Firefighter

Posting Type: Open Competitive

Work Type: Full Time

Nature of Work: This is skilled work in extinguishing fires and conducting rescue operations. Work involves the performance of duties at fire scenes to extinguish fires, safeguard lives, salvage property, prevent the recurrence of fires, and protect properties from the elements, vandalism, and theft. Work also involves the routine inspection and maintenance of fire apparatus, fire station facilities, and firefighting equipment; the performance of fire inspections; providing basic life support and assisting in providing advanced life support; training and drilling in the use of fire equipment and firefighting techniques; and the performance of public relations activities. At times the work is performed in conditions of extreme temperatures and danger for prolonged periods of time during which time one's vision may be partially or totally obscured. An employee in this classification exercises some independence in the performance of duties and receives close supervision from a supervisor.

Education and Experience: (The knowledge, skills, and abilities may be acquired through, but are not limited to, the following combination of education and/or experience.) High school graduation or its equivalent.

Special Qualifications: By the end of the training academy, eligible candidates must hold a current certificate from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) OR hold a current Nebraska EMT license (Title 172 , Chapter 11 of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services) which may be obtained by completing an Emergency Medical Technician Course that meets the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards for Emergency Medical Technician course. If this certification is not obtained by the onset of the training academy, it must be obtained by the end of the training academy. Must possess a valid motor vehicle operators license. Must be able to work varying shifts, weekends, and holidays. Must be willing to submit to (either prior to or following a job offer) and pass a drug test, polygraph test, a background investigation, credit history, and driving abstract. Must be willing to submit to and pass a psychological and medical examination and a vision and hearing test following a job offer. Must be willing to submit to and pass random drug testing after being hired. Must successfully complete the physical ability course designed specifically for firefighter candidates. Must successfully complete the fire academy for newly hired firefighters as prescribed by the Omaha Fire Department.

Pay Range: $69,334.72 - $87,231.68/Annually

Benefits: See our website at www.cityofomaha.org (under the Employment section, Benefits tab) for detailed information.

Who Can Apply: Any person who meets the qualifications and other requirements described in this posting.

How to Apply: Completed City of Omaha employment applications must be submitted using the on-line application from the City website. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to check and ensure that any and all required application materials and supplemental forms are received by the City of Omaha Human Resources Department by the stated deadline. You may confirm receipt of any materials and forms by contacting the Human Resources Department. If the materials are not received in the Human Resources Department by the stated deadline, they will not be considered. There will be no exceptions to this rule.

Examination Information: FOR CANDIDATES WITHIN 200 MILES OF OMAHA: Multiple Choice examination (passing point of 70) will be May 14^th, 15^th, or 16^th. An invitation to take the examination will be sent to candidates via email once their application has been received, reviewed by a recruiter and accepted to test. Place: Kroc Center (2825 Y St). Candidates who pass the multiple-choice test will be invited to the next phase of the selection process, the physical ability/CPAT (passing point: pass/fail) at the Fire/Police Training Center. This will take place in June and July. Candidates who pass the physical ability test/CPAT will be invited to the next phase of the selection process, the structured oral interview (passing point will be determined/announced prior to the structured oral interview) which will take place in July.

FOR CANDIDATES MORE THAN 200 MILES OF OMAHA: Multiple Choice examination (passing point of 70) will be June 18^th. An invitation to take the examination will be sent to candidates via email once their application has been received, reviewed by a recruiter and accepted to test. Place: Fire/Police Training Center. Once done with their examination, they will proceed right to the next phase of the selection process, the physical ability/CPAT (passing point: pass/fail). Candidates who pass the physical ability test/CPAT will be invited to the next phase of the selection process, the structured oral interview (passing point will be determined/announced prior to the structured oral interview) which will take place in July.

Veteran Points: To claim five (5) points for Veteran's preference, you must submit proof of service (such as a DD-214) that includes date of induction, date of honorable separation, and Social Security number. (You must have completed more than 180 consecutive days of active duty.) To receive an additional five (5) points credit for disability, you must submit proof of eligibility from Veterans Administration dated within the last 12 months. This information must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by May 11, 2026.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

