Rescue Ready Recruit (Firefighter Trainee 40, RR) · Expired

Rescue Ready Recruit (Firefighter Trainee 40, RR) Fire Rescue Division

Pay grade 99 Non-exempt

$16.08/ hour

Required info session: July 8th, 2026 @2pm.  PCFR Training Facility 41 Vaughn Road, Winter Haven, FL 33880

Kindly submit documentation for the bolded items in 'Minimum Qualifications' when applying.

* This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement *

*This* position requires a physical ability/agility test****

This* position requires additional certifications to be obtained within a defined timeframe***

Must have the physical, developmental and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities and duties of the job illustrated. The job description herein provides for the rangeofdutiestobeperformedforthisposition.Itisnotintendedtoreflectalldutiesthatare required within this position.

MAJOR FUNCTION

Responsibletechnicalandskilledwork/apprenticeshipinthe firerescuefield,workingandstudyingto completetherequiredtrainingprogram(s)andgainpracticalexperiencenecessarytobecomeaState of Florida certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), firefighter and paramedic.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

AttendsandparticipatesintrainingclassesforEMT,andrelatedsubjects,suchas:

• EmergencyResponseTraining:Participateinclassroominstructionandhands-ontraininginfirefighting techniques, equipment operation, and emergency medical care.
• PhysicalFitness:Participateinphysicalfitnesstrainingtomeetthephysicaldemandsoffirefightingand emergency response tasks.
• TeamCollaboration:TrainwithexperiencedEMTs,firefighters,paramedics,andofficerstodevelop teamwork and effective communication skills.
• ComplianceandSafety:FollowPolkCountyFireRescue(PCFR)policies,standardoperatingprocedures (SOPs),andsafetyprotocolsduringallactivities.Studyandperformskillsindefensivedrivingmethods.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Workmayrequireliftingveryheavyweightsoccasionally,heavyweightsfrequentlyandmoderate weights constantly.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Analyzesituationsquicklyandobjectivelyanddeterminethepropercourseofaction.
• React quickly and calmly under emergency conditions.
• Learnandefficientlyperformawidevarietyoffirefightingandemergencymedicalcareduties, methods and techniques.
• Climbstairsinmultistorybuildingscarryingheavytoolsandequipment.
• Learnandperformphysicallydemandingduties,suchascarryingvictimsand/orheavyequipment.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by the job.
• Understandandexecutecomplexoralandwritteninstructionsquickly.
• Workasapartofateam,supportingandassistingPCFRpersonnelandothercountypersonnelas instructed.
• Exercisesound,independentjudgmentasrequired.
• Abilitytocopewithstressfulsituationsfirmly,courteouslyandtactfully,andwithrespectfortherights of others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

MustmeetallrequirementsforRescueReadyRecruitSponsorshipProgramandmeetallrequirementsto be employed by PCFR which includes:

• Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Certifiesunderoaththatindividualisnotaddictedtoalcoholoranycontrolledsubstance.
• Certifiesunderoaththatindividualisfreefromanyphysicalormentaldefectordiseasethatmight impair his/her ability to drive an ambulance and perform his/her duties.
• Must be a Polk County, Florida, resident continuously for the two (2) years prior to application for this position.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to secure a valid Florida driver's license at the time of employment within this classification
• MustcompleteaphysicalabilitytestelectedbyPCFR.
• Termsofeducationalrequirementsarelistedinamandatoryagreementbetweentheemployeeand PCFR (firefighter and paramedic).
• Mustpassadrugscreeningtest,medicalscreening,criminalbackgroundcheckandphysiologicalexam.

• Meetthefollowingdrivinghistoryrequirements:

• Havenotaccrued12pointswithin36monthsor18pointswithin48months.

• Havenotbeenconvictedonalcohol/drugrelatedoffenseswithin36months.
• Havenotbeenconvictedoftwo(2)alcohol/drugrelatedoffenseswithin10years.
• Havenothadasuspension,revocation,orrestrictionduetomovingviolationsor alcohol/drugrelatedproblem,includingfailuretotakeabreathtestwithinthe36 months prior.
• Havenothadtwo(2)failurestopayfineswithin36months.
• Havenothadtwo(2)seatbeltviolationswithin36months.
• Havenothadthree(3)lapsesofinsurancewithin36months.
• Noserioustrafficviolationssuchasleavingthesceneordrivingonasuspended license within 36 months.
• Mustprovideproofofinsurancewhenrequiredtousetheirpersonalvehicleaspart of their daily job duties.
• Must obtain and maintain Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Awareness certification through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Employees hired into this position after Jan. 1, 2013, must obtain and maintain this certification as a condition of employment.
• Applicant/employeeshallbefingerprintedandsubjecttopersonalbackgroundinvestigationprocedures toascertainanevaluationanddeterminationofmoralcharacteraccordingtoChapter69A-37FirefightersStandards and Training.
• Maysignamemorandumofunderstanding(MOU)acknowledgingtherisksanddangersassociatedwith the firefighter and/or EMT role.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Recruitsmustsuccessfullycompletethefollowing requirements:

• NationalRegistryEmergencyMedicalTechnicianCertification
• State of Florida EmergencyMedicalTechnicianLicense
• State of Florida Firefighter Certification of Compliance
• Anyone hired under this job description has the following paramedic requirements:

1) Enrollment to paramedic school within 12 months of the hire date or first available class.

2) Completion of paramedic school within 13 months after enrollment.

This means the total time of completion is 25 months.

***Management has the right to extend any of the requirements based on the availability of paramedic school and / or paramedic orientation.

***Failure to successfully complete any of the above certificates/licensures shall result in termination of employment.

Upon completion of obtaining their Florida State certified Emergency Medical Technician Certification and Florida State Fire Certificate the recruit will then enroll in the next available course to complete the terms of their employment agreement.

All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its residents.