General Function
Salary rates above include non-shift rates, longevity, and 2% premium for ladder truck and boat operator which employees are not eligible to receive until a date specified by the collective bargaining agreement or assigned by the Fire Chief. Additionally, the salary range listed above also includes salary for a paramedic with over 10 years employment with the City.
Under direction of a unit supervisor, responds to emergency medical calls; uses specialized medical protocols, equipment and supplies to provide on-scene medical intervention to preserve life until patient is transported and transferred to medical facilities and physician care. Responds to emergency fire and first aid calls; uses specialized equipment and tools to save lives, protect property, suppress and extinguish fires and perform emergency first aid and rescue operations; maintains continual availability and readiness of facilities, apparatus, equipment, and supplies; performs non-emergency services including inspections, investigations, equipment testing, record-keeping and other standard fire station routines; maintains and upgrades personal skills and knowledge through internal and external instruction and training programs.
Representative Essential Duties And Responsibilities
(Note – This list is intended only to illustrate the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position.)
Emergency Call Response: Activates emergency medical and fire communications, equipment, apparatus, and emergency call response procedures and protocols upon receipt of a call at a fire station. Participates in mutual aid situations during major emergencies in conformance with applicable procedures.
Drives emergency vehicles, ambulances, apparatus and boats; operates emergency communications devices during call response operations. Transports individuals in medical emergency distress to medical facilities.
Operates, uses and applies emergency medical protocols; suppression; medical first aid and rescue work equipment; supplies and materials including inter-venus needles, blood pressure cuffs, bandages, etc.; heavy water hoses and hydrants; pumps, ladders, ropes, breathing apparatus; extrication devices such as the jaws-of-life, floatation devices, hazardous materials containers, foams, wire cutters, hammers, pliers, oxygen tanks, etc. Performs salvage operations, seeps water and removes debris, spreads salvage covers, etc.
Writes and prepares detailed reports and takes follow-up actions as appropriate on emergency calls.
Non-Emergency Operations: Tests, replenishes, cleans and restores equipment and supplies to immediate readiness status upon return from emergency calls.
Maintains record of activities; informs appropriate individuals of needed repairs, supplies, etc.
Prepares pre-fire plans, information and drawings to serve specific locations within call areas.
Maintains records and information on maps, streets, pre-incident survey data, activity counts, inspections, permits, code compliance, hazardous materials, hydrant and water system reliability, evidence, etc.
Performs fire and complaint investigations, inspections and code enforcement work. Participates in fire prevention, disaster preparedness, community and general department activities. Performs community service activity such as school fire drills, public education programs, etc.
Performs routine maintenance work on facilities, apparatus and equipment. Participates in drills and instructional programs concerning station operations and changes. Maintains required certifications/recertification. Participates in hospital base station meetings involving operations, training and protocols. Participates in departmental meetings involving department operations.
Qualifying Education And Experience (Minimum Requirements)
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to: Graduation from high school or equivalent, possession of nationally registered paramedic certification. Completion of one full year of full time paid uniformed experience with successful completion of the agency's training year's program qualifies for lateral entry application.
A valid Washington State driver's license is required and must be obtained prior to date of appointment or another date set by the City. Successful achievement of a nationally registered paramedic is required for entry to the examination process.
Certification as a State of Washington Emergency Medical Service Paramedic and its continued maintenance is required prior to date of appointment.
Knowledge of (Trained)
- Application of specific regional emergency medical paramedic services, protocols, regulations and techniques.
- Application of specific Bremerton Fire Department's emergency medical paramedic service policies and procedures.
- Application of biological, chemical and algebraic principles to specific emergency response situations.
- Specific application of federal, state and local emergency medical and fire safety codes.
- Fire protection systems, exiting and evacuation methods, and fire safety building construction requirements.
- Operating policies and practices in using emergency communications system.
- Current safety practices for equipment operation and materials handling.
Ability to (Trained)
- Perform fire suppression and emergency medical and rescue tasks involving use of physical body strength sufficient for lifting heavy objects and controlling equipment such as pressurized water hoses, pumps and ladders at actual emergency scenes.
- Safely enter hazardous sites, high places, crawl spaces and other locations with suboptimal access.
