Job Description

Posting number: 26 - Lat Firefighter (27-1)

Department: Fire

Job classification: Lateral Firefighter

Posting type: Open

Categories: Fire & EMS

Summary

The City of Bellingham is now accepting Experienced Firefighter and Experienced Firefighter/Paramedic applications for the January 2027 Academy. Join the Bellingham Fire Department and support our mission of helping people every day!

Firefighters provide emergency assistance and protective services to citizens. They are trained and equipped to protect life and property threatened by disaster, fire, explosion, hazardous materials, illness, accidents and other hazards. Activities include emergency prevention, emergency and non-emergency response, fire code enforcement, building inspections, training and drill and maintenance of apparatus, equipment, fire station and grounds. They perform a wide range of emergency work under adverse environmental and strenuous physical conditions. There is frequent potential for exposure to toxic chemicals, extreme heat, and infectious disease which require the use of protective equipment such as heat resistant clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and medical masks, gloves and gowns.

Firefighters may be required to drive fire apparatus or medical units and perform special firefighting, pre-hospital medical care, rescue work or other skills acquired by work experience and specialized training programs. Firefighters are subject to shift work and off-duty recall for major emergencies.

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SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Starting 2026 wages for Lateral Firefighter:

1. Experienced Firefighter - $9,037 (Step 3)
2. Experienced Firefighter with Paramedic License - $9,037/mo plus $1,016.40/mo Engine Medic Premium until placed as Paramedic. Paramedic Premium is $1,524.60/mo. Engine Medic Pay will be removed if they fail to pass the BFD evaluation process.

The 2026 full monthly salary for Firefighter is $8,012 /mo - $10,164/mo. Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) 106 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 144 hours of vacation leave upon hire + 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 6 shifts off incorporated into the work schedule in lieu of holidays
• 456 hours of sick leave upon hire + monthly accruals based on assigned schedule
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (LEOFF) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals and require employees to be paid status at least 96 hours/month.

Closing Date/Time: Fri. 10/16/2026 4:30 PM Pacific Time

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Responds to fires and other emergencies. Places equipment; lays and connects hose; operates high capacity pumps and directs water streams; raises and climbs ladders; uses chemical extinguishers, safety belts, lines and hooks; uses self-contained breathing apparatus; performs ventilation tasks above ground; and performs salvage and overhaul operations. Uses ropes, harnesses, carabiners, and anchors for special rescue situations. Identifies, isolates and mitigates hazardous material incidents.
2. Provides basic and/or advanced life support medical assistance to citizens in non-emergency and emergency situations where life may be endangered. Sets up and operates equipment such as resuscitator, inhalator, oxygen, and cardiac monitor, defibrillation equipment, intravenous solution and medications.
3. Maintains contact with communications center and Department to report initial observations, progress on handling incidents, and receive orders and instruction on handling event(s). Utilizes the incident command system.
4. As qualified and appropriate to the incident, drives fire apparatus, drives medical or aid vehicles or pilots fire boat. Determines appropriate response routes to the emergency. Transports patients to hospitals or other destinations.
5. Conducts inspection of residential, commercial and industrial buildings for possible hazards and violations of fire code requirements. May issue correction notices as directed by the Captain. Participates in the development of pre-incident plans on how to handle fire and medical emergencies at various businesses and facilities.
6. Participates in the development and delivery of emergency prevention programs.
7. Responds to various service calls providing assistance to citizens in situations that are not life threatening, such as requests for physical assistance, flooded basements, and complaints about unsafe or illegal burning.
8. Participates in company and battalion training program and drill exercises. Instructs job skills to others. Researches, compiles, organizes and presents information at training and drill sessions.
9. Periodically tests facility, equipment, apparatus and fire protection systems and maintains records of test information.
10. Performs general and preventative maintenance on apparatus, equipment and facilities to ensure proper function and reliability.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

1. Performs administrative and technical support activities for Fire Administration on a regular or special project basis.
2. Prepares and maintains reports and records within assigned area of responsibility.
3. Performs other related duties as assigned.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment includes 24-hour shift work including weekends and holidays. Work is performed at fire stations, on various apparatus, on the drill ground and at different emergency scenes. Performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions may require strenuous exertion in environments with limited visibility, exposure to hazardous or toxic chemicals and gases, extremes in temperature, cramped surroundings, exposed heights and in and around water. Firefighters also work with citizens experiencing a wide range of emotions (rage, grief, confusion, etc.) as a result of an emergency. There is frequent potential for exposure to toxic chemicals, extreme heat, and infectious disease which require the use of protective equipment.

