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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20100816 - VI-05 To: Mayor Hicks and City Councilmembers From: Melanie Mesko Lee, Assistant City Administrator Date: August 12, 2010 Re: Firefighter Hiring Recommended City Council Action: Approve updated job description for Firefighter position and authorize staff to begin the hiring process for this position. Background: Firefighter/Paramedic Chuck Paulson has announced his intention to retire, effective October 23, 2010. It is staff’s recommendation that this pending vacancy be filled, to maintain the current full-time Firefighter staff level of 11 employees. Staff has reviewed the job description of this position and is recommending a few minor changes for Council approval. Additionally, we are recommending that the Council approve filling this position and authorize staff to begin the recruitment and hiring process. It is anticipated that an appointment can be made by the early October for a start date of the new full-time employee to coincide with Chuck’s pending retirement. If you have any questions, please let me know. City of Hastings Page 1 of 5 Firefighter Position Description Position Title : Firefighter Department: Fire Reports to: Fire & Emergency Medical Services Director Status: Non-Exempt Approved by CC: Summary: This is a union, non-exempt position responsible for responding to fire, rescue, and hazardous materials emergencies. This position is also responsible for performing Basic (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) procedures, fire prevention, education, and training, and equipment maintenance and repairs. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Fire Suppression:  Performs fire fighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose and performing fire suppression, containment, ventilation and extinguishment tasks.  Directs and supervises fire personnel at scenes of emergencies and during cleanup operations when equipment and apparatus are being decontaminated and put back in service.  Safely operates all Fire Apparatus vehicles, Emergency Medical Service vehicles, and specialty vehicles of the Hastings Fire Department including but not limited to Aerial Towers, Class A Pumpers, Grass Fire Rigs, Tankers, Rescue Boats, Rescue Snowmobile, Rescue Trucks in accordance with NFPA/OSHA Standards  Performs Fire Suppression, Rescue and EMS duties in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) #1001 and OSHA Standards as may be amended;  Performs and directs Technical Rescue duties and operations in accordance with NFPA #1601 and OSHA Standards as may be amended;  Hazardous Materials Operations—Performs duties in accordance with NFPA #472 and OSHA Standards (as may be amended) for hazardous materials incidents  Emergency Incident Dispatching—Performs emergency incident dispatching duties including but not limited to updating personnel rosters, logging calls, dispatching appropriate personnel and equipment for emergencies, triage of multiple emergency calls, and notification of outside mutual aid agencies, support services and other logistical needs for incidents.  Public Education—conducts public education on fire prevention, emergency medical techniques, fire suppression activities, personnel safety, and other related areas as assigned.  Training Instruction—Responsible for developing and conducting Fire and EMS training to department personnel on a regular basis to assure compliance with applicable agencies, including but not limited to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Federal and State Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA), National Registry of Emergency Technicians at the City of Hastings Page 2 of 5 Firefighter Position Description Basic and Paramedic levels, Instructors are required to maintain continuous self-development to assure proper training skills, techniques, and information.  Apparatus and Equipment Maintenance—Performs regular performance checks on all firefighting, EMS equipment and vehicles and documents and coordinate to ensure needed repairs are made in a timely manner. Maintain records of operational checks and repairs in accordance with OSHA, NFPA, and DOT standards. Repair of equipment as needed or directed.  Building and Grounds Maintenance—Performs routine maintenance of grounds and building equipment and structural contents. Coordinates with appropriate building maintenance personnel in accordance with OSHA standards.  May serve as Fire Ground Officer when first on scene (until relieved) to initiate the Incident Management System, including but not limited to Size Up, Scene Safety, Personnel Accountability, Apparatus Placement, Suppression, Rescue, Logistics, and EMS.  Demonstrated pattern and continued demonstration of availability and dependability to respond.  Perform other duties as required, assigned or apparent.  Responds to major alarms.  Regular attendance is required. These examples of areas responsibilities are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work performed, and are not meant to be inclusive. The position description is subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities  Thorough knowledge of modern fire suppression and prevention and emergency medical services procedures, techniques and equipment; considerable knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, departmental standard operating guidelines and regulations  Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, using proper business English, spelling and grammar.  Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all co-workers, city staff, the public, and other agency personnel.  Ability to function in a calm and professional manner during stressful emergency situations.  Good working knowledge of personal computers and common software applications, such as, but not limited to Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.  Ability to learn new computer applications and office equipment as needed.  Ability to address public concerns regarding fire safety and emergency services in a caring manner.  Ability and willingness to work non-scheduled hours due to emergency calls, when necessary.  Ability to communicate effectively in person and while using radios and telephones.  