- Successfully have demonstrated continuing possession of required Entry Level abilities, completed training and achieved certification as prescribed by departmental Entry Level standards for the position.
- Immediately and appropriately participate in responding to emergency calls using the City of Bremerton's emergency response procedures.
- Ability to operate or learn to operate keyboard activated automated recordkeeping and report generating equipment and systems with sufficient speed and skill as to be able to produce appropriate output.Fully Trained
Knowledge of (Fully Trained)
- Application of specific regional emergency medical paramedic services, protocols, regulations and techniques.
- Application of specific Bremerton Fire Department's emergency medical paramedic service policies and procedures.
- Application of biological, chemical and algebraic principles to specific emergency response situations.
- Specific application of federal, state and local fire safety codes.
- Fire protection systems, exiting and evacuation methods, and fire safety building construction requirements.
- Current safety practices for driving emergency vehicles, equipment operation and materials handling.
- Operating policies and practices in using emergency communications systems.
- Current department methods for conducting fire origin and cause investigations.
- Specific application of existing City fire safety codes and ordinances and current department policies, rules and regulations.
- Geography and infrastructure installations of the City and surrounding area such as streets, water mains, and hydrants.
Ability to (Fully Trained)
- Successfully have demonstrated continuing possession of required Trained Level abilities, completed training and achieved certification as prescribed by departmental Trained Level standards for the position.
- Quickly analyze prevailing conditions and act decisively during transit and at emergency scenes with due regard for surrounding hazards and circumstances.
- Ability to train and instruct less experienced personnel in technical and procedural matters.
Examination Process and Required Documents
To apply for this position all applicants must test through www.nationaltestingnetwork.com. This agency will administer the written and CPAT tests. The names of all applicants passing the written and CPAT tests will be forwarded to the Civil Service Officer. In order to be invited to the Oral Examinations candidates must pass the CPAT and written tests,
and then complete a City of Bremerton Application (with personal résumé.)
Placement on the hiring list is determined by weighted examination scores as follows:
- Written Examination - Passing Score 70% - Weight 40%
- CPAT - Pass/Fail
- Oral Board Examination - Passing Score 70% - Weight 60%
An applicant must achieve a total score of seventy percent (70%) or more on each portion of the exam in order to be placed on the eligible register.
Application materials required after passing the Written and CPAT Examinations: City application, personal résumé, State of Washington Emergency Medical Service Paramedic or National Registry, and CPAT Certification (obtained within the last two years) are required. Incomplete application packets will not be considered. The City of Bremerton is NOT responsible for errors of any kind with faxed or e-mailed application packets. Original signature is required on paper application forms. It is the responsibility of the applicant to carefully list all pertinent experience and training.
Applicants can apply on-line at http://www.ci.bremerton.wa.us/169/Current-Jobs, or application packets may be obtained from the Human Resources Department, Cobweb, or by calling (360) 473-5846.
Employee Preference: Regular City employees applying for and passing an Open Examination will have seven point five (7.5) percent of their PASSING score added to establish their final score.
Layoff Preference: Qualified applicants who have been laid off or have received notice of layoff from a position outside of the City of Bremerton within twelve (12) months of the date of this announcement, will have five (5) percent of the PASSING score added to their examination score to establish their final score for the eligibility register.
Veteran's Preference: Veterans, who have passed an examination, shall be entitled to preference pursuant to Chapter 41.04 RCW.
Any applicant who wishes to appeal any part of an examination shall file an appeal in writing with the Civil Service Officer within five (5) working days (Civil Service Rule 9.23A) following administration of the examination.
APPLICANTS SELECTED FOR HIRE MUST SUCCESSFULLY PASS A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, PSYCHOLOGY EVALUATION, BACKGROUND CHECK, AND SUBMIT A CURRENT DRIVER'S ABSTRACT.
LEGAL and REGULATORY EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
Benefits And Additional Compensation
- Employer contributions to the State Retirement System pension plan;
- 4.375 hours to 13 hours of paid vacation per pay period dependent upon years of service and shift or non-shift assignment;
- Non-shift personnel receive 11 paid holidays per year and one paid floating holiday of the employees choice per year; shift personnel receive 4 hours added to their vacation leave accrual rate per pay period in lieu of holidays;
- Non-shift personnel receive 96 hours of paid sick leave per year; shift personnel receive 192 to 240 hours of paid sick leave per year depending on years of service;
- Wellness program;
- Employee assistance program;
- Medical and dental coverage;
- Education incentive as specified by the collective bargaining agreement;
- Employer contributions to a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA);
- Employer and employee contributions to a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP)
- Employer deferred compensation match in an amount not to exceed 5.50% of salary.
- In lieu of additional compensation for those employees scheduled to work on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, the following will apply: The City will pay 24 hours of straight time at the employee’s current pay band as listed in Appendix A of the collective bargaining agreement; provided that the employee is on the payroll on 10/31 of the year, and has been working a 24 hour shift position for six (6) months during that calendar year. The 24 hours’ pay will be paid on the pay period ending October 31st each year. New employees attending the Fire Academy shall be considered shift employees for this benefit.;
- Shift bargaining unit members receive an additional 24 hours of straight time at the employee’s current pay band as listed in Appendix A paid on the pay period ending November 30th, in lieu of a reduction in hours, subject to the same terms and conditions as outlined in section 9.6 of the collective bargaining agreement.
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FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT: The classification qualifies for exemption from coverage under the Fair Labor Standards Act minimum wage and overtime provisions.
REPRESENTATION: The classification is included in the bargaining unit pursuant to the Recognition Article of the current labor agreement between the City of Bremerton and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 437.
CIVIL SERVICE: The classification is included in the Civil Service System.
APPOINTMENT AUTHORITY: The position is filled by appointment of the Fire Chief in conformance with rules of the Civil Service Commission.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
It is the policy of the City of Bremerton to offer equal employment opportunity to all individuals. The City of Bremerton will administer all actions with respect to employment practices in compliance with federal, state and local laws, and will not discriminate in any employment practice on the basis of age (40+), sex, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation/gender identity, marital status, military status, or the presence of any physical, mental or sensory disability.
ADA Statement
The City of Bremerton does not discriminate on the basis of disability in programs and activities, which it operates pursuant to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and ADA Amendments Act. This policy extends to both employment and admission to participation in the programs, services and activities of the City of Bremerton. Reasonable accommodation for employees or applicants for employment will be provided.
The City of Bremerton is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce.
Medical and Dental Insurance - Effective the first of the month following the date of hire, regular employees are eligible for the City's medical and dental insurance plans.
Currently, the City pays the premium for your choice of one of two health insurance plans, Kaiser Permanente or Premera Blue Cross administered by the LEOFF Health and Welfare Trust. To cover dependents you pay 10% of the dependent premium. Dependents may be added only when there is a change in family status, at annual open enrollment, or if you have a qualifying event (e.g. marriage, divorce, spouse loss of medical coverage). Detailed coverage and rate information is available from Human Resources.
The City provides a dental plan through Washington Dental Service for both you and your dependents at no cost to you. Dependents must be added when you are hired, within 30 days of birth or adoption, or at the annual open enrollment.
Disability & Life Insurance - The City pays each employee $50.00 per month toward the cost of Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Life insurance. Life insurance is available through payroll deduction in amounts from $10,000 to $500,000. Your union representative will assist you with enrollment.
Retirement Medical Savings Accounts
The City will contribute the following amounts to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) administrated through Peak 1 Administration.:
Employee only coverage – ($2,700 annually) $1,350.00 paid on the pay period ending January 15th and $1350.00 paid on the pay period ending July 15th.
Employee and dependents coverage - ($4,700.00 annually) $2,350.00 paid on the pay period ending January 15th and $2,350.00 paid on the pay period ending July 15th.
Retirement - The City provides a comprehensive retirement program through the Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System (LEOFF). If you have an account established in LEOFF prior to October 1, 1977, Plan 1 would apply. Otherwise, you will be enrolled in Plan 2.
The LEOFF plans are defined benefit plans to be taken when you qualify for retirement. The amount of the benefit is determined by service credit and average final compensation with a minimum of 5 years service for vesting. See your plan booklet for further information.
Deferred Compensation - You may choose from several plans. The City will match your contribution up to 5.50% of your monthly pay rate. You may contribute with a minimum of $30 per month and a maximum annual combined (employer and employee) contribution of $23,500. See Union Contract for more detailed information.
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