Firefighter (Entry Level)

Department:

Fire & Emergency Services

Division: 

Fire

Firefighter/EMT

Entry Level Firefighters start at Step A: $7,105/monthly

Position Salary Range: $7,105-$9,227/monthly

Recruitment for 2027 vacancies will begin in the spring of 2026. 

The Richland Fire & Emergency Services department maintains an ongoing and merged certification list for Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic positions. We are currently accepting applications and will be holding oral board processes monthly beginning May through June 2026.

For more information about the position pay, benefits and hiring process, see our Hiring Brochure.

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of a Fire Captain or designee, performs skilled emergency and non-emergency tasks in the area of fire prevention, fire suppression, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness, and emergency medical services for the protection of life and property for municipalities, airports, and private industry. 

In order to be eligible to participate in the City of Richland's application screening process, you need to complete the following items (in order): 

• 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.

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

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

• The CPAT can be obtained from any verifiable agency, but the written test and PHS must be completed with Public Safety Testing.

• Submit an online application with our agency by clicking "Apply" on this page.

• Applicants are encouraged to attach a current cover letter and resume to the City's application.

• Please review the hiring standards brochure HERE which includes temporary or permanent disqualifiers.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or GED.

• Completion of initial written and physical agility exams, as outlined by the City of Richland’s protocols.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver’s license.

• Eighteen (18) years of age or older at time of testing.

• Certified to wear a respirator at SCBA level.

• Obtain a Washington State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Advanced EMT (AEMT) certification within six (6) months of successfully completing Fire Academy and maintain throughout employment.

• Obtain IFSAC Firefighter I and II within six (6) months of successfully completing Fire Academy and maintain throughout employment.

• IFSAC Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations are required within the first year of employment based on the schedule outlined in the department training and development/ OJT program.

• Obtain Wildland Firefighter II certification within one (1) year of successfully completing Fire Academy and maintain throughout employment.

• Obtain Washington State Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention (EVIP) certification within two (2) years of hire date, prior to driving fire department vehicles in the ‘emergency’ mode, and maintain throughout employment through department-provided training.

• Certified Uniform Fire Code Inspector or higher qualification or obtain within six (6) months of appointment into the position (Deputy Fire Marshal option only).

• Valid Washington State Paramedic certification (Paramedic and Medical Training Coordinator options only). 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Associates or Bachelor's degree in Fire Science or Fire Administration.

• Completion of Tri-Cities Regional Academy within last four years.

• Washington State or National Registry EMT certification

• Washington State or National Registry Paramedic certification.

• Prior experience, to include reserve or resident firefighter.

• IFSAC Firefighter I and II certifications.

• IFSAC Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations certifications.

• Wildland Firefighter II certification.

• Washington State Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention (EVIP) certification.

*If you have successfully completed the Tri-Cities Regional Academy in the past four years, you will not be required to attend academy. *

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Selection will be based on overall qualifications and an oral board interview process. Final candidate(s) selected will be required to complete a comprehensive background check to include an integrity interview, job suitability testing, reference checks, criminal history check, credit check, driving record, education and certification verification, and review of training records. Upon conditional offer of employment, candidate(s) must successfully complete a psychological evaluation, physical examination tailored to the specific job description (to include drug and alcohol testing), and a stress test.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (ALL CLASS OPTIONS)

Duties listed are representative of the types of tasks and functions performed by positions of this class of work.  Percentage of time and rank of importance of duties are not listed since both will vary by position and work location. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• Performs interior structural firefighting activities, extends hose lines, raises and climbs ladders, uses extinguishing agents, performs rescue operations, ventilates structures of toxic smoke and gases, performs salvage operations on the structural contents, body recovery, and Rapid Intervention activities.

• Performs exterior structural firefighting activities, initial command and control operations, and defensive fire operations.

• Fills incident support functions including rehab, staging, and Public Information Officer (PIO) commensurate with the needs of the incident. 

• Performs wildland firefighting activities commensurate with National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) training and agency certification. 

• Performs Emergency Medical Service (EMS) work as a Washington State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) per state and local protocols; lifts patients to backboard, moves patients on stretcher, gathers patient information, assists with patient care, triages and treats patients suffering illness or trauma and transports them to the appropriate medical facility. 

• Completes accurate and timely Basic Life Support (BLS) patient care reports, incident reports, and maintenance/repair requests.

• Drives and operates emergency services apparatus to and from alarms; operates and monitors fire pumps used in suppression activities, secures water supply, monitors crew safety, and monitors and tracks equipment location and uses to ensure intact inventories after each emergency response. 

• Drives and operates all classes of vehicles used by the department; operates Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) as a passenger, troubleshoots and adapts to equipment failures and unexpected events at emergency scenes. 

• Performs non-emergency activities including, but not limited to, drills, training, building inspections, and participating in fire prevention programs, public education, and public relations activities.

• Performs minor maintenance on apparatus, stations, and equipment, and assists with project and program work.

• Performs special operations work in accordance with individual training and certification levels (Examples include hazardous materials, rope rescue, confined space rescue, and water/shoreline rescue responses).

• Subject to shift work, 24-hour on call, and mandatory overtime as required.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

 
PARAMEDIC OPTION

• Performs EMS work as a Washington State Paramedic per state and local protocols; lifts patients to backboard, moves patients on stretcher, and gathers patient information.

• Coordinates the patient care activities of other EMS crew members as lead paramedic on various EMS calls; provides patient care, triages, and treats patients suffering illness or trauma, and transports them to the appropriate medical facility.

DEPUTY FIRE MARSHAL OPTION

• Works within assigned duties based on the individuals existing skills and a