Firefighter Position

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue - Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic

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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.

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue - Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic

Last updated on December 13, 2024
PST Partner Agency since January 18, 2023

Important Information

Hiring is now closed. Check back in June of 2025 for updates on our next hiring process.

Community Information

Department Information

Formed in 2008 by the merger of two large fire districts, Clark Cowlitz Fire & Rescue protects and serves a diverse population of over 60,000 residents in a 125-square-mile area in northern Clark County and southwest Cowlitz County, Washington.

CCFR proudly offers fire protection and EMS service to the Cities of Woodland, La Center, and Ridgefield. The District also serves the Cowlitz Indian Reservation, which opened the ilani Casino in 2018, the only casino of its type on the West Coast. The District is adjacent to the City of Vancouver, WA, is rural and suburban in nature, and responds to over 5,000 calls per year out of six (6) staffed fire stations with an on-duty Battalion Chief. Response apparatus includes five Type 1 engines and a 105' quint.

Along with fire protection and EMS service, the District also maintains a Marine Division to protect several miles of the Columbia River and its tributaries. CCFR participates in the county-wide Technical Rescue Team with the Vancouver Fire Department and Clark County Fire District 6. CCFR also maintains an All Risk Mobilization Team to respond to the state and federal government's requests for emergencies such as wildland fires and natural disasters. In addition, CCFR provides Community Risk Reduction and Fire Marshal services to the cities in the District. The District is governed by elected Commissioners who serve six-year terms. CCFR is a combination department with 96 personnel and approximately five support volunteers.

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue was formerly known as Clark County Fire & Rescue. The District changed its name in 2020 to better reflect the communities it serves.

Area Information

County: Clark/Cowlitz
Population: 60,000
# of Staff: 96

Hiring Status

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue (CCFR) will establish an eligibility list for Lateral Level Firefighter/Paramedic as needed.

Salary Information

$97,191 to $129,610 annually. One year step credit will be given for every two years full time employment in a equivalent all hazard department. With a maximuim of five years credit given to indaviduals with 10 plus years service.

Benefit Information

Comprehensive Medical and Dental  (Washington Fire Commissioners Association)

UP to 16 shifts per year of vacation time accrual

Deferred Compensation up to 4%

Longevity Incentive up to 4%

Education Incentive

Tuition Reimbursement,

Health Reimbursement Account (employee paid)

$50,000 Group Life insurance (employer paid). Refer to CBA for comp

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue - Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination No, not required

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue will notify the candidates who will be brought forward for an interview and their interview date after reviewing applications.
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Yes, required as described below

Applicant must possess valid Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) credentials. Any legitimate CPAT will suffice. Candidates will be required to submit proof of a valid, verifiable CPAT to the agency by time of job offer.

CPAT tests are conducted by (among others) Public Safety Testing. To view a list of upcoming CPAT events and to sign up, please visit Public Safety Testing’s website.
Minimum Age 21
Citizenship

US Citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required Required to obtain and maintain a valid driver license. 
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult Will be carefully reviewed on a case by case basis.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile

Some juvenile convictions may be considered a disqualifier. We will closely review. 
Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language Yes
Vision Requirements Must successfully pass the medical/physical exam at time of hire.
Prior Experience Requirement Prospective lateral- level Firefighter/PM candidates must possess at least 36 months of current full-time paid experience as a line Firefighter/PM with no breaks in service, in an all-risk fire agency. Preference may be given to candidates who have completed a career fire academy.
Veterans Preference Points

Veteran's points are used as outlined in 

RCW 41.04.007 in accordance with RCW 41.04.010 
Paramedic Certification

Washington State EMT-P certification or National Registry EMT-P certification. Must obtain Clark County certification within 6 months of hire.

Applicants who graduated from paramedic training after June 30, 1996 are required to have graduated from a paramedic training program that is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoaAEMSP)

For paramedics that are not Washington State certified and have not completed an NREMT-P cognitive exam in the last 12 months, the candidate would be required to take and pass the national exam for Washington State certification.
Prior FF Experience Required

Prospective lateral- level Firefighter/Paramedic candidates must possess at least 36 months of current full-time paid experience as a line Firefighter/PM with no breaks in service, in an all-risk fire agency. Preference may be given to candidates who have completed a career fire academy.
Current Hiring Status

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue (CCFR) anticipates filling 6+ vacancies for firefighter/EMT or firefighter/paramedic. In the first quarter of 2025.
Other

Working knowledge of clerical filing, basic computers and Microsoft Office Suite.
CPAT PST or any verifiable CPAT certification due at time of job offer.
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant

Written test not required.
Request/Access Scores On an as-needed basis as vacancies occur

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue - Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic 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

3 or more traffic crime convictions in last 5 years (DWI, Suspended, Reckless, etc.).
Automatic Suspension of drivers license within the last 5 years.
Drug Usage
Automatic Illegal use of illegal drugs in the last 3 years including prescription medications.
Automatic Illegal opiate use.
Automatic Illegal sale of ANY drug, including marijuana.
Criminal Activity
Automatic Any adult felony conviction.
Potential Adult misdemeanor convictions will be carefully reviewed.
Potential Juvenile felony conviction will be carefully reviewed.
Automatic Unlawful sexual misconduct
Employment
Automatic Lied during any stage of the hiring process.
Automatic Falsified his or her application, personal history questionnaire, or any other forms during hiring process.

Contact Information

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue - Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic

911 N 65th Ave
Ridgefield, WA 98642 Clark/Cowlitz County
360-887-4609

Website
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Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: No, not required
CPAT: Yes, required as described below


Other Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue positions

Entry Level Firefighter/EMT
Entry Level Firefighter/Paramedic
Lateral Firefighter/EMT