CITY
OF KALISPELL
Job Description
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Class Title: Firefighter/Paramedic
Department: Fire Department
Union: The International
Association of Firefighters, Local Union #547
Salary: Paramedic: $30.87 ($27.92 Probationary Wage + $2.95
Paramedic Pay)
Benefits: 100% paid health
insurance for employees & 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.
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Date: October
19, 2026
APPLICATION
AND INTERVIEW PROCESS
·
A
completed and signed City of Kalispell application, along with proof of passing
a physical ability test must be submitted and received by the HR office by 4:00
pm November 15, 2026.
o
Candidate
Physical Ability Testing (CPAT) is offered annually through the MT Firefighter
Testing Consortium.
o
CPAT’s
not taken through the consortium must be taken through an accredited testing
company.
o
CPAT’s
must have been taken within the 12 months prior to the application due date of
November 15, 2026.
·
After
reviewing the applications, selected applicants will be notified and required
to complete the Johnson-Roberts Personal History questionnaire by 4:00 pm
November 23, 2026.
·
Upon
completing and passing the Johnson-Roberts questionnaire, interviews will be
scheduled.
·
Tentative
interview dates will be December 7 and 8, 2026.
NOTICE
Because the CPAT test is considered a
strenuous physical test, we highly recommend you consult with your health care
provider before participating.
A.
GENERAL PURPOSE:
Performs a wide variety
of all-risk responses, technical work in fire suppression, emergency aid,
hazardous materials, and fire prevention activities.Work includes
performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions which may require
strenuous exertion under such conditions as smoke and cramped surroundings.
A large part of the time is spent on the performance of routine duties at a
fire station in cleaning, maintenance, and repair of property and equipment.
Considerable time is also spent maintaining skills through drills and other
forms of testing
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. Firefighters may also be
called upon to provide office, administrative and/or technical support to Fire
Administration on a regular or special projects basis.
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.Performs
general maintenance work in the upkeep of department property, cleans and
washes walls and floors, cares for grounds around station; makes minor repairs,
washes, hangs and dries hose; washes, cleans, polishes, maintains and tests
apparatus 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%: Writes and maintains accurate reports, charts,
and software entries. 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. Ability to perform
prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions and to maintain an adequate
level of physical fitness at all times.
c. Ability
to learn a wide variety of firefighting duties and methods within a reasonable
working test period.
d. 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.
e. Contributes to a learning/thinking/renewing department through customer
feedback and continuous improvement.
f.
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.
g. Demonstrates emotional intelligence in day-to-day work, decision making
and problem solving.
h. Initiates and suggests actions to improve departmental and City
operations, employee performance, morale, and work methods.
i.
Demonstrates a commitment to delivering excellent
customer service through teamwork and individual accountability, while
encouraging the same high standards in others.
F.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
(Education
and Experience):
a. Must have a valid
Paramedic certification or achieve Paramedic certification by January 1, 2027.
b. Graduation
from a high school, vocational school or GED.
c. Must be 18 years or
older at the time of employment.
d. Also see “Special
Requirements” section for more details.
e. You must submit with
your application a successful completion (passing) of your Candidate Physical Ability Testing
(CPAT). CPAT must be taken within the 12
months prior to the application due date either through the Montana Firefighter
Consortium or an accredited testing company.
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 emergencies 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 a valid
Montana State driver's license or ability to obtain within 60 days of hire. The
applicant’s driving history will be
reviewed and taken into consideration.
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
accommodation 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.
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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the essential functions.
b.
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.
c.
The
noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain
firefighting or EMS activities when noise levels may be loud.
M.
SELECTION GUIDELINES:
a.
Formal
application; review of education and experience; appropriate CPAT documentation
provided, Johnson-Roberts personal history questionnaire; oral interview;
reference checks; background investigation, and other job-related tests that
may be required.
b.
Applicants
selected for hire must pass a post-offer comprehensive physical exam,
fingerprint background check, background investigation, reference checks, 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.
Kalispell is an Equal
Opportunity Employer. In compliance with
the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City will provide reasonable
accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective
and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
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.
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.
*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.
Posting Date: October
19, 2026
Closing Date: Applications must be received by 4:00 pm on November
15, 2026
ONLY CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS
WILL BE CONTACTED.
A
City application can be obtained from:
· The Human Resource Department with the City
of Kalispell,201
1st Ave East,
Kalispell, MT.
Phone (406)758-7774 or (406)758-7757; or
· Kalispell
Job Service,4271st Ave E, Kalispell, MT 59901. Phone (406)758-6200; or
· Online at
the City of Kalispell website:https://www.kalispell.com/236/Human-Resources
Approval:
___________________________________ Date: ____________________________
Department Head/Supervisor
Approved:
___________________________________ Date: ____________________________
Human Resources Director
Approval:
___________________________________
Date: ____________________________
City
Manager/Hiring Authority
Revision Date: 10/19/26
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.
