Firefighter

FIREFIGHTER

The City of Athens is accepting applications for Firefighter to establish an eligibility list. Applicants must be 18 years of age no later than the date of the first test. The starting salary is $57953.09 plus employees enjoy a generous benefits package such as paid holidays sick leave vacation time a comprehensive health insurance plan (including but not limited to prescription vision dental and life insurance) public employee pension match education incentives parental leave and a fitness center membership. This is a bargaining unit position. Extensive testing process including written Civil Service Exam physical agility test interviews complete background investigation and polygraph and post- offer medical and psychological exams are required. Preference may be given to applicants who have a current Ohio Basic and Advanced Fire certification and/or college degree in fire science or related field.

Please review all of the information below thoroughly:

Submit your intent to apply by clicking the Apply Now button and completing the online questionnaire. Within 24 hours of submitting your intent to apply you will be emailed a PDF version of the detailed application packet. Hard copies of the detailed application packets can also be picked up at the following locations Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm:

• The Mayors Office City Building 8 E. Washington St. Athens OH 45701
• Athens Fire Department Headquarters 120 E. Stimson Ave. Athens OH 45701
• Athens Fire Department Station 2 454 Richland Ave Athens OH 45701

If you cannot pick up the application packet during these hours please call the Athens Fire Department at to schedule a time to pick up the packet.

A Civil Service Exam will be administered on Friday June 5 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at the Athens Community Center 701 E. State St. Athens Ohio.As long as your application packet is submitted by 4 p.m. on Friday May 29 2026 you will be eligible to sit for the exam. Applicants must show a valid government issued Picture ID for entry to the test. Applicants must achieve a minimum passing score of 70% on the exam. To be eligible for military credit a copy of the DD-214 showing honorable discharge must be submitted with the application packet. An excellent driving record is mandatory.Those who pass the written exam will be scheduled to participate in the Physical Agilities Test on Saturday June 6 2026 at 9 a.m.

Application materials must be received in the Mayors Office by Friday May 29 2026 at 4 p.m.An application can be mailed if needed but must be postmarked before Wednesday May 27 2026. The City reserves the right to recruit additional applicants if an insufficient number are received. The City of Athens encourages applications from women veterans and minorities.

The City of Athens OH is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion gender gender identity or expression sexual orientation national origin genetics disability age or veteran status.

***Please note exam information:No further notice will be given for the Civil Service Exam. Report for the written exam by 5:30 p.m. on Friday June 5 2026. The exam will be held at the Athens Community Center 701 E. State St. Athens Ohio. If you pass the written exam you will be scheduled to participate in the Physical Agilities Test on Saturday June 6 2026 beginning at 9 a.m. Please put the dates for the written exam and physical agilities testing on your calendar.

JOB SUMMARY:

The purpose of this job is to perform specialized duty work functions in preparing for and responding to all hazard emergency calls and providing general support within the Fire Department. A firefighter protects life and property threatened by fire and hazardous materials and performs rescues using multiple rescue disciplines. Duties and responsibilities include maintaining readiness for emergency call response such as responding to fire medical rescue hazardous materials and related emergency calls often requiring strenuous physical exertion. Additional duties include taking proper action using job-related skills and knowledge based training educating other staff and public on fire safety/prevention inspecting public properties to determine compliance with fire regulations performing routine maintenance of the fire stations grounds and equipment and performing other tasks related to City and Fire Department activities. Firefighters report to a Lieutenant.

JOB DUTIES:

Fire/Medical/Emergency Preparedness and Training:
Participate in training classes skills practice and drills to enhance job-related skills and abilities.
Facilitate the training of other members so they are properly trained to carry out their assigned duties including planning developing conducting and/or evaluating formal or informal sessions drills classes or skills.
Attend external lectures seminars courses etc. and read external documents (e.g. professional trade publications) to stay current in emergency service operations.
Read internal e-mails memos guidelines policies and procedures to keep apprised of new developments in departmental operations and procedures.

Fire/Medical/Emergency Operations:
Perform various basic firefighter functions during emergency incidents in order to preserve life and property. Being an inherently dangerous job you may perform or be asked to perform dangerous acts associated with fire service skills and abilities with the risk of injury or death to save life or property regardless of the situation.
Respond safely to fire/medical/emergency calls for assistance while operating a variety of fire apparatus.
Stretch a hose line or use an extinguisher to deliver water foam or other extinguishing agents to an emergency scene.
Operate within the Incident Management System and departmental operating procedures.
Communicate with individuals/crew while en route to and at the emergency scene to ensure appropriate coordination of apparatus and personnel using various methods of technology.

