FIREFIGHTER/EMT

JOB SUMMARY  

Protects life and property by performing firefighting, emergency first aid, hazardous materials, rescue, and fire prevention duties. Maintains fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities. May assist to coordinate, instruct or supervise the work of volunteer firefighters, new recruits, or other part-time department personnel, as assigned.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Performs firefighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pump and related equipment, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment and extinguishment tasks.
2. Performs emergency activities including rescue, administering first aid and providing other assistance as required.
3. Participates in fire drills, attends classes in firefighting, hazardous materials, and related subjects.
4. Receives and relays fire calls and alarms. Operates radio and other communication equipment.
5. Participates in the inspection of buildings, hydrants and other structures in fire prevention programs.
6. Maintains fire equipment, apparatus and facilities. Performs minor repairs to departmental equipment.
7. Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of the 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.
8. Assists in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, hazardous communications, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency aid activities.
9. Presents programs to the community on safety and fire prevention topics.
10. Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris.
11. Supports the relationship between the City of Commerce and the public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with other city staff, citizens of Commerce, and visitors.  Maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information, consistent with City employee ethics training.         
12. Responsible for the promotion of public relations, media relations, and responds to and resolves sensitive public inquiries or complaints as assigned. 
13. Oversees the regular, scheduled maintenance of equipment (to include less lethal equipment and mobile recording devices), inventory and fleet management maintenance, care, and usage.  Promotes compliance with associated policies in the maintenance and care of city-owned property and vehicles.             
14. Performs other related duties as required or assigned. 

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

Assists in department supervisory and administrative activities as assigned.

Assists in supervising volunteer firefighters as required.

Assists in training new employees assigned.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent;
• Basic Firefighters Certificate from Texas Fire Commission;
• No specific work experience level required;
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)  from Texas Department of Health (Nationally registered preferred)

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of driver safety; working knowledge of first aid and rescue;
• Working knowledge of computers and electronic data processing;
• Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment; Ability to learn to apply standard firefighting, emergency first aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention techniques; Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical effort 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 communicate effectively orally and in writing; Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the general public; Ability to punctually attend work during normal working hours; Ability to comply with city’s drug free work place policy; Ability to accept supervision and constructive criticism; Ability to meet the special requirements listed below.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be 18 years or older; Must possess or be able to obtain by the time of hire a valid drivers license and within 6 months of hire date be able to obtain and maintain a CDL without record of suspension or revocation in any State; No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven (7) years; Must be eligible to work in the United States; Must be able to read and write the English language; Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid and rescue equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, phone.

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.

Work involves standing, walking, using hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crawl, talk, hear, taste or smell.

Specific vision abilities required by his job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee must frequently push, pull, lift and/or carry up to 10 pounds and occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry up to 100 pounds.

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 in outside weather conditions. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting when noise levels may be loud.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

A copy of the City’s Step & Grade/Pay plan regarding compensation can be found online at: https://commercetx.org/open-data/#146-personnel

The City of Commerce offers a competitive benefits package including a contributory retirement plan, medical, dental and vision insurance for City employees paid for 100% by the employer, life and disability insurance, and paid time off.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required; drug screen; final selection and pre-employment medical examination.  NOTE:  Appointees will be subject to completion of a standard probationary period.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. 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.

The City of Commerce is an “at will” employer.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The City of Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing fair and equal treatment of all applicants for employment without regard to age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

By applying for this positions applicant certifies that they have been provided access to this job description.

Applications are available online only at this time and must be submitted along with copies of current certifications to:

• Commerce City Hall, attn.: Molly Jacobsen, 1119 Alamo Street, Commerce, TX 75428
• Fax: (903)886-8929 or e-mail to molly.jacobsen@commercetx.org 

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 5PM July 21,2023