Position Title: Firefighter – Eligibility List
Salary Information: $33.29 per hour (2021 rate)
Benefit Information: As per IAFF local 953 collective agreement

Application Close Date: September 4, 2023

Candidate Contact Person:
City of Kelowna Human Resources
250-469-8528
jobs@kelowna.ca

Department Overview

The goal of the Kelowna Fire Department is to continue providing prompt, professional, effective fire protection and public safety services to all residents and visitors to Kelowna; including fire suppression and rescue services; fire prevention; fire safety inspections; fire training; first medical responses; hazardous material response; specialty rescue; pre-incident planning; dispatch and emergency management.

Recruitment and hiring of career firefighters is handled through an eligibility list selected after a rigorous recruitment process. These candidates are placed in positions that become available for a specific period commencing as early as Spring of 2024.

More information regarding this recruitment can be found at Firefighter recruitment | City of Kelowna.

City/County/Area Information: Kelowna, British Columbia

Population: 157,000

Job Requirements

Age: 18 years of age or over
US Citizen: Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada required
High School Grad/GED: Yes
Valid State Driver’s License: Valid BC Class 3 Driver’s License with Air brake endorsement (or equivalent from another province)
Ability to Read/Speak English: Yes
Vision (i.e. 20/20): Successfully pass medical testing requirements (including vision and hearing) which are based upon the NFPA 1582 standard with a restriction placed upon candidates with Category A medical conditions as defined in NFPA 1582, Chapter 6, article 6.2.2
College: Please include any completed post-secondary schooling
Academy Certification:  IFSAC or Pro Board Accredited NFPA 1001 – Fire Fighting Practices Level I and II Program, including NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations
Prior Experience:  Previous firefighting experience, community involvement and a second language are considered an asset.
Necessary Certifications:

• IFSAC or Pro Board Accredited NFPA 1001 – Fire Fighting Practices Level I and II Program
• NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations
• First Aid Certificate

Additional Requirements:

• Resume (See formatting instructions)
• Driver’s abstract for a valid BC Class 3 Driver’s License with Air brake endorsement (or equivalent from another province)
• Clean Criminal Record (to be provide during the interview process)

Preferred Qualifications and skills 

• Examples of additional job related certification may include:
  • NFPA 1002 Standard for Apparatus Driver/ Operator Professional
  • NFPA 1006 Vehicle, Rope, Surface Water, Confined Space, Ice Rescue
  • NFPA Fire Inspector level 1
  • NFPA Fire and Life Safety Educator level 1
  • Fire Service Instructor 1
  • Pleasure Craft Operator’s License
  • Fire Systems Technical training
  • First Medical Responder 3 or Emergency Medical Responder
  • Please upload any other related certifications
• Experience in the mechanical/construction trades
• Medical emergency response experience
• Operation of heavy equipment is an asset
• Volunteer and/or career firefighting experience
• Post-secondary education
• Courageous, forthright and works well under pressure
• Strong team player
• Comfortable being in confined spaces and heights
• Work despite physical discomfort in dangerous and unpleasant situations
• Demonstrate professionalism
• Can take calculated risks to help others in need
• Fire prevention and public education experience

Hiring Process
Applicants who are successful in moving through the hiring process will be expected to:

• Qualify on written testing and complete a pre-recorded video interview through NTN by the September 4, 2023 closing date.
• Qualify on physical, swim and medical testing requirements (including vision and hearing).
• Provide a Criminal Record Search (no criminal record) when requested during the hiring process.
• Provide personal vaccination records for MMR, Tetanus, Diphtheria (past 10 yrs), Hepatitis B (all shots) as requested during the hiring process.
• Complete an in-person final interview.
• Successful reference checks.

Schedule:

Shift work is required.  Scheduled consists of 2 Days (8:00 – 18:00), 2 Nights (18:00 – 8:00) followed by 4 days off.

Resume Structure

Please submit your resume in the following format:

Contact Info: Name, Address, Phone number and email address

Education: Please include all education starting with the highest level achieved first and progressing down through individual certificates or courses. Include completion dates.

Employment History (include POS or EMS volunteer work): Please include specific dates. Information in this category should include any firefighting or emergency responder experience, whether or not it was paid or voluntary. Years of experience/hours and any progression in work roles or duties.

Community Service/Volunteer Experience – Non-emergency related (Include hours and dates): Examples – Charities, not for profits, coaching sports or facilitating other youth programming, social services volunteering, etc.

Personal Interests/Healthy Lifestyle:
This should include physical activities, interests, team involvement/sports, goal setting etc.

Professional Development Activities:
Currently taking fire based, medical or leadership courses, toastmasters, self-development.

Second Language:
Include languages that you are fluent in.

References:
You must provide at least 3 professional references in the last 10 years, preferably people who directly supervised your work, or to whom you reported.