FT Firefighter

Position Description

*INTERNAL POSTING ONLY***

Under the direction of a Captain or Lieutenant, the Firefighter is responsible for emergency response and fire prevention and safety efforts, including the protection of life and property from the hazards of fire, chemicals, disasters and other types of emergencies, providing life-saving medical care of the sick and injured, performance of life-safety inspections, and providing public education. In emergency situations, the work may involve considerable short and long term dangers.

Firefighters perform many duties as part of a cohesive team but must also be able to act without continuous supervision and be able to exercise independent discretion, using sound judgement, based on accepted rules and procedures.

See hourly rates listed below.

Essential Job Functions

Respond to calls for service, on duty, as well as off duty as directed, at all hours of the day or night. Immediately assess safety risks and hazards at all emergency scenes, which include but are not limited to the following:

• Building, vehicle, brush, non-building structures, and chemical fires, including those intentionally set
• Medicals, including critical injuries and illnesses, mental health calls, assaults, and overdoses
• Hazardous materials releases, reactions, and explosions
• Extricating victims from crashes involving passenger, commercial, aircraft, boat and rail vehicles
• Rescues involving water, ice, high/low angle, tight spaces, and below grade
• Active shooter situations, mass casualties, and civil unrest

Enter structures by any means including climbing ladders, scaling structures, cutting through walls, using mechanical means, or breaking locks, doors, or windows, to search for and rescue individuals from fires and other emergency situations, sometimes under extreme circumstances. Evacuate occupants of burning and hazardous structures and situations and assist them to safety.

Drive and operate every type of apparatus from all three stations: Operate pumps and place aerial ladders and elevated water streams (engines, tenders, ladder trucks, rescue truck, dry-chemical special hazards truck, brush trucks), know location and operation of all equipment on each truck, and be able to find and use immediately.

Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus, extinguish fires, place hoses and ground ladders in appropriate and safe locations, ventilate structures by appropriate and safe means.

• Work at heights off of ladders, aerial devices, and roofs, and in confined spaces, while exposed to extreme heat and cold, smoke, toxic gases, and structural dangers.

Inspect, run, and troubleshoot all mechanical equipment regularly (apparatus, tools and building systems) to ensure constant state of readiness. Regularly inventory and check all supplies and tools to ensure in proper location and working order.

Respond to medical calls to assess the nature and extent of illness and/or  injury and provide appropriate patient care, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

• Obtain required information from patients and accurately assess medical condition.
• Provide skilled medical care and treatment, using adjunct medical equipment and drugs, in compliance with IGH FD medical protocol.

As directed, conduct inspections of existing multi-family residential and business properties and create pre-plans of businesses, including critical hazards and high-risk properties.

• Locate hazardous conditions and code violations in buildings, including those that use, store or handle hazardous materials
• Identify corrective action and conduct follow-up inspections to ensure corrective actions have been taken
• Complete all necessary reports and paperwork

Create and maintain a positive and healthy working relationship with individuals and organizations internal and external to the fire department.

• Establish positive customer service, public relations, and communications with our internal and external customers and those we serve.
• Coordinate activities and cooperate with personnel from other city departments and emergency personnel from other communities.
• Display professionalism at all times.

Perform community outreach and educational duties to develop and foster relationships and partnerships with residents, businesses, school districts and community groups for improved safety. Examples include such representative tasks as:

• Conduct various educational sessions for business owners, employees and students
• Participate in community events such as IGH Days, Yellow Ribbon, school events, etc.
• Provide fire and injury prevention and education to all ages, from children to seniors
• Perform CPR and first aid training for various community groups
• Conduct regular educational visits to schools in the city
• Participate in annual Fire Prevention Week events
• Conduct tours of fire stations

Maintain proficiencies and continually learn new skills as appropriate.

• Attend, as well as assist with preparing and running weekly drills for all fire personnel and attend additional educational opportunities to gain and retain knowledgeable in all requirements of the job.
• Complete on-going training assigned and obtain and maintain all certifications as required.
• Serve as Field Training Officer for newly hired on-call firefighters, as assigned.

Perform housekeeping duties within each station when not responding to calls, at training, or attending  other events.

