Firefighter (Paramedic) - 5290786-0

Under close supervision of a company officer is responsible for extinguishing fires, rescuing persons and property from danger, including water rescues, and performing salvage and related follow-up work. Incumbents are also required to perform lifesaving rescue techniques as part of other emergency operations.  While emergency responses constitute the primary focus of a firefighter's responsibility, considerable time is spent in study, training, inspecting, and maintaining equipment and apparatus, and in cleaning and maintaining quarters.  Duties involve an element of personal danger and incumbents must be capable of functioning as an integral part of a work unit in order to ensure the safe and efficient performance of duties.  Work is performed in accordance with direct instructions and well-defined routines and under the immediate supervision of a ranking officer.  Work is reviewed through written reports for adherence to established policies and procedures. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Protects citizens during emergencies.
• Responds to emergencies with a fire company or rescue unit.
• Answers medical emergencies as part of an engine company, as a basic life support unit or on a rescue unit as an advanced life support/transport unit.
• Removes, extracts, and rescues persons from danger.
• Recognizes acute and chronic symptoms requiring care; administers life-saving rescue procedures to injured or afflicted persons.
• May work on a rescue crew and, in this capacity, may also be required to perform a leadership role on an ALS unit.
• Performs salvage operations including throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, removing debris, and placing smoke ejectors.
• Connects hose to hydrants and pumps; joins hose section and connects nozzles to hose; enters burning buildings with or without hose lines; operates nozzles and plays stream of water or fog on fires.
• Operates hand fire extinguishers and similar equipment in extinguishing fires; raises and climbs ladders; ventilates burning buildings to remove smoke and gases.
• Makes daily inspections of apparatus and equipment and notifies supervisor of defects; performs cleaning and maintenance tasks in and about assigned station.
• Aids in the mitigation of other emergencies as directed by supervisor.
• Attends instruction sessions in firefighting methods; equipment operation, rescue procedures, hazardous materials mitigation, and related subjects; may conduct drills and classes in these and other areas.
• Mitigates chemical spills by recognizing hazardous material situations; makes identification of unknown substances through the use of specialized testing equipment; sets up decontamination procedures; assists state agencies in the removal/disposal of hazardous material.
• Prevents fire damage by conducting surveys and inspections for hazards.
• Prepares citizens to prevent fire damage by developing and conducting educational and training programs. Provides educational information and lectures to community organizations and schools on other Fire and EMS related topics.
• Effectively and positively represents the City in delivering and performing work with colleagues and clients, irrespective of gender, race, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or sexual orientation.
• Establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors and managers.
• Ensures availability of water at fire scene by testing hydrants, requesting and expediting repairs, and verifying repairs.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements, following manufacturer's instructions, and troubleshooting malfunctions.
• Notifies supervisor of needed repairs.
• Evaluates new equipment and techniques.
• Maintains operations by following policies and procedures and reporting needed changes.
• Provides information by completing reports.
• Maintains technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, studying publications, and participating in scheduled drills.
• Maintains fire station building, grounds, and related equipment by completing maintenance schedules.
• Prepares paperwork if acting in leadership role in emergency.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
• Performs related work as required for this position description only.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

1. Must be 18 years of age.
2. High School / GED equivalent.
3. Valid Class E Driver’s License with proof of automobile insurance. 
4. No use of tobacco products within one (1) year of application. 

Preferred:

• Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate of Science Degree in Fire Sciences or a closely related field.

Additional education and experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience may be substituted for the above requirements.
 
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: 

• State of Florida Certified Firefighter (required)
• State of Florida Paramedic (required) OR
• State of Florida Certified EMT in the final semester of Paramedic School (if applicable) 
• American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) or American Red Cross Basic Support (BLS) for Healthcare Professionals - CPR/AED certification (required)
• American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) or American Red Cross Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification (not required for application submission but required at date of hire for Paramedics) 
• Must possess a current Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) from the National Testing Network (not required for application submission but must be taken within 6 months of hire date)
• Must possess an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) - Minimum 16 hours 
• Valid Class E Driver's License: With proof of automobile insurance
• Background Check: Must have an acceptable background and driving record

PROOF OF CERTIFICATION AND LICENSES
After an initial review of your application and the results of the Assessment process from Public Safety Answers, if you are selected to move forward in the hiring process, you will receive an invitation to VETTED, our preliminary background screening platform, where you will be prompted to complete a questionnaire and upload the required documentation including:

• State of Florida Certified Firefighter (required)
• State of Florida Certified Paramedic (required), OR
• State of Florida Certified EMT (required) and a letter on school letterhead confirming enrollment in the final semester of Paramedic School (if applicable)
• American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support BLS) or American Red Cross Basic Support (BLS) for Healthcare Professionals - CPR/AED certification (required)
• American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) or American Red Cross Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification (not required for application submission but required at date of hire for Paramedics) 
• Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) from the National Testing Network (not required for application submission but must be taken within 6 months of hire date)
• Emergency Vehicle Operations Certificate (EVOC) - Minimum 16 hours 
• Valid Class E Driver's License: With proof of automobile insurance
• Non-Use of Tobacco Waiver 
• Employment Inquiry and Consent Documents

IMPORTANT:  Copies of certifications and licenses are not required to be submitted with the initial City of Hollywood employment application, therefore, if you choose to include them with your employment application, you will be required to resubmit them later through the VETTED process.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

1. Completion of Public Safety Answers Assessment Process (PSA) Including a Video Interview
2. Preliminary Driving History Check
3. Preliminary Background Review through Vetted 
4. PSA Video Interview Evaluation and Oral Interview with Hollywood Fire Rescue
5. Polygraph Examination 
6. Psychological Screening
7. Comprehensive Background  
8. Medical including Drug Screen

• The relative must have competed in an appropriate examination process as determined by Human Resources and be placed on a civil service eligibility list;
• The relative must be among the top three ranked candidates available on the certified eligibility list unless expanded by the Civil Service Board;
• The Department or Office Director and the Director, Human Resources must demonstrate that it is in the best interests of the City of Hollywood to hire the relative of a public officer or employee.