Firefighter (Entry Level)

Department: Fire & Emergency Services

Division: Fire

Firefighter/EMT Entry Level Firefighters

Start at Step A: $7,105/monthly

Position Salary Range: $7,105-$9,227/monthly

Recruitment for 2027 vacancies will begin in the spring of 2026. The Richland Fire & Emergency Services department maintains an ongoing and merged certification list for Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic positions. We are currently accepting applications and will be holding oral board processes monthly beginning May through June 2026.

For more information about the position pay, benefits, and hiring process, see our Hiring Brochure.

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of a Fire Captain or designee, performs skilled emergency and non-emergency tasks in the area of fire prevention, fire suppression, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness, and emergency medical services for the protection of life and property for municipalities, airports, and private industry.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education & Experience Requirements:
• High school diploma or GED
• Completion of initial written and physical agility exams, as outlined by the City of Richland's protocols
• Licenses, Certifications & Other Requirements:
• Valid driver's license
• Eighteen (18) years of age or older at time of testing
• Certified to wear a respirator at SCBA level
• Obtain a Washington State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Advanced EMT (AEMT) certification within six (6) months of successfully completing Fire Academy and maintain throughout employment
• Obtain IFSAC Firefighter I and II within six (6) months of successfully completing Fire Academy and maintain throughout employment
• IFSAC Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations are required within the first year of employment based on the schedule outlined in the department training and development/OJT program
• Obtain Wildland Firefighter II certification within one (1) year of successfully completing Fire Academy and maintain throughout employment
• Obtain Washington State Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention (EVIP) certification within two (2) years of hire date, prior to driving fire department vehicles in the 'emergency' mode, and maintain throughout employment
• Certified Uniform Fire Code Inspector or higher qualification or obtain within six (6) months of appointment into the position (Deputy Fire Marshal option only)
• Valid Washington State Paramedic certification (Paramedic and Medical Training Coordinator options only)

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Associates or Bachelor's degree in Fire Science or Fire Administration
• Completion of Tri-Cities Regional Academy within last four years
• Washington State or National Registry EMT certification
• Washington State or National Registry Paramedic certification
• Prior experience, to include reserve or resident firefighter
• IFSAC Firefighter I and II certifications
• IFSAC Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations certifications
• Wildland Firefighter II certification
• Washington State Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention (EVIP) certification

SELECTION GUIDELINE

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.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Duties listed are representative of the types of tasks and functions performed by positions of this class of work. Percentage of time and rank of importance of duties are not listed since both will vary by position and work location. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Performs interior structural firefighting activities, extends hose lines, raises and climbs ladders, uses extinguishing agents, performs rescue operations, ventilates structures of toxic smoke and gases, performs salvage operations on the structural contents, body recovery, and Rapid Intervention activities.
• Performs exterior structural firefighting activities, initial command and control operations, and defensive fire operations.
• Fills incident support functions including rehab, staging, and Public Information Officer (PIO) commensurate with the needs of the incident.
• Performs wildland firefighting activities commensurate with National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) training and agency certification.
• Performs Emergency Medical Service (EMS) work as a Washington State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) per state and local protocols; lifts patients to backboard, moves patients on stretcher, gathers patient information, assists with patient care, triages and treats patients suffering illness or trauma, and transports them to the appropriate medical facility.
• Completes accurate and timely Basic Life Support (BLS) patient care reports, incident reports, and maintenance/repair requests.
• Drives and operates emergency services apparatus to and from alarms; operates and monitors fire pumps used in suppression activities, secures water supply, monitors crew safety, and monitors and tracks equipment location and uses to ensure intact inventories after each emergency response.
• Drives and operates all classes of vehicles used by the department; operates Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) as a passenger, troubleshoots and adapts to equipment failures and unexpected events at emergency scenes.
• Performs non-emergency activities including, but not limited to, drills, training, building inspections, and participating in fire prevention programs, public education, and public relations activities.
• Performs minor maintenance on apparatus, stations, and equipment, and assists with project and program work.
• Performs special operations work in accordance with individual training and certification levels (Examples include hazardous materials, rope rescue, confined space rescue, and water/shoreline rescue responses).

PARAMEDIC OPTION

Performs EMS work as a Washington State Paramedic per state and local protocols; lifts patients to backboard, moves patients on stretcher, and gathers patient information.

Coordinates the patient care activities of other EMS crew members as lead paramedic on various EMS calls; provides patient care, triages, and treats patients suffering illness or trauma, and transports them to the appropriate medical facility.

DEPUTY FIRE MARSHAL OPTION

Works within assigned duties based on the individual's existing skills and abilities, and the division's program and project needs by the Fire Marshal, to include, but not limited to, serving as the Department's Public Information Officer, assisting the Fire Marshal with public education, fire investigations, plan reviews, and fire inspections to ensure code compliance.

Conducts building inspections in business occupancies throughout the community at all stages of construction.

Works a 4-10 or 5-8-hour workweek for a total of 40 hours worked per week, with occasional emergency call-back, 24-hour shift work, and mandatory overtime as required.

MEDICAL TRAINING COORDINATOR OPTION

Works within assigned duties based on the individual's existing skills and abilities, and the division's program and project needs by the Internal Risk Reduction (IRR) Battalion Chief, to include, but not limited to, supporting organizational EMS training and certification needs.

Provide public education that supports organizational mission.

Works a 4-10- or 5-8-hour workweek, for a total of 40 hours worked per week, with occasional emergency call-back, 24-hour shift work, and mandatory overtime as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Specific and realistic knowledge, skills, and abilities typically necessary to competently perform this job.

• Knowledge of:
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, codes, and regulations related to assigned activities and directly pertaining to emergency services delivery and operation.
• Benton/Franklin counties Mass Casualty Incident plan and pre-hospital BLS Patient Care Guidelines.
• Applicable safety procedures, practices, and industry standards.
• Modern office practices, methods, procedures, and equipment.
• Record-keeping principles, procedures, and techniques.
• Health and safety laws, regulations, and policies applicable to assigned tasks.
• Education and training related to industry standards, state requirements, and career development.
• Mechanical systems and reasoning; machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Building construction relating to fire behavior and operational safety.
• Administration and management as it relates to the organizational structure and operation of the fire department.
• Transportation as it relates to traffic flow, street layouts, response routes, transportation industry hazards, and emergency response.
• Geography relating to wildland fire behavior, hazardous materials exposures, and distribution of community infrastructure and resources.
• Current adopted edition of the Uniform Fire Code (Deputy Fire Marshal option only).
• Regulation and policy, specifically WAC 296-305, WSRB training elements, relevant NFPA standards, and other pertinent industry and safety standards (Medical Training Coordinator option only).
• Skills and abilities to:
• Learn, read, interpret, apply, and explain laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
• Understand and work within scope of authority.
• Comply with health and safety standards and regulations.
• Demonstrate situational awareness, think critically, and monitor operations and crew needs in emergency and non-emergency settings.
• Demonstrate service orientation, by ensuring customer needs are the primary focus of actions taken.
• Demonstrate complex problem solving under pressure, use sound judgment, decision-making, and deductive reasoning.
• React to complex and changing work environments in a timely manner.
• Troubleshoot, operate, and maintain assigned equipment to perform specific tasks.
• Be an active learner; understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Maintain certifications applicable to the position.
• Carry fair share of the daily workload, be proactive and take corrective action on issues before being asked, and when appropriate.
• Demonstrate the City's shared values of Teamwork, Integrity, and Excellence, and in accordance with Richland's Fire & Emergency Services