Certified Firefighter-Emt/Non-Certified Cadet

Salary : $40,757.60 - $55,432.83 Annually
Location : Big Spring, TX
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2023-00036
Department: Fire
Division: Fire Department
Opening Date: 10/31/2023
Closing Date: 12/4/2023 11:59 PM Central
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
CITY OF BIG SPRING, TEXAS
NOTICE OF EXAMINATION
Job Class Title: Certified and Non-Certified Firefighter/EMT
Starting Salary: $40,757.60 - $55,432.83 DOQ*
*Additional pay is provided for those employees that hold certificates from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) and/or the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Testing Date: Friday, December 8, 2023, at 9:00 A.M.
Written Test Location: Howard College, Lecture A8, 1001 Birdwell Lane, Big Spring, Texas 79720
Physical Agility Test Site: BSFD Station 1, 1401 Apron Drive, Big Spring, Texas 79720
Application Deadline: December 4, 2023, at 11:59 P.M.
The City of Big Spring Fire Department is accepting applications to establish an eligibility list for Certified Firefighter/EMTs and Non-Certified Cadets. Persons who meet the qualifications listed below may apply for the position. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications will not be allowed to take the test. Apply online at /www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mybigspring. Applications will be accepted beginning Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The deadline to apply is at 11:59 p.m. on December 4, 2023.
JOB DESCRIPTION
This position is responsible for suppressing fires and maintaining fire apparatus and equipment. This position is also required to serve as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). *Additional pay is provided for those employees that hold certificates from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) and/or the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
ESSENTIAL TASKS (include but are not limited to the following)
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Assists and/or participates in training exercises to maintain certification(s).
• Assists in hydrant, plug and line maintenance.
• Washes, cleans, fuels and services assigned vehicles, equipment including water pumps; disinfects assigned vehicle and equipment after each use of the assigned vehicle(s).
• Requests repairs and service of apparatus and equipment as necessary.
• Completes necessary local paperwork including reports; maintains departmental files and records.
• Ensures that an adequate inventory of supplies is aboard emergency vehicles through regular checks.
• Ensures the proper functioning of all emergency medical equipment and vehicles through regular inspection.
• Responds to sites of life threatening or other emergency medical situations.
• Extrication of victims of accidents, when necessary.
• Renders emergency and life-saving medical assistance to those in need.
• Transports injured or sick persons to the appropriate care facility.
• Inspects buildings; completes pre-fire plans.
• Inspects the working condition of fire equipment on a daily basis.
• Performs housekeeping and grounds keeping duties at the station.
• Provides fire safety information and educational programs to school, church and civic groups.
• Performs other related tasks/duties as assigned by the chain of command.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Be a United States citizen or meet an employment authorization requirement as mandated by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
• Must have reached at least eighteen (18) years of age as of the date of the written test and not have reached thirty-six (36) years of age as of the date of appointment .
• Must be a high school graduate or possess a GED certificate.
• Must be able to read, write and speak English.
• Must possess a valid state issued driver's license and, on date of hire or within three (3) months of date of hire, must have obtained a Commercial Texas Driver's License, either a Class A or Class B, for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• If applicable, you must submit a Form DD-214-4 (long form) to verify an honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions from the military.
• For non-certified applicants, you must receive a minimum passing grade of seventy percent (70%) on the Civil Service written examination for an entry level firefighter. Certified applicants are exempt from the written Civil Service examination.
• Applicants must satisfactorily complete the physical agility course set out by the department in one (1) attempt.
• Must pass a comprehensive background investigation and not have any of the listed disqualifications established by the department.
• Possession of or ability to meet current requirements set forth by the National Fire Protection Association and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) to obtain certification as a Firefighter. The Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education may not certify an applicant as eligible for a beginning position with the fire department unless the applicant meets all legal requirements necessary to become eligible for future certification.
• Possession of or ability to obtain appropriate state Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification within twelve (12) months of the date of hire and maintain certification(s) through continuing education throughout employment with the City.

