Firefighter Position

Olympia Fire Department - Firefighter

 

PROFILE DISCLAIMER

The information herein is provided by the respective agency and is only as accurate and as up-to-date as the agency representative(s) update this information. PST is not responsible for the veracity of this data as it is provided directly from the agency. It is ultimately the applicant's responsibility to verify any information about the agency with the agency.

Olympia Fire Department - Firefighter

Last updated on March 01, 2024
PST Partner Agency since December 15, 2015

Vacancies: 12

Testing Deadline: April 27, 2024.

Important Information

Entry-level Firefighter
Selection process


April 27
Deadline to take a Public Safety Testing written exam
Local testing opportunity in Olympia at the Helen Sommers Building; 106 11th Avenue SW

April 29
Establishing an eligibility list
Top 200 Public Safety Test scores will receive an interview

May 13-18
Oral Board Interviews

May 31
Candidates notified of conditional offers

May 31- July 26
Background checks/medical physical exam/psychological evaluation

July 26
Candidates notified of final offers

August 26
Start date


OLYMPIA FIRE DEPARTMENT
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Prior to appointment to a position, an applicant must successfully complete a thorough background investigation, behavioral assessment, CPAT, and medical examination. The background investigation may consist of, but is not limited to, the following: criminal, driving, and financial history checks; interview; employment history check; neighborhood check; reference checks.

Failure to successfully pass or complete any phase of the background investigation is cause for removal from employment register. The following information is provided to demonstrate the Olympia Fire Department standards, but it is not meant to be an exhaustive list. Information obtained in the background investigation and testing may be cause for the Fire Chief to request removal of an applicant from a register if any examination contains negative findings.

If you have questions about the background investigation or the civil service process, please call the City of Olympia Civil Service Examiner at 360-753-8442.

Please direct any recruitment questions to fire@ci.olympia.wa.us

Community Information

The Capital city of Washington State is beautifully situated in the southern end of Puget Sound. Olympia is admired for it’s natural environment and urban setting with a walkable city and well-established bike friendly streets. Olympia is surrounded by saltwater shorelines, freshwater lakes, and stunning views of Mt. Rainier and the Olympia Mountain Range. It is home to a vibrant downtown which includes 450 independently owned businesses including galleries, restaurants, a year-round farmers market and the State Capitol Campus.


Visit www.olympiawa.gov to view more information about our Department.

Department Information

The Olympia Fire Department is a premier fire department protecting the City of Olympia and the Washington State Capital. Olympia Fire is a proud, dynamic, and progressive department with a rich history as the first established fire department in the state of Washington in 1859. The Fire department serves a population of 55,605 residents over approximately 25 square miles.

Olympia Fire operates out of 4 stations with 4 engines, 1 Ladder Truck, 2 Medic units, and 1 BLS Transport unit running approximately 17,000 calls in 2023. Operations members work a 24hr shift, 4 platoon schedule with 10 debit days. Firefighting is one of the most rewarding jobs on earth and the proudest tradition of community service.

Area Information

County: Thurston
Population: 55,916
# of Staff: 126

Hiring Status

Olympia Fire Department - Firefighter has 12 vacancies.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is April 27, 2024.

Vacancies: 12

The Olympia Fire Department is planning to fill 12 vacancies. Interested candidates should complete their written test by April 27, 2024.  The top 200 candidates in the pool will be invited to an interview.

Vacancies are filled by Civil Service "rule of three" with the top three candidates forwarded to the appointing authority for background investigation & selection as vacancies occur.

Salary Information

 2024: Firefighter-- $6,548- $9,355 monthly.

Benefit Information

Firefighters are members of the International Association of Firefighters. Family and domestic partner health, dental, vision, VEBA HRA, and LEOFF 2 pension plan.


Olympia Fire Department - Firefighter Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Yes, required as described below

Will also accept valid NTN CPAT.

Minimum Age 18
US Citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required Applicants must obtain a WA driver’s license if appointed.
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult Any felony conviction as an adult is disqualifying.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile Any felony conviction as a juvenile may be disqualifying.
Ability to Read & Write the English Language Yes
Vision Requirements Defined within the LEOFF Medical Physical Standards.
College Requirement No
EMT Certification EMT certification is required within one year of appointment.
CPAT Please note that moving on to the Background Investigation step of the hiring process will be contingent upon proof of passing CPAT.
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We consider the highest score received within the past one year
Request/Access Scores On an as-needed basis as vacancies occur

Olympia Fire Department - Firefighter Disqualifiers

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.

Category Disqualifier
Driving
Automatic 1 or more traffic crime convictions in last 3 years (DWI, Suspended, Reckless, etc.).
Automatic Suspension of driver's license within past 3 years.
Potential More than one DUI conviction in a lifetime.
Potential Multiple traffic infractions within the last five years (e.g., no liability insurance, no driver’s license, speeding).
Potential Knowingly driving without a valid driver’s license or without car insurance for an extended period.
Drug Usage
Potential Pattern of, or excessive illegal use of drugs in the past 5 years.
Potential Excessive illegal use of drugs prior to the past 5 years.
Potential Untreated alcohol or substance abuse.
Criminal Activity
Automatic Any adult felony conviction.
Automatic Unlawful sexual misconduct.
Potential Criminal conduct as an adult.
Potential Any act of domestic violence.
Potential Misdemeanor convictions.
Potential Juvenile felony convictions.
Automatic Domestic violence conviction.
Employment
Potential Significant non-judicial punishment in the military (e.g., Article 15 or Captain’s Mast).
Potential Unsatisfactory work history.
Potential Significant history of disciplinary or corrective action, including being late to work and abuse of unscheduled leave.
Potential Unexplained frequent job turnover.
Potential Misrepresentation on an employment application.
Potential Negative personal or professional references.
Potential Insubordination.
Financial
Potential History of financial irresponsibility.
Other
Potential History of behavior demonstrating anger control problems.
Potential Prejudice or bigotry toward a class of people.
Potential Discriminatory action, including sexual harassment.
Potential Falsifying documents or giving false information.
Potential Intentional deception in the selection process of any investigative agency.
Potential Failure to notify the City of a change of address.
Potential Failure to show for any City of Olympia appointment or being late without a satisfactory explanation.
Potential Failure to cooperate with the background investigation process.

Contact Information

Olympia Fire Department - Firefighter

100 Eastside Street NE
Olympia, WA 98506 Thurston County
360-753-8348

Website


Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: Yes, required
CPAT: Yes, required as described below