Requirements
Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) is currently seeking candidates interested in serving our community as firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMT).
TFD takes great pride in its ability to serve the needs of our diverse community. Each day our citizens call upon us to respond to a variety of emergencies: fires, emergency medical incidents, technical rescues, hazardous materials, marine incidents and more.
Firefighter/EMTs are responsible for the protection of life, property and the environment. They perform general duty firefighting work: combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires, providing emergency medical services and maintaining fire department equipment, apparatus and quarters. Firefighters also prepare and maintain a variety of records and electronic reports and constantly interact with the public in a positive way.
TFD protects a service area of 71 square miles (Tacoma, Fife, Fircrest and associated waterways) with a population of more than 200,000. The department also services the Port of Tacoma, one of the largest container ports in North America, covering over 2,400 acres.
TFD has 16 active fire stations distributed throughout our response area. Our front-line uniform personnel staff operates 16 engine companies, four ladders, five medic units, and three command vehicles. Uniformed personnel also cross-staff a fireboat, hazardous material unit and technical rescue vehicle. The majority of the uniformed force is engaged in fire suppression and emergency medical service delivery.
For additional information please visit the Tacoma Fire Department page.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE REVIEW THE FULL JOB ANNOUNCEMENT AS THE TESTING PROCESS HAS CHANGED. IF YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE APPLICATION AND TESTING PROCESS OR NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT 253-591-5400.
The City of Tacoma offers generous employee benefits:
Outstanding working conditions and an exceptional quality-of-life environment
Medical, dental, and vision coverage for eligible employees, spouses/domestic partners and eligible dependents, including children up to age 26
Deferred compensation allowing tax-deferred savings as authorized under Section 457 of the IRS Code
Vacation and sick leave
Paid holidays
Excellent Retirement plan
Annual Salary $71898.03 - $99078.70
City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma`s diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma`s entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.
Firefighter description image
Qualifications
Graduation from high school or equivalent and a minimum of 18 years of age.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid Washington State Driver`s License is required at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter. Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician is required by completion of Firefighter Recruit Academy EMT Training with maintenance thereafter.
Firefighter candidates are evaluated by the minimum medical standards (NFPA 1582) adopted by the Association of Washington Cities and the Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs. These standards include being a non-smoker, which is defined as having quit use of any tobacco product two or more years ago and having normal lung function.
Selection Process & Supplemental Information
Applications will be accepted until November 21, 2022, 5:00 p.m.
Applicants who are eligible for veterans scoring criteria (Veterans Preference) must attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4, (proof of military discharge form) at time of application, to be eligible for review for Veteran`s Preference points.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to take the online/remote written examination tentatively scheduled for either December 15th or 16th, 2022. There will be no alternative test dates. Applicants must pass the written examination in order to be placed on the eligible list for further hiring consideration.
***TACOMA FIRE DEPARTMENT 2023 RECRUITMENT INFORMATION***
The upcoming Entry-level Firefighter Test for the Tacoma Fire Department will evaluate whether or not you possess the critical, and job-related, skills and abilities necessary for success on the job.
Qualified applicants for the 2023 recruitment will be provided instructions on the process and next steps to follow to take the online entry-level firefighter test.
Every qualified applicant will be given a unique test link prior to the scheduled test day with instructions on how to access the online test successfully.
Attempts to take the test prior to the actual test day will automatically expire the test link and you will not receive another link.
If you cannot locate the test link in your email inbox, please check your spam/junk filter first before emailing for assistance at help@fpsi.com.
On the actual test day, you will need to ensure that you have a laptop or desktop computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux) and you must use one of the following internet browsers (Chrome, Safari, Edge, or FireFox) to take the online test.
In preparation for the 2023 Entry-Level Firefighter test, Tacoma Fire Department is offering a free orientation guide as a helpful tool to prepare for the online firefighter test. The orientation guide will be attached to the email you receive once you pass minimal qualifications.
Please note?the 2023 Tacoma Fire Department recruitment process does not require a study guide. Do not purchase the FPSI TPM 11th Ed. study guide as it will not apply to the Tacoma 2020 test process!
A nationally recognized candidate physical ability test (CPAT) will be administered during the first eight weeks of the Firefighter Recruit Academy. The CPAT assesses the physical abilities necessary to perform the duties of a firefighter. The CPAT must be successfully completed for continued employment with the Tacoma Fire Department. Click here for a CPAT course description.
Additional employment information:
Individuals who are given a conditional offer of employment must also pass a background check, pre-employment medical examination, and drug screening.
New employees must successfully complete a one-year probationary period, from date of hire, prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.
This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and IAFF Local 31.
The Community
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city that sits along the Puget Sound with a population of nearly 210,000. The third largest city in the state of Washington, it is a diverse, progressive international gateway to the Pacific Rim.
Propelled by significant development such as the University of Washington Tacoma, the Tacoma Link light rail system, the restored urban waterfront of the Thea Foss Waterway, the expansions of both the MultiCare and Franciscan health systems, and a significant influx of foreign direct investment in its downtown core, Tacoma has evolved considerably since the 1990s.
Tacoma boasts the state`s highest density of art and history museums, and is home to a flourishing creative community of writers, artists, musicians, photographers, filmmakers, chefs, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who each add their unique flair to the city`s vibrant commercial landscape. The iconic Tacoma Dome has endured as a high-demand venue for some of the largest names in the entertainment industry.
A magnet for families looking for affordable housing options in the Puget Sound area, Tacoma also draws those who prefer to live in a more urban downtown setting with competitively priced condos and apartments that feature panoramic mountain and water views.
Tacoma`s natural beauty and proximity to the Puget Sound and Mount Rainier draws hikers, runners, bicyclists, and maritime enthusiasts to the area. Its lively social scene is infused with energy by thousands of students attending the University of Washington Tacoma, the University of Puget Sound, the Evergreen State College Tacoma campus, and Tacoma Community College, as well as a number of local trade and technical colleges. Its prime location ? just 20 minutes south of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 30 miles north of the state capital in Olympia, and within 10 miles of the U.S. Department of Defense`s premier military installation on the West Coast ? only adds to Tacoma`s desirability. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!
Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.
The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend at least an hour entering information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.
For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes. (For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time.)
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