Fire Engineer

Thank you for your interest in the position of Fire Engineer with our department.  We look forward to the opportunity to consider you as an applicant.
 
We are currently recruiting to establish an eligibility list.  The dates associated with our recruitment process (written exam and interview/assessment center process) have been included for planning purposes. Additional details regarding the recruitment process will be sent via email to qualified applicants after the recruitment closes and our screening process is completed (on or before March 19th at 5 p.m.).
 
To be considered for this career opportunity applicants must submit, an application with detailed information in each section of the application: Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills. Applicants must also respond to the supplemental questions and attach copies of all of the required licenses and certificates.  
 
RECRUITMENT OVERVIEW

The dates associated with the various steps of our recruitment process are outlined in this job posting.  Please be sure to make note of the dates and plan now to participate in each phase of the process.  Additional details regarding each phase of the recruitment process will be sent via email to applicants as the recruitment transitions from one phase to the next.

WRITTEN EXAM: 

If we determine that you meet the minimum requirements for the position and that you have attached all of the required items, you will be invited to take a written exam which is the first phase of our recruitment process.  Refer to the "Qualifications/Requirements" section of this posting for a complete list of all the required qualifications and attachments.

The written examination will be administered on the morning of: THURSDAY, MARCH 27th.  A minimum passing score of 70% is required on the written exam to advance to the interview and assessment center phase.

SOURCE MATERIAL: The written exam will be based on the following source material:

IFSTA Pumping/Aerial Apparatus Driver Operator Handbook, 3rd Ed. (Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20).

INTERVIEW & ASSESSMENT PROCESS: 

Applicants that achieve a score of 70% or greater on the written exam will be invited to participate in our interview and assessment process which will be administered on: THURSDAY, APRIL 17th and/or FRIDAY, APRIL 18th.  
 
The process will take approximately four hours to complete. Depending on the number of qualified applicants, it may take two days for us to assess all of the candidates, but you will only need to report on one of the days.

