Fire Department
Woodbury County Emergency Services
Climbing Hill, IA · Woodbury County
Paramedic + EMT on duty 24/7 · 7 vehicles
Woodbury County Emergency Services is a county agency headquartered in Climbing Hill, Iowa, where it has operated since 1993. It serves the rural communities of Woodbury County — the sixth most populated county in Iowa, covering 873 square miles crossed by Interstate 29 and several state highways — working alongside the county's volunteer fire and EMS agencies.
The Climbing Hill base is staffed around the clock, with a minimum of one paramedic and one EMT on duty 24/7, 365 days a year. Crews respond to medical emergencies with area EMS agencies, providing Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support backup to 12 transport services and two first-responder groups in the county.
On the fire side, the agency provides fire ground support to the county's 14 rural fire departments: breathing-air resupply from a mobile cascade system, scene lighting and generator power, extrication tools, and additional brush/grass apparatus, water supply, and manpower for grassland fires. Specialized capabilities include ice and water rescue support, diving-operation and landing-zone assistance, grain bin rescue, hazardous-materials decontamination, mass-casualty and mass-decontamination trailers, and large- and small-animal rescue equipment.
The fleet runs seven vehicles — rescue trucks, an air-and-light unit, a brush/grass rig, and support units — plus nine specialized trailers and pieces of rescue equipment.
MissionThe mission of Woodbury County Emergency Services is to provide the most efficient services for our county. We will act and perform in a safe, courteous and professional manner.
Hiring runs through Woodbury County Human Resources, with openings posted on the county's GovernmentJobs.com portal. A county application form and a resume are required, and applicants can contact the HR department in Room 701 of the Woodbury County Court House in Sioux City for more information.
The department's core operational rank is Emergency Services Operations Officer, hired at the paramedic level in both full-time and part-time capacities. Candidates need a current Iowa Paramedic or Critical Care Paramedic license and two years of experience in a 911-based service, and must be willing to work assigned hours as part of a 24/7/365 schedule; full-time officers work 2,760 hours per year under an FLSA 207(k) wage plan. Selection includes a physical examination, back screen, vision and hearing tests, a DOT drug screen, and a background check.
Requirements
- Current Iowa Paramedic or Critical Care Paramedic license
- Two years of working experience in a 911-based service
- Valid driver's license with no restrictions and proof of insurance
- At least 18 years of age
- High school diploma or GED
- Current ACLS and PALS certifications
- Current adult and child mandatory reporter training
- Pass a physical examination, back screen, vision and hearing tests, DOT drug screen, and background check
- Physical ability to lift 50–85 pounds
- Firefighter I certification preferred, not required
Hiring process
- Apply online through the Woodbury County portal on GovernmentJobs.com
- Submit a county application form and a resume
- Pass a physical examination, back screen, and vision and hearing tests
- Pass a DOT drug screen
- Pass a background check
Benefits
Full-time county employees receive health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance, IPERS retirement, paid vacation, 10 paid holidays, paid sick leave, an employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts for medical reimbursement and dependent care, a deferred compensation plan, vision insurance, and a discounted Four Seasons Health Club membership. Part-time staff receive a reduced package including paid vacation, 10 paid holidays, paid sick leave, IPERS, and vision insurance.
Does Woodbury County Emergency Services require Firefighter I certification?
No. Recent Emergency Services Operations Officer postings list Firefighter I as preferred rather than required — the core requirement is a current Iowa Paramedic or Critical Care Paramedic license. New hires must be willing to obtain the certifications required by the department and the Iowa Firefighters Association.
How can I find out when Woodbury County Emergency Services is hiring?
Watch this department on Driftsmoke to get an alert when a new opening posts. The county lists its vacancies, including Emergency Services positions, on its GovernmentJobs.com portal.