Job Details

The City of Twin Falls will be conducting an open testing for the position of Firefighter.  This testing will be conducted to establish a pool of qualified candidates from which future vacancies may be filled.  Please review the attached information and, if interested, submit the following items to the Human Resources Office by Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

1. Online City of Twin Falls Application for Employment, (available at the following link Firefighter),with résumé including a complete history of your education, work experience, special training, and a copy of current NREMT or Idaho State EMT certification.
2. A non-refundable $20.00 Testing Fee in the form of cash, check, or money order.

Qualifications

Applicants must be 18 at the time of application.  The position requires a high school diploma or equivalency; a valid driver’s license; and current NREMT certification or Idaho State EMT certification.

In addition, candidates should demonstrate good written and oral communication skills, problem solving ability, and can work and live with peers while on a 48-hour rotating shift; perform heavy physical labor under adverse and demanding conditions; and reside within 40 miles of the center of Twin Falls, defined as the intersection of Main Avenue and Shoshone Street, within 15 months of employment.

The successful applicant must pass the Twin Falls Fire Department skills test and become IFSAC Certified Firefighter level 1 within a specified period following employment.  Failure to do so may be cause for termination.

Applicants may be eliminated during any phase of the testing process.

Selection Process:

Physical Fitness Assessment                                          Background Check

Written Assessment                                                        Oral Interview Board

Fitness-For-Duty Psychological                                     Fire Chief Interview

Medical Examination and Drug Screen                        

DETAILS OF THE SELECTION PROCESS

ONLINE WRITTEN ASSESSMENT – Tentatively scheduled for January 9th – January 23rd

All candidates will complete an online written assessment.  Candidates will be notified of more details following the completion of the Personal Evaluation Profile.  Should any applicant require accommodation, please provide your request to the Human Resources office along with your application.

The written exam consists of multiple-choice questions that have been designed to test your ability to comprehend written material, mechanical diagrams, and mathematics.  Specific knowledge of firefighting techniques is not required.  An appropriate cutoff score will be established based on the number of applicants and actual test scores.

ORAL BOARD INTERVIEW – Scheduled for February 5th and February 6th 

Those individuals falling within the established range for the written assessment will be assigned a time for a Microsoft Teams video interview.

PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST AND CHIEF’S INTERVIEW – Scheduled for February 24th

Following the oral board interview, selected candidates will be invited on-site for the physical agility test.  Please see the “Summary of Fire Fighter Physical Fitness Test” at the end of the packet for more details.

Upon successful completion of the physical fitness assessment, candidates will be scheduled for a final interview with the Fire Chief.

FITNESS-FOR-DUTY PSYCHOLOGICAL – Scheduled for the week of February 26th

After receiving a conditional letter of hire, the top candidates will complete an online fitness-for-duty psychological.

THE CITY OF TWIN FALLS

The City of Twin Falls is located in the heart of the Magic Valley with a population of 53,213.  Twin Falls is governed under the Council-Manager form of city government, combining the political leadership of seven elected city council members with the managerial experience of the City Manager.  Approximately 325 regular employees provide service to the City with a 2023/2024 budget of $94,275,337.  From service maintenance to officials and administrators, all employees play an important role in the City’s commitment to innovation and excellence. Through teamwork, understanding, and dedication, the City takes great pride in its ability to provide quality services to its citizens.

Mission Statement of the City of Twin Falls -- Our mission, as stewards of the public trust, is to meet the current and future needs of the community, promote citizen involvement, preserve our heritage, conserve and protect our social and physical resources, and enhance the quality of life in Twin Falls.

TWIN FALLS FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Twin Falls Fire Department is a progressive all-hazards response organization.  This includes an active technician level Rope Rescue Team trained in high angle rescue and confined space rescue; a technician level Hazardous Materials Response Team; an operations level Trench Rescue Team; wildland/urban interface firefighting; Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF); technician level vehicle extrication; and Basic Life Support EMS and fire protection for the City of Twin Falls and the surrounding Rural Fire Protection District. 

Our stations include a main fire station, two new substations, a regional fire training center, and an airport substation.  This coverage encompasses approximately 75 square miles.  The department has 48 regular employees consisting of a Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Administrative Assistant, Fire Marshal, Part-Time Fire Inspector, Training Officer, three Battalion Chiefs, nine Captains, 12 Drivers/Operators, and 19 Firefighters.  Major equipment includes a 100’ Pierce Velocity aerial platform pumper, three mainline pumpers, one reserve pumper, three brush trucks, two aircraft rescue firefighting apparatus (ARFF), two 3,000-gallon water tenders, and a BLS medical aid unit.

As of December 1, 2023, the department recorded a total of 5,916 incidents within the City and the Rural Fire Protection District.

THE POSITION

Under the direction of an assigned Battalion Chief or Fire Captain, a firefighter must learn proper methods for the suppression of fire and the use of firefighting apparatus through class work, drills and self-study; train in all phases of emergency response; assist in the elimination of fire-related emergencies; maintain fire stations and equipment; participate in fire prevention, pre-emergency planning, inspection, and public education programs; and perform all job-related activities as assigned.

SALARY – Rates effective October 1, 2023

Probationary Firefighter

• EMT Basic Certification
• $4,106

Firefighter 1

• 1 year in position & IFSAC Firefighter 1
• $4,434

Firefighter 2

• 2 years with TFFD & IFSAC Firefighter 1 & 2 & Swing Up
• $5,050

Senior Firefighter

• 8 years with TFFD & Fire Officer 1
• $5,265

BENEFITS

Below is a general overview of the benefits provided; a full and complete explanation of benefits is provided upon employment.

• Medical insurance through SelectHealth (subject to the provision of the Wellness Program) is provided for the employee and dependents, effective the first of the month following approximately 60 days of employment. We currently offer a High Deductible Plan with a Health Savings Account. Depending on participation in the wellness program, co-pays for insurance vary from $0.00 to $440.00 monthly.
• Dental Insurance is offered through Delta Dental or Willamette Dental at no expense for the employee, effective the same day as the health insurance.  Dependent coverage is available at the employee’s option and expense.
• Life Insurance coverage in the amount of $25,000 for the employee is provided at no cost.  The employee may purchase additional coverage.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Retirement plan through PERSI (Public Employees Retirement System of Idaho).
• Fire department personnel do not pay into the federal Social Security system and do not earn credit towards that benefit. In lieu of payment into Social Security, Fire department personnel that choose to contribute a minimum of 1% of their salary to the PERSI Choice plan will receive a 6.2% contribution by the City on your behalf into your account.
• Medical and Vacation Leave
• Eligible to participate in a Medical Expense Retirement Plan
• Holiday Pay (Firefighters have additional hours added to their vacation balance in lieu of the holiday benefit.)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Following completion of the in-house training academy, firefighters are assigned to a shift.  Each shift works a rotating schedule consisting of 48 hours on duty followed by 96 hours off duty.  All new City employees serve a 12-month introductory period and the City is an at-will employer.  All City of Twin Falls public safety employees are subject to random drug testing.  Terms and conditions of employment can be changed depending on cost, funding, and overall policy direction.

PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT

The minimum fitness standards are described below as well as in Appendix A.  The ideal recruit will exceed these standards.  This test is quite physically demanding.  Applicants are encouraged to check with their physician if any reservations as to physical ability exist.  The test will be administered regardless of weather conditions, so please dress accordingly.

Push-ups.  Minimum passing 25 in 60 seconds.

Sit-ups.  Minimum passing 25 in 90 seconds.

Pull-ups.  Minimum passing 1 with no time limit.

Two-mile timed run.  Maximum allotted time 18:00 minutes.
 

DEPARTMENT SKILLS TEST

The Department Skills test is described below, applicants must pass this skills test as part of successfully completing the introductory period of employment.

1. Climb a ladder (ladder truck), which is extended approximately 50 feet from the ground.  Using a provided utility rope, pull a hose roll that is approximately 25 pounds from the ground and into the ladder truck’s bucket.  Proceed back down the ladder to the ground.
2. Carry a bundle of hose weighing approximately 75 pounds for a distance of 300 feet.  Then drag a dummy weighing approximately 175 pounds for a distance of 100 feet.
3. Pull sections of the hose a distance of 100 feet and couple them with a fixed connection (male/female connection).

DEFINITIONS: The following exercise guidelines will be used for consistency in testing.

   Pushup

1.  The start position begins with the elbows locked straight. Hands should be approximately shoulder width apart and flat against the ground. Toes should be on the ground.  The torso and legs should be straight with the core tight and not sagging.
2. The chest is lowered to a position below the elbows.  A tight, rigid body (plank position) should be maintained.  This posture must be maintained for each repetition.  Rounding of the back is not allowed.
3. Once in the lowered position, straighten the elbows, squeezing the pectoral muscles until the elbows are completely locked straight.
4. Repeat.

Pull-up

1. To begin, the bar must be grasped with both palms facing either forward or to the rear, arms fully extended beneath the bar, feet free from touching the ground or any bar mounting assist, and the body is motionless.  Legs may be positioned in a straight or bent position, but may not be raised above the waist.
2. Raise the body with the arms until the chin is above the bar.  (A certain amount of inherent body movement will occur as the pull-up is executed.  However, the intent is to perform a dead-hang pull-up.  Whipping, kicking, kipping of the body or legs, or any leg movement used to assist in the vertical progression of the pull-up is not allowed.)
3. Lower the body until the arms are fully extended.
4. Repeat

   Sit-up

1.  Lie supine on a flat surface with both shoulder blades touching the surface, knees bent, and both feet flat on the surface.
2.   Arms will be folded across the chest or rib cage with no gap existing between the arms and chest/rib cage.  (Both arms must remain in constant contact with the chest/rib cage throughout the exercise).  An assistant may be used to hold the legs or feet, at or below the knees in whatever manner is most comfortable for the participant.
3. Raise the upper body from the starting position until both forearms and elbows simultaneously touch the thighs.  (The buttocks will remain in constant contact with the surface throughout the exercise.  No arching of the lower back or lifting of the buttocks will be allowed).
4. Lower back down to the starting position ending with both shoulder blades touching the surface.
5. Repeat.