JOB POSTING IS EXPIRED
Firefighter

Job Overview

Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Orientation and Testing Dates

CPAT Orientation Sessions: 9/6/2023 at 6:30pm and/or 9/9/2023 at 9:00am

CPAT Practice Sessions: 10/4/2023 at 6:30 pm and/or 10/7/2023 at 9:00 am

Final CPAT:  11/4/2023 at 9:00am

Written Test Dates

Virtual On-line Written Test:  10/24/2023

In-Person Written Test:  10/25/2023

(Read the entire posting for details)

GENERAL SUMMARY:  Under supervision, control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk; administer basic or advanced emergency medical care based upon EMS license level and assess injuries and illnesses; administer medication, use EMS equipment, or administer basic/ advanced life support to sick or injured individuals; respond to fire alarms, medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, high angle, confined space and river rescues and other emergencies; perform primary patient care under medical protocols or on-line medical control; drive fire apparatus and emergency medical vehicles; participate in fire prevention, inspections, station maintenance and training activities; and perform other duties as assigned. Duties include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance. The ideal candidate has the desire to be part of an organization that values service, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation, and teamwork.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Work in this class includes responsibility for performing hazardous tasks under emergency conditions; demands heavy physical labor for periods of varying duration under hazardous conditions and in all weather conditions which includes, but is not limited to, climbing aerial ladders, working in confined areas and in smoke/filled limited visibility environments, the wearing of self-contained breathing apparatus, and working in a fully encapsulated hazardous materials suit. Technical rescue requires the ability to work while suspended from ropes while wearing a full body harness and operating in an ice/water rescue environment. All work requires strict adherence to departmental rules and regulations. Supervisors assign specific tasks and indicate appropriate methods and procedures either verbally or in writing. The work is closely inspected while in process and upon completion.

JOB DUTIES:

• Rescue people from hazardous situations.
• Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
• Assess characteristics of fires.
• Relay information about incidents or emergencies to personnel using phones or two-way radios.
• Locate fires or fire danger areas.
• Respond to fire and medical emergencies and accidents to provide assistance serving as firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician; and to alarms.
• Operate firefighting and life support equipment.
• Examine debris to obtain information about causes of fires.
• Prepare hoses or water supplies to fight fires; investigation or incident reports; vehicle documentation; equipment and vehicles.
• Request emergency personnel.
• Communicate with other workers to coordinate activities.
• Patrol natural areas to ensure safety or enforce regulations.
• Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to respond to incidents.
• Demonstrate activity techniques or equipment use.
• Maintain professional knowledge and other certifications; fire fighting tools or equipment; cleanliness of ambulances and fire fighting vehicles.
• Attend training to learn new skills or update knowledge; schedule drills and classes.
• Participate in physical training to maintain fitness; in fire scene overhaul post extinguishment; training and instruction programming.
• Protect property from fire or water damage.
• Educate the public about fire safety or prevention.
• Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning; facilities to ensure compliance with fire regulations.
• Assist in fire suppression, rescue, entry, ventilation and salvage work; and ambulance fleet, fire apparatus, fire station and grounds, and equipment maintenance.
• Perform patient care duties; clean up; fire prevention inspections.
• Adhere to safety standards.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
• Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
• Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
• Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
• Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
• Service Orientation - Looking for ways to help people.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
• Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
• Static Strength - Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
• Multilimb Coordination - Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
• Oral Comprehension and Expression - Listening and understanding what people say; and communicating by speaking.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
• Response Orientation - Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
• Reaction Time - Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
• Manual Dexterity - Holding or moving items with your hands.
• Deductive and Inductive Reasoning - Using or making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information to solve problems.
• Stamina - Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
• Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
• Trunk Strength - Using your lower back and stomach.
• Selective Attention - Paying attention to something without being distracted.
• Rate Control - Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
• Depth Perception - Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Possession of a current State of Iowa Emergency Medical Technician certification at time of application; OR possession of a current State of Iowa Paramedic certification or be eligible for Iowa endorsement of another state’s paramedic certification or the National Registry’s Paramedic Credentials at the time of appointment.

NOTE: Ability to hire Emergency Medical Technicians from the eligibility list will be determined by staffing levels. Members hired as Emergency Medical Technician will require certification to the Paramedic level within two years after employment. Certification will be the responsibility of the employee. Conflicts in mandatory classroom sessions will be coordinated through the department.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possession of current State of Iowa Paramedic certification or be eligible for Iowa reciprocity of another state’s paramedic certification or the National Registry’s Paramedic Credentials.
• State issued fire service certifications.

Supplemental Information

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Employee must have and maintain principal residence either within the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque or within thirty (30) miles of the corporate limits of the City of Dubuque by the most direct street, road, or highway, as soon as practical after employment date or appointment, but within two (2) years of the date of employment or appointment.

The City of Dubuque is an equal opportunity employer without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT: The Civil Service Commission will be conducting a virtual/at-home written entrance examination for this position on October 24, 2023, and an in-person written entrance examination for this position on October 25, 2023. The in-person examination will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Dubuque County Emergency Responder Training Facility, located at 14928 Public Safety Way in Dubuque, Iowa.

Check-in for the in-person written examination will begin at 5:30 p.m. Please bring a photo ID to the examination. If you register for the virtual examination process, more information will be provided to you after registration closes.

At the time of the written examination, applicants must be 18 years of age or older, possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid state issued driver’s license and possess a current State of Iowa Emergency Medical Technician certification.  A pre-employment drug screen will be administered prior to appointment.

The final CPAT session will be held on November 4, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

EXAMINATION REGISTRATION: To register for this examination, submit an electronic City of Dubuque Employment Application for this position by 11:59 p.m. on October 6, 2023 on the City of Dubuque website (www.cityofdubuque.org/jobs).  Applicants will be required to choose a preferred testing option at the time of application.  Additional information is available at the bottom of this posting. Complete and submit all required information within the electronic application.

If you have successfully completed the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) requirement, outside of the Dubuque Fire Department, within 12 months prior to our scheduled test dates, you may transfer your score.  Any applicant using a transfer CPAT score must provide the test date and location (city and state) and include/upload a copy of their CPAT card/documented proof of passing the CPAT.

Provide proof of passing a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) dated within 12 months of written test date (Between October 26, 2022 and October 26, 2023) if utilizing an outside CPAT testing facility.  If participating in the Dubuque CPAT testing process, the candidate must be able to attain a passing score by the end of the final session on November 4th, 2023.

SPECIAL NEEDS/DISABILITY SERVICES: Persons taking the Civil Service test for this position, who may need reasonable accommodations or other service requirements during the administration of the test, should notify the Human Resources Department at 563-589-4125 or humanresources@cityofdubuque.org by October 6, 2023.

The City of Dubuque is an equal opportunity employer without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

More Information:

Letter and Information to Applicants

Study Guide Available for Purchase
Benefit Summary
Map for Dubuque County Emergency Responder Training Facility
Fire Department Flyer