Job Description

Rescue Ready Recruit (Firefighter Trainee 40, RR)
Fire Rescue Division

Pay grade 99
Non-exempt

$16.08/ hour

Required info session: July 8th, 2026 @2pm. PCFR Training Facility 41 Vaughn Road, Winter Haven, FL 33880

Kindly submit documentation for the bolded items in 'Minimum Qualifications' when applying.

***Thispositionisnotcoveredbyacollectivebargainingagreement ***

**Thispositionrequiresaphysicalability/agilitytest**

*Thispositionrequiresadditionalcertificationstobeobtainedwithinadefinedtimeframe*

Musthavethephysical,developmentalandmentalabilitytoperformjobtasks,workefforts, responsibilitiesanddutiesofthejobillustrated.Thejobhereinprovidesforthe rangeofdutiestobeperformedforthisposition.Itisnotintendedtoreflectalldutiesthatare required within this position.

MAJOR FUNCTION

Responsibletechnicalandskilledwork/apprenticeshipinthe firerescuefield,workingandstudyingto completetherequiredtrainingprogram(s)andgainpracticalexperiencenecessarytobecomeaState of Florida certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), firefighter and paramedic.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

AttendsandparticipatesintrainingclassesforEMT,andrelatedsubjects,such as:

• EmergencyResponseTraining:Participateinclassroominstructionandhands-ontraininginfirefighting techniques, equipment operation, and emergency medical care.

• PhysicalFitness:Participateinphysicalfitnesstrainingtomeetthephysicaldemandsoffirefightingand emergency response tasks.

• TeamCollaboration:TrainwithexperiencedEMTs,firefighters,paramedics,andofficerstodevelop teamwork and effective communication skills.

• ComplianceandSafety:FollowPolkCountyFireRescue(PCFR)policies,standardoperatingprocedures (SOPs),andsafetyprotocolsduringallactivities.Studyandperformskillsindefensivedriving methods.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Workmayrequireliftingveryheavyweightsoccasionally,heavyweightsfrequentlyandmoderate weights constantly.

• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

• Analyzesituationsquicklyandobjectivelyanddeterminethepropercourseofaction.

• React quickly and calmly under emergency conditions.

• Learnandefficientlyperformawidevarietyoffirefightingandemergencymedicalcareduties, methods and techniques.

• Climbstairsinmultistorybuildingscarryingheavytoolsand equipment.

• Learnandperformphysicallydemandingduties,suchascarryingvictimsand/orheavyequipment.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by the job.

• Understandandexecutecomplexoralandwritteninstructions quickly.

• Workasapartofateam,supportingandassistingPCFRpersonnelandothercountypersonnelas instructed.

• Exercisesound,independentjudgmentas required.

• Abilitytocopewithstressfulsituationsfirmly,courteouslyandtactfully,andwithrespectfortherights of others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

MustmeetallrequirementsforRescueReadyRecruitSponsorshipProgramandmeetallrequirementsto be employed by PCFR which includes:

• Graduateofanaccreditedhighschoolorpossessanacceptableequivalency diploma.

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Certifiesunderoaththatindividualisnotaddictedtoalcoholoranycontrolled substance.

• Certifiesunderoaththatindividualisfreefromanyphysicalormentaldefectordiseasethatmight impair his/her ability to drive an ambulance and perform his/her duties.

• MustbeaPolkCounty,Florida,residentcontinuouslyforthetwo(2)yearspriortoapplicationforthis position.

• Musthaveavaliddriver'slicenseandbeabletosecureavalidFloridadriver'slicenseatthetimeof employment within this classification

• Mustcompleteaphysicalabilitytestelectedby PCFR.

• Termsofeducationalrequirementsarelistedinamandatoryagreementbetweentheemployeeand PCFR (firefighter