Located along the Columbia River near the confluence of the Columbia, Yakima and Snake rivers in southeastern Washington, Kennewick is a growing community of 89,220 that enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Kennewick, together with the neighboring cities of Richland and Pasco, comprises the Tri-Cities metropolitan area, with a population of approximately 329,100. Kennewick is the largest of the Tri-Cities and is a regional shopping and entertainment hub and an outdoor recreational paradise. Kennewick offers breathtaking parks, a vibrant downtown, upscale dining and retail, art galleries, antique shops and a variety of entertainment venues.

Columbia Center is one of the largest enclosed shopping centers in Eastern Washington, and downtown Kennewick continues to undergo revitalization focused on creating a welcoming gathering place with a comfortable, hometown atmosphere. The Tri-Cities also boasts more than 200 wineries within a one-hour drive, along with numerous craft breweries and tasting rooms.

The Tri-Cities is a sports-minded community, which is reflected in its many public athletic facilities. The area is home to the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League and the Tri-City Dust Devils, the High-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The Toyota Center in Kennewick is home to the Tri-City Americans and hosts a variety of sporting and entertainment events throughout the year. Golf is also enjoyed nearly year-round, with ten public courses throughout the area offering opportunities for experienced golfers and beginners alike.

The confluence of the Snake, Yakima and Columbia rivers has produced an aquatic playground that brings water lovers from throughout the region together to enjoy sailing, boating, water-skiing, swimming, fishing, windsurfing and more. The annual Benton-Franklin Fair and Rodeo showcases championship cowboys and bull riders and features country and pop music entertainment.

Columbia Basin College and Washington State University Tri-Cities are located in the neighboring cities of Pasco and Richland. CBC offers a variety of associate degree and vocational and technical programs, while WSU Tri-Cities provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

The Kennewick Fire Department (KFD) is a full-service, all-hazards fire and emergency medical services department serving approximately 89,220 residents across 29.8 square miles. Emergency services are delivered from five strategically located fire stations throughout the City.

KFD provides fire suppression, Basic and Advanced Life Support emergency medical care and ambulance transport, hazardous materials response, technical and rope rescue, vehicle extrication, fire prevention and other emergency and non-emergency services. The department responds to approximately 14,000 calls for service annually, an average of nearly 40 calls each day, with more than 70% involving emergency medical services.

KFD’s mission is to “Partner with our community to proactively reduce risk and mitigate fire and life safety emergencies for those who live, work, and recreate in and around the City of Kennewick.” Guided by the values of Honor, Selflessness and Competence, KFD is committed to excellent public service, teamwork, continuous learning and the health and well-being of its workforce. As Kennewick continues to grow, the department remains focused on meeting the community’s current and future emergency-service needs.

CORE VALUE STATEMENT

The City of Kennewick will provide excellent public service and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community and one another through the empowerment of each employee. We value integrity, inclusiveness, stewardship, and communication. We are accountable to our community for innovative and collaborative efforts that anticipate needs, leverage resources, and deliver solutions.

SAFETY STATEMENT

We expect our employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and the City’s Accident Prevention Plan. This includes, but is not limited to, actively identifying and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee or public safety, including hazards identified by co-workers. Employees are expected to lead by example and promote a positive culture of workplace safety through their everyday actions, emphasizing the safe completion of work throughout the development and implementation of work plans.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:

Under general supervision, protects the lives and property of City of Kennewick residents and visitors from fires, medical emergencies, and manmade or natural disasters through education, inspection, code enforcement, investigation, fire suppression, emergency medical treatment, training, and related activities.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

An employee of this class applies both fire fighting skills and emergency medical skills acquired by work experience and specialized training/certification programs. Work requires performance of hazardous or stressful tasks under adverse emergency conditions which may involve strenuous exertion under severe handicaps.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

