Firefighter Position

Richland Fire & Emergency Services - Firefighter

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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.

Richland Fire & Emergency Services - Firefighter

Last updated on February 24, 2026
PST Partner Agency since October 19, 2011

Vacancies: 5

Important Information

Thank you for your interest in Richland Fire! When a position is posted, in order to be eligible to participate in the City's application screening process as an entry level applicant, the following should be completed in this order:

  1. Complete the written exam with Public Safety Testing (PST). Scores from the PST eligibility list with the City are good for one (1) year from the date of PST testing and must be current at the time of application to our agency.

  2. Complete the physical exam (CPAT) with PST or any verifiable agency. CPAT must be completed within the past year from date of application.

  3. Complete the online Personal History Statement (PHS) on your PST profile.

  4. Submit an application for employment on the City of Richland Careers site and apply online by clicking on the following link: HERE

Important: It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure their online City application is current and complete, which includes having a complete personal history statement available on your PST profile. If you have acquired your CPAT from an agency other than PST, that also needs to be uploaded to your PST profile or attached to your city application. Applicants are encouraged to attach a current cover letter and resume to their application. If applications are received without these items complete, they will experience delays in the processing of their application and consideration for the oral board processes.

Community Information

Richland is located in sunny eastern Washington at the confluence of the Columbia and Yakima Rivers. The community offers an unparalleled combination of natural beauty and top-ranked city services that contributes to the high quality of life that its residents treasure. Skiers and hikers don't have to go far to pursue their favorite sports. The Blue Mountains and the Cascade Range are short drives away and offer spectacular venues. Richland is ideally suited to boating and water skiing. Strong breezes have added to the popularity of sail boarding, wind surfing, and conventional sailing.

The City receives wide recognition for the beauty of its integrated parks, river shore, commerce centers, and living spaces. Richland is a full-service municipality serving a resident population of more than 56,850. Originally incorporated as a small farming community, Richland now focuses on energy research, environmental remediation, and technology. With a significant concentration of scientists, engineers, technicians and researchers, Richland's population has relatively high income and education levels. Benton County ranks third in the state in median family income.

The municipal government employs over 570 people to deliver $135 million in annual services. Like its neighboring cities, Richland delivers a variety of public safety, street maintenance, basic utility, and recreational services. The City is also an electric distribution utility, operates its own public library, and administers a regional emergency management and 911-dispatch center.

Job Description

Please click here to view the current job description.

Area Information

County: Benton
Population: 61912
# of Staff: 91

Hiring Status

Richland Fire & Emergency Services - Firefighter has 5 vacancies.

Recruitment for hiring to fill vacancies for January 2027 will begin Spring of 2026. 

After completing the initial testing process (written / CPAT), you must apply to our agency on the City of Richland Careers website. 

To ensure no delay of processing of application material, please ensure you share your scores with Richland Fire Department and have an up-to-date personal history statement on your PST profile (updated within past three months).

Salary Information

Please click here to review the current IAFF Collective Bargaining Agreement for salary information.

  • Entry Level start at Step A
  • Paramedic Firefighters start at Step C- Firefighter Paramedic (includes an additional 13.5% of top-step Firefighter for Paramedic certification) 
  • Lateral hires start at Step F

Benefit Information

Please click here to review the current IAFF Collective Bargaining Agreement for benefit information.

Richland Fire & Emergency Services - Firefighter Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Yes, required as described below

The City of Richland will accept CPATs from any verifiable agency, including Public Safety Testing.  The CPAT must have be obtained within the past year of the date that you apply for the position.  

Please ensure you upload a copy of your acceptable CPAT documentation into your PST account, so the City can review your materials.
PST Personal History Statement Yes, required within 7 days of passing required exam(s)  
Minimum Age 18
Citizenship Legally Eligible to Work in the US
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required Yes
Veterans Preference Points Yes
EMT Certification Candidates must obtain the certification within 6 months from successful completion of Fire Academy.
Other Preference Points No, other preference points are not available.
Firefighter 1 Certification

Candidates must obtain the certification within 6 months from completion of Fire Academy.
Firefighter 2 Certification

Candidates must obtain the certification within 6 months from successful completion of Fire Academy.
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We only consider the most recent score
Request/Access Scores

On an as-needed basis as interview sessions are scheduled and/or when a candidate submits a city application.

Please visit the City of Richland Careers site to review the job posting and job description for the position. 

Richland Fire & Emergency Services - Firefighter 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

You have been convicted of Driving under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years, or have two (2) or more DUI convictions. A diversion or similar action (First Degree Negligent Driving) is the same as a conviction.

Your traffic history precludes you from coverage from the City's insurance as a vehicle operator. 
Drug Usage
Potential

Evaluating prior drug use by an applicant for the RF&ES department revolves around the experimental versus the habitual user. Rather than immediately disqualifying an individual for prior drug use, the fire department tries to distinguish between the individual who has used marijuana or other drugs on several occasions (experimented), as opposed to a person who has regularly used drugs over an extended period of time (habitual).

Various factors may be taken into consideration when evaluating prior drug use by an applicant and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Factors to be considered when determining eligibility include the type of substance used, frequency of use, if the use was experimental, and how recent the usage was. Experimental use is considered usage to determine the effects of a drug.

Another factor that may be considered is whether the prior drug use was self-disclosed by the applicant or discovered during the background investigation.

If at any point, the applicant is determined to meet any of the following disqualifiers, the application process for that individual may be terminated at the discretion of the Chief or designee.

TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT DISQUALIFIERS:

1. Possession or use of marijuana within the last six (6) months.

2. Use of non-prescribed oral or injectable steroids within the last three (3) years.

3. Abuse of inhalants within the last five (5) years. Examples include, but are not limited to, paint, paint thinner, Freon, nitrous oxide, and gasoline.

4. Possession or use of illegal controlled substance within the last ten (10) years. Examples include, but are not limited to, crack/cocaine, Ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol, MDMA (ecstasy), Hallucinogens (PCP, Angel Dust, LSD, and Mushrooms), Opium, Morphine, Heroin, and Methamphetamine/Amphetamine.

5. Use of any illegal drugs after submitting an application with any fire agency within the last five (5) years.

6. Involvement in the illegal manufacture, sale, delivery, or furnishing of any controlled substance or drug to another with the expectation that a personal benefit would be received as a result of the actions – Permanent disqualification.

7. Use of illegal drugs while employed in a fire, EMS, or healthcare capacity – Permanent disqualification.

8. Habitual use of any illegal drug and/or marijuana – Permanent disqualification.
Criminal Activity
Automatic

You have been convicted of any felony charges - traffic or criminal.

You have been convicted of any crime that precludes you from possessing a valid Washington State EMT certification.

Contact Information

Richland Fire & Emergency Services - Firefighter

625 Swift Blvd
Richland, WA 99352 Benton County
509-942-7392

Website
Facebook

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

PST Personal History Statement: Yes, required within 7 days of passing required exam(s)


Other Richland Fire & Emergency Services positions

Lateral Firefighter
Firefighter-Paramedic