and practices of fire suppression, containment, rescue, clean-up, and salvage.
Principles and practices of providing emergency medical care at the EMT I level.
Practices and techniques of hazardous materials response, containment and clean-up.

Geography of the City, including locations of streets, hydrants, sprinkler and standpipe hookups, and alarm panels.

Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.

Safety practices and equipment related to the work.
Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.

Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

Operate vehicles, equipment and apparatus safely and in conformance with department procedures and traffic laws.
Perform fire suppression and associated rescue and salvage work in a safe and effective manner.
Apply the mechanics of fire fighting and emergency medical care at an EMT I level.
Deal with hazardous materials incidents in conformance with department procedures.
Make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations.

Establish and maintain a variety of manual and computerized record-keeping and project management systems.
Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.

Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.

Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12^th) grade and two (2) years of full-time municipal fire suppression experience, or four (4) years of part-time or volunteer fire-fighting experience, or two (2) years full-time experience in a qualifying Intern Program, and completion of a qualifying task book. Some college-level coursework in fire technology or a related field is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:

Must possess a minimum valid California Class C Driver’s License with Firefighter endorsement and have a responsible driving record. If applying from out of state, must possess a valid driver’s license, the equivalent of Driver Operator 1A certification and have a responsible driving record, and be able to obtain a California Class C driver’s license with a Firefighter endorsement within 6 months of appointment.
Possession of Driver Operator 1A and 1B Certificate
Possession of a State of California Emergency Medical Technician I Certificate, including a current AED/CPR certification.
Possession of a State of Firefighter I Certificate.
Federal Emergency Management Association’s National Incident Management System (NIMS) IS700 and National Response Framework (NFR) IS800, ICS 100 and 200 courses.
Possession of the Confined Space Rescue Operations and or Technician certification is desirable.
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) valid 6 months from time of interview. (Not applicable for internal candidates.)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility, physical strength and stamina to respond to emergency situations and use all emergency apparatus and equipment; perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces, around machines, and to climb and descend ladders; vision to discern colors and assess emergency situations, including medical incidents, and to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned apparatus and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials, objects, and individuals necessary to perform job functions.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, extreme temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, substantial heights, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Employees are required to work 24-hour shifts, as scheduled by the department.

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