Job Description

Do you believe in serving your community? Want to be part of an outstanding and progressive team? Then consider joining the Amherst Fire Department! Our 40+ member fire department is seeking professional Fire Fighters/EMT Advanced or EMT Paramedics. The Amherst Fire Department serves the Town of Amherst, the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College, Hampshire College and also provides Emergency Medical Services to our neighboring communities of Leverett, Shutesbury and Pelham.

Starting annual rates:

Firefighter EMT Basic - $56,208

Firefighter EMT-I/AEMT - $61,829

Firefighter EMT - Paramedic - $66,326

Amherst Fire Department provides:

1. Coverage of all EMS recertification costs including overtime and detailing from duty.

2. Annual educational incentive payment.

3. Annual EMT stipend.

4. Cutting edge equipment and training.

The Town of Amherst seeks a workforce that reflects the diversity of its community, and strives toward racial equity and environmental sustainability. All are encouraged to apply. AA/EEO.

Job Summary
Protects life and property by performing firefighting, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, and fire prevention duties. Maintains fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities. Performs other related work as required.

Supervision Received
Performs duties under the direct supervision of a superior officer in accordance with departmental rules and regulations; may on occasion be required to make decisions which involve choice of action within limits defined by standard practice and instructions.

Supervision Exercised
The employee is responsible for his/her own work but may provide occasional assistance to lower level or new employees.

Major Duties
1. Performs firefighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment and extinguishment tasks. Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris.

2. Serves as an emergency medical technician: In charge of or drives an ambulance to emergency calls to provide efficient and immediate care to the critically ill or injured; transports the patient to a medical facility using the most expeditions routes to and from; prepares all reports required; has a thorough knowledge of efficient use of EMS and extrication equipment; performs patient care to level of training; maintains all appropriate certifications.

3. Participates in fire drills, attends classes in firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and related subjects.

4. Operates radio and other communication equipment.

5. Participates in the inspection of buildings, hydrants, and other structures in fire prevention programs.

6. Maintains fire equipment, apparatus and facilities. Performs minor repairs to departmental equipment.

7. Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment; cleans and washes walls and floors; cares for grounds around station; makes minor repairs; washes, hangs and dries hose; washes, cleans, polishes, maintains and tests apparatus and equipment.

8. Assists in the presentation of programs to the community on safety, medical, and fire prevention topics. Escorts visitors of tours of the station, explains functions of equipment, basic fire prevention and fire education, etc.

9. Performs other duties as directed.

Desired Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or GED equivalent. Working knowledge of driver safety; working knowledge of first aid. Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment; ability to learn to apply standard firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention techniques. Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical effort during emergency, training or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold or smoke; ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the general public; ability to meet the special requirements listed below.

Special Requirements
Must be 18 years or older at the time of employment; must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid Massachusetts driver's license. Possess current certification as MA EMT-A or Paramedic or at least an EMT/B currently enrolled as a student in a Paramedic Certification program. Preferred certifications include the following: Paramedic, Certified Firefighter 2; graduate of Mass. Firefighting Academy Recruit Program and/or equivalent training and experience. Applicants must be high school graduate or equivalent; able to pass physical agility test; fitness, medical exams; and background investigation. Within one year of appointment, must reside within 15 miles of the limits of Amherst.

Tools and Equipment Used
Emergency medical aid unit, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, emergency medical equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, phone.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 125 pounds and be able to drag 175 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud.

Selection Guidelines
Formal application; physical agility test; written or oral examination/interview; medical and psychological examinations; background verification and check; final selection.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Disclaimer

Smoking Policy
Pursuant to the Massachusetts General Laws, smoking is not allowed in Town buildings. Also, Massachusetts General Laws state that no person who smokes any tobacco product shall be eligible for appointment as a police officer or firefighter.

Background Check
All candidates that are offered a position with the Town must successfully complete a background investigation, which may include a pre-employment physical, pre-placement drug test and a CORI search.

Town of Amherst

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