Firefighter

Job Title:  PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER

Department:  Fire Department

Reports To:  Captain or Lieutenant

FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt

Pay Grade:  Per Collective Bargaining Agreement

EEO-4 Classification:  Professional

Normal Work Hours/Days:  24-Hour shifts (Average 56 hours per week)

Date:  2012, Rev. 5/11/2022

Education and/or Experience:   Must have a high school diploma or general education degree (GED) equivalent, be at least 21 years of age and less than 40 years of age at the time employment starts, and have and maintain a valid Indiana driver’s license.  Must successfully complete the Jeffersonville Fire Academy, Emergency Medical Technician, CPR, SIDS, Blood Borne Pathogens, Autism awareness and Defibrillation certification within the 1st year of employment.  All applicants will be required to pass a written test scheduled for August 8, 2026, at River Valley Middle School, 2220 Veterans Parkway, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 9:00 a.m. and, if selected, complete two oral interviews.  Doors will be locked at 9:00 a.m. and late arrivals will not be permitted to participate in the test.  A valid CPAT is required at the time of the offer of employment.  

Position Summary:  The Firefighter responds to emergency and non-emergency calls to protect life and property that may include control and extinguishment of fires, fire prevention activities, emergency medical support responses, rescue situations and hazardous material spills and release. A firefighter works under the direct supervision of a Captain or Lieutenant who assigns details and reviews work performances for conformance to policy. The Probationary Firefighter performs the following duties: 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Respond to fires, traffic collisions, rescue situations, and other emergency and non-emergency calls. Control and decontaminate hazardous materials spills. When responding the firefighter will assist in the actions taken at a fire or accident scene in the appropriate manner.

Operate a variety of emergency and firefighting equipment.  Connect supply lines, use charged hand lines to control and extinguish fires also use portable water monitors, fire hand tools, axes, pike poles, ropes, ladders, cutting equipment, Jaws of life, shovels and other misc. tools. Apply foam and chemicals for fire suppression and control.

Perform search and rescue, extrication, overhaul and salvage of personal property.  Search buildings and rescue victims from buildings and motor vehicles using appropriate hand and power tools. Serve as an EMS first responder to all accidents.  Administer first aid, CPR and other lifesaving skills as needed.

Clean and maintain all areas inside and outside of the firehouse including (but not limited to) the sleeping quarters, bathrooms, kitchen, office, and living areas; and perform snow removal, pick up trash, yard work, and minor repairs.

Clean and perform minor maintenance on assigned emergency vehicles and equipment. Ensure hoses and nozzles are in working order. Ensure breathing apparatuses are in working order.

Assist with maintaining department records and submitting reports.

Maintain skills and certifications by participating in drills, demonstrations, courses in life support, emergency medical treatment and firefighting techniques.

These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employee will be required to perform other related duties assigned by the OIC in quarters and per apparatus assignment. 

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Communication and Professionalism –ability to communicate effectively with fire and accident victims; Speaks clearly and persuasively in high stress, emergency situations; communicates clearly and effectively with employees, City Officials and members of the public. Writes clear and informative logbooks, maintenance records and related business documents.

Safety, Security and Technical Skills – Ability to work in a safe manner in accordance with OSHA / IOSHA and City Safety standards.  Maintains thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws related to the fire profession and the ability to apply them to maintain order. Maintains a thorough knowledge of fire and emergency related equipment, technology and procedures; maintains certifications to perform emergency medical treatments at the scene of an accident or fire. Maintains training levels required of active fire fighter and emergency response personnel.  Share expertise with others. Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; and uses equipment and materials properly. 

Organizational Support - Maintains thorough knowledge of department policies, procedures, and standards and the ability to explain, support them and abide by them.  Maintains thorough knowledge of city policies, procedures, philosophy, and goals, as related to the department, and the ability to explain and support them.  Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time.

Judgment/Problem Solving - Quickly gather and analyze information; Displays ability to make effective and timely decisions in emergency and non-emergency situations; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process.

Adaptability - Ability to handle stressful situations and manage competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience  

Must have a high school diploma or general education degree (GED) equivalent, be at least 21 years of age, and have and maintain a valid Indiana driver’s license.  Must successfully complete the Jeffersonville Fire Academy, Emergency Medical Technician, CPR, SIDS, Blood Borne Pathogens, Autism awareness and Defibrillation certification within the 1st year of employment.

Other Required technical Skills & Abilities

Has knowledge of the proper techniques to advance water hoses to effectively fight fire.

Has basic knowledge of the location of city fire hydrants.

Has the ability to operate all department vehicles, and all fire safety equipment including, but not limited to the operation of two-way radio equipment; all life saving devices and hand tools such as axes, pike pole, ladder, ropes, chain saws, shovels, Jaws of Life, and Thermal Imaging.

Language Skills  

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively in emergency and non-emergency situations before the public or employees of organization.  

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 

Reasoning Skills       

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills                                  

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have thorough knowledge Microsoft Office, Firehouse Software and Electronic messaging. 

Administrative/Office Skills and Abilities                                                     

Ability to operate common office equipment, telephone, PC, calculator, copy machines, printers, faxes etc.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Each member of the Jeffersonville Fire Department is a Firefighter. All members (Firefighter through Fire Chief) shall keep themselves physically fit to adequately perform the job functions of a firefighter. Incumbent must have the ability to conduct fire suppression and rescue efforts in full firefighter ensemble.  Incumbent may be required to wear the following safety equipment as necessitated by the emergency conditions and to  work in a safe manner in accordance with OSHA / IOSHA and City Safety standards.:

Wear PPE (personal protective equipment) boots, pants, coat, hood, gloves, helmet and eye protection

Wear and use breathing apparatuses.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and sit. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to explosives and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but loud to very loud conditions are prevalent during fire alarms, proceeding to emergencies and on the scene of an emergency situation.

Application for Employment - City of Jeffersonville Fire Department

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Jeffersonville, Indiana (hereinafter Jeffersonville) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO). We take EEO very seriously and will not tolerate harassment or discrimination. It is the policy of Jeffersonville to provide an equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals with regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status in all personnel actions including recruitment, evaluation, selection, promotion, compensation, training, discipline, termination, etc.

Please type your responses to all the questions contained on the entire application form.