Safeguard self and others at all times.
Respond quickly to unforeseen circumstances as they arise.
Ensure the scene is free of any remaining hazards or equipment associated with the emergency response.
Minimize distress and suffering by giving direct medical assistance including performing triage and stabilizing patients by following established emergency medical treatment protocols to the level of Basic Life Support.
Examine incident scene and preserve evidence to help determine the cause of a fire or other emergency.
May be assigned to work on special teams or assignments which may call for special abilities and knowledge attained through experience and training.
Perform at the operations-level or technician-level when trained and certified at technical rescue operations.
Perform at the operations-level at hazardous materials operations.
Make openings in burning buildings for ventilation using saws axes and hydraulic rescue tools. Must be able to climb ladders in excess of 100 feet.
Lay and connect hose lines and operate nozzles directing streams for long periods of time.
Perform salvage and overhaul operations at the scene of a fire such as covering furniture with tarpaulin mopping floors and clearing debris to preserve property.

Public Education and Public Relations Activities:
Engage in activities which have a positive impact on the Departments image within the community including public education assistance and other related initiatives.
Participate as a Fire Department representative at community events as assigned.
Assist in the resolution of problems or questions referred by Fire Department staff City administrators or employees City Council and/or the public.
Instruct members of the public of various ages in fire prevention techniques.

Pre-planning Inspection and Investigation Activities:
Maintain familiarity with local streets and buildings within the city.
Tour commercial and non-commercial buildings and sites to gather pre-incident planning information.
Utilize department software to conduct and view electronic pre-incident plans of schools apartments churches commercial buildings etc.
Inspect buildings and premises for hazards and compliance with adopted fire codes follow-up on complaints and assist in the investigation of arson cases.
Test hydrants for operational use provide seasonal maintenance and properly document results.

Routine Duties:
Inspect clean and maintain personal gear and equipment to ensure proper and safe operation.
Perform general cleaning maintenance and upkeep of Department property.
Clean and perform maintenance checks and servicing on all apparatus and equipment making minor repairs and referring repair needs to the appropriate personnel.
Assist with returning equipment and apparatus to service.

Routine Duties:
Inspect clean and maintain personal gear and equipment to ensure proper and safe operation.
Perform general cleaning maintenance and upkeep of Department property.
Clean and perform maintenance checks and servicing on all apparatus and equipment making minor repairs and referring repair needs to the appropriate personnel.
Assist with returning equipment and apparatus to service.

Supervisory Duties:
In the absence of lieutenants may be assigned as senior firefighter in charge.
Keep records and prepare reports.
Dispatch proper equipment.
Assume other responsibilities and perform other related duties as needed.
Review complete file distribute forward and record information in logs forms reports and systems.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Firefighting is a physically demanding and stressful job requiring great strength endurance and stamina. Firefighters engage in containing and extinguishing fires while wearing protective equipment often for extended periods of time regardless of environmental conditions. A firefighter must be able to work at heights in excess of 100 feet rescue individuals from fire scenes and motor vehicle accidents etc. remove and replace heavy equipment on fire department apparatus work in confined spaces respond to hazardous spill sites wear a self- contained breathing apparatus pass swim qualifications according to department SOPs and perform water-based rescue procedures as necessary select color coded tools and equipment and communicate via two-way radio and other technological means.

Mandatory:
1. High school diploma or GED at time of appointment.
2. State of Ohio Basic and Advanced Fire training as recognized by the Ohio Department of EMS with State Certification completion within probationary period.
3. CPR Professional Rescuer (BLS) and First Aid certification completion within probationary period.
4. State of Ohio Fire Inspector Certification as recognized by the Ohio Department of EMS with State Certification; completion within probationary period.
5. Valid drivers license.
6. Excellent driving record.
7. Meet the residency requirements within 18 months of hire.
8. At time of appointment must be at least 18 years of age and under age 41.
9. Must maintain Ohio Firefighter II and Ohio Fire Safety Inspector (FSI) certification as recognized by the Ohio Department of EMS for duration of employment.

Desirable:
1. College degree in fire science or related field.
2. Knowledge of elementary chemistry and physics.
3. Knowledge of the geography of Athens.
4. Excellent communications and organizational skills.
5. Any additional fire related certificates.

The Cityof Athens may consider other equivalent combinations of training and experience which provide the required knowledge skills and abilities.

General inquiries may be sent to Human Resources via e-mail at you can call .

Required Experience:

Junior IC