Display responsiveness to the needs of the pubic and show fairness and objectivity, in treatment of other people, speaking in ways that are courteous and non-discriminatory. Display respect and sensitivity when interacting with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds and display strong commitment to serving the public equitably.

Perform other duties of a comparable level or type, as required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: - 18 years of age - High school diploma or equivalent - Must have at least 18 months Fire Department experience or equivalent (EMS, Law Enforcement, military, Etc.) - Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician within 6 months of hire. - IFSAC or Pro-Board accredited Firefighter I and II certifications - IFSAC or Pro-Board accredited Hazardous Materials Operations certification in 470, 472 or 1072 - Valid and unrestricted Driver’s License - Successfully pass drivers’ license check, criminal background check, physical exam, and reference check. - Obtain firefighter license in the State of Minnesota within 6 months of hire - IFSAC Accredited Fire Inspector I prior to completion of probation - National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) 100, 200, 700 - Other training and certifications may be required by City after employment - Be willing to work long and varied shifts as assigned. - Maintain clean driving and background records after hire - Maintain physical ability to perform all parts of job - Maintain compliance with the City’s drug and alcohol policies

Desired Qualifications: - Additional experience as a Firefighter - Experience as an EMT or Paramedic - Post-secondary degree in Fire Science or closely related field - IFSAC or Pro-Board Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO) III - Experience with fire and building codes - IFSAC or Pro-Board Fire Instructor I certification - Maintain residency within 15-minute response to one of 3 IGH stations (preferred, not required) - Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, or other non-English languages prevalent in the city of Inver Grove Heights.

Physical Job Requirements:

Be able to do the following with and without up to 60 pounds of weighted gear:

• reach and extend hands and arms in any direction
• ascend and descend multiple flights of stairs and 45 foot ladders while carrying heavy loads,
• balance and possess the ability to steady oneself and keep from falling when walking, standing, crouching, crawling on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces
• work under high tress/pressure
• assist in carrying and lifting a stretcher with a patient
• climb up and on the top of the fire truck and balance self
• lift or carry equipment from floor to overhead
• walk and crawl long distances while carrying, dragging  or lifting
• push/pull objects using total body movements
• walk long distances
• enter into confined spaces or work from heights

Need to have the following:

• good grip strength with gloves to handle tools requiring torquing, pounding, and jerky motions with hands
• excellent driving skills
• general mechanical ability/knowledge of engines and power equipment
• good visual acuity to read gauges
• good auditory and comprehension skills to follow directions
• good verbal skills to relay information
• quick reflexes

Supplemental Information

Essential Knowledge And Specialized Subject Knowledge Required To Perform The Essential Functions Of The Job :

• Modern principles, practices, trends, best practices and procedures of firefighting, rescue, medical, hazardous materials, fire investigations, emergency response and administration.
• Use and application of all Emergency Medical equipment and drugs.
• Application of Emergency Medial variances approved by the IGH FD Medical Director.
• Operation of all emergency vehicles and unique mechanical features on each, including pumps, aerial devices, and chemical extinguishing systems.
• Location and operation of all equipment and tools on each of the different emergency vehicles.
• Readiness requirements for apparatus, equipment, tools and station.
• City administrative policies, procedures and administrative practices.
• Customer service techniques.
• Care, use and maintenance of all emergency and station equipment and fire apparatus
• Organizational, policies, rules, regulations, procedures, and computer systems/applications utilized by the City and Department.
• Operation of various fire protection systems.
• Technology needed to perform job, including specialized software, computers, MDC’s, iPads, etc.
• Modern Fire/Rescue/EMS methods and procedures as well as evidence preservation.
• Local, State, and Federal related laws, ordinances, and codes.
• Training processes, procedures and requirements.
• Familiarity with fire codes and related fire safety ordinances.
• Age appropriate public education and outreach program delivery
• Emergency management procedures during natural disasters.
• Street and highway system, geography of the City, and the location of high hazards, building construction issues, lock boxes, fire protection systems, water supplies and areas requiring special emergency response equipment and capabilities.

