Municipality of Chatham-Kent: Probationary Firefighter

Municipality of Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services
Probationary Firefighter

Job Description:

A career with the Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services is both challenging and rewarding. It will require a very high level of dedicated service to the community and a willingness to always help others. This position will require that you respond to all emergencies when called upon. Specifically you will respond to: fire emergencies to perform rescues, protect property and the environment, medical emergencies to provide emergency patient care and assistance, motor vehicle emergencies to provide scene, vehicle and patient stabilization, and other specialized emergencies and calls for public assistance. In addition, you will be required to assist and provide public safety education, public relations, fire inspections, develop pre-emergency plans, train extensively and maintain fire apparatus, equipment, and fire stations.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent will be establishing a list of qualified candidates that can fill the position of recruit firefighter. Vacancies will be filled as they arise. The position is probationary for a period of twelve (12) months from the start date. Candidates must be physically fit to handle the sustained, intense, physical effort often required to perform these duties.

Firefighters are expected to maintain: all required competencies, a high level of professionalism, solve problems, work as part of a dynamic team, and follow written and verbal instructions. Self-motivation as it relates to professional development and a team focused orientation.

About the Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services:

The Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services (CKFES) is a diverse division of the Community Development Department and has a composition of both full-time and volunteer (paid-on-call) staff. Full-time firefighters operate out of two stations in Chatham and one station in Wallaceburg. Volunteer firefighters operate out of sixteen (16) stations throughout the municipality. Volunteers also support the full-time firefighters in Wallaceburg. In addition to fire emergency response, CKFES also administers an EMS contract with a contracted service provider and is responsible for Municipal Emergency Preparedness.

CKFES Vision

CKFES is recognized by those we serve, our members, and our peers as providing the best fire, medical and life safety services in the county.

CKFES Mission

To provide public education, prevention and emergency response to protect Chatham-Kent from the adverse effects of fires, medical emergencies and dangerous conditions either natural or man-made.

CKFES Values (SPIRIT)

Safety: Commitment to a safe community and workplace

Pride: In our performance, the service we provide and the communities we serve

Integrity: In everything we do, an organization that is trusted by those we serve

Respect: The uniqueness of others

Innovation: Building a sustainable emergency service strategy for the future

Teamwork & Communication: Together we are better

The Community of Chatham-Kent

Situated between two beautiful, fresh water lakes, Chatham-Kent is home to a rich, colourful landscape which creates a wonderful backdrop for our unique towns and welcoming communities. You can live the dream without breaking the bank; with housing prices a fraction of those in comparative locations. For example, in 2017, an average home sold for $822,681 in Toronto, $330,037 in London and only $184,658 here in Chatham-Kent. Our large geography, great climate and abundance of natural amenities ensure that there are activities for people of all ages and interests. Internationally known for our heritage and culture, and a variety of attractions and festivals that dot the calendar year long, it is little wonder that people from both near and far choose Chatham-Kent as their place to call “home”. We invite you to join us, and experience firsthand what it means to be Living CK.

Overall Responsibilities:

All firefighters who are employed by CKFES are expected to:

• Maintain physical fitness and all required certifications
• Maintain a high level of professionalism, solve problems, work as part of a dynamic team 
• Follow written and verbal instructions that are provided in English
• Respond to all emergencies when called upon to perform rescues, protect property, the environment and the economy, stabilize emergency scenes and provide patient care as required
• Provide all forms of public assistance as required
• Educate the public about fire prevention and public safety
• Perform fire inspections as required
• Assist with fire investigations
• Maintain fire apparatus, equipment, and fire stations
• Train extensively
• Develop pre-emergency plans

In order to be considered for a career as a Chatham-Kent Firefighter, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Over 18 years of age and legally entitled to work in Canada
• Able to understand and communicate clearly in oral and written English
• Have a secondary school graduation certificate or equivalent
• Have a valid standard first aid certificate and a valid CPR Basic Rescuer Certificate (Level C)
• You must possess valid Ontario Fire Administration Inc. (OFAI) Candidate Testing Service certificates for Stage One, Two and Three to apply to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent; certificates must be valid at time of application; please visit www.ofai.ca for more information
  • please attach a copy of these certificates with your application
• Please review the Information Guide for further information
• NFPA 1001 Level 1 and 2 accredited certification
  • OR Employed or previously employed as a career firefighter and grandfathered to NFPA 1001, level 1 & 2
  • OR Employed or previously employed as a volunteer firefighter and grandfathered to NFPA 1001, level 1 & 2
• A valid Ontario driver’s licence (minimum class D with a Z endorsement, or equivalent license from another province); a driver’s abstract will be conducted by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. An acceptable driver’s abstract will: be an original document and current (within the previous thirty (30) days); have no more than four (4) demerit points; have no more than two (2) convictions for the same offence; have no criminal code convictions; have no ‘non-medical or administrative’ license suspension in the preceding three (3) years

Other education/experience requirements:

• Post-secondary education an asset (i.e. college, university, business school, apprenticeship program, continuing education)
• Previous professional and/or volunteer firefighting experience an asset
• Other emergency service experiences an asset (i.e. military, paramedic, emergency service, medical experience, etc.)
• Community involvement and/or volunteer experience an asset
• All new employees will be required to complete their Health & Safety and other on-line mandatory training during orientation