Ability to effectively multitask and work in an environment consisting of a variety of duties occurring simultaneously. Criteria to Qualify for this Position  High School Diploma or equivalent;  A minimum of 2 years of fire experience (firefighter, investigation, fire code administration) and a progressive resume illustrating the candidate’s proficiency in the field as well as a willingness to learn new skills.  Must possess minimum certification equal to the State of Minnesota’s equivalent for: Firefighter I o Firefighter II o Hazardous Materials Operations o Emergency Medical Technician o City of Hastings Page 3 of 5 Firefighter Position Description  The ability to be certified a licensed paramedic within two years of being appointed and maintain paramedic license during employment in this position  Apparatus Operator I Certification  Must live within the Hastings Fire Department Service Area.  A valid drivers license with Minnesota driving privileges  Successful completion of a comprehensive background investigation  Computer skills—Microsoft programs and computer functions as well as related equipment Desired Qualifications  Certified as a licensed paramedic  Associate degree in fire related area.  Knowledge of and familiarity with Fire and Building Codes CORE Values The City of Hastings is Committed to the Following: Communication  We Value and Promote Participation and Interactions with Citizens and Staff  We Will Seek to Assure Timely and Open Communications, while providing background and context for the decisions that are made. Service  We recognize the importance of providing timely, courteous and respectful service to the public and to one another.  We will seek to serve the public and other employees in a constructive, creative and practical manner. Respect for Resources  We Recognize the Value of Using All City Resources in an Efficient and Effective Manner  We Will Seek to Utilize City Resources to Serve the Common Good of All Enthusiasm  We are committed to Protect and Promote the Unique Characteristics of Our Community, Including Its History and Scenic Beauty  We Will Seek to Infuse Enthusiasm and Enjoyment in our Daily Interactions with Citizens, Visitors and Other Employees Competencies Common to All City Positions:  Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of all departmental and applicable City policies and procedures in order to help facilitate compliance with such policies and procedures by personnel.  Demonstration by personal example, of the service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff.  Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to all staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible.  Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities.  Represent the City of Hastings in a professional manner to the general public and outside contacts and constituencies. City of Hastings Page 4 of 5 Firefighter Position Description 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds, occasionally while wearing PPE and SCBA. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The Firefighter position may be required to spend excessive time outside exposed to the elements; tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing firefighting duties; perform physically demanding work in hot (up to 400 degree Fahrenheit), humid (up to 100 %) atmospheres while wearing equipment that significantly impairs body-cooling mechanisms; experience frequent transition from hot to cold and from humid to dry atmospheres. Work in wet, icy, muddy areas, and uneven terrain; perform a variety of tasks on slippery, hazardous surfaces such as on roof tops or from ladders; work in areas where sustaining traumatic or thermal injuries is possible; face exposure to face exposure to smoke, noise and/or vibration exceeding 80 decibels (constant or intermittent) which may cause marked distraction or possible hearing loss, carcinogenic dusts such as asbestos, toxic substances such as hydrogen cyanide, corrosives, carbon monoxide, or organic solvents either through inhalation or skin contact; face exposure to infectious biological agents such as hepatitis B or HIV. Wear personal protective equipment that weighs approximately 50 pounds while performing fire fighting tasks; perform physically demanding work while wearing positive pressure breathing equipment with resistance to exhalation and a flow rate specified by current SCBA manufacture; perform complex tasks during life-threatening emergencies; work for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration. Make decisions that could have life or death consequences for employees and civilians under difficult and stressful conditions with limited information during emergency conditions; be exposed to grotesque sights and smells associated with major trauma and burn victims; make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods; operate in environments of high noise, poor visibility, limited mobility, at heights, and in enclosed or confined spaces; use manual and power tools in the performance of duties; rely on senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch to help determine the nature of the emergency, maintain personal safety, and make critical decisions in a confused, chaotic, and potentially life-threatening environment through-out the duration of operation; encounter smoke filled environments, and a variety of physical hazards, damaged structures, moving mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, radiant energy, and possible exposure to explosives; meet the physical requirements outlined in NFPA 1582 (Medical requirements for fire fighters); and perform the tasks outlined in NFPA 1001 (Fire fighter professional qualifications). The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. City of Hastings Page 5 of 5 Firefighter Position Description 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. Work is performed in an office, in City vehicles, and in outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during both day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to loud noises such as loud alarms. Individual is exposed to elements associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is generally quiet in office settings and while performing inspections, and loud at an emergency scene. Supervision of Others: This position is not responsible for any oversight of other staff. Employee Initials: ______________ Date: ______________ Supervisor/ Dept. Head Initials: _____________ Date: ______________ CA/ACA initials: ____________ Date: _______________ The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.