Essential Skills Necessary To Perform The Work:

• Applying current emergency response and prevention principles, practices, techniques, tactics, and procedures to the solution of   fire service problems and situations.
• Perform medical assessments, sometimes with extremely limited time and information, and stabilize the patient using the specialized equipment and drugs carried on each apparatus to the extent that training will allow.
• Application of all additional Emergency Medical Variance protocols approved by the IGH FD Medical director (e.g.  airway insertion, drug administration, etc.)  .
• Conducting inspections of existing commercial and multi-family buildings and hazardous structures for fire code violations.
• Educating general public in fire safety and prevention techniques.
• Drives appropriately in emergency situations, using defensive driving techniques and taking safety precautions in adverse conditions.
• Driving each of the different emergency vehicles and operating the pumps, aerial devices and other features unique to each vehicles.
• Using standard and specialized tools, to mitigate all types of emergencies.
• Establishing and maintaining relationships and trust with fire department personnel, city employees, outside emergency personnel, community and businesses.
• Dealing compassionately with those involved with emergency situations.
• Communication skills in dealing with the general public, community groups, business representatives, other city employees or representatives from other fire service or governmental agencies.
• Judgment, discretion and decision-making skills in appropriately handling fire department situations, emergencies, evidence and scenes.
• Ability to address public concerns in a timely and caring manner.
• Carrying out assignments and duties with limited to no supervision.
• Expressing self clearly and concisely and respectfully, both orally and in writing.
• Trouble-shooting equipment and apparatus issues in emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Effective and efficient time management.
• Interpreting and applying policies, procedures, laws and standards appropriately.
• Using and maintaining all equipment and apparatus at every station.
• Following proper safety procedures and fire, medical and emergency practices, tactics and techniques. .
• Operation of computers, printers, copiers and fax machines and squad equipment/devices.

Work Environment:

May be required to live and work at the stations for 24 hour shifts.Working under time pressure constraints, stress and risks associated with potential life-threatening situations and service calls, Driving apparatus in emergency situations and in extreme weather conditions. Occasionally working near/on moving equipment, mechanical parts, live electricity, wet/damp/slippery/uneven surfaces, and from unprotected heights.

Firefighters may come into contact and/or work with hazardous materials, vibration, temperature extremes, unsafe situations, confined spaces, in and around burning/smoke filled structures, infectious diseases., lung/skin irritants, and high noise. Work requires constant attention to safety and health procedures, proper fire/rescue/EMS techniques. Dealing with pressure, stress, and risks associated with emergency response.

Additional:

This position will be in the Police and Fire PERA pension program. Anyone in the present IGHFD Relief Association will be required to resign from the Association no later than the day before they start full time employment as a Shift Firefighter.

Wage Information: Placement on the wage scale at time of hire is based on qualifications.  Maximum step at time of hire is step 7. Grade2026 Pay RatesStepStepStepStepStepStepStepStepStepStep1234567891016Bi-weekly rate$3,224.23$3,316.97$3,409.70$3,504.92$3,598.49$3,692.88$3,784.79$3,878.35$3,971.92$4,066.3156 hr / wk$28.79$29.62$30.44$31.29$32.13$32.97$33.79$34.63$35.46$36.3140 hr / wk$40.30$41.46$42.62$43.81$44.98$46.16$47.31$48.48$49.65$50.83 Employees who are generally assigned to work a 56-hour average work week will be paid the 40-hr/wk rate when that employee is assigned a 40-hr week. *The biweekly rate for 56-hr week includes 6 hours of overtime at straight time rate; an additional FLSA biweekly overtime is calculated and 6 hours, paid at 1.5x the regular is paid in addition to the amount shown above.

The City of Inver Grove Heights offers a competitive benefit package including but not limited to Health Insurance, Flexible Compensation (cafeteria plan for use toward employee premiums with excess (if any) paid to employee), Vacation Leave, Personal Leave (or Sick Leave for Police Officers), Holiday pay, Life insurance, Long-term Disability Insurance, Minnesota Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) Retirement benefits, and Employee Assistance Programs.  Optional Dental, Vision, Short-term Disability Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Deferred Compensation Plans also offered.  Part-time benefit contributions are prorated, and all union benefits levels are subject to negotiated contracts.

Follow this link for more details on our insurance plans: Inver Grove Heights