Position Description

Seattle Fire Department is launching a new lateral-entry Firefighter/Paramedic hiring process.

Becoming a Firefighter/Paramedic in Seattle offers a unique opportunity to make a profound impact on your community while working in an exciting, dynamic field. As a Firefighter/Paramedic in this vibrant city, you'll have the chance to respond to a diverse range of emergency situations, providing life-saving care in one of the most innovative and forward-thinking urban environments. Additionally, Seattle offers competitive compensation, benefits, and the chance to work in a city that values diversity, health, and public service. If you're passionate about helping others, seeking a fulfilling career, and ready to make a difference in a city known for its progressive approach to emergency care, Seattle is the ideal place to work.

The Medic One Program began in 1970 when the first group of firefighters were trained as paramedics in partnership with Harborview Medical Center and the University of Washington. The Medic One program provides paramedic training and delivers pre-hospital emergency care (Advanced Life Support or ALS) to patients. Previously, this type of care could only be performed by licensed physicians. In addition to responding to medical emergencies, Medic One also responds to working fires, hazardous materials, rescue responses, and staffs some recreational events.

Job Responsibilities

Medical emergency response: provide emergency medical services to the public; administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons; assist in patient stabilization prior to transportation.

Fire scene response: provide suppression action after assessing public safety relevance; search buildings to locate and rescue victims; use firefighting equipment to extinguish fires in buildings, grass, terrain, automobiles, or other situations; take action to contain hazardous chemicals.

Operating vehicles and equipment: drive vehicles or mechanized equipment; operate radios; service, repair, and test mechanical equipment; perform apparatus maintenance. Training and drilling: participate in drills, demonstrations, and classroom and practical training; practice manipulative skills.

Performing and maintaining physical fitness: perform physical activities; maintain physical abilities through exercise; maintain above average physical fitness levels in accordance with departmental guidelines.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS AT TIME OF APPOINTMENT - The requirements listed below are not required at the time of application but are required before a candidate can be hired.

• Minimum Age: Candidates must be at least 18 years of age
• Education: Candidates must have a high school diploma or must have passed an equivalency test (G.E.D.)
• License: Candidates must possess a valid Driver's License
• Fire Academy Graduate: Successful completion of a recognized full-time, career structural fire academy
• Firefighter certificates: Possess Fire Fighter I & II, HazMat Operations Certifications endorsed by the International Fire Service Accreditation College (IFSAC), Pro Board, or equivalent
• Work Authorization: Candidates must be a citizen of the United States of America, a lawful permanent resident, or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient
• Paramedic certificates: Current valid State or NREMT paramedic certification with either:
  • A) The successful completion of the Michael K. Copass Harborview Paramedic Training Program at the University of Washington
    
    OR
    
    
  • B) Proof of competency, a current and valid certification from another state or national organization recognized by the State of Washington Department of Health’s (DOH) EMS office, with 5 years of full-time Firefighter/ Paramedic experience in a dual-role paramedic program in the last four years

• Prior Firefighter Experience: Minimum of 5 years full-time, paid career structural firefighter work experience (may be concurrent with Paramedic experience)
• Vaccination requirements: Paramedic students must be current with vaccination requirements. These include, but are not limited to, influenza, MMR, TDAP, varicella, and Covid-19, though medical and religious exemptions are currently allowable and will be reviewed on a case-by-case Applicants must recognize that requirements may change and be willing to adhere to whatever requirements are set by the University of Washington, Paramedic Training and affiliated clinical partners

Additional Information

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to work well on a team
• Strong EMS Skills
  • Regularly manages cardiac arrests in a lead and skills role
  • Manages complex airway emergencies including rapid sequence intubation
  • Scene management communications and skills
  • Consistently performs advanced life support skills on critically ill medical, trauma, OB, and pediatric patients in a busy 911 system
• Strong communication, organizational, writing, and computer skills
• Interest and experience in QI/teaching.
• Ability to make difficult decisions in a fast-paced, intense, and emotional environment
• Good driving history, a candidate's driving record will be thoroughly assessed and may be a factor for disqualification
• Ability to effectively interact with people from diverse backgrounds
• Experience in career fire department serving a population of 10,000 residents or more

SALARY RANGE: Firefighter Step 4 ($115,644 annually)

Upon completion of Paramedic training, the premium pay for Firefighter/Paramedics is 17% (in 2025, the premium pay will bring salary to $135,504). After one year of employment, Firefighter/Paramedics advance to Step 5. Employees with five or more years of Seattle Firefighter/Paramedic experience and are assigned to Battalion 3 as Firefighter/Paramedics shall receive an additional 1.5% of the base monthly, top step salary for Firefighter.

VACANCIES: It is anticipated that approximately 8-16 positions will be filled.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Lateral Firefighter/Paramedics will be required to attend and successfully complete an accelerated 10-week Recruit School to assess current skills and acclimate new members to Seattle Fire Department fire operations.

Lateral Firefighter/Paramedics must attend and successfully complete an accelerated Michael K. Copass Harborview Paramedic Training program (PMT) after successful completion of SFD Recruit Training unless they have already been certified through PMT. This program includes classroom training, clinical rotations, and field ride time. Paramedic Trainees must meet the minimum passing scores for exams, evaluations, and pass the exit interview. After successfully completing the accelerated program, trainees will receive a course completion certificate.

