HomeMy WebLinkAboutFirefighterUpdated: March 2024
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Posi�on Title: Firefighter
Department: Fire
Division: Fire
Supervisor: Fire Lieutenant
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 35
Job Number: 3501
Job Summary
Under general supervision, performs work of rou�ne difficulty in fire suppression, emergency
medical care, fire preven�on, the maintenance of department property and equipment and
performs other related work as required. May be assigned as Shi� Bureau Inspector.
Essen�al Job Du�es and Responsibili�es
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Responds to alarms of fire and other emergencies with a pumper, ladder or rescue
company, drives fire engines and other vehicles.
• Responds to a variety of calls of an emergency nature requiring the performance of light-
to heavy-duty rescue ac�vi�es, such as administering oxygen, performing CPR, and
opera�ng various equipment used in rescue and emergency medical opera�ons.
• Lays and connects hoses; holds nozzles and directs water streams; raises and climbs
ladders; uses chemical ex�nguishers, bars, hooks, lines and other equipment; ven�lates
burning buildings by opening windows or by chopping holes in roofs or floors; removes
persons from danger and administers emergency medical care as outlined in the scope
of prac�ce pertaining to an Emergency Medical Technician.
• Performs salvage opera�ons, such as dwelling salvage covers, sweeping water and
removing debris.
• Par�cipates in fire drills and atends regular in-house mee�ngs on firefigh�ng,
emergency medical care, technical rescue, fire preven�on, equipment maintenance and
related subjects; studies assigned materials.
• Atends required training for emergency medical cer�fica�on, hazmat cer�fica�on,
Firefighter cer�fica�on, technical rescue and other required training as necessary.
• Performs fire preven�on inspec�on of residen�al and business buildings and contents.
• May inspect the opera�ons of fire hydrants.
• Performs general maintenance and cleaning work in the upkeep of departmental
apparatus, equipment, furnishings and structures; washes, hangs and dries hoses;
washes, cleans and polishes apparatus.
• Answers general ques�ons from the public.
• Acts in the absence of a Lieutenant as required.
Updated: March 2024
• May operate radio equipment, mobile data computers and computer equipment.
• May be assigned to special assignments, i.e., Fire Preven�on Bureau, Public Educa�on,
Hazmat Tech, EMS Coordinator and Rescue Tech.
• Conducts self in a manner which promotes and supports diversity and inclusivity in the
workplace and community.
• Performs other related du�es as required.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Iowa or Na�onal EMT cer�fica�on. Firefighter cer�fica�on within one year of hire. Valid
State of Iowa driver's license with sa�sfactory driving record. Must be 18 years of age.
Must pass criminal background check. Must live within 25 miles of the corporate limits
of Iowa City, Iowa within one year of appointment to the posi�on.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• High school diploma or G.E.D. and one-year of related experience or training; or
equivalent combina�on of educa�on and experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abili�es
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as propor�ons, percentages, area,
circumference, and volume.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instruc�ons furnished in writen, oral, diagram, or
schedule form.
• Ability to learn a wide variety of fire-figh�ng, emergency medical services, incident
management system, technical rescue, and inspec�on techniques, and methods within a
reasonable period, performing heavy physical labor under adverse condi�ons, driving
fire equipment carefully and safely in accordance with local traffic laws, thinking and
ac�ng quickly in emergency situa�ons, and u�liza�on of tools and handling of ropes and
equipment.
• Ability to par�cipate in physical requirements, must be in good physical condi�on and
participates in the department physical fitness program.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, opera�ng and maintenance
instruc�ons, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out du�es.
• Ability to solve prac�cal problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in
situa�ons where only limited standardiza�on exists.
• Ability to write rou�ne reports.
• Knowledge of elementary mechanics, physics, and chemistry.
• Skill in performance of rou�ne mechanical maintenance tasks.
• Skill in understanding both oral and writen instruc�ons.
• Skill in using computers at a basic level and applicable so�ware applica�ons (Microso�
Office – Word, Excel, Outlook).
Updated: March 2024
Supervision
No supervision of direct reports.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use
hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally
required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee
must push, pull or lift varying amounts. The employee regularly lifts and/or moves 10 pounds,
occasionally will lift and/or move 25 pounds, and will occasionally lift and/or move up to and
excess of 100 pounds with or without assistance. Participates in the department physical fitness
program. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color
vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving
mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, smoke, toxic or caustic
chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, traffic hazards, and blood/body fluids. The
employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions, dampness, direct sunlight,
dust, pollen, insect stings, and animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
Employee may be exposed to dangerous situations, dangerous fumes while engaged in
firefighting or cause determination activities, exposed to atmospheric conditions that affect the
respiratory system, and use of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. Involves some exposure to
stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Scott Lyon, Fire Chief (4/2024)
Updated: March 2024
I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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