FirefighterEMT

Join our City of Oak Harbor team to help build a legacy of commitment to excellence in diversity equity and inclusion in our vibrant waterfront community.

• Meet the qualifications of the position as posted below in the job description.
• Pass a current Physical Agility Test.
• Receive a passing score of 70% or above on a written general knowledge exam for human relations mechanical math reading and work attitude through the National Testing Network (NTN)

• Pass the Drug Screen test.
• Pass the required Medical Exam.
• Pass the Psychological Evaluation.

OHFD serves the City of Oak Harbor located on Whidbey Island in Island County Washington State. OHFD protects the 9.7 square mile City (including several miles of shoreline) and an estimated population of 24700.

In addition OHFD maintains mutual and automatic aid contracts with Island County Fire Districts Number 2 (North Whidbey) and Number 5 (Central Whidbey) Whidbey Health and the Naval Air Station-Whidbey Island (NAS-WI) Federal Fire Department.

• 24 full-time firefighters - 3 shifts 48/96 schedule
• One Fire Station - Station 81 located on Whidbey Avenue
  • 1 incident command officer
  • 1 frontline staffed fire engine
  • 1 rescue truck
• UNDER CONSTRUCTION -Fire Station 82- at 1250 SW Swantown Rd - Oak Harbors southwest area satellite fire station with expected completion in Spring 2026.

Work activities involve multiple skills and may include but are not limited to any or all of the following depending on area of assignment crew needs emergency services special projects and seasonal factors:

1. Respond to fire rescue vehicle accidents hazardous materials and other life threatening emergencies to suppress control remove contain or otherwise mitigate the situation. Respond to emergency medical calls for service providing life saving care with the scope of an EMT-B.
2. As required clean service and test designated fire apparatus and equipment to ensure constant readiness for emergency response; inventory associated tools equipment and locate their appropriate placement; report observations of actual or potential deterioration malfunction failure or loss of equipment to superiors.
3. As required remove individuals and property from hazardous situations in accordance with established departmental procedures governing the circumstances.
4. Perform salvage tasks as required including covering furnishings ventilation of premises removing debris and pumping sweeping and vacuuming water.
5. Participate in training drills simulated catastrophes classes seminars and other learning/training exercises.
6. As directed perform general maintenance work on fire department equipment such as cleaning sanitizing polishing and minor adjustments and repairs of apparatus and accessories; washing and polishing vehicles; washing hanging and drying hose and personal protective equipment; vacuuming carpets; washing walls and floors; and checking and replenishing disposable supplies.
7. Perform designated activities in the preparation of pre-fire maps including familiarization of building drawings and gas and/or electrical service(s) shut-offs utilizing a personal computer and/or hand drawing sketches and layouts.
8. Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City officials department heads co-workers supervisor and other City departments and interact with the public using good judgment in a courteous and helpful manner in stressful situations.

1. Serve as acting fire lieutenant when authorized by the Fire Chief or designee.
2. Conduct fire protection and other related inspections as assigned.
3. Conduct presentations before school groups and service organizations on fire prevention suppression procedures and equipment as assigned.
4. May present CPR/First Aid/AED training courses to City employees and the public.
5. Conduct tours of department facilities.

• Thorough knowledge of the field of fire science and emergency medical response.
• Oral and written communication skills and ability to express oneself clearly and concisely in speaking and legibly in writing.
• Thorough knowledge of English spelling grammar vocabulary punctuation and mathematics.
• Ability to drive fire emergency service vehicles safely and effectively under emergency conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials other City departments employees and the general public.
• Ability to learn to read interpret and properly apply laws applicable to fire service work.
• Ability to memorize and recall details e.g. streets roads and related geographical features to facilitate response to calls and alarms.
• Ability to maintain composure and self-control under adverse conditions e.g. critical injuries and death.
• Ability to cope with situations firmly courteously tactfully and with respect for the rights of citizens.
• Ability to perform duties and maintain personal conduct attitude and appearances that conform to strict policies procedures discipline and within a chain of command management system.
• Ability to keep oneself in readiness at all times to answer calls for service accept authority obey orders of superiors and accept a strict personal and organizational code of conduct and ethics.
• Ability to maintain balanced perspective about life in general not withstanding continuous potential life-threatening situations.
• Ability to use a computer system and software required by City and the fire department including Microsoft 365 cloud-based and desktop software and smart phone applications.