Candidates who have successfully completed PMT and are currently working as a Firefighter/Paramedic in Washington State would not be required to attend accelerated paramedic training. Candidates will be required to go through the re- entry process and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Lateral Firefighter/Paramedics must pass all skill evaluations that entry-level SFD recruits are required to pass.

Lateral Firefighter/Paramedics with existing Firefighter I & II, Hazmat Awareness and Operations certifications will NOT be required to retest those certifications.

Lateral Firefighter/Paramedics will receive all EVIP (Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention) training.

Lateral Firefighter/Paramedics will be expected to work 8 shifts on an Operations Engine/Truck Company in the first year to ensure familiarity with SFD fire company operations.

Lateral Firefighter/Paramedics are permitted to work on Engine and Truck companies on debits and overtime. Successful candidates will be asked to commit to a minimum of five years in the Medic One Program.

The City of Seattle and the Seattle Healthcare Trust offer a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about Seattle

Firefighter benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and- covered-family-members/fire-fighters-local-27-plans

CIVIL SERVICE EXAM PROCESS:

1. Apply: Applications will be accepted December 27, 2024 through January 28, To submit an application, click “Apply” at the top of this job bulletin.
2. Schedule and Complete NTN Exams: Candidates must be available to participate in all parts of the exam process as listed below:

• Video Exam:
  • Option 1: Take a video test (FireTEAM) between December 27, 2024, and January 31, 2025 conducted by the National Testing Network (NTN) either online or in-person at NTN testing The test can be self-scheduled through the NTN website. Important note: If you select Option 1, you forfeit the ability to transfer a current FireTEAM exam score (see Option 2 below).
  • Option 2: Transfer any current, valid FireTEAM score completed between December 27, 2023 and January 31, Applicants who elect to transfer scores will be able to add Seattle as a department following NTN's standard "department add" process. Seattle will only accept one of the above test results options.

• PSSA1:

• Complete the Public Safety Self-Assessment 1 online and submit scores before January 31, 2025

• All candidates will receive their preliminary scores on the above exams after February 14, Those who pass will be invited to the next step in the civil service exam process (outlined below).

3. Participate in Oral Board Interviews
   • Oral Board Exams will be held in February 2025 (Dates are tentative and will be adjusted as)

Note: There is a cost to take the FireTEAM exam, information about the financial hardship fee waiver process is in the notes section of this bulletin.

REASONABLE TESTING ACCOMMODATION:

All accommodation requests will require documentation from a medical professional.

To apply for Reasonable Testing Accommodation for the video exam, you must fill out the request forms and submit them by mail to National Testing Network (NTN). NTN will consider all requests for Reasonable Testing Accommodation. Candidates will be informed of their decision. Please follow these steps:

• Do not schedule your Your accommodations must be approved before you can schedule your test.
• Print and fill out the Reasonable Testing Accommodation forms completely and mail them to National Testing Network at the address below. You can download the form here (Download PDF reader). All sections of the form must be completed; if one of the forms does not apply, please complete it as "not applicable".
• Fax or Mail them completed forms and supporting documentation to National Testing Network:

National Testing Network Accommodation Request 2122 164th St. SW, Suite 300

Lynnwood, WA 98087

Fax number: 425 741-3355

National Testing Network will inform you of their decision. If you have National Testing Network approval, you will be contacted to schedule your test. Please start this process as early as you can, as it may take several weeks to complete.

EXAMINATION PROCESS: Candidates who pass all portions of the civil service exam (FireTEAM, PSSA1, and oral board) will be placed on an eligible list according to their final examination grade (including veterans' preference points, if applicable). Candidates will be informed of their final score and ranking on the eligible list by approximately March 1, 2025.

The role of the Public Safety Civil Service Commission is to establish an eligible list and, upon request by the Seattle Fire Department, to certify the top 25% of all the candidates on the eligible list. The Fire Department will directly contact those individuals who will proceed to the next step in the pre-employment process.

The Seattle Fire Department makes all hiring decisions after a pre-employment selection process, which includes a background investigation, additional interviews, physical agility exam, and psychological and medical exams. A pre- employment drug test is required by the Seattle Fire Department. Dishonesty or failure to disclose a material fact during any stage of the hiring process is grounds for disqualification.

NOTES:

1. Candidates must pass each part of the examination process to be placed on the eligible
2. All candidates will be required to present government-issued identification showing a photograph at each phase of the examination process (e.g. driver's license, military identification, etc.).
3. After appointment to a regular Firefighter position, the employee must serve a one-year probationary period during which the employee must demonstrate the ability to perform the work assigned to the
4. Candidates who qualify for veterans' preference points will be required to submit documentation (e.g., a copy of their long-form DD214) to support their claim for veterans' preference points. Candidates must pass all portions of the civil service exam process (FireTEAM, PSSA1, and oral board) before veterans' preference points can be added to their scores. A final exam score will then be established, and veterans' preference points will be added to that score. Veterans' Scoring Criteria may be added throughout the life of the
5. A fee is required to take the NTN Candidates with demonstrated financial hardship may submit a request to have the fee waived prior to test registration. See “Candidate FAQ #26” on the NTN website to learn more on how to apply for a fee waiver.
6. FF/Paramedic students must be current with UW/Harborview vaccination These include, but are not limited to, influenza, MMR, TDAP, varicella, and Covid-19, though medical and religious exemptions are currently allowable, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must recognize that requirements may change and be willing to adhere to whatever requirements are set by the University of Washington, Paramedic Training and affiliated clinical partners.