The Selah Fire Department is now accepting employment applications for the full-time, entry-level Firefighter/EMT position. The Selah Fire Department is a 4-station combination department with 52 paid on-call members, plus a full-time staff of 12 combat personnel (6 FF/EMTs, 4 Lieutenants, 1 Deputy Chief, and 1 Fire Chief), and an administrative assistant. We work together to provide services to a population of over 20,000 residents, covering over 65 square miles of the City of Selah and Yakima County Fire District #2. The Selah Fire Department ran 2,254 calls for service in 2024, which is expected to rise due to growth in the area. The Selah Fire Department is an all-hazard, non-transport, basic life support agency. Currently, Selah Fire Department firefighters work a 48/96 schedule. Further details about the Selah Fire Department can be found at https://selahwa.gov/fire/.
The current starting salary range for this position is $4,711 - $5,543 per month. The Selah Fire Department offers a 3-step salary increase over 5 years for the firefighter position. The city provides a generous benefits package that includes full medical, dental, and vision coverage, additional HRA VEBA, LEOFF2 retirement, deferred comp option, longevity pay, and education incentive pay.
*Upon a position opening, the Selah Fire Department will require all Firefighter/EMTs hired to reside within Yakima County within one year from the date of hire.
If you have any questions regarding this eligibility list, the position, or your application, please don't hesitate to contact Human Resources.
The following items are required to be delivered by 5:00 pm on Friday, April 4, 2025, to:
Human Resources Attn: Michelle Damron Selah City Hall 115 West Naches Ave Selah, WA 98942
Application Packet Requirements
In order to have a complete application packet, please include the following with your application:
1. Cover Letter
2. Professional Resume
3. Completed Application with Original Signature
4. Completed Supplemental Questionnaire
5. Current WA State Driver’s License and Proof of Insurance
6. Washington State EMT (You may apply if you are currently enrolled in a Washington State-approved course but must be completed with certification by time of hire)
7. IFSAC Firefighter I Certification or equivalent
Summary of Position
Protects life and property by performing firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention duties. Maintains equipment, apparatus, and facilities.
Supervision and Direction to be Received and Exercised
Works under the general supervision of the Fire Chief. May assist to coordinate, instruct, or supervise the work of paid-on-call firefighters, new recruits, or other department personnel, as assigned.
Essential Job Functions
Essential functions and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Performs firefighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment and extinguishment tasks, which includes structural, wildland, and other fire suppression, and EMS.
• Performs emergency aid activities including administering first aid and providing other assistance as required.
• Participates in drills, attends classes in firefighting, EMS, hazardous materials, and related subjects.
• Receives and relays fire calls and alarms. Operates radio and other communication equipment.
• Participates in the inspection of buildings, hydrants, and other structures in fire prevention programs.
• Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities, apparatus, and equipment; cleans and washes walls and floors; vacuums rugs and carpets, cleans and sanitizes restrooms and showers, cares for grounds around stations; makes minor repairs; washes, hangs and dries hose; washes, cleans, polishes, maintains and tests apparatus and equipment and other maintenance duties as directed by the Chief or their designee.
• Assists in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, communications, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, pre-fire plans and emergency aid activities.
• Presents programs to the community on safety, medical, and fire prevention topics.
• Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris.
The above list of essential functions, duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive. Omission of specific statements of functions, duties, or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related to, or a logical assignment to the position.
Peripheral Duties:
• Assists in department supervisory and administrative office activities as assigned, to include answering phone system, prepare and voucher department bills, prepare volunteer payroll and general headquarters administrative duties as assigned by the Chief or their designee.
• Assists in the supervision and training of paid-on-call firefighters as required.
• Other duties as assigned.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Working knowledge of driver safety.
• Working knowledge of first aid.
• Skill in the operation of the listed tools and equipment.
• Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment.
• Ability to learn to apply standard firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention techniques.
• Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical effort during emergency, training or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold or smoke.
• Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to meet the special requirements listed below.
Special Requirements:
• Must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older at time of hire.
• No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal history.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to read and write the English language.
• Ability to meet Departmental physical standards.
Tools and Equipment Used:
Emergency medical aid unit, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid and EMS equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, phone, general office equipment and station cleaning and maintenance tools.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
• High school diploma or GED equivalent
Experience:
• Two (2) years of experience as a career, paid-on-call or volunteer firefighter.
Training, licensing, or certifications:
• Must possess a valid Washington state driver's license without record of suspension or revocation in any state. Must possess current automobile insurance.
• Must currently possess the following certifications:
1. Washington State Emergency Medical Technician
2. Wildland Red Card, Firefighter II or higher
3. Washington State E.V.I.P.
4. IFSAC Firefighter I certification or equivalent.
Working Conditions
Environmental Conditions:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is performed primarily in office, vehicles, and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during the day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individuals are exposed to loud noises and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including but not limited to, smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils.
The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings, and loud at an emergency scene.
Physical Conditions:
In order to perform the essential functions of this position the employee must possess physical strength and ability to perform intermittent strenuous work for extended periods of time under extremely dangerous and uncomfortable conditions, often while wearing bulky protective gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus. Strenuous work is defined as exerting force sufficient to lift and carry up to 150 pounds of body weight and occasionally, as a team member, to lift and maneuver onto a gurney, body weight up to 350 pounds, or as necessary lift whatever weight is required to handle the emergency or rescue. Often the lifting must be done in spaces where use of correct lifting techniques is not possible. Physical stamina and agility sufficient to perform physical activities such as climb up and down stairs, raise and climb ladders, crawl into confined spaces, wield axes, haul hose, etc., and sustain this activity for the duration of the emergency without interruption while wearing bulky protective gear.
Hearing ability sufficient to use stethoscope to assess heart and lung sounds where ambient noise is a factor, and to communicate with team members and use portable radio while wearing self-contained breathing apparatus. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Note:
1. Any combination of education and experience may be substituted, so long as it provides the desired skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
2. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. However, some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
3. While requirements may be representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities to perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
4. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
Please email michelle.damron@selahwa.gov for a full job description and application materials.