The capital city of Washington State is beautifully situated at the southern end of Puget Sound. Olympia is admired for its natural environment and urban setting with a walkable city and well-established bike friendly streets. Olympia is surrounded by saltwater shorelines, freshwater lakes, and stunning views of Mt. Rainier and the Olympia Mountain Range. It is home to a vibrant downtown which includes 450 independently owned businesses including galleries, restaurants, a year-round farmers market and the State Capitol Campus.

Visit www.olympiawa.gov to view more information about the City of Olympia.

The Olympia Fire Department is a premier fire department protecting the City of Olympia and the Washington State Capital. Olympia Fire is a proud, dynamic, and progressive department with a rich history as the first established fire department in the state of Washington in 1859. The Fire department serves a population of 55,605 residents over approximately 25 square miles.

Olympia Fire operates out of 4 stations with 4 engines, 1 Ladder Truck, 2 Medic units, and 2 BLS Transport units running approximately 17,000 calls in 2024. Operations members work a 24hr shift, 4 platoon schedule with 10 debit days. Firefighting is one of the most rewarding jobs on earth and the proudest tradition of community service.

Job Profile Summary

Under general supervision, employees respond to a variety of calls for services involving firefighting, fire prevention, and emergency medical assistance. Firefighters often work in unpleasant, stressful, and hazardous conditions that generally require strenuous physical exertion for extended periods of time. Workplace hazards may include emergency driving situations, exposure to chemicals, blood borne and airborne pathogens, smoke, fumes, gases, extreme heat, working on ladders, and working in fire-induced weakened structures. Firefighters may also spend substantial amounts of time engaged in the routine inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of equipment, apparatus, and quarters, and training in firefighting, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and other related training.

Essential Functions

The information contained in this classification specification is a representative sample of essential and other functions performed in this classification. Specific essential functions are identified for position recruitment and other administrative procedures.

Examples of Duties:
1. Drives or rides a fire vehicle in response to fire alarms; places equipment, lays and connects hose, operates pumps and directs water streams; raises and climbs ladders; uses extinguishers, and uses self-contained breathing apparatus.
2. Responds to requests for pre-hospital emergency medical assistance; utilizes oxygen and auto-defibrillation equipment; administers emergency medical care to the sick and injured.
3. Responds to hazardous materials incidents and provides necessary support activities utilizing personal protection suits and equipment.
4. Participates in training drills; attends classes on firefighting, hydraulics, EMT/first aid, fire equipment and apparatus, and building construction.
5. Performs protective inspections of structures and businesses in the community; conducts fire-safety education classes, and provides information to the public and school/community groups.
6. Services and operates department equipment and apparatus; performs necessary maintenance, testing and care of fire hoses, trucks, ladders and auxiliary equipment.
7. Performs general maintenance and minor repairs to station facilities; performs assigned janitorial activities.
8. Uses computer-based incident reporting, training records and department email systems.
9. Performs related work as required.

Requirements:
1. Sit for an extended period approximately 20% of the time.
2. Stand for an extended period approximately 40% of the time.
3. Walk for an extended period approximately 40% of the time.
4. Look at a computer screen for 20% of the time.
5. Run for approximately 15% of the time.
6. Work from heights approximately 15% of the time.
7. Lift 1 to 20 pounds approximately 80% of the time.
8. Lift 21 to 50 pounds approximately 40% of the time.
9. Lift 51 pounds or more approximately 20% of the time.
10. Climb approximately 20% of the time.
11. Crawl approximately 20% of the time.
12. Crouch approximately 20% of the time.
13. Twisting approximately 40% of the time.
14. Bending approximately 40% of the time.
15. Squatting approximately 40% of the time.
16. Use of manual dexterity of hands and fingers 100% of the time.
17. Grasp items approximately 100% of the time.
18. Ability to hear and communicate verbally 100% of the time.
19. Ability to see approximately 100% of the time.
20. Kneeling approximately 20% of the time.
21. Ability to make rational decisions through logic and deductive processes 100% of the time.
22. Pulling approximately 40% of the time.
23. Pushing approximately 40% of the time.
24. Reaching approximately 80% of the time.
25. Stooping approximately 20% of the time.
26. Drive a vehicle approximately 40% of the time.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
1. Ability to learn the geography of the City, the location of important buildings, and the street system.
2. Ability to learn and apply the principles, practices, and techniques of firefighting.
3. Ability to cope with emergency situations firmly, courteously, and with respect for the rights of citizens.
4. Ability to acquire and maintain state, federal and local certifications as required.
5. Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper courses of action based upon training.
6. Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
7. Ability to sustain heavy physical labor during periods of intense activity in emergency situations.
8. Skill in EMT/first aid practices and in the use and maintenance of fire equipment/apparatus.
9. Ability to work effectively as a team member and work independently when appropriate.
10. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public.
11. Ability to work within a command structure requiring adherence to orders.
12. Ability to be discreet and maintain a high degree of confidentiality, accountability, responsibility, and accuracy.
13. Ability to exercise independent judgment and maintain composure and self-control under adverse, stressful, and/or demanding conditions.
14. Ability to work safely and in compliance with federal and state laws and City policies and standards.
15. Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.