* Knowledge of the standard operating procedures of firefighting
* Knowledge of emergency medical treatment techniques
* Knowledge of fire codes and the contents of general orders, bulletins, and training materials
* Knowledge of and ability to operate a computer or other technology using standard or customized computer or systems software applications appropriate to the assigned tasks
* Skill in the use of hand and power tools used to extinguish fires and in search and rescue procedures
* Ability to understand written and oral instructions and to listen effectively and follow oral instructions
* Ability to read at the eleventh grade level
* Ability to climb, balance, bend, carry, walk, pinch, and lift from 68 to 100% of the time
* Ability to drag, sit, and reach from 34 to 66% of the time
* Ability to crawl, crouch, kneel, lift, pull, push, and stand from 12 to 33% of the time
* Ability to use in excess of one hundred (100) pounds of force 12-33% of the time, in excess of fifty (50) pounds of force 34-66% of the time, and in excess of twenty (20) pounds of force >67% of the time to move objects
* Ability to assess relevant information quickly, make decisions as to courses of action, and react accordingly
* Ability to maintain alertness, observational skills, and memory recollection
* Ability to effectively communicate information orally and/or in writing with members of the community, Fire Department personnel, and other agency personnel
* Ability to learn and apply the training needed to extinguish fires, rescue trapped persons, dispose of hazardous materials, and operate firefighting equipment
* Ability to locate objects and persons inside or near burning structures or objects and to estimate distances between objects or persons inside burning structures or objects
* Ability to learn and adapt to advances in computer and electronics device technology and software
* Ability to perform basic mathematical computations to include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
* Ability to operate assigned vehicles and equipment, including all firefighting and emergency medical equipment
* Ability to perform difficult physical procedures for prolonged periods wearing protective clothing, at time, in adverse weather conditions
* Ability to climb ladders and work at considerable heights
* Ability to carry, drag, or assist in carrying or dragging persons and equipment up and down ladders and stairs or across flat surfaces
* Ability to chop holes or pry openings in doors, walls, ceilings, roofs, and other surfaces to effect ventilation
* Ability to screw in hose connections and gate valves to fire hydrants
* Ability to apply hose clamps onto charged and uncharged hose lines
* Ability to hold charged hose lines and direct them at sources of fires
* Ability to remain calm, apply common sense, make logical decisions, and work effectively in stressful situations
* Ability to meet with victims, relatives and friends of victims, and members of the public to calm them or to gain or impart information
* Ability to co-exist and work cooperatively with a group of individuals for twenty-four hours at a time without regard for such characteristics as gender, race/ethnicity, or cultural background
* Ability to demonstrate self-confidence and self-reliance and to take action when required by the situation
* Ability to confront potentially dangerous situations
* Ability to adhere to safety policies, procedures, and guidelines
* Ability to complete work assignments and reports in a timely and efficient manner
* Ability to comprehend, and, at all times, adhere to the Firefighter Code of Ethics and the overall mission of the Omaha Fire Department
* Ability to have far visual acuity less than 20/40 binocular, corrected with contact lenses or spectacles
* Far visual acuity less than 20/100 binocular for wearers of hard contacts or spectacles, uncorrected
* Ability to distinguish colors and be able to see peripherally in both eyes
* Ability to successfully complete the physical ability course designed specifically for firefighter candidates

Essential Functions: Any one position may not perform all of the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all of the duties that may be performed in positions allocated to this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

* Performs fire extinguishing duties that include dragging charged and uncharged hoses, pulling or carrying ladders up to or into burning structures or objects, dragging or carrying hoses up or down ladders and stairs, and directing water streams at fire sources; returns equipment to proper place after fire is extinguished
* Makes forcible entries into structures or objects using hand and power tools, including axes, pike poles, battering rams, jaws of life, saws, hammers, pry bars, and other tools to facilitate ventilation or to gain entry
* Drives emergency vehicles in a safe and efficient manner to emergency scenes
* Secures and monitors the scene of an accident, emergency scenes, or non-emergency scenes in a safe manner and communicates relevant information gathered at the scene to superiors, other emergency personnel, and other individuals as needed
* Performs systematic search and rescue operations to locate victims and assist, carry, or drag victims to safety
* Performs salvage operations by removing burning or smoldering objects, overhauling objects to ensure extinguishment, removing debris, and safeguarding structures or objects from theft or vandalism
* Provides basic life support to injured or traumatized victims and assists in providing advanced life support to seriously injured victims
* Communicates relevant information, orally and/or in written form, with sworn personnel from other shifts to ensure continuity of services and avoid circumstances that may potentially be detrimental to shift operations (e.g. , street closures, out-of-service alarms, and other circumstances)
* Participates in fire inspection activities, maintains and updates pre-fire planning records, inspects facilities and equipment on public or private property for compliance with fire codes and assists in preparing reports of inspection findings
* Assists in arson investigations and determining the cause of a fire; testifies in court proceedings as required
* Makes presentations to the public such as to schools, day cares, and other interested groups and gives tours of fire stations and explains fire safety and prevention measures and the use and operations of equipment
* Participates in daily and weekly training sessions, attending and taking part in discussion, demonstrations, and drills in equipment operation, firefighting, and lifesaving techniques to ensure that relevant certifications are maintained and updated as required
* Performs inspection, cleaning, and maintenance activities of fire apparatus and equipment, fire station facilities, and grounds to ensure that all necessary equipment is functional and available
* Complies with city and departmental standard operating procedures and maintains departmental standards of dress, appearance, performance, and conduct
* Completes written forms of actions taken at fire or rescue sites and enters data into a computer or electronic device
* Maintains regular job attendance in accordance with a schedule established for the position by the supervisor
* Performs other related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates within the scope of this classification

Conditions of Employment: Candidates must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, permanent residence, or authorization to work. The City of Omaha reserves the right to conduct pre-employment inquiries or evaluations on candidates for employment as it determines are appropriate for the particular position. Pre-employment inquiries may include, without limitation: verification of employment history and educational attainment; review of driving, credit, and criminal convictions; hearing, drug, functional capacity, psychological, vision, and medical tests; and/or any other relevant background information deemed appropriate to determine the suitability of the applicant for the position. Failure to provide the information requested in the application and hiring process in a truthful, timely, accurate, and complete manner may result in disqualification, revocation of a conditional offer of employment, or termination.

Reasonable Accommodation: The City of Omaha does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you need a disability-related accommodation during the job application or selection process, advise the Human Resources Department at least 48 hours prior to the need by emailing employment@cityofomaha.org.

For a complete description of this job classification go to the City of Omaha's website at hr.cityofomaha.org

Contact Points:

City of Omaha, Human Resources Department
1819 Farnam St, Suite 506
Omaha, NE 68183
Phone: (402) 444-5300
Fax: (402) 444-5317
Website: hr.cityofomaha.org
Email: employment@cityofomaha.org or gabriella.doyleliekhus@cityofomaha.org

The City of Omaha is an Equal Opportunity Employer.