Description

Our team is highly skilled, passionate about our community, and we care. Let’s grow together.

Probationary Firefighter

Who We Are

In Whitby, we are dedicated to our work, our community, and each other. We work hard, we have fun, and we celebrate our successes.

The Town of Whitby is a community in transformation that is located in the heart of Durham Region in the eastern Greater Toronto Area. Whitby is the second-largest municipality in the region and one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada. Located on Lake Ontario and only an hour east of Toronto, the population of Whitby is expected to grow from 140,000 to more than 200,000 by 2031. Whitby’s Official Plan has been updated to establish new directions for Whitby’s planned growth and development; the protection of our natural and built environments; urban design intensification; sustainability; community improvement; and, new employment within this time frame.

The Town of Whitby combines a small town atmosphere with the sophistication and amenities of a larger urban centre.  Whitby boasts two beautiful heritage downtowns, one of the finest recreational harbours with an award-winning marina, year round sports and recreation activities, parks, trails, and a robust arts and culture scene, all of which are part of the extraordinary amenities that Whitby residents enjoy every day.

Whitby has an exciting and aspiring future, with a growing and increasingly diverse community where according to 2021 Stats Canada data, 35% of residents identify as a visible minority. With a community growing and transforming, the Corporation of the Town of Whitby is committed to being a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive employer and service provider

On our team, you can expect to make a difference through your work and have a direct impact on shaping our community. Creating an inclusive environment where employees experience job satisfaction and have rewarding careers is important to us. We live our values and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, respect and engagement where people enjoy coming to work, and are valued for the experience that they bring, both personally and professionally.

We want to be the preferred employer for the most talented people who care about the Town of Whitby, and are excited and proud to serve our vibrant community.

Let’s grow together.

What You Will Get To Do

The successful candidate will have a positive impact on our corporate culture by demonstrating the Town’s CARE core values (Collaborative, Accountable, Respectful, Engaged) through daily interactions with individuals at all levels of the organization, external contacts and elected officials.

By effectively building positive rapport and relationships both internally and externally, the successful candidate will help us achieve our corporate mission that together we deliver services that make a difference in our community.

Reporting to the Fire Chief, and under the direction of the Deputy Fire Chief(s) and/or Platoon Chief(s), the Probationary Fire Fighter is required to:

• work as part of a professional team;
• respond to alarms and participate in all phases of firefighting, medical responses, specialized responses (ie. hazardous materials, water/ice rescue, confined space etc.) and all other emergency operations;
• administer designated emergency medical procedures;
• complete thorough inspection and maintenance of all apparatus and equipment, including post emergency maintenance and regularly scheduled inspections and maintenance;
• safely drive and operate departmental vehicles, apparatus and equipment in compliance with provincial legislation and corporate/department guidelines and procedures;
• participate in all training sessions/programs, post fire evaluations and critical incident stress debriefings;
• successfully complete training and/or promotional examinations, as required/applicable;
• participate in all public safety education and special events as required;
• maintain an appropriate level of physical fitness and/or a healthy lifestyle; and,
• other related duties as may be assigned.

Who You Are

Our Fire & Emergency Services team is looking for an individual who is eager to embrace and model not only the Corporate core values; but also the core values of the Whitby Fire & Emergency Services Department of Compassion, Integrity, and Excellence. With these values embedded in your everyday approach to work; you are committed to living the Department’s vision to create a culture of community safety.

You are an enthusiastic, self-motivated team player who sees the importance of respecting and embracing diversity within the community we serve and your co-workers.

Your excellent communication and interpersonal skills allow you to connect quickly with people in an outgoing and friendly manner.  You are tactful, empathetic and treat everyone with fairness and respect.  You like helping people.

A high volume of work does not intimidate you.  You adapt and cope in challenging and changing situations.  You remain calm, maintain perspective and respond in a professional manner even when things are tough.   You are knowledgeable about and work in compliance with all workplace regulations, standards, and practices.  You pay attention to the details.  You foster a collaborative team environment among co-workers, and work to solve problems using relevant information to determine possible solutions.

What You Bring To Our Team

As the successful candidate, you must be legally entitled to work in Canada and possess the following qualifications:

• an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD – Grade 12) or equivalency;
• a Certification from a recognized/accredited Pre-Service Fire Fighter Training Program; or a NFPA 1001 FF1, FF2 Certificate from a recognized institution  accredited by IFSAC or Pro Board; or OFM curriculum modules with an OFM examination certificate (Not required to apply, but must be completed prior to commencing employment);
• a current Standard First Aid, CPR-C, with AED Certification (within 12 months prior to the posting closing date);
• possess a valid and unrestricted Ontario class “D” driver’s license with a “Z” air brake endorsement and a driving record that meets the Town of Whitby Corporate standard and demonstrates responsible and safe driving behaviour. Permission for the Corporation to obtain a driver’s abstract will be required at the conditional offer stage;
• a demonstrated ability to speak, read and write English fluently, and communicate clearly and precisely under demanding and high pressure conditions;
• an ability to carry out firefighting and rescue duties in a teamwork setting under hazardous physical conditions with a capacity for rapid, intense and sustained physical effort;
• a demonstrated commitment to maintaining good physical and mental fitness; and,
• an ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays.

The following qualifications would be considered assets:

• previous work experience in a physically strenuous position such as construction, general labourer, farming etc.;
• fluency in a second language and/or sign language;
• completion of higher level EMS First Aid and/or Medical training;
• previous experience and/or education in emergency services, trades, mechanical, large vehicle operation or other related disciplines;
• specialized technical rescue training including: Rope Rescue, Auto Extrication and Hazardous Materials;
• swimming certification such as Bronze Medallion or higher; and,
• demonstrated ongoing commitment to community services involvement/charitable or volunteer work.

What We Offer You

• Salary: $63,994 per annum; in accordance with the current Collective Agreement
• A comprehensive benefits and pension program to ensure that your total compensation package addresses both your work and life needs.

Union Affiliation:I.A.F.F. Local 2036

Hours: Flex rotating shifts; currently a twenty-four (24) hour shift system which includes weekends and holidays.

Work Location: Whitby, ON

Please note that successful candidates will be requested to provide permission for a third party to conduct a police record check with vulnerable sector screening and provide results to the Corporation as a condition of employment.

In addition, the top selected candidates will require a successful York University Fitness Test, Medical and Swim Test (dates will be arranged by the Town of Whitby for anyone who does not hold a current certificate.  The applicant will be expected to pay the fee for this testing.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

At the Town of Whitby, our values guide everything that we do. We celebrate our differences, which is why we are committed to building an inclusive and barrier-free environment for our team. If you need a specific accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know, and we will be happy to provide. Any information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

Acknowledgement will only be forwarded to those applicants who are invited to participate in the selection process.  As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.

For those selected, our process may include a written assessment, practical assessments, behavioural assessment and panel interview to further determine a candidate’s knowledge and skills for the position.  Applicants who proceed in the selection process will be required to provide supporting documents to verify their certifications and education.

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/whitbyfire

We kindly ask that you do not contact Human Resources or Whitby Fire and Emergency Services regarding your application, or visit any of the Whitby Fire Stations, during the recruitment process.

Personal information provided is collected under the authority of The Municipal Act, 2001 and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.