Those applicants who pass entry level testing will be placed on the Civil Service Eligibility List. The eligibility list shall be in effect for one (1) year from the date of the examination, until December 8, 2024, unless exhausted earlier. Applicants must complete all phases of the application process, without being disqualified, to be considered for employment with the Big Spring Fire Department. The official eligibility list will be posted online and at City Hall by 5:00 p.m. the following business day.
Any applicant on the eligibility list whose DSHS or TCFP status changes must notify the City of Big Spring Human Resources department, in writing, and supply a copy of a current DSHS or TCFP certificate.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITSFirefighter Cadet - Salary of $1,698.23 per pay period (26 pay periods per year). Once certification has been obtained the salary would increase to Firefighter salary of $2,051.14 per pay period (26 pay periods per year). Uniforms are provided by the City. Other benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday; group medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement benefits; educational incentive pay; deferred compensation program; college tuition reimbursement program; and opportunity for promotion through training and examination.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE DISABLEDThe City of Big Spring complies with the American with Disabilities Act. If you need special arrangements because of a disabling condition, please contact John Medina, Civil Service Director, at (432) 264-2345. All requests for special accommodation must be made in writing by the application deadline to be considered. The City of Big Spring is an equal opportunity employer.
FIRE DEPARTMENT BENEFITS FACT SHEET
Firefighters Pension Commission
Fire department employees deposit 13% of their gross salary and the City contributes 18% into the firefighter's pension account. The amount of income payable upon retirement is dependent upon the member's age at retirement and years of service.
457(b)Deferred Compensation Retirement (In lieu of Social Security)
Employees pay 6.7 percent of their adjusted gross salary; the City matches 5.51% into the retirement plan and 2.19% for a life and disability insurance package for a total matched funds of 7.70%.This Deferred Compensation a tax-sheltered program.
Life Insurance & Disability Package
The life insurance package pays the beneficiary four times the employee's annual salary with a max of $200,000.00 and additional life insurance option available. The disability insurance ensures that, in the event of a permanent disability, a maximum of 60% of the employee's monthly salary is paid, up to a maximum of $3,000.00 per month.
Health Insurance
The City of Big Spring pays 100% of the cost of employee's health insurance and supplements the cost of dependent insurance. Health insurance coverage is effective on the first day of the month following the date of hire. The in-network office co-pay is $30.00.
The City of Big Spring supplements the cost of dependent insurance. Dependent health insurance coverage is available at the following rates:
Family Coverage $755.06/Monthly $377.53/Bi-Weekly
Spouse Coverage $557.72/Monthly $278.86/Bi-Weekly
Child Coverage $277.05/Monthly $138.53/Bi-Weekly
Payment for dependent health insurance coverage is deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks.Pharmacy cards are included in the health insurance package. If dependent insurance coverage is purchased, dependents will also receive the pharmacy card.
Dental Insurance
Dental insurance coverage is available to City employees at the following rates:
Employee Only $22.08/Monthly $11.04/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Spouse $44.78/Monthly $22.39/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Children $49.64/Monthly $24.82/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Family $72.40/Monthly $36.20/Bi-Weekly
Payments for dental insurance are deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks. Employees enrolled in the dental plan will also be eligible for the discount Vision Access program and receive discounts on vision care services or supplies.
Vision Insurance
Vision insurance coverage is available to City employees at the following rates:
Employee Only $7.22/Monthly $3.61/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Spouse $14.43/Monthly $7.21/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Children $13.71/Monthly $6.85/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Family $18.40/Monthly $9.20/Bi-Weekly
Payments for vision insurance are deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks.
Longevity Pay
After one year of service, longevity pay is paid bi-weekly. After the one (1) year anniversary, employees may choose to bank longevity payments to begin in January of the following year. Employees who bank longevity payments receive a lump sum payment every November.
Workers' Compensation
The City of Big Spring meets standard state requirements for Workers' Compensation.
Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
Firefighters Vacation Accrual
Probationary - 5 days/year
Non-Probationary
1-9 years - 15 days/year
10-14 years - 17 days/year
15-19 years - 18 days/year
20-24 years - 19 days/year
25+ years - 20 days/year
Firefighter Sick Time Accrual
Probationary - 5 days/year
Non-Probationary - 15 days/year
Flexible Spending Plan
The Flexible Spending Plan allows employees to tax shelter eligible medical expenses. This program provides a tax savings, increasing the employee's take home pay.
Relocation Incentive Payment
Certified firefighters are eligible for a relocation incentive payment in the amount of two thousand four hundred dollars ($2,400.00) payable on the first pay date following the date of hire.

• The employee must relocate his or her primary residence to a location that is within the Howard County limits, from a location that exceeds that distance, within sixty (60) days of the date of employment.
• In addition, the employee must remain employed with the fire department for at least two (2) years following the payment and continuously maintain his or her primary residence within Howard County throughout that period.

Reimbursement for Previously Completed Training
Eligible employees will have been hired by the City of Big Spring Fire Department and will have personally incurred expenses for tuition and fees within the twelve (12) months preceding the date of hire to attend any training school meeting Texas Commission on Fire Protection Standards requirements for a basic fire academy. Employees receiving state certification as a result will be eligible for reimbursement of documented tuition and fees incurred by the employee in an amount not to exceed One Thousand Five Hundred dollars ($1,500.00).
Tuition Reimbursement Program
An employee may take college courses which are either related to their job duties or designated in their degree plan and the City will reimburse the employee for those courses according to the City's reimbursment schedule.
Vacation Buy Back
Eligible employees can sell back to the City, for cash, up to 68 hours of their accumulated vacation leave.
Employee Wellness Program

• Discounted membership fees at the Big Spring YMCA.
• Co pay reimbursement for annual wellness physicals.
• Employee Assistance Program to provide counseling.
• Tobacco Cessation Program