Physical ability to perform job, including:

• Carry hose bundle of approximately 50 pounds and don personal protection and firefighting equipment weighing approximately 70 pounds to the scene of an emergency (sometimes to upper floors of businesses, apartments and hotels).
• Lay and operate hose lines (160 pounds per 50 feet of hose with 100 pounds of nozzle pressure).
• Stabilize and lift patients with backboard and cot.
• Carry, place and extend ladders in training and in emergencies.
• Operate power equipment such as a chain saw, portable generator, hydraulic jaws, smoke ejector, etc.
• Set up and operate master streams and aerial ladder pipes.
• While wearing protective clothing, performs heavy labor such as chopping, shoveling, moving furniture, equipment and merchandise.

Examples of duties

• Must have received a high school diploma or G. E. D.
• Candidates must not have smoked tobacco products for a minimum of 24 months prior to application to be considered for employment as a firefighter.
• Two years of full-time, paid experience as a structural firefighter with an agency responsible for residential and commercial fire responses, at least one year of which must have been within the last three years.
• Graduate of a recruit academy and/or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Firefighter I certification. Documentation of completion or certification required.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age.
• Must be a U. S. citizen, deferred action for childhood arrivals recipient, or a registered permanent resident able to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).
• Employment contingent upon the following:
• Employment contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug test. (This position is considered a safety sensitive position; therefore, the pre-employment drug test includes testing for marijuana. Positive test results will exclude an applicant from being hired).
• Passing a medical evaluation.
• Passing a swim test, demonstrating the ability to swim at a distance, tread water, and retrieve a submerged weight.
• Passing a criminal convictions check, child and adult abuse records check, and local background check with no felony convictions within the last seven years.
• Misdemeanor convictions will also be reviewed. A misdemeanor conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant but offenses within the last seven years may, by their nature and recentness, reveal a lack of specific qualifications for the position.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and good driving record. Candidates must submit a three-year driving abstract prior to hire.
• No record of driver’s license suspension or revocation in any state within the last three years.
• Must possess or obtain a Washington State Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention (EVAP) certification within 90 days of initial hire.
• Must possess Washington State EMT certification or have ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Willingness and ability to work at considerable heights (up to 100 feet) on a ladder.

Driver/Engineer assignment:

• Completion of departmental training and certification as Driver/Engineer.

Advanced Life Support:

• Certification as a paramedic in Washington State with Whatcom County MPD approval is required to provide advanced life support services.

Supplemental information

** You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along.** Please review the Frequently Asked Questions for helpful tips about our process.

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City’s commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.

Step 1- Applicants interested in this position must complete an application through NEOGOV. Please attach copies of all relevant certifications to your application.

*A current valid CPAT certification must be attached and will be accepted from NTN or another agency licensed by the IAFF/IAFC as a licensed CPAT provider. CPAT testing must be completed and certification issued between October 17, 2025 and October 16, 2026. Proof of CPAT must be attached to your City of Bellingham application. We will accept CPAT certifications until 4:30PM on the closing date, October 16, 2026. Applications missing CPAT certifications will be marked incomplete.

Step 2- Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around October 19, 2026.

Step 3- Experience and Training Rating: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Rating. Candidates must achieve a passing score of 60% or greater on the Experience and Training Rating to move to the next step. Applicant status will be updated on or around October 27, 2026.

Step 4- Oral Board Interview: All candidates that pass the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for November 5, 2026. Oral Board Interviews will be conducted in person. Candidates must achieve a 60% on the oral board to pass.

Applicants will be notified via email of their Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following: Supplemental Question Review (40%) and Oral Board Interview (60%), plus Veteran's preference.

Step 5- The most qualified candidates will be invited to a Chief's Interview scheduled for the week of November 30, 2026. Candidates will be required to appear in person to participate in the Chief's Interviews.

Step 6- Conditional offers of employment will be issued to the most qualified applicants and background and reference checks will begin shortly following Chief’s Interviews. Candidates will be required to participate in pre-employment screenings, including a medical exam and swim test, in Bellingham sometime between December 3 - December 31, 2026. Candidates will not be required to stay in Bellingham for the full duration of that time period but must be available to complete the medical exam and swim test in Bellingham during that period.

Step 7- January 19, 2027- Successful candidates will begin Firefighter Recruit Academy.

The City of Bellingham anticipates hiring up to 12 Firefighters (Entry/Lateral) for the January 2027 Academy. This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:

Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.