Firefighter Position

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Firefighter/EMT & Firefighter/Paramedic

 

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.

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Firefighter/EMT & Firefighter/Paramedic

Last updated on December 20, 2023
PST Partner Agency since July 29, 2021

Vacancies: 16

Important Information

12/20/23 Update: Our hiring process is complete - we have filled all 16 vacancies at this time

Requirements to Apply:

  • Must meet all listed minimum qualifications to apply
  • Complete the PST written exam - scores must be within 12 months of the testing/application deadline
  • Posses any verifiable CPAT - must be current within 12 months of the testing/application deadline - upload your Non-PST CPAT certification to candidate profile (PST CPAT's are automatically added to candidate profiles, no upload necessary)
  • Posses a current Idaho (or reciprocal) State EMT OR NREMT license - continued employment is contingent upon obtaining an Idaho State EMS license -upload your EMT license to candidate profile
  • Complete PST's PHS 
  • Veterans wishing to claim preference points must upload a copy of the DD 214 form to your candidate profile (must be an honorable discharge) - 5 preference points will be added to your written test score, to create your total overall score

After the application process closes, KCFR will be inviting the 100 most qualified candidates to a panel interview. Upon a panel interview invite, each candidate will be required to complete our KCFR application. This information will be sent to each candidate (invited to panel interviews) and submitted back to KCFR before your interview.

These positions are no longer covered under Social Security, as a result from the Social Security Section 218 Proclamation 2012-02.

KCFR is seeking highly motivated individuals who possess the following characteristics and abilities:

  • Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
  • Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing
  • Customer focused
  • Accountable and ethical conduct
  • Stress management/composure
  • Problem solving/analysis and strategic thinking
  • Teamwork orientation
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Health and wellness

Community Information

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue (KCFR) is located in beautiful Post Falls, Idaho alongside the Spokane River. The North Idaho Panhandle is surrounded by scenic mountains, rivers, and pristine lakes. Post Falls is an outdoor enthusiasts dream; offering recreational activities that include hunting, fishing, boating, water sports, parks, hiking/biking trails, rock climbing, golf, and skiing. Unique dining and shopping experiences, local breweries, and world class golf courses can all be found in our backyard. Post Falls is an authentic mill town with breathtaking natural beauty and a rich history. We enjoy four distinct seasons, with temperatures ranging in the 80s in mid-summer to low teens during the winter. Each season offers another phenomenal escape. The county's physical beauty and livability are partially responsible, especially in recent years, for an unprecedented population expansion. 

Department Information

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue is a progressive organization dedicated to meeting the dynamic needs of the community as we prioritize "Service First" . We are committed to safeguarding lives and property through exceptional firefighting, emergency medical response and community risk reduction strategies ensuring a safer and stronger community. 

"We will uphold public trust through accountability to ourselves, our peers, and those we serve. We protect life, property, and our community with Honor, Integrity, and Pride."

May 2021 KCFR passed a $15 million dollar bond - we look forward to increasing the service we provide and having the resources to support our growing community

Bond Projects Include:

  • Adding a 5th Fire House
  • Additional Fire Truck
  • Training Campus improvements
  • Reposition/re-align 2 Fire Houses

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue was formed in 2001 following a merger. KCFR is located within Kootenai County and serves the cities of Post Falls, Dalton Gardens, Huetter, State Line Village, Fernan Village, and much of the unincorporated areas of Kootenai County. KCFR is governed by a board of 5 Fire Commissioners elected to serve 4-year terms. KCFR has an annual fiscal year 2023-2024 budget of $31,328,651. The fire district has been well managed financially and is in excellent financial condition. 

