JOB DESCRIPTION
Summary/Objective
The firefighter protects life and property by performing firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials and fire prevention duties. The position maintains fire equipment, apparatus and facilities.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Performs firefighting activities, including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment and extinguishment tasks.
- Performs emergency aid activities, including administering first aid and providing other assistance as required.
- Participates in fire drills and attends classes in firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials and related subjects.
- Receives and relays fire calls and alarms. Operates radio and other communication equipment.
- Participates in the inspection of buildings, hydrants and other structures in fire prevention programs.
- Maintains fire equipment, apparatus and facilities. Performs minor repairs to departmental equipment.
- Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment; cleans and washes walls and floors; cares for grounds around station; makes minor repairs; washes, hangs and dries hose; washes, cleans, polishes, maintains and tests apparatus and equipment.
- Assists in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, hazardous communications, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials and emergency aid activities.
- Presents programs to the community on safety, medical and fire prevention topics.
- Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water and removing debris.
- Performs duties as a certified EMT-B, according to criteria and standards set forth by the department.
- May participate as an off-duty call-back firefighter when not scheduled to work a normal duty shift.
- Assists in department administrative activities as assigned.
- Assists in supervising other firefighters as required.
- Assists in training new employees as assigned.
Competencies
- Ethical Conduct.
- Stress Management/Composure.
- Problem Solving/Analysis.
- Communication Proficiency.
- Strategic Thinking.
- Teamwork Orientation.
- Diversity and Inclusion.
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils.
The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. It is reasonably anticipated that the individual will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious materials in the course of duties.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk; hear; stand; walk; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, taste and smell.
The employee must frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 130 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This position regularly requires long hours and frequent weekend work. The City of Bluefield Fire Department’s current schedule is a rotating schedule consisting of 10 - 24 hour shifts per month.
Travel
Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area travel and overnight may be expected.
Required Education and Experience
High school graduation or GED equivalent.
Current Driver's License
Additional Qualifications and Expectations
- Must successfully pass a medical exam to accept any job offer.
- Must successfully complete EMT-B course and maintain an EMT-B certification in the state of West Virginia.
- Must successfully complete and maintain the follow certification in West Virginia:
- Firefighter I and II Certification
- Hazmat Awareness and Operation
- First aid and CPR
- Emergency Vehicle Operation Course
- Must Successfully complete the Professional Firefighters of West Virginia Apprenticeship Program.
- Ability to learn operations of fire suppression and other emergency equipment.
- Ability to learn to apply standard firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials and fire prevention techniques.
- Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical activities during emergency, training or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold or smoke.
- Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
- Ability to effectively communicate in writing and verbally.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the general public.
- Ability to make independent judgments that have considerable impacts on the organization.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
For more information visit our Public Safety Career page.
Rate of Pay
Probationary firefighters starting pay is $36,600 with a great benefits package.
Benefits
Benefits package includes: health insurance, life insurance, retirement, vacation and sick pay, as well as supplemental options, including dental, vision and disability insurance. Visit our Employee Benefits page.
To Apply
To complete an application, please visit the City of Bluefield Municipal Complex at 200 Rogers Street, Bluefield WV 24701.
You may also request an application by email at rluther [at] bluewv.org.
THE CITY OF BLUEFIELD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER