Firefighter/Paramedic (Lateral Recruitment)

The Position

NOTE: As of 04/04/24 the deadline to apply for this position has been updated to close at 5 pm on 04/18/2024. The recruitment timeline for interviews has been updated.

The City of Santa Cruz Fire Department is now accepting application for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic. This is a lateral recruitment open to Firefighter/Paramedics with at least two years of full-time paid professional experience, currently employed and in good standing with a fire agency, and who possess a valid California Paramedic License.

The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Firefighter vacancies during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

A Firefighter protects life and property from fire and other hazards by preventing, controlling and extinguishing fires; conducting emergency medical care and rescue operations; assisting with public education activities; and performing maintenance tasks and other related work as required.

Recruitment #24-079

Selection Timeline: (The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director.)

• On Thursday, 04/18/24recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm with all required documentation attached to the application.

• Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process. Applications mustinclude responses to the supplemental questions as well as the below required documents listed below.Click the Apply button to begin the online process.

• Response to supplemental questions- will be a tool in the evaluation of your qualifications.

• Letter of good standing:Lateral candidates must provide a document dated within the last 30 days on letterhead from their current agency confirming job title and job description, dates of employment. and that they are currently employed at their agency.

• A valid California Paramedic License(out of state candidates must have the equivalent from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians).

• A three-year DMV driving record printout (obtained within 30 days prior to recruitment closing date) scanned and attached to online application. Official printouts are issued by a Department of Motor Vehicles office at a cost of $5.00 are preferred, but unofficial DMV printouts at a cost of $2.00 obtained online will be accepted in lieu of an official printout with your application. Request Your Driver's Record - California DMV

• All licenses and certificationsas listed under the Minimum Qualifications section below.

• Week of 04/22/24: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Once all applications have been reviewed applicants will be notified of their status in the recruitment.

• Week of 04/29/24:Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for qualified candidates. Interviews will be held at Santa Cruz Fire Administration, 230 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Qualified candidates invited to interview will be notified of their interview date and time at least one week prior to interview.

Selected lateral candidates will be required to undergo and successfully pass the background investigation and pre-employment physical exam with the City of Santa Cruz.

Typical Duties

(May include, but are not limited to those duties listed below.

• Responds to calls for fires, medical emergencies, rescues, fire alarms, hazardous materials, and other calls for service as needed.

• Drives and operates department vehicles as needed.

• Applies extinguishing agents to fires using hoses, nozzles, hydrants, pumps, hand tools, and other firefighting equipment.

• Enters burning structures to affect rescues and to extinguish fires. Uses ladders, hand tools, protective breathing apparatus, and power tools in the process.

• Performs rescues and removes people from burning buildings, cliffs, the ocean, bodies of water, and other hazardous conditions.

• Performs technical rescue and extrication using rope, hydraulic tools, ladders, and other specialized equipment.

• Performs various salvage operations at the scene of a fire using salvage covers, hand tools, brooms, shovels and similar equipment.

• Performs various overhauling operations at the scene of a fire to ensure that a fire is completely extinguished.

• Administers Basic or Advanced Life Support (BLS/ALS) to the ill or injured. Provides assessment and treatment at the scene of an incident and during transport.

• Participates in fire department training programs and maintains required skill levels.

• Assists in training as assigned.

• Performs fire prevention activities by inspecting buildings and their properties for fire hazards; reviewing plans and maps; advising owners of changes required and/or issuing compliance orders.

• Conducts fire education classes for the public and participates in public relations activities.

• Participates in pre-fire planning by inspecting and drawing floor plans of commercial and industrial buildings and institutions.

• Cleans, repairs, and maintains fire apparatus and equipment.

• Writes Patient Care Records (PCR) and other reports and records as assigned.

• Maintains station, quarters, and grounds; participates in painting and performing minor building maintenance on fire station and facilities.

• Receives radio and telephone calls, obtains specific information and/or refers calls as necessary to the proper agency.

• May be required to respond to fire or other emergencies during non-duty hours.

• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Lift, carry, drag and push tools, equipment, supplies, victims and patients weighing up to 165 pounds. Perform prolonged sitting, standing, climbing, walking, and running on variety of surfaces including, but not limited to, the following: level, rough, rocky, uneven, steep, and slippery. Perform movements including, but not limited to, balancing, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties. Hear pager, radio communications, human voice, sirens, alarms and other auditory warning devices clearly in both emergency and non-emergency situations. Smell in order to detect odors, such as smoke, gases and other odors that could indicate harmful or dangerous environments.

Uncorrected vision of 20/40 or better in one eye and 20/100 in the other, or corrected to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish colors to recognize flame, smoke, hazardous materials placards and skin signs.Use both near and far vision when assessing emergency situations, performing inspections and reading documents.

Firefighters in this position may be exposed to a variety of working conditions, including but not limited to wet, extreme heat and cold, smoke and products of combustion, explosions, electrical hazards, toxic or caustic chemicals, structurally compromised buildings/facilities, and biological/radiological hazards. This position may be exposed to loud noises such as helicopters, fire engines and chainsaws. The nature of the work may require Firefighters to climb and work on ladders at heights greater than 10 feet, work in confined spaces and wear a breathing apparatus.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience:

• High School graduation or equivalent.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession at time of application of the following:

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license.

• CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) - issued within one year prior of the recruitment open date. (Not required for lateral candidates)

• Possession by the start of the Fire Academy: (Not required for lateral candidates)

• Candidates must have proof of passing the National Registry Paramedic Exam.

• Possession by the end of the Fire Academy:

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Paramedic License (must be maintained throughout employment). REQUIRED for lateral candidatesat time of application.

• As a condition of continued employment incumbent must obtain and maintain the following:

• Current ACLS certificate or local agency equivalent (such as Santa Cruz County Resuscitation Course).

• Current PALS certificate or local agency equivalent (such as Santa Cruz County Resuscitation Course).

• Current CPR certificate.

• Firefighter Endorsement for California Class C (or higher)driver's license.

• Hazardous Materials First Responder certification (FRO) by completion of probation.

• Confined Space Awareness certification by completion of probation.

• S-130 certification (Firefighter Training) by completion of probation.

• S-190 certification (Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior) by completion of probation.

Knowledge:

• Basic mathematics and mechanical principles that demonstrate the ability to learn technical concepts, procedures, and equipment operation

• Basic human anatomy and physiology

• Delivery of emergency medical services for both Basic and Advanced Life Support (BLS/ALS) care

Abilities:

• Learn technical concepts, procedures, and the operation of equipment utilized in firefighting, fire prevention and education, including:

• Modern principles and practices of fire department administration, fire-fighting procedures, techniques and equipment.

• Local, state and national safety codes, ordinances and laws, including OSHA regulations.

• Building materials and construction.

• Principles of combustion and extinguishment.

• High quality customer service methodology and principles.

• Hazards and generally accepted safety standards.

• City ordinances and administrative rules and regulations affecting departmental operations and personnel matters.

• General City operations.

Maintain physical health, strength, and agility to meet the physical demands of fire work as determined by a pre-employment physical agility test and medical examination.Use manual and/or power tools safely and effectively to perform essential duties.Assess situations quickly and adopt effective courses of action.Work effectively as a member of a team.Follow both verbal and written instructions.Read, comprehend, retain, and apply a large number of technical procedures, policies, codes and orders.Work under physically demanding conditions and in potentially hazardous or stressful situations.Tactfully and effectively interact with all people regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, age, or economic status.Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.Maintain a level of performance consistent with the standards of the department.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• At least 18 years of age.

• Willingness to work a 24-hour continuous shift and to be subject to recall during emergencies.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual ability to speak both English and Spanish.

• Firefighter 1 certificate.

• One year or more of full time Paramedic experience.

• One year or more of full time Firefighter experience.

• AA/AS degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

• Ability to swim 1000 yards in less than 20 minutes in the ocean.

• Graduate of a CA State Fire Marshal accredited Fire Academy.

Career Ladder

• Fire Chief

• Fire Division Chief

• Fire Battalion Chief

• Fire Captain/Deputy Fire Marshal

• Fire Engineer

• Firefighter/Fire Inspector II

• Fire Inspector I