An equivalent combination of education training and experience that provides the required knowledge skills and abilities to perform the essential job functions may be considered.

• Must be 18 years of age at time of application.
• Must be a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident and have the ability to read write and speak the English language.
• Must have high school diploma GED or equivalent.
• Must have a valid Drivers License in state of residency and able to obtain WA state DL with a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) endorsement or current Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention (EVIP) certification.
• Must have a good driving record acceptable to the Citys insurance carrier.
• Must have or have equivalent IFSAC Firefighter I Certification at time of hire date.
• Must have State of Washington Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification or equivalent National Registry EMT Certificate at date of hire.
• Must be able to meet performance standards established by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and testing approved by the Civil Service Commission.
• Must pass background investigation including fingerprint and criminal history sexual offenses and recent drug use.
• Conditional employment offer will include medical examination with pre-employment drug screen and psychological evaluation for aptitude to work in fire service.

• Must be able to pass annual City of Oak Harbor Fire Department medical exam and established physically fit for duty test.
• Must be able to adjust to a lifestyle that requires working 48-hour shifts or other work schedules including work on holidays and being subject to over-time hold-over and call-back at any time.
• Must be able to satisfactorily complete course work and training such as Washington State Fire Academy and other in-service training methods procedures and techniques of fire service work presented by employees of a higher classification in the department or by attendance at special courses/schools.

The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those occurring in the performance of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

While some duties are performed indoors at a fire station fire suppression and emergency medical duties are performed in or out of doors in all types of weather conditions under extremely hazardous unpleasant and stressful conditions. The work of a firefighter involves performance of extremely physically demanding tasks for extended periods of time and requires firefighters to meet and maintain prescribed physical and endurance abilities. Requirements include but are not limited to the ability to bend twist stoop squat crouch kneel and climb; perform repetitive lifting overhead work and heavy manual labor. Manual dexterity and visual acuity are necessary to operate small tools and electronics.

Safety Statement:
We expect employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and the Citys Accident Prevention Program (APP). This includes but is not limited to actively identifying and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety including those identified by co-workers. Leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Step 1:When invited to complete the application for employment your application will be rated for training education experience and quality of answers to the supplement questions. This rating will determine if you will move to the next step in the process.

Applications are initially reviewed for minimum qualifications and completeness of application. Candidates must provide specific detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. This includes completing all application fields and supplemental materials. If you do not provide adequate responses in your application materials to determine qualifications the application will be rejected.

Step 2:The top applicants based on the application material may be invited to an interview.

Step 3:Candidates who passed the application process and first interview are placed on a certified eligibility that is valid for one year. The top candidates may be invited for a interview by the Fire Chief. A Physical Ability Test (PAT) may be conducted prior to offer of employment.

Application Information
The review and selection of applicants is based on the information provided on the application; we encourage all applicants to improve our ability to judge by providing complete information. Information can include such things as: résumés of experience letters of recommendation specific education and/or training and work history that is related to the position for which the applicant is applying and otherjob-relateddata that might enhance the applicants chances for selection.

Required Information:

• Resume and cover letter explaining your qualifications and why you are interested in a position at Oak Harbor Fire Department.
• The past 5-10 years of work experience on application do not use see resume.
• Three professional references on application at least one of which should be a past supervisor.

The City of Oak Harbor is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age sex marital status sexual orientation race creed color national origin honorably discharged veteran or military status or the presence of any sensory mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability or any other status protected by law.