Responds to fire alarms with a company; lays and connects hose, holds nozzles and directs water streams; raises and climbs ladders; uses chemical extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines and other related equipment to control and extinguish fires; drives Fire Department apparatus, operates pump and auxiliary fire apparatus; completes related records and reports; ventilates burning buildings by opening windows or cutting holes in roofs, walls and floors; evacuates people from fires or other dangerous situations; frees people entrapped in autos or buildings; operates rescue tools; performs emergency medical and life saving procedures, performs salvage operations; inspects buildings and properties for compliance with the Uniform Fire Code and other fire prevention ordinances; advises property owners of problems, noncompliance and hazards; performs pre-fire planning operations of high hazard or special occupancies including inspection and drawing of block and floor plans of buildings, participates in classes, training programs and drills in all aspects of fire fighting, equipment operations and the delivery of emergency medical services. Responds to basic life support medical calls. Performs general maintenance and housekeeping work in the upkeep of the Fire Department facilities and equipment; cleans and washes walls and floors and cares for station grounds; repairs facilities and equipment which have minor problems; washes, hangs and dries fire hose; cleans, polishes and tests apparatus and equipment; tests and flows hydrants; operates radio and communications equipment when assigned; and performs related work and overtime as required.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Must be a Citizen of the United States of America or a Lawful Permanent Resident. Education equivalent to a high school diploma or G.E.D. plus ability to effectively read and write the English language. Ability to learn and utilize modern concepts of fire prevention and loss control; ability to learn, utilize and deliver a wide variety of fire and emergency medical emergency services, equipment and methods; considerable ability to understand and follow specific oral and written instructions; ability to learn the geographic layout of the City within the prescribed probationary period; ability to act calmly, coherently and decisively in stress situations to achieve desired results; ability and strength to perform prolonged, hazardous and arduous work under adverse emergency conditions such as smoky or cramped surroundings; ability to move and lift heavy objects or people; ability to accurately and efficiently complete records and reports; ability to establish and maintain a courteous, helpful attitude and a good working relationship with other employees, supervisors and the general public; and must maintain oneself in good physical condition throughout the term of employment.

Must be at least eighteen (18) years old and pass an extensive physical ability test, comprehensive written and oral examinations, and a thorough physical examination. Must possess National Registry or Washington State Emergency Medical Technician certificate within the first year of employment. Must obtain a valid Washington State Driver's License and maintain it throughout employment. Must participate in the department's three-year apprenticeship training program. Must successfully pass all probationary requirements to maintain position. Must be a non-user of tobacco or tobacco products on and off duty.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS:

To perform essential functions of the job, incumbents must be able to perform the following: Stooping, kneeling, crawling, crouching, reaching, climbing, standing, walking, pulling, pushing, grasping, seeing, hearing, and lifting.

Heavy work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Kennewick Fire Department - Firefighter has 1 vacancy.

We typically pull test results from National Testing Network (NTN) and Public Safety Testing (PST) once each month. The results are processed, and successful candidates are added to the appropriate Kennewick Fire Department eligibility list. Eligibility lists are presented to the Civil Service Commission at its regular meeting, scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month. Once the Civil Service Commission has approved an eligibility list, the Fire Department may begin processing candidates for the next step of the recruitment process as vacancies and processing capacity allow. To view the most recently approved Civil Service eligibility lists, visit https://www.go2kennewick.com/585/Civil-Service-Commission.

The City maintains the following fire eligibility lists:

• Firefighter – National Testing Network

• Firefighter – Public Safety Testing

• Firefighter/Paramedic – National Testing Network

• Firefighter/Paramedic – Public Safety Testing

Placement on an eligibility list does not guarantee immediate processing or appointment. Candidates are contacted as vacancies occur and the Fire Department has the capacity to process additional applicants. When the Fire Department has capacity to begin processing additional candidates, selected applicants will receive an email from Susan Helsley at susan.helsley@ci.kennewick.wa.us with instructions for submitting the required background investigation documents. Please add this email address to your safe-sender list and check your email regularly, including your spam or junk folder. Failure to respond or submit the required information by the stated deadline may result in removal from the recruitment process or eligibility list and may require the candidate to retest before being considered again.

