South Thurston Fire & EMS serves a diverse and growing region covering approximately 76 square miles in southern Thurston County. The district includes rural neighborhoods, agricultural lands, small-town residential centers, and key transportation corridors. The community offers a strong rural character, access to outdoor recreation, and convenient proximity to larger cities such as Olympia and Centralia. Continued growth in the area contributes to an increasing demand for high-quality fire and emergency medical services.

South Thurston Fire & EMS is a combination fire and EMS agency providing all-hazards response throughout the district. The department is staffed by 9 career personnel supported by approximately 25 volunteer members, operating from modern facilities with a focus on training, professionalism, and community engagement. The agency responds to more than 1,500 calls for service annually, including fire suppression, EMS, rescue, wildland, and a variety of public service incidents.

Reports To:
A Lieutenant works under the direction of a Captain or Chief Officer.

Position Overview:
The Lieutenant is a mid-level supervisory and leadership position responsible for directing emergency and non-emergency operations. This role requires strong leadership, decision-making ability, accountability, and technical expertise in fire suppression, emergency medical services, and company-level management. Lieutenants supervise personnel on a 24-hour shift, ensure operational readiness of stations, apparatus, and equipment, and may serve as the initial or primary incident commander on emergency scenes.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Lieutenants provide daily supervision, direction, and support to assigned personnel. They maintain crew readiness, assist with scheduling and staffing, enforce department policies, conduct performance evaluations, and contribute to a positive, productive work environment. They work in collaboration with other officers to support training, operations, and administrative programs.

General Duties and Responsibilities:
Lieutenants typically perform or oversee the following functions:

• Lead and supervise assigned personnel during emergency and non-emergency operations

• Respond to and assume initial incident command, performing firefighting, rescue, and EMS duties as needed

• Operate and supervise the use of fire apparatus, pumps, equipment, and tools

• Provide basic life support and assist in emergency medical operations

• Ensure daily staffing levels and coordinate personnel assignments

• Oversee and deliver training in firefighting, EMS, rescue, apparatus operations, hazardous materials awareness, and related topics

• Maintain shift training records, performance documentation, and operational reports

• Participate in administrative tasks, special projects, and program management as assigned

• Assist with apparatus, equipment, and station maintenance, ensuring readiness and safety

• Support fire prevention, public education, and community outreach programs

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of incidents, personnel activities, and shift operations

• Conduct or assist with investigations involving personnel matters, accidents, equipment loss, and citizen concerns

• Communicate operational issues, personnel matters, and facility or equipment needs to command staff

• Attend department meetings, training sessions, and assigned committees

• Perform other related duties as assigned by supervising officers

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong leadership, communication, teamwork, and mentoring abilities

• Ability to manage personnel, resources, and emergency operations under stressful conditions

• Knowledge of modern fire suppression, EMS, incident command, hazardous materials, and rescue operations

• Ability to interpret and apply department policies, operating procedures, and applicable codes or regulations

• Proficiency in report writing, documentation, and the use of computers and related technology

• Ability to solve problems, make sound decisions, and adapt to rapidly changing situations

Physical and Working Conditions:
Lieutenants must meet the physical demands of firefighting and EMS operations. Work is performed in hazardous environments, including extreme temperatures, confined spaces, heights, contaminated atmospheres, and situations involving traumatic injuries or high stress. Physical tasks include lifting and carrying heavy equipment, climbing ladders and stairs, dragging objects or victims, wearing SCBA, operating apparatus, and working in challenging environmental conditions.

South Thurston Fire & EMS - Entry Level/Lateral Lieutenant/EMT has 1 vacancy.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is December 31, 2025.

The intent is to hire (1) one full-time Lieutenant/EMT.

$104,305 - $110,658.26

• Accrued Vacation and Sick leave

 • Employer Paid Medical, Dental and Vision 

• Employer Paid Life Insurance Policy 

• LEOFF 2 Retirement

 • Employee may contribute to WA Deferred Comp and AFLAC Supplemental Insurance 

• Tuition Reimbursement Program

 • Represented by IAFF Local #3825