Firefighter Level 1 (Dual -Certified Only)

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from high school or equivalent. Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen & physical examination and successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Upon submission of application, proof of the following must be provided:
1. A sworn affidavit attesting to the non-use of tobacco products.
2. A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment.   If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.
3. Successful applicants must meet all requirements for Drivers as listed in Florida Statutes 401.281.
Prior to the interview date, proof of the following must be provided:Candidates must possess a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Certificate provided by an authorized CPAT testing center OR the candidate must have passed Alachua County's Fireground Physical Ability Test (FPAT) prior to interview date. Valid CPAT certificates must be dated within 1 year of application date.

Upon appointment to position, the following must be completed and maintained as a condition of employment:

Firefighter (Level 1)

1. Current State of Florida Firefighter Certificate of Compliance and State of Florida EMT Certificate. Continued certification is a requirement to continued employment.

2. Successful completion of department sponsored certified sixteen hour (EVOC) Emergency Vehicle Operator Course within the first months of employment.

3. Successful completion of twelve month probation. 

Position Summary

This is responsible technical work in the Fire Rescue Services Department protecting life and property by performing firefighting, driving apparatus, performing emergency medical aid, hazardous materials and fire prevention duties.

An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for safely transporting a crew and medical equipment to the patient, assisting in providing immediate care to the critically ill or injured on an emergency basis, transporting the patient to a medical facility, and performing firefighter duties including combating, extinguishing and preventing fires as required.
 Work is performed within standard operating procedure guidelines and an employee is expected to exercise independent judgment, based upon firefighting and emergency medical training.

Work is performed under a higher- level supervisor and is reviewed through observation of results obtained.  This position reports directly to a Lieutenant when assigned on a fire apparatus or a Rescue Lieutenant when assigned on a Rescue.

Classification Level Pay Structure:
 
The Alachua County Fire Rescue pay structure includes classification levels defined by both educational and length of service with the department.  New employees will be classified in the following manner upon hire:
 
Firefighter (Level 1):  
 
This classification includes employees who meet all of the minimum qualifications for Firefighter Level 1 which includes a current State of Florida Certificate of Compliance and a State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. Employees in this classification will be paid $17.9688 hourly/ $44,850.12 annually.
 
Paramedic Incentive Pay:
 
Alachua County Fire Rescue offers a $7500 annual incentive in addition to the annual salary to all applicable bargaining unit employees who possess a State of Florida Paramedic certification and receive medical clearance certification by the Alachua County Medical Director.
 Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work. 

Exudes a positive customer service focus.

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including:  integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.

Performs firefighting activities including operating related fire equipment, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment and extinguishment tasks.

Provides emergency medical treatment to the Basic Life Support level of certification and training. Provides assistance with Advanced Life Support medical procedures. Receives emergency and non-emergency calls from dispatch; drives the emergency unit to the call and/or hospital using the most expeditious route.
Utilizes all required safety measures when performing assigned job duties.

Responds to medical, rescue, fire and other emergency and non-emergency calls.

Operates radio in accordance with system standards and guidelines.
Assists in loading patient and/or transportation of patient to a medical facility.

Makes up stretcher and cleans inside of vehicle after each call.

Inspects vehicle daily; insures that vehicle is clean, fully equipped and in proper operating condition and in compliance with all state and local laws.

Prepares reports as required.
Attends and participates in company drills and training sessions.

Performs routine station housekeeping and routine office work as required.

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of emergency medical, rescue and fire equipment, operation and maintenance.

Knowledge of basic life support emergency medical treatment.

Knowledge of fire prevention, suppression, and extinguishing techniques.

Knowledge of defensive driving techniques and methods and ability to execute such methods quickly and efficiently.

Knowledge of Alachua County's street systems and geography.

Knowledge of departmental Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG) manuals, and Rules & Regulations.

Ability to rapidly determine locations by quadrant addressing.

Ability to react quickly and efficiently in emergency situations.

Ability to receive, follow and execute orders from a supervisor.

Ability to follow precise technical instructions in an emergency situation.

Ability to learn and operate relatively complex firefighting and rescue equipment.

Ability to perform prolonged and difficult work under adverse conditions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and representatives from other agencies.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; frequently lift and/or move 50 pounds; and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in outdoor weather conditions and is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, risk of radiation and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

See Position Description