Background Process: Candidates selected to move forward must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation. Applicants must provide complete, accurate and truthful information throughout every stage of the hiring process. Under the City’s Civil Service rules, the Civil Service Commission may refuse to examine or certify an applicant, or may remove an applicant from an eligibility list, for reasons including:

• Dismissal from employment for delinquency or misconduct

• Failure to meet the physical or psychological requirements of the position

• Disqualifying criminal convictions or conduct

• Intentional omissions, dishonesty, deception, fraud or false statements during the hiring process

• Dishonorable discharge from military service

• Workplace conduct that could have resulted in serious discipline or termination

• Habitual excessive use of intoxicating liquor or use of narcotics

• Failure to meet the requirements stated in the examination announcement

• Failure to meet the minimum standards established for an oral interview

• Other material reasons permitted under the Civil Service rules

Candidates who successfully complete the background investigation and are approved to receive a conditional offer of employment must also successfully complete the required medical and psychological evaluations.

2026 Salary Information: $88,656 to $116,664 per year, excluding holiday pay, paramedic differential, specialty pay, and other applicable premiums. 

Monthly Firefighter Salaries: Step 1 - $7,388; Step 2 - $8,166; Step 3 - $8,944; Step 4 - $9,722.

Pay step increases are effective upon successful completion of the requirements for the corresponding step of the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) program.

Firefighter/Paramedic Pay: City-authorized certified paramedics receive additional compensation equal to 13% of Step 4 Firefighter pay, currently approximately $1,264 per month or $15,166 per year. This results in a Firefighter/Paramedic base salary range of approximately $103,822 to $131,830 per year, excluding holiday pay and other applicable premiums.

Additional Compensation:

• The City contributes 5% of the employee’s salary, including applicable classification and specialty pay, to a selected deferred compensation program.

• Specialty-team trainees receive 1% of Step 4 Firefighter pay.

• Qualified HazMat, Technical Rescue, and SCBA team members receive 2.1% of Step 4 Firefighter pay.

• HazMat and Technical Rescue Team Leads receive total specialty compensation of 4.2% of Step 4 Firefighter pay.

• Additional education and longevity incentive pay may be available based on college credits and years of service.

The City of Kennewick offers firefighters a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical Insurance: The City pays 95% of the medical insurance premium, and employees pay 5%. For 2026, employee premiums are $47.62 or $52.73 per month for employee-only coverage and $142.24 or $157.53 per month for full-family coverage, depending on the plan selected.

• Dental, Vision, Long-Term Disability and EAP: The City pays 100% of the employee premium.

• Vacation Leave: New firefighters earn 16 hours of vacation leave per month, with accrual increasing based on years of service.

• Sick Leave: New firefighters receive 144 hours of sick leave upon hire. After the first six months, firefighters accrue 24 hours per month through their first three years of employment.

• Holiday Pay: Firefighters may receive up to 120 hours of holiday pay, paid as a lump sum in December.

• Retirement: Firefighters participate in the Washington State LEOFF Plan 2 pension system, which provides a lifetime retirement benefit and survivor options. Full retirement is available at age 53, with reduced retirement available as early as age 50, subject to applicable plan requirements.

• Deferred Compensation: The City contributes 5% of the employee’s salary to a 457 deferred compensation plan. No employee match is required.

• Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan: The City contributes $75 per month to a MERP account to help pay eligible medical expenses and health insurance premiums in retirement.

• Life Insurance: The City provides $25,000 in life insurance coverage. Employees may also purchase additional voluntary group term life insurance.

• Uniforms and Equipment: The City pays for required firefighter uniforms and boots.

• Additional Benefits: Flexible Spending Accounts, tuition assistance, wellness programming and access to fitness facilities.