Firefighter/Paramedic 56-Hour

Role Overview

This position is within Public Safety and reports to the Lieutenant. It is a professional firefighting and emergency medical role focused on preserving life and property, supporting fire prevention and control, and maintaining the skills and certification required for both firefighting and paramedic duties.

The pay grade for this role is PG-305, with a salary range of $57,418.52 to $88,998.71. The posting remains open until the position is filled.

What You Will Do

• Answer fire and EMS incidents as part of a fire company and carry out assigned fire, rescue, and emergency medical duties.
• Remove and rescue people from hazardous situations.
• Use fire and EMS apparatus and equipment to provide advanced life support and help suppress fires.
• Ventilate structures during fires to release smoke, heat, and gases when directed.
• Carry out salvage and overhaul tasks at fire scenes as assigned.
• Clean and maintain department facilities, ambulances, and equipment.
• Support fire prevention and education efforts, including hydrant maintenance when needed.
• Perform annual hose testing and inspections.
• Attend ongoing training in EMS, advanced life support, firefighting, inspections, equipment use, and emergency medical care.
• Help deliver public education programs.
• Conduct periodic building visits for pre-fire planning.
• Provide basic and advanced life support in accordance with Florida law, County EMS procedures, protocols, and standing orders.
• Deliver pre-hospital rescue and medical services within the scope of training.
• Fill in as an EMT on a BLS unit when directed by a ranking officer.
• Serve as an ambulance driver when needed.
• Handle emergency and non-emergency patient transfers, both within and outside the county.
• Prepare patient reports, patient billing records, and daily team/unit reports accurately and on time.
• Maintain required ambulance inventory and keep the station clean.
• Work in a professional, safe manner while following established safety policies and organizational standards.
• Follow Board policies and procedures consistently.
• Adapt productively to change and perform other duties as assigned.
• Cooperate effectively with personnel across the chain of command.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Practical knowledge of firefighting methods, policies, procedures, and practices.
• Strong understanding of advanced life support emergency medical care.
• Ability to learn street layouts, geography, and building types in the assigned district.
• Ability to identify different fire hazards in the assigned area.
• Commitment to ongoing learning in firefighting and emergency medical care techniques.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions accurately.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to safely operate fire vehicles and apparatus on and off road in emergency conditions.
• Skill in the use and upkeep of firefighting and emergency medical equipment.
• Knowledge of CPR and other life-sustaining advanced life support practices and equipment.
• Understanding of patient safety, comfort, and handling methods.
• Ability to become familiar with Highlands County road and highway systems.
• Knowledge of Florida emergency response privileges and safety requirements.
• Knowledge of Florida traffic and driving laws.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with coworkers, volunteers, managers, supervisors, directors, elected officials, vendors, and the public.

Physical Requirements

This job can involve lifting and exerting more than 100 pounds at times. It regularly requires speaking or hearing, and may also involve sitting and repetitive motion. Occasional duties include standing, walking, using hands, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting.

Vision requirements include close, distance, depth, color, night, and peripheral vision, along with the ability to adjust focus. The role also requires clear vocal communication, strong hearing, written or computer-based analysis, visual inspection of small defects or parts, use of measuring devices, operation of machinery and motor vehicles, and observation of general surroundings.

The employee must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. Physical and medical standards for firefighter and hazardous materials work under NFPA standards must be met.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have a high school diploma or an accepted equivalent.

Required licenses and certifications include a valid Florida driver’s license, Florida Firefighter II certification of compliance, current Florida Paramedic certification, AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), a 16-hour Emergency Vehicle Operation course (EVOV/CEVO), and current CPR/AED for Healthcare Provider (BLS). Candidates must also be approved by the EMS Medical Director to practice as a Paramedic.

Other Job Requirements

This position is designated disaster essential. Paid firefighters in Highlands County are not permitted to serve as volunteer firefighters in Highlands County, although they may still serve as administrative chiefs or administrative members of a Highlands County VFD. ACJIS screening is required as part of the background check process.

Equal Opportunity and Workplace Notice

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners states that it does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, religious belief, color, national origin, disability or handicap, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetics, or any other legally protected group. The workplace is drug free, and drug screening for illegal substances may be required as a condition of employment.