Under general supervision, operates and maintains firefighting apparatus and equipment; responds to fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, rescues, and other emergency and non-emergency situations; participates in all other suppression, prevention, inspection, education, and related activities to protect life and property; performs fire station maintenance; provides information and assistance to the public; and performs other duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from a Fire Captain or assigned supervisor.  Exercises technical and functional supervision over lower-level staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is an advanced-level class in the fire service series, qualified to drive and operate a truck, engine and all other vehicles, equipment and apparatus to perform all normal fire suppression, basic medical emergency, hazardous materials, rescues, and other emergency response activities.  Successful performance of the work requires the performance of heavy physical as well as intricate technical work at potential risk to health and safety.  This class is distinguished from the Fire Captain in that the latter is the full supervisory-level class in the series responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising and reviewing the work of assigned staff involved in fire service operations.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only) Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Operates and maintains all fire apparatus and related fire services and medical equipment to ensure operational readiness and safety of fire personnel, including operating hydraulic pumps and aerial equipment, performing daily inspections, maintenance, training, and inventory.
• Responds to fire alarms, emergency medical calls at the basic life support level, emergency rescues, hazardous materials incidents, public service calls, or other incidents, which require the mitigation of circumstances that may threaten life or property, such a fire suppression, emergency medical care, and rescue of victims.
• Drives fire apparatus to emergency scene, and positions and prepares equipment for use as directed by command officer, including aerial apparatus, fire engines, and vehicle-drawn trailers to emergencies, training, and inspections.
• Operates and oversees the use of a variety of fire apparatus, vehicles, and equipment, including operating fire pumps, calculating and monitoring hydraulic conditions, directing engine hook-up, setting controls to ensure proper water flow levels, operating aerial ladder truck, and extending and retracting ladder; lays, connects, charges, and uses supply lines and various water appliances to control and extinguish fires; places water curtains and performs ventilating and access maneuvers; uses foam and chemical extinguishers as required by the nature of the fire.
• Searches and rescues victims from buildings, motor vehicles, water, elevation, and excavation hazards, confined spaces, and other locations.
• Applies medical treatment and life support techniques within the scope of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); provides assistance to qualified paramedics, as directed; assists in the emergency transportation of patients.
• Isolates and minimizes hazardous materials spills.
• Works closely with other emergency medical staff, police, and public safety and fire personnel from other agencies; responds to mutual aid situations as required.
• Performs daily checks of equipment to ensure all equipment is in good working order, including inspecting all aerial apparatuses, tools, and other related equipment to ensure their efficient operation and readiness for any emergency response situation, and keeping complete and accurate inspection records and apparatus usage log as required; inspects all medical equipment.
• Assists in the maintenance of the fire station and grounds; maintains inventories of apparatus, equipment, and supplies; recommends purchase of firefighting equipment, physical fitness apparatus, and station appliances.
• Performs fire safety inspections of dwellings, public assemblies, and commercial, industrial, and governmental buildings, and other public establishments, and participates in a variety of public awareness activities to promote good public relations and fire safety awareness, including providing tours of fire facilities and giving presentations at local schools as requested.
• Assists in the investigation of fires; obtains and preserves evidence at a fire scene, secures fire scene and controls traffic, and participates in determining fire origin and cause.
• Performs any or all of the duties of a Firefighter as necessary.
• Makes verbal and written analyses of activities involved in any emergency fire situation.
• Performs all necessary training activities as assigned and in accordance with readiness and preparation for firefighting activities, including training in fire suppression, fire pump operation, aerial apparatus operation, emergency medical training, hazardous materials, vehicle extrication, technical rescues, equipment use and maintenance, and other related functions.
• Performs physical fitness training to maintain physical abilities necessary for firefighting.
• Provides instruction to other fire personnel on topics related to fire apparatus maintenance and use, as well as hand equipment tools, and other related topics.
• Maintains station and personal living areas in a clean and orderly manner, and maintains surrounding grounds to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for fire personnel and the general public.
• Serves within a command structure, requiring adherence to officers' orders in life threatening situations.
• Performs a variety of administrative duties including maintaining proper records and documentation on all job related activities, functions, apparatus, and equipment, preparing reports, forms, recommendations, and other required administrative procedures.
• Assumes charge of an engine company in the absence of the Fire Captain if all acting requirements have been met.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Practices and techniques of driving varied vehicles and operating a wide range of fire equipment and apparatus, including related fireground hydraulics.
• Principles and practices of fire suppression, containment, rescue, ventilation, salvage, and overhaul.
• Basic emergency medical procedures including basic first aid and CPR.
• Symptoms of medical emergencies and of appropriate responses to such conditions.
• Practices and techniques of hazardous materials response.
• Principles of mechanics, hydraulics, and mathematics as related to fire fighting and engineering duties.
• Geography of the City, including locations of streets, hydrants, sprinkler and standpipe hookups, and alarm panels.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes and ordinances.
  The operation and maintenance of a variety of fire services vehicles, equipment, and facilities.
• Safety practices and equipment related to the work.
• Modern office practices, methods, computer equipment and computer applications.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.

Ability to:

• Operate vehicles, equipment and apparatus safely and in conformance with Department procedures and traffic laws.
• Perform field calculations of hydraulics for the proper and effective operations of equipment at emergency scenes and to provide effective stream flows from fire pumps.
• Calculate hydraulic engineering problems under emergency conditions.
• Perform at required EMS, technical rescue, and hazardous material operation levels.
• Perform fire suppression and associated rescue and salvage work in a safe and effective manner.
• Apply the mechanics of firefighting.
• Deal with hazardous materials incidents in conformance with Department procedures.
• Make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations.
• Learn the geographic layout of the City and the surrounding areas and the location of various fire suppression utilities.
• Establish and maintain a variety of manual and computerized recordkeeping and project management systems.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Organize own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade, supplemented by successful completion of coursework in fire science including fire hydraulics and driver operator, and two (2) years of progressively responsible fire fighting experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid Class A or B driver's license or a Class C driver's license with a Fire Fighter "F" endorsement, and a satisfactory driving record.
• Possession of a Fire Fighter I Certification.
• Possession of a Fire Fighter II Certification
• Possession of a valid EMT-I Certification or valid EMT-P issued by a California Emergency Medical Services Authority.
• EMT-P possession of:  Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support certifications.
• Possession of a valid Driver Operator 1-A and 1-B certifications.
• Possession of a valid healthcare provider CPR certification.
• Possession of the Confined Space Rescue Operations and or Technician certification.
• Possession of the Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility, physical strength and stamina to respond to emergency situations and use all emergency apparatus and equipment; perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces, around machines and to climb and descend ladders; vision to discern colors and assess emergency situations, including medical incidents, to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio.  The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned apparatus and equipment.  Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach and climb to perform work and inspect work sites.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials, objects, and individuals necessary to perform job functions.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, extreme temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, substantial heights, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.  Employees may interact with upset public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Employees are required to work shifts, as scheduled by the department.