Experience/Education:
1. Entry-level:

2. High school diploma or GED equivalent required.

Advanced Entry:
1. Candidates must have completed an approved fire Academy that meets the IFSAC Firefighter 2 criteria within the last two years or complete the academy during the probationary period and one year experience as a paid firefighter with a fire protection agency.
2. Must be currently certified as an Emergency Medical Technician in state of residence; must obtain reciprocity as Washington State certified EMT prior to date of hire.
3. Must successfully complete CPAT, or show proof of successful completion within previous year.

Special Requirements:
1. Minimum age eighteen (18).
2. Must meet physical and health standards established by the Olympia Civil Service Commission and Washington State Law Enforcement and Firefighters Retirement System.
3. Possession of a valid Washington State motor vehicle operator's license is
required upon appointment.
4. Must be a U. S. Citizen or a registered permanent resident alien with authorization to work in the United States.
5. Entry Level: Must be certified as a Washington State Emergency Medical Technician within one year from the date of hire.

Supplemental Information

Contacts:
1. Firefighters routinely come in contact with the general public, law enforcement personnel, medical professionals, and fire service personnel from other jurisdictions.
2. Contacts with the general public are generally in emergency and stressful situations, which require the employee to present and maintain a professional, service-oriented public image.
3. Firefighters must be able to use tact, discretion, and may exercise independent judgment in emergency or dangerous situations.

Supervision:
1. None

Accountability:
1. Firefighters are accountable for maintaining public safety through fire suppression and prevention, basic life support emergency medical response, and for compliance with departmental or other policies, procedures, regulations and/or codes.

Working Conditions:
1. Firefighters work in various indoor settings including living quarters, office areas and around a wide variety of automotive, mechanical, chemical, and medical equipment or supplies.
2. A majority of work is performed in emergency situations, indoors or outdoors, that may expose the firefighter to a variety of dangerous conditions, such as hazardous materials, chemicals, smoke, or weakened structures.
3. Firefighters are exposed to physically and mentally stressful situations, including trauma, illness, contagious diseases, extreme temperatures, contaminated environments.
4. Work involves working in inclement weather, at all hours of the day or night, to respond to emergency situations and requests for assistance.
5. Driving vehicles is a substantial portion of the job.

The City of Olympia is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Olympia Fire Department - Firefighter has 2 vacancies.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is August 17, 2025.

Entry Level Firefighter Timeline

• Pull list from PST August 18 – top 120 scores
• Interview invites sent August 19 – August 29 
• Oral Board/Chief’s Interview September 15-19 – no remote interviews offered
• CPAT Deadline October 1
• Intent to Hire Letters issued October 1
• Backgrounds begin October 2
• Conditional Offers issued on successful completion of background process
• Pre-Employment Process - Backgrounds, Medical & Psych - October – December
• Final Offers December 15^th

 2025: Firefighter-- $81,268.10 - $104,487.55/annually

Firefighters are members of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF). City provided benefits can be located at: https://www.olympiawa.gov/info/employment___volunteering/employment_benefits.php