Firefighter

Job Description

Firefighter | City of Watsonville

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at the City of Watsonville Fire Department, located in Watsonville, CA. Firefighters are critical first responders, protecting the community by addressing fires, medical emergencies, and various other incidents. This role supports public safety through emergency response, prevention, and education, directly contributing to the well-being and security of the city.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: 24-hour rotating shift schedule
• Location: Watsonville, CA

• Team: Functions at the Firefighter level, reporting directly to the Fire Captain. Paramedic-accredited Firefighters perform advanced life support and receive a pay differential.
• Mission: Respond to fire, medical, and other emergencies, perform emergency medical care, fight fires, execute rescues, and carry out City policy and the mission of the Fire Department.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Emergency Response: Respond swiftly to fire, medical, and various other emergencies on a rescue unit, engine, or ladder truck.
• Fire Suppression: Engage in active firefighting by connecting hose lines, entering burning buildings, directing water streams, and raising ladders.
• Emergency Medical Care: Assist paramedics in providing emergency medical care, or provide Advanced Life Support if holding paramedic accreditation.
• Maintenance & Prevention: Inspect, service, and maintain fire department equipment, and perform fire prevention inspections and pre-plans for various occupancies.
• Community Engagement: Conduct presentations and classes for public groups on fire safety, emergency response, and other Fire Department-related subjects.

The Must-Haves
• Background: High School Diploma or GED or equivalent is required. Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire and meet minimum medical and physical requirements defined in NFPA Standard 1582. Must hold EMT certification at the time of hire and a current CPR card.
• Experience: Possession and maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license with a safe driving record, along with a current (within one year) Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certification and an original, current (within 60 days) Department of Motor Vehicles driving record print-out. Must possess Certified Firefighter I or equivalent (including CSTI Haz Mat FRO, SFT/NWCG ICS 100/200, NIMS IS-700) prior to working or complete within the first year, and complete the SFT RIC Tactics course within the first year of employment. For accredited Paramedic roles, requires six months of paramedic experience, a current Paramedic license, current ACLS, BTLS or PHTLS or Santa Cruz County Trauma Equivalency, and PALS or PEPP Provider certifications, along with EMT-Paramedic accreditation in Santa Cruz County within sixty days of appointment.
• Skills: Ability to safely and effectively operate fire department tools and equipment, perform fire suppression and rescue tasks, communicate effectively, think decisively under stress, and perform strenuous physical labor under adverse and dangerous conditions. Includes knowledge of fire ground management, emergency medical procedures, incident command, and proper pump operation.
• Bonus: An AS/AA degree from a properly accredited institution in Fire Protection Technology or a related field is highly desirable. Ability to speak Spanish is highly desirable. Must complete Driver Operator 1A and 1B and a Drivers License Firefighter endorsement by the second year of employment.