Firefighter Trainee & Firefighter Trainee/Paramedic Certified

Salary : $72,106.85 - $82,729.96 Annually
Location : All Sites, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 0779FPD-24AA (JW)
Department: Fire Protection District
Opening Date: 01/22/2024
Closing Date: 1/29/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
Applications will be accepted from January 22, 2024, through January 29, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (NOTE: dates are subject to change*):
OPENING DATE: Monday, January 22, 2024
CLOSING DATE: Monday, January 29, 2024
WRITTEN EXAMINATION DATES: February 26 - March 2, 2024
ORAL EXAMINATION: March 18 - March 22, 2024
SELECTION INTERVIEWS: April 29- May 3, 2024
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Description: Firefighter Trainees, under direct supervision, suppress fires using firefighting equipment, perform emergency medical treatment, perform rescue using ropes and associated hardware and power tools, respond to and address hazardous materials releases as appropriate, assist in fire prevention, public relations and educational activities, operate firefighting equipment, perform station maintenance tasks, and perform related work as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the entry classification of the firefighter series. Trainees are eligible for promotion to Firefighter following completion of a one (1) year probationary period, during which one must graduate from the Fire Academy.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Suppression and control of building and other fires by operating firefighting equipment in hazardous areas, confined spaces, and high places such as ladders. Suppresses grass and brush fires using fire hose and equipment and wild land firefighting hand tools. Conduct rescue operations from smoke-filled or confined areas that have been compromised by fire. Cleans up debris and does salvage work during and after firefighting.
• Performs emergency medical treatment to the minimum EMT - 1 level on ill and injured persons while in training. For paramedics only: Following completion of firefighting training, and upon recertification as a Paramedic, will be assigned to an advanced life support apparatus to perform paramedic duties for a period of at least three (3) years.
• Performs technical rescues using ropes and associated rescue hardware, various power tools and hand tools and techniques for special rescue situations (mechanical entrapments, confined spaces, high angle, and trench rescues).
• Responds to hazardous materials incidents to safely isolate and deny entry, make appropriate notifications, and perform mitigation tasks as appropriate.
• Performs company level fire prevention inspections and hazard reduction activities.
• Performs public relations and educational awareness actions by meeting and speaking to civic and school-based groups.
• Drives and maintains firefighting apparatus. Performs minor repair and inspection work. Makes necessary adjustments as needed.
• Completes routine daily fire station janitorial and maintenance tasks.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications
These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE for FIREFIGHTER TRAINEE:

• Be at least 21 years of age on or before 01/29/2024.
• Be a High School graduate or possess a GED certificate
• Possess or have the ability to obtain and maintain a valid unrestricted California Class C driver license, at time of hire.

HIGHLY DESIRED:

• Bilingual
• Current and valid Paramedic license

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS AT TIME OF HIRE:

• Current and valid California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification or
• Current and valid Paramedic license from the California Emergency Medical Services Authority(EMSA).
  • Current and valid CPR card, current and valid, issued by one of the following agencies: American Heart Association Healthcare Provider, American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer, or American Safety and Health Institute CPR for the Professional Rescue.
• Successful completion of the Ventura County Physical Ability Test, certified and validated by the Fire & Police Selection, (commonly referred to as the "Biddle" test).

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS for "PARAMEDIC CERTIFIED" AT TIME OF HIRE:
All certification requirements noted above, and:

• Current and valid Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification
• Current and valid Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification

POST HIRING REQUIREMENTS: Allnew hires will be required, as a condition of continued employment, to:

• Must, at a minimum, possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver license with the ability to obtain the "Firefighter Endorsement" within 12 months of hire. Regardless of the class of license (A, B, or C), the Firefighter Endorsement is required.
• Successfully complete all aspects and thereby graduate from, the Ventura County Fire Protection District Academy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:
Knowledge of: hand tools used in the construction industry and building maintenance activities; proper operation of vehicles to include standard transmissions; basic emergency medical techniques to the minimum California EMT level.
Skilled at: the use of various basic construction hand tools and building maintenance equipment; driving vehicles to include standard transmissions and large pick-up sized vehicles; and the application of basic EMT manipulative skills.
Ability to: recognize and evaluate alternatives under emergency conditions and to make decisions independently; learn the proper use of firefighting tools and equipment; exercise initiative and work with limited supervision; understand and follow written and oral directions; effectively communicate orally; work under a structured organization that will require emotional and physical stability under stress; work in an outdoor environment and perform moderate and heavy physical activities for prolonged periods.
Recruitment Process
FINAL FILING DATE: Applications must be received by the Ventura County Human Resources Division no later than January 29, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Online applications are preferred. To apply online refer to website: If utilizing a paper application form, please call (805) 389-9710 for application materials or go to Ventura County Human Resources - address: 800 S. Victoria Ave., Loc. # 1970, Ventura, CA 93009. We do not accept resumes in lieu of our application form, nor do we accept any application materials via email.
Note to Applicants: Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of completing the application.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - Qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. This questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position.
APPLICATION EVALUATION - Qualifying: All applications and supplemental questions will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to the total assessment examination.
WRITTEN EXAMINATION - Pass/Fail: A proctored, online, internet-based job-related written examination will be administered to test candidates' knowledge of reading ability, math, map reading, writing ability, spatial skills, problem solving, analysis, decision making, and mechanical aptitude for successful performance on the job. Examinees must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list. Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. Candidates must earn a passing score to advance in the recruitment process.
ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%: An online, un-proctored, job-related oral examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating examinees' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Examinees must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.
In-person oral exams will be available at the request of the candidate for those that require an accommodation.
Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a minimum of 6 months. The eligible list established for this position may be used to fill existing and future regular, temporary, fixed-term, intermittent and extra-help positions within the Fire Protection District and/or Fire Academies through 2025.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record will be required for this position.
For further information about this recruitment, please email Ventura County Fire Human Resources at
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYThe County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE
VENTURA COUNTY PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION
(VCPFA)
To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• or you may call (805) 654-2570.

Union Codes: FFF, FGF
01
You must be 21 years of age or older, at time of application. Will you be 21 years old on or before 01/29/2024?

• Yes
• No

02
Are you a high school graduate or do you possess GED equivalency?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you possess or have the ability to obtain a valid unrestricted California Class C driver license at TIME of HIRE?

• Yes
• No

04
Are you bilingual?
If you answer yes, please indicate in the SKILLS section of your application which language(s), other than English, you speak, read or write.

• Yes
• No

05
Do you possess a current California Paramedic License?

• Yes
• No

06
If you possess a current California paramedic license, please provide your license number and expiration date in the box below.
If you are currently in school to obtain your Paramedic license, please indicate the anticipated date of completion.
If you currently do not possess an Paramedice license, type "N/A"
07
Do you possess or have the ability to obtain and maintain a California EMT Certificate?

• Yes
• No
• In progress

08
If you possess a current California EMT certificate, please list your certificate number and expiration date.
If you are currently in school to obtain your EMT certification, please indicate the anticipated date of completion.
If you currently do not possess an EMT certificate, type "no certificate."
09
The Firefighter Trainee's work environment varies. During an emergency incident the Firefighter could be outside for an extended period of time exposed to both extreme hot, cold and/or wet weather conditions. Firefighter Trainees must have the ability to climb ladders, climb stairs, and work in high places and in closely confined spaces; must be able to utilize a wide range of motion from pushing, pulling, carrying, and lifting heavy objects to inspecting objects above shoulder level and overhead; and must be able to lift, push/pull and carry more than 100 lbs.
Are you able and willing to work in these environments and conduct the physical ability requirements as indicated above?

• Yes
• No

Required Question