Certifications, Memberships, Licenses:

• Ontario Firefighter Curriculum courses is an asset
• Licensed trades an asset
• Standard First Aid certificate
• CPR Level “C” certificate
• OFAI CTS stage 1, 2, 3 certificates

Other education or experience would be an asset:

• Primary Care Paramedic (PCP)
• Journeyman in trade
• Other NFPA certifications
• Pump Operator
• High Angle Rescue
• Haz/Mat NFPA 472
• Ice/Water Rescue
• Swift Water Rescue
• Scuba Diver Certification
• Swimming Certificate(s) (Fire Service or Lifeguard qualifications)
• Confined Space Rescue
• Auto Extrication
• Airport Firefighting
• Marine Firefighting
• First Responder
• Pleasure Craft License (boat)
• Driving experience with heavy trucks

Assessment:

Applicants will be required to submit to an assessment process.

Work Environment:

This position will work both indoors and outdoors.

Hours of Work:

This position works twenty-four (24) hour shifts, and averages forty-two (42) hours per weeks over a four week period.

Police check requirements

Because of the environment this position will be working in, the successful candidate will be required to furnish an original Police Information Search (criminal reference check) (working with vulnerable persons) prior to commencement of employment.

Occupational Safety Responsibilities:

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) clearly articulates worker responsibilities (reference Sections 28 of the OHSA and Safety Policy #HS-001, “Individual Responsibilities”).

The following list of responsibilities is designed to identify some of the primary responsibilities. It does not provide the exhaustive list of legislated responsibilities:

Workers shall:

• Comply with the OHSA and applicable Safety Regulations
• Use or wear the equipment, protective devices or clothing required by the employer
• Report any defects in any equipment or protective device of which the worker is aware and which may endanger himself, herself or another worker
• Report any contravention of the OHSA or Regulation or the existence of any hazard of which he or she is aware to his or her supervisor
• Not operate equipment/machinery without being given the proper instruction and authority
• Not remove or make ineffective any protective device required by the regulations or by his or her employer, without providing an adequate temporary protective device and when the need for removing or making ineffective the protective device has ceased, the protective device shall be replaced immediately
• Not use or operate any equipment, machine, device or thing or work in a manner that may endanger himself, herself or any other worker
• Not engage in any prank, contest, feat of strength, unnecessary running or rough and boisterous conduct
• Actively participate in worker safety education

Physical and/or safety requirements:

• Must be physically fit to handle the sustained, intense, physical effort often required to perform these duties
• A detailed physical demands analysis is available for this position
• Lifting: occasional lifting floor to bench, bench to shoulder, above shoulder (up to 34.1 kgs) (equipment, ladder, chain saw, generator, extinguisher, victim, angus manifold, ventilation fan, uncharged/charted hose, furniture, tools, jaws of life, power pack)
• Carrying: occasional carrying (15m) (up to 34.1 kgs) (tools and equipment (jaws, power packs) to the accident scene; remove tools, equipment, and victims from the scene)
• Pushing: occasional pushing at or above shoulder, below shoulder (up to 22.73 kgs or 50 lbs) (raise ladder, break windows, pry doors, move furniture, push equipment into place, CPR, jaws)
• Pulling: occasional pulling/dragging above and below shoulder (up to 90.72 kgs or 200 lbs) (equipment from compartments, pull hose, pull door, drag victims (15 m), open doors, start generator, pull ropes)
• Handling: frequent handling (up to 22.73 kgs) (operate nozzle, hydrant, power cords, roll/reload hose, hand tools, pails of foam)
• Gripping: frequent gripping (hold tools, chainsaw, jaws, hose, coupling, poles, ladder, compartment handles, blocks/cribbing, pry bar, operate extinguisher, power cords, hammer)
• Fire finger movements: occasional (manipulate controls, sprinklers, alarms, utilities, typing/reports, pens, pencils)
• Reaching: occasional and frequent (retrieve and reload materials on truck, reach for victims, reach with pole, reach for roofing materials, alarms, sprinklers)
• Foot action: occasional and frequent (move debris or hose, climbing ladder, climbing in and around truck)

Compensation:

This permanent full-time position has a starting rate of $64,414 as per the Chatham-Kent Professional Firefighters’ Association 2013-2016 collective agreement, plus benefits following the successful completion of a 90 day probationary period. The Municipality offers a comprehensive benefit package, including long term disability and an extended health plan.

Applying:

Please download our application form from our website under municipal full-time jobs at http://www.chatham-kent.ca/Jobs/MunicipalJobs/Pages/MunicipalJobsList.aspx. If you are unable to obtain a copy from the website, please call (519) 436-3270.

Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 31, 2018. Applications, along with a detailed resume, will be accepted by one of the following methods:. Duplicates will be shredded. Please do not include a cover letter, or copies of transcripts.

1. Email at ckresume@chatham-kent.ca; or
2. In person to address below; or
3. Mail to:

Municipality of Chatham-Kent
Civic Centre
315 King Street West
Chatham ON N7M 5K8
Attention: Fire Department Recruiting

Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection. We thank all candidates in advance; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all candidates in advance; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

www.chatham-kent.ca