Kalispell is a dynamic community located within about a thirty-minute drive of Flathead Lake, Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort, Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort, Glacier National Park, several National and State forests and parks, and the Bob Marshall Wilderness area. Kalispell is the retail, professional, medical, and governmental center of the Flathead Valley serving approximately 140,000 people in Northwest Montana. The 2020 population estimate for Kalispell Is 24,558. Investment in the City of Kalispell has increased and tourism remains a strong economic driver for the region. Kalispell is the historical hub of the valley offering residents and visitors a glimpse of the past with the Conrad Mansion and Central School Museum. Art lovers can visit the Hockaday Museum of Art or any of the many galleries located in downtown Kalispell. Concerts, art fairs, and festivals flourish in Downtown Kalispell. Art, activities, and community events can also be found through ImagineIF Libraries.

Please click the following link to direct you to the Kalispell Fire Department webpage.

A. GENERAL PURPOSE:

Performs a wide variety of all-risk response, technical work in fire suppression, emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention activities. This includes risk reduction and prevention, fire suppression, rescue, and hazardous materials operations. The department also provides basic and advanced life support emergency medical response, treatment, and medical transportation. The Fire Department provides all-risk response inside the city limits, emergency medical response to a large service area outside of the city limits, and hazardous materials response statewide.

B. SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Performs under the general guidance of senior Fire Department members, company officers, and chief officers in accordance with department standard operating guidelines, EMS protocols, department rules and regulations, city policy, and state and federal law.

C. SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

a. Provide general supervision and guidance to Fire Department members with less seniority.

b. Provide general supervision and guidance to station visitors, tour attendees, and general public as appropriate.

c. Provide supervision, guidance, and precept ride-a-longs, EMS students, and interns.

D. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

a. Response 50%: Respond to emergency and non-emergency incidents as a member of an emergency services team. Operate fire apparatus and firefighting equipment under emergency conditions. Perform medical care with professional licensure through the State of Montana in accordance with current EMS protocols and scope of practice. Respond from off-duty as needed for additional staffing. May function as a member of a specialized team.

b. Station Duties 35%: Inspect and test fire apparatus and firefighting equipment. Perform general maintenance work, upkeep of fire facilities, and equipment. Participate in continuing education and training. Timely and accurate completion of job-related reports including but not limited to patient care reports and payroll documentation.

c. Public Education and Fire Prevention 10%: Participate in public education events including, but not limited to station tours, fire prevention training, fire inspections, preplanning, and visiting schools.

d. Other Duties as Assigned 5%: Performs other duties as assigned.

E. COMPETENCIES:

a. Exhibits behavior consistent with the mission, vision, and values of the City of Kalispell and Kalispell Fire Department.

b. Furthers the mission, vision, and values of the City and Fire Dept. through excellent customer service, creative problem solving, decision making and stewardship of City resources.

c. Contributes to a learning/thinking/renewing department through customer feedback and continuous improvement.

d. Provides teaching, mentoring and motivation to other employees within the organization through the sharing of knowledge, skills, and information; is proactive in performing and improving his/her own work and suggests and participates in projects and activities to improve the function of the entire organization.

e. Demonstrates emotional intelligence in day-to-day work, decision making and problem solving.

f. Initiates and suggests actions to improve departmental and City operations, employee performance, morale, and work methods.

g. Demonstrates a commitment to provide and require excellent customer service through cooperative team and individual efforts.

F. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience):

a. High school diploma or GED equivalent.

b. Must be 18 years or older at the time of employment.

c. Also see “Special Requirements” section for more details.

G. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

a. One (1) year experience or more providing emergency services.

b. College level degree in fire science or another applicable field.

c. NFPA Hazardous Materials Technician.

d. Pro Board and/or IFSAC Firefighter I credential or higher.

H. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

a. Knowledge, skill, and ability to perform as an Emergency Care Provider in accordance with scope of practice as outlined by professional licensure with the State of Montana and in accordance with local protocol.

b. Knowledge of or ability to learn two-way radio use in conformance with FCC rules and regulations.

c. Skilled in the safe and efficient operation of the tools and equipment related to the position.

d. Skilled in performing emergency medical assessments and appropriate treatments.

e. Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment.

f. Ability to perform strenuous and peak physical effort during emergencies, training, or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold, smoke, or other toxic atmospheres.

g. Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations.

h. Ability to memorize the geography, streets, hydrants and building locations in the geographic areas served, as well as individual characteristics of buildings, including construction, hazards, and built-in protection devices.

i. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

j. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

k. Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public.

l. Ability to think clearly, to reason and react quickly and calmly in hazardous and potentially life-threatening situations.

m. Ability to remain professional in a manner that protects the interests of the community, city, and department, at times under stressful and demanding situations.

n. Ability to recall facts and conditions observed while under severe physical and/or emotional stress.

o. Ability to use tools and equipment effectively and safely (section J) along with additional tools and other equipment as assigned.

p. Ability to safely drive and operate department vehicles in all driving and weather conditions.

q. Ability to receive and follow written and verbal instruction.

r. Ability to learn and effectively use computers and programs provided for the performance of job duties.

s. Ability to work as a member of a team comprised of those with varying background and experience levels.

t. Ability to meet the special requirements listed below.

I. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

a. Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire:

i. Valid Montana State driver's license. The applicant’s driving history will be reviewed and taken into consideration.

ii. State of Montana Emergency Care Provider licensure of the level advertised in the position announcement.

iii. If hired as an EMT-basic, employee will be required to complete an Advanced EMT course in-house within 12 months of hire as a condition of employment.

J. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Fire apparatus, fire firefighting equipment, personal protective equipment, ladders, emergency medical equipment, emergency vehicles, air/gas monitors, radiation monitors, thermal imaging cameras, radio, pager, personal computer, phone, cell phone.

K. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

a. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

b. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.

c. Without accommodation, Firefighters must be able to drag 165 pounds at a minimum, must be able to carry at waist level 100 pounds, and be able to lift 24 pounds to the height of the shoulder.

d. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

L. WORK ENVIRONMENT:

a. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

b. Kalispell is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the ADA, the city will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

c. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, radiation, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

d. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMS activities when noise levels may be loud.

e. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.

The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

f. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

M. SELECTION GUIDELINES:

a. Written and signed City of Kalispell Job Applications will be reviewed.

b. Applicants will be required to show proof of passing both a written and physical exam. prior to the beginning of the hiring process.

i. Written/online exams will be available through Public Safety Testing 3 months prior to application due date.

ii. Candidate Physical Ability Testing (CPAT) will be offered through Montana Firefighter Testing Consortium annually.

iii. CPAT’s not taken through the consortium must be taken within 12 months of the application due date through an accredited testing company.

Note: Because this is considered a strenuous physical test, we highly recommend you consult with your health care provider before participating.

c. Johnson-Roberts Personal History Questionnaire will be completed and reviewed.

d. Applicants will be interviewed and evaluated by an oral board.

e. Successful applicants will be ranked on a list for hire.

f. Applicants selected for hire must pass a post-offer comprehensive physical exam, fingerprint background check, background investigation, drug, and tobacco screening per MCA, prior to employment start date. Per MCA 7-33-1902 a paid firefighter hired on or after July 1, 2019, must be tobacco free.

*VEBA (Voluntary Employee Benefit Association) is a tax-exempt health reimbursement account used by employees and their eligible dependent to pay for eligible medical expenses. The plan is funded by an employee’s sick and/or vacation banked hours upon leaving City employment.

Kalispell Fire Department - Firefighter/Paramedic/EMT has 13 vacancies.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is June 15, 2024.

Hiring

Kalispell Firefighters work a 24/48 hour schedule with Kelly days, this averages to 46.77 hours a week. 

Effective July 1, 2024:

EMT-Paramedic $27.79 ($25.33 Probationary Wage + $2.46 Paramedic Cert Pay)

EMT Advanced $26.31 ($25.33 Probationary Wage + $.98 EMT Advanced Cert Pay)

100% paid health insurance for employee & reduced rates for dependents. State retirement plan, 3-weeks’ vacation, paid sick leave, 10 State and Federal holidays. This position may be participating in a *VEBA program.