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, responds to emergency scenes and performs firefighting and/or advanced life support emergency medical assistance duties.

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 or other administrative procedures.

Examples of Duties: (Duties will vary by assignment.)
1. Perform firefighting activities including but not limited to driving fire apparatus, operating fire pumps and related equipment, lay hose, climb ladders, use Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) equipment.
2. Perform emergency medical activities including, but not limited to Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) assessment and treatment of medical and/or trauma adult and pediatric patients.
3. Perform ALS and BLS medical procedures as required by the Thurston County Medic I Medical Program Director.
4. Participate in training and maintain acceptable medical and firefighting skill levels; instruct Emergency Medical Services (EMS) classes as required.
5. Direct personnel with regard to EMS activities at incident scenes as required.
6. Enter EMS data on computer.
7. Operate radio and other communications equipment.
8. Lift, move, and/or carry a minimum of 180 lbs. and work at heights of 100 feet or more as required.
9. Maintain communication logs of all associated activities.
10. Participate in the inspection of buildings, hydrants, and other fire prevention programs.
11. Maintain fire equipment, buildings and apparatus, including perform minor repairs to department properties and clean, polish, and test equipment.
12. Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

1. Knowledge of modern methods, principles, techniques, and practices of Advanced Life Support (ALS).
2. Knowledge of the principles and practices of advanced first aid and CPR.
3. Knowledge of pharmacology of all drugs included in the Thrust County Medic 1 ALS Drug Protocol and/or carried in ALS vehicles.
4. Knowledge of medical terminology.
5. Knowledge of modern methods, principles, techniques, and practices applied to fire suppression, fire prevention, fire safety inspection, natural or man-made disasters and other related fire science fields.
6. Knowledge of two way radio use in conformance with FCC rules and regulations.
7. Knowledge of salvage and overhaul operations and methods.
8. Knowledge of traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations involving emergency vehicle operations.
9. Basic knowledge of fire hazards relating to different types of building construction, including electrical systems and chemical properties of building materials.
10. Skill in performing advanced life support assessment, treatment, and medical procedures.
11. Ability to use, operate, and maintain emergency medical equipment, including emergency vehicles, MAST pants, cardiac monitors, pacemakers, and defibrillators.
12. Ability to perform life saving techniques such as intravenous therapy.
13. Ability to administer correct dosages and types of drugs.
14. Ability to use, operate, and maintain firefighting equipment and tools, including ladders, hose, heavy duty and portable fire apparatus.
15. Ability to think clearly, to reason and react quickly and calmly in hazardous and potentially life threatening situations.
16. Ability to perform hazardous tasks requiring strenuous physical exertion for extended periods of time in cramped surroundings and hot smoky environments with limited visibility and at times at considerable lengths.
17. 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.
18. Ability to read and interpret maps, plans, and diagrams of floor plans.
19. Ability to recall facts and conditions observed while under severe physical and/or emotional stress.
20. Ability to use tact, understanding, and judgement in dealing with the public in fire suppression, prevention, and medic aid situations.
21. Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
22. Ability to meet and maintain standards for customer service and teamwork.

Experience/Education
Entry-Level:

1. Successful completion of a recognized Advanced Life Support (ALS) Paramedic Training Program of a minimum 750 hours + 250 hours of additional ALS training and/or experience.
2. Each 12 hours of paid experience as a paramedic may be substituted for one hour of required training and/or experience.
3. Certification as a paramedic and affiliation with Thurston County if awaiting completion of Washington State EMT-P certification.
Advanced Entry:
1. Must currently hold certification or affiliation approval from the Medical Program Director of Thurston County to perform Advanced Life Support duties in Thurston County Medic 1 System.
2. Must have one year paid employment as a Firefighter/Paramedic, with MPD/ appropriate certification, for a minimum of twelve months.

Special Requirements:
1. Must successfully complete Civil Service examination process, including physical agility examination, psychological evaluation, medical physical evaluation, and urinalysis for purposes of determining illegal substance abuse.
2. Must possess valid Washington State driver's license at the time of hire. Lawful permanent resident with authorization to work in the U.S. or citizen status is required.

Post Employment Requirements:
1. Must be able to maintain the level of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to qualify for recertification as a Paramedic in accordance with WAC 248-15.
2. Ability to obtain Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention Certification (EVAP) within one year of hire.
3. Must maintain valid Washington State Driver's License.

4. Must maintain certification from Thurston County Medic I Medical Program Director to perform advanced life support duties.

Supplemental Information

Supervision:
1. Direction of emergency personnel and/or civilians with regard to emergency medical procedures, treatment, and transportation may be required.
2. Supervision of employees on a regular basis is not required.
3. May assist in the training of other employees.

Accountability:
1. Firefighter/Paramedics are accountable for the provision of safe, efficient and appropriate firefighting and advance life support medical activities, and to ensure the safety of co-workers and the general public in the performance of their duties.
2. Firefighter/Paramedics are held accountable to maintain required medical training, skills, and certifications to perform advanced life support duties in the State of Washington and Thurston County Medic I system.

Working Conditions:
1. The Firefighter/Paramedic performs duties in physically and mentally stressful situations, including exposure to trauma, illness, contagious diseases, extreme temperatures, contaminated environments, hazardous materials, adverse weather conditions.
2. Employees may perform duties in and around all types of buildings and/or environmental sites, such as emergency scenes, indoors and outdoors, streets/intersections, in confined areas on slippery or uneven terrain and surfaces.
3. Employees may perform duties atop ladders and at various building or surface levels, above and below ground.
4. Driving an emergency vehicle in all types of weather and traffic conditions is required.

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/Paramedic has 2 vacancies.

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

Entry Level Firefighter/Paramedic 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/Paramedic -- $92,877.82-$116,097.28/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