KCFR consists of a Headquarters building, state of the art Training and Maintenance campus to include a brand new live burn facility, and 4 Fire Houses staffed 24/7 with a 5th House slated to open late 2024. We have 2 aerial ladders, 1 fire boat, 5 engines, 1 heavy rescue, 3 brush trucks, 3 tenders, and various support vehicles. KCFR is contracted with Kootenai County Emergency Medical Services System (KCEMSS) to provide county wide EMS services. KCEMSS is a county wide ambulance district that provides funding to fire districts for staffing ambulances. KCFR staffs 2 ambulances at the Paramedic level. In 2021 we added 3 full-time Medical Services Officers (MSO's) who respond and manage the care of patients on ground Critical Care Transports (CCT's) throughout the County. 

KCFR is responsible for fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical ALS and BLS response and transport, CCT's, hazmat, technical rescue, emergency management, public safety education, code enforcement, plan reviews, and fire inspections/investigations. We protect and serve a diverse population of about 56,000 residents across approximately 113 square miles. 

2019 call volume was 6,708

2020 call volume was 7,108

2021 call volume was 8,462

2022 call volume was 8,749

56-HR Emergency Responders work a 48/96 schedule; on a 3 Battalion system. 

Area Information

County: Kootenai
Population: 56,000
# of Staff: 85

Hiring Status

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Firefighter/EMT & Firefighter/Paramedic has 16 vacancies.

KCFR maintains an eligibility list, this list is kept on file until void by the Fire Chief. The eligibility list is created based on written test scores from PST (with applicable Veteran Preference Points added to a written test score, to create your total overall score).

Tentative Timeline:

11/6 - Deadline to Apply with KCFR

11/13 - Send Panel Invitations (via email) to 100 most Qualified Candidates

11/27-11/30 - Panel Interviews at KCFR

12/4-12/6 - Chief Interviews at KCFR

December/January - Pre-Employment Testing to be Completed

**KCFR will facilitate 2 Academies for our new hires - first Academy will begin in January 2024 and the second Academy will begin in March 2024

Requirements to Apply:

  • Must meet all listed minimum qualifications to apply
  • Complete the PST written exam - scores must be within 12 months of the testing/application deadline
  • Posses any verifiable CPAT - must be current within 12 months of the testing/application deadline - upload your Non-PST CPAT certification to candidate profile (PST CPAT's are automatically added to candidate profiles, no upload necessary)
  • Posses a current Idaho (or reciprocal) State EMT OR NREMT license - continued employment is contingent upon obtaining an Idaho State EMS license -upload your EMT license to candidate profile
  • Complete PST's PHS
  • Veterans wishing to claim preference points must upload a copy of the DD 214 form to your candidate profile (must be an honorable discharge) - 5 preference points will be added to your written test score, to create your total overall score

After the application process closes, KCFR will be inviting the 100 most qualified candidates to a panel interview. Upon a panel interview invite, each candidate will be required to complete our KCFR application. This information will be sent to each candidate (invited to panel interviews) and submitted back to KCFR before your interview.

Salary Information

Effective 10/1/2023: 

Starting annual salary for a 56-hour Firefighter/EMT is $65,877

Starting annual salary for a 56-hour Firefighter/Advanced EMT is $67,706

Starting annual salary for a 56-hour Firefighter/Paramedic is $77,920

Benefit Information

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue offers a highly generous and competitive benefits package to include:

Medical Insurance:

100% employer paid for employee, dependents have a minimal copay ($20 for spouse & $5 per child)

Dental Insurance:

100% employer paid for employee and dependents

Vision Insurance:

100% employer paid for employee and dependents

Life & Disability Insurance:

$50K Group & AD&D; $10K spouse; $1-2K child - 100% employer paid

Supplemental Life insurance is available - employee paid

Short & Long-Term Disability plan - employee paid

Retirement & Investment Plans:

Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) - www.persi.idaho.gov

PERSI Choice 401k - with an employer match

457 Plan

Roth IRA Plan

Medical Expense Reimbursement Program (MERP) - employee paid

Health Reimbursement Account:

HRA: pre and post-retirement health reimbursement arrangement - KCFR contributes annually $2K for a family (2+) or $1K for employee only (unused amounts rollover to the next fiscal year, no maximum accrual amount at this time)

Medical Evaluation:

Annual NFPA 1582 Medical Evaluation - employer paid

Paid Leave: 

9 paid holidays

18 hours of sick leave per month (2 yr. max accrual)

6 hours of vacation leave per month (2 yr. max accrual) - increases with longevity

1 paid personal day

*Military; bereavement; career development; jury/court duty leave(s)

Other Benefit Options:

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): provides counseling services for work, family, personal, and financial issues

Tuition/Education Reimbursement 

Flexible Spending Account (FSA): tax free Health FSA or tax free Dependent Care Assistance Plan 

AFLAC

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Firefighter/EMT & Firefighter/Paramedic Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required

Test scores must be within 12 months of the testing/application deadline

Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Yes, required as described below

PST or any verifiable CPAT

Must be current within 12 months of the testing/application deadline

Please upload your Non-PST CPAT certification to your candidate profile (PST CPAT are automatically added to candidate profile, no upload necessary)

Minimum Age 18
US Citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required Yes
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult No adult felony convictions at any time.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile Some juvenile convictions may be considered a disqualifier. We will closely review. Include a detailed description in your PHS. 
Ability to Read & Write the English Language Yes
Vision Requirements Must meet NFPA 1582 vision standards
Prior Experience Requirement Career FF/EMT experience is not required but preferred 
Veterans Preference Points Yes, must upload  to your candidate profile your DD Form 214 to display proof of Honorable Discharge - 5 preference points awarded to veterans w/Honorable Discharge
EMT Certification

Yes, must posses a current Idaho (or reciprocal) State EMT or NREMT license - continued employment is contingent on obtaining an Idaho State EMS license

 
Firefighter 1 Certification Firefighter 1 is preferred, not required
Paramedic Certification Paramedic licensure is preferred, not required
Body Decorations

1. Body art that is deemed inappropriate or offensive shall not be exposed.

2. Body piercings are prohibited 

Other

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS: items described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary elements (essential functions) of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in confined spaces, in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. It is reasonably anticipated that the individual will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious materials in the course of duties. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is frequently required during every day operations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to see; sit; talk; hear; stand; walk; use of hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to lift, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell. The employee must routinely lift or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 100 (+) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Working near or around hostile situations and occasionally unknowingly entering hostile environments – standards and precautions to reduce risks are available and mandated.

CPAT

PST or any verifiable CPAT certification - must be current within 12 months of testing/application deadline

Non-PST CPAT Certifications must be uploaded to your candidate profile by the testing deadline

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

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Firefighter/EMT & 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 1 or more traffic crime convictions in last 5 years (DUI, Reckless, etc.).
Automatic Suspension of driver's license within past 5 years.
Potential 3 or more moving violations in past 5 years.
Potential 2 or more at-fault accidents in past 5 years.
Drug Usage
Potential Illegal use of federally illegal drugs in the last 5 year(s).
Automatic Illegal use of any controlled substances while employed in an emergency response capacity
Criminal Activity
Automatic Any adult felony conviction.
Automatic Been convicted of any crime under a domestic violence statue.
Potential Adult misdemeanor convictions will be carefully reviewed.
Potential Juvenile felony conviction will be carefully reviewed.
Automatic Unlawful sexual misconduct.
Potential

Juvenile felony conviction will be carefully reviewed. Some juvenile convictions may be considered a disqualifier. We will closely review. Include a detailed description in your PHS.

Employment
Automatic

Withdrawn from consideration for any employment because of the following reasons:

Been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces or

Lied during any stage of the hiring process or

Falsified his/her application, personal history questionnaire, or any other forms during the hiring process


Financial
Automatic Failure to pay income tax or child support.

Contact Information

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Firefighter/EMT & Firefighter/Paramedic

5271 E Seltice Way
Post Falls, ID 83854 Kootenai County
208-777-8500

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