Firefighter (Probationary) Jobs

Job Summary

The Weslaco Civil Service Commission directs that an Entrance Examination be conducted for the purpose of establishing an eligibility list for hiring Entry-Level Firefighters. The eligibility list established by this examination shall remain in effect for a period of 12 months from the date it was created, unless first exhausted in accordance with Chapter 143.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

• Valid Texas Driver's License.
• Be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an equivalency certificate.
• Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen by birth or naturalization.
• Be at least 18 years of age and not more than 35 years of age at the time of hire.
• Be able to read, write, and speak the English language.

Preferred Requirements

Texas Commission on Fire Protection Certificate or certifiable; National Registry and Texas Department of Health Certificate for Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate, or Emergency Medical Technician. Among those who successfully pass the examination, interview and hiring preference will be given to candidates who meet the preferred requirements first and secondly by rank. (Approved by Civil Service Commission on August 5, 2013.)

Military Discharge Papers (DD-214 form) which shows; (1) showing a minimum of 180 total days of active military service, and (2) an honorable discharge, in order to receive five (5) points in addition to his passing score on the written examination. General discharges under honorable conditions or any other discharges are ineligible to receive military points.

• Social security card.
• Or evidence of eligibility for certification (i.e. grading sheet from Texas Commission on Fire Protection indicating a passing score on written and practical examinations for basic firefighter certification).
• High School Diploma, official transcript or Equivalency Certificate (G.E.D.) certified by the issuing Agency (TEA). College diplomas or transcripts will not substitute.
• College transcript, if applicable.
• Birth certificate.
• Or evidence of current enrollment in a basic recruit fire training academy approved by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
• An EMT Basic/Paramedic, EMT Intermediate, or Emergency Medical Technician
• Valid Texas Driver's license.
• Certificate issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services,
• Certification issued by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, or certifiable
• Or National Registry

Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

The City of Weslaco complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you have an established disability as defined by the ADA and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when testing or interviewed, please do so in writing at least 48 hours in advance of the date of written examination to Andrew Munoz, Civil Service Director, 255 S. Kansas Avenue, Weslaco, Texas (956) 968-3181 ext. 1422. The City of Weslaco is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Essential Job Functions

• Ventilates burning buildings by opening windows and holes in roofs and floors.
• The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations q, the various type 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.
• Attendance, physically present to work.
• Administers drugs and intravenous solutions.
• Administers emergency first aid to injured persons.
• Reads and interprets equipment instructions and preplans to operate equipment it emergency situations.
• Responds to emergency incidents, fights fires and utilizes either basic life support (BLS) or advanced life support (ALS) and/or paramedic skills.
• Aims fire stream.
• Operated hydraulic or pneumatic rescue equipment to rescue trapped endangered persons and to force entry into locked vehicles or structures, fire apparatus during fire suppression activities and motor vehicles (automobile and fire apparatus) requiring a standard Texas Divers to perform regular and emergency firefighting duties.
• Participate in school programs, deliver emergency medical care, answer questions, assess patient needs, etc.
• Detects natural gas leaks, traffic sounds, sounds of impending building collapse alarms, sirens, calls for assistance and other audible signs of alarm or warning it emergency situations.
• Produces written documents to document technical and legal matters.
• Cleans and maintains Fire Department buildings, apparatus, and grounds.
• Works in small, cramped areas when rescuing trapped, endangered or injure people.
• Assists in advancing hose lines and making hydrant connections.
• Positions and climbs ladders to gain access to upper building levels.
• Wears personal protective equipment weighing approximately 70 pounds in high humidity (up to 100 percent) situations while wearing personal protective equipment that significantly impairs body cooling and in environments with extreme temperature fluctuations (400+ degrees Fahrenheit).
• Uses defibrillators, breathing apparatus and endotracheal intubation.
• Works in a variety of weather conditions.
• Relies on self-contained breathing apparatus for respiratory ventilation.
• Learns firefighting techniques, firefighting equipment operation, and emergency medical services care through on-the-job training and in classroom training.
• Enters data into a personal computer to document incidents and reports.
• Prepares Emergency Medical Service reports regarding patient and incident information.
• Provides careful transportation of patients to medical care facilities evaluates the condition of patients and assesses pertinent information about medical profile and injuries, determines treatment in accordance with paramedic policies and procedures.
• Uses axes, pry tools and pike poles to enter vehicles or structures.
• Uses common hand tools to overhaul a fire scene and perform routine fire apparatus maintenance duties.
• Department Standard Operating Guidelines.
• Directs water streams on fires.
• Communicates with management, peers, subordinates, and other City employees and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Performs searches and rescues inside burning building.
• Operate, inspect, and perform other technical tasks related to the apparatus and
• Uses appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) including a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) while preforming tasks in environments that ay (immediately dangerous to life (IDLH atmospheres).
• Operates various types of motorized fire apparatus and ground monitors.
• Moves heavy objects (up to 185 pounds or more) including 5" fire hoses, EMS equipment, salvage equipment, smoke ejectors, trauma boxes and body boards for short distances (150 feet or less) with the assistance of an aid, in performing firefighting.
• Participate in a variety of programs including training, equipment operation and maintenance, participate in activities and operations in response to a natura disaster.
• Study street and apartment locations in assigned district; study building plans and fire prevention systems in buildings in assigned district.
• Equipment in the Fire Department.
• Operates ambulances and related equipment; cleans and maintains supplies materials and equipment aboard ambulances; submits requisitions for additional materials and supplies as necessary.
• Comprehends and makes inferences from written material, such as Weslaco Fire
• Uses firefighting equipment, including fire hoses or apparatus at emergency incidents.
• Climbs ladders and works at heights greater than 10 feet to reach and rescue people trapped on building roofs or upper floors.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

Education and Experience: High school diploma or G.E.D. Successful completion of the Fire Academy.

Preferred Requirements

Among those who successfully pass the examination, interview and hiring preference will be given to candidates who meet the preferred requirements first and secondly by rank.

Texas Commission on Fire Protection Certificate or certifiable at or before the time of hire; National Registry and Texas Department of Health Certificate for Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate, or Emergency Medical Technician. (Approved by Civil Service Commission on August 5, 2013).

Special Requirements

• Possession of certification as an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic from the Texas Department of State Health Services (before completion of 12 months from hire date)
• Possess TCFP Basic Fire Fighter Certification (upon completion of Academy).
• Possession of certificate in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation from the American Heart Association (upon completion of Academy).
• Meet the requirements of Chapter 143, Texas Local Government Code for appointment (upon entry).
• Possess Texas Operator's Class-B exempt Driver's License (with 1 year).
• Possession of a valid Texas driver's license as required by the Texas Department of Public Safety and/or the Weslaco Fire Department (upon entry).

Skills And Abilities

• Possess basic knowledge of the principals, practices, and techniques of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), modem fire suppression, emergency medical services and fire prevention.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Work under stress and use good judgment in emergency situations.
• Understand the basic principles and application of fire protection systems, and building construction, and possess the ability to properly read and interpret construction and engineering blueprints and plans.
• Speak and deal tactfully and respectfully with the public, other municipality officials and the private sector when representing the fire Department and the City of Weslaco.
• Assembling and preparing date for report presentations.
• Demonstrate the application of defensive driving theory and principles and maintain familiarity with all State and local laws, including City and Department rules and regulations governing safe driving practices and operation of all Fire Department vehicles.
• Safe work practices and procedures.
• Business letter writing and repost preparation.
• Using specialized emergency medical equipment appropriate to level of EMS certification attained.
• Demonstrate competence at basic computer operations including word processing, desktop publishing and spreadsheets.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Operate specialized emergency communications equipment.
• Perform all essential physical tasks of the position.
• Apply the principals, practices, and techniques of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), modem fire suppression, emergency medical services.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Emergency Medical Technology First Aide procedures.
• Principals, practices, methods and techniques of modern fire and life safety and fire suppression and emergency medical activities.
• Specialized communications equipment.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including City and other government officials, community groups and the public.
• Technical of fire suppression and emergency medical services.
• Provide effective leadership in applying the Fire Department Civil Service Rules and regulations.
• Operational characteristics, services and activities of comprehensive fire suppression and prevention programs and emergency medical services.
• Understand the basic of fire cause and origin investigation, the application of state, the local laws and regulations governing the maintenance and release of evidence and records associated with fire investigations.
• Various building construction techniques and the consequence of each type of fire suppression and prevention activities.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Prepare and safely operate department vehicles, apparatus, and other emergency equipment.
• Oversee and assist in resolving a variety of situations characterized by conflict or danger.
• Tactfully respond to requests and inquiries from the public.
• Possess a thorough knowledge of the rules, regulations and standard operating guidelines of the Fire Department and Civil Service Rules and regulations.
• Pertinent state and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Maintain a Texas Operator's Class-Exempt CDL Driver's License with a driving record meeting requirements established by the City Risk Management Division.
• Using fire suppression techniques and other related emergency respondent procedures.
• Methods, techniques, and equipment used in providing Emergency Medical Services to level of EMS certification attained.
• Pass a medical examination and all other examinations and tests requires for employment.
• Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge and awareness for fire apparatus and equipment operating principles, practices, and procedures in support of fire suppression, rescue, and EMS services delivery needs.
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of current literature, research and advancement in the fields of (NIMS), firefighting, fire apparatus and equipment.
• Work irregular hours including weekends, holidays and extended hours in emergency, disaster or other situations influences by workload or staffing difficulties.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Operation, maintenance and uses of modern firefighting apparatus and equipment.
• Participate in providing the full range of emergency medical services and is a variety of specialized medical equipment to level of EMS certification attained.
• The geography of the city and surrounding area.
• Interpret and apply state and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.

Working Conditions/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 position's essential functions.

• Moving equipment and injured/deceased persons.
• Walking, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
• Participating in fire suppression activities
• Running, walking, crouching, or crawling during emergency operations.
• Climbing stairs/ladders
• Operating assigned equipment.
• Performing lifesaving and rescue procedures.
• Work requires employee physically present, and on time, as scheduled
• Wearing assigned protective clothing and equipment.

Additional Information

Occupational Risk:

• Intense heat
• Fumes and smoke
• Extremely loud noises
• Electrical hazards
• Confined or high workplaces
• Hazardous chemicals and materials
• Natural and man-made disasters
• Hazards of emergency driving
• Dangerous animals
• Hazards associated with traffic control and working in and near traffic

A firefighter shall perform duties as directed by higher-ranking officers of the Weslaco Fire Department. A Firefighter shall participate in emergency and non-emergency service delivery, fire prevention and fire safety education programs, and routine activities and duties as defined by Fire Department standard operating guidelines or as assigned by a higher-ranking officer. A Firefighter assigned to the Suppression Division will work a standard 24-hour shift schedule.

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