A complete Boise City application, Firefighter/Paramedic Supplemental application, and Criminal History/Driving Record Check form must be submitted in order to be considered for this position. The Boise City application and Firefighter/Paramedic supplemental application will be rated and scored, in place of a written examination for this position.

The Boise City Fire Department is seeking qualified firefighter/paramedics, and paramedics who desire to become firefighter/paramedics. Boise Fire Department is a fully paid department with 228 members, operating 15 fire stations, with an annual budget of $23M and call volume reaching 14,917 calls in 2004. Boise is the capital and largest city in the State of Idaho, with a population approaching 200,000 covering approximately 72 square miles.

The Boise Fire Department is beginning a Paramedic Engine Company Pilot Project to help determine the level of emergency medical service the Boise Fire Department will provide in the future. Our EMS license was upgraded to advanced life support in 2004. The department is seeking qualified firefighter/paramedic candidates who are willing to be involved in the addition of new service being studied.

DUTIES:
Firefighter: Receives training and develops skills and techniques in fire fighting, hazardous materials response, emergency medical and lifesaving activities; completes course work, reads and studies texts and manuals to learn fire behavior theories; uses mathematical formulas for computing hydraulics, fire containment and extinguishment practices and procedures; drills in fire fighting operations; completes course work and earns certification in the administration of emergency medical care; responds to fire scenes, natural disasters, vehicle accidents, and various medical emergencies and works as part of a team or individually to combat fires, rescue victims and/or render basic life support; performs routine station-keeping activities such as mopping, sweeping or waxing floors, shoveling snow, painting, cutting grass, cleaning restrooms and kitchen facilities, washing and waxing fire trucks; performs physically demanding tasks under both hazardous and stressful conditions.

Paramedic: Administers life support care to sick and injured persons in pre-hospital setting as authorized and directed; assesses nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures to be followed, or need for additional assistance; restores and stabilizes heart rhythm on pulseless, nonbreathing patient using defibrillator, or as directed; monitors cardiac patient using electrocardiograph; initiates intravenous fluids to administer medication or drugs, or to replace fluids lacking in body; performs endotracheal intubation to open airways and ventilate patient; administers injections of medication and drugs, following established protocols; inflates pneumatic anti-shock garment on patient to improve blood circulation; administers initial treatment at emergency scene and takes and records patient's vital signs; assists in extricating trapped victims and transports sick and injured persons to treatment center; observes, records and reports to physician patient's condition and reaction to drugs, treatments and significant incidents; leads, guides and/or assists in the training of lower techs as assigned; follows established departmental policies, procedures and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental and/or infection control standards; inspects emergency medical equipment to ensure serviceability and compliance with safety and infection control regulations and standards.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Two years experience as a full time, paid firefighter/paramedic or paramedic with a fire department, third service provider or private provider. Current State of Idaho Paramedic Certification or current National Registry of Paramedic Certification. High school diploma or GED. Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment. There is no maximum age limit.

Ability to follow written instructions; to read and understand written material of moderate difficulty (e.g., memorandums, manuals, introductory texts, etc.); add, subtract, multiply and divide; work with fractions, decimals, and percentages; plan an appropriate course of action to reach an objective; develop alternative solutions to problems and to evaluate their respective utilities; make sound decisions quickly under pressure; recognize specific signs or symptoms which indicate a larger or broader problem or situation; focus on a task and ignore distractions; extract specific details from a complex set of information; combine details from several sources to reach a solution; compare information from several sources for similarities and differences; recall and apply information (codes, building locations, proper fire extinguishing techniques); remember visual information (photograph, pictorial display, building layout, map, etc.); apply simple mechanical principles (leverage, force, acceleration, friction, etc.); maintain currency in education, technique, and skills needed for successfully fighting fires, handling hazardous materials, and performing emergency medical and lifesaving procedures; visually recognize colored labels and placards; understand spoken messages; extract important information during oral communication (listening ability); express thoughts verbally in a clear, understandable manner; explain complicated information in simple language; perform routine and repetitive work; work in cooperation with others and establish and maintain effective personal and working relationships with others.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Idaho driver's license; to obtain and maintain State of Idaho Paramedic Certification; to perform fire fighting operations while wearing heavy (about 50 lbs.) protective clothing and gear in extremely hot and toxic environments; to climb ladders up to100 feet; to work in enclosed and confined spaces with limited visibility. All applicants must be in excellent physical condition and be able to successfully pass the Candidate Physical Agility Test.

All applicants given a conditional offer of employment for this position will be required to submit to screening for alcohol and illegal drug use prior to hire. Applicants must also successfully pass a criminal history check, driving record check and medical examination.

WORK SCHEDULE: Depending on assignment, fire fighters may work a shift schedule of 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off duty or 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday.

CURRENT STARTING SALARY: $3,108 per month, effective April 1, 2005. Educational Incentive Program Pay ($25/month for 32 semester credits; $50/month for Associates degree; $75/month for Bachelors degree and $100/month for Masters degree).

BENEFITS: Membership in the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho; group health, dental and life insurance for employee and family; flexible spending account; long-term disability plan; holiday, sick leave and vacation accrual; deferred compensa-tion plan; employee assistance program; employees wellness program.

HOW TO APPLY: A complete Boise City application, Firefighter/Paramedic supplemental application and Criminal History/Driving Record Check form must be submitted in order to be considered for this position. The Boise City application and Firefighter/Paramedic supplemental application will be rated and scored, in place of a written examination for this position.

Application materials may be obtained at Boise City Human Resources, 601 W. Idaho St., P.O. Box 500, Boise, ID 83701 or visit our web site at www.cityofboise.org. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of any portion of the required application materials. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

FILING DEADLINE: All application materials must be completed and received by Human Resources by 5:00 p.m. MST on Wednesday, February 9, 2005.

SELECTION PROCEDURE: All completed applications meeting the minimum qualifications will be scored. The highest scoring candidates will receive an invitation to participate in a scored oral examination. Candidates with the highest combined average score based on the application materials and oral exam will then be invited to participate in a pass/fail physical agility test. Points will be awarded to eligible war veterans in accordance with State law.

It is anticipated that there will be not more than nine (9) openings in 2005, for which a list of eligible candidates will be established based on the combined average of the application score and the oral exam score, and successful completion of the Candidate Physical Agility Test. When a final number of positions to be filled is determined, three (3) candidates for each position will be placed on the eligible list. In the event of a tie based on average rating, the higher application score will take priority. Further determination will be made through a second interview with the Department. PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT, CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PASS A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION, MEDICAL EXAM AND DRUG/ALCOHOL SCREENING PAID FOR BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. The eligible list will remain current until December 31, 2005, or it is declared insufficient by Civil Service Commission, whichever occurs first. It is the candidate's responsibility to notify Boise City Human Resources of any change of address and/or telephone number during the term of the eligible list.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION
As required under the Immigration Reform and Control Act, any person wishing to work for Boise City regardless of the nature of the job or the number of hours or months employed, will be required to show proof of identity and work eligibility.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER M/F/D/V

Please visit www.cityofboise.org for additional information regarding the application process, oral exam and CPAT.

Questions may be referred to:

Boise Fire Department
150 N. Capitol Blvd.
Boise, ID 83701
208/384-3950
or
Boise City Human Resources
601 W. Idaho St.
Boise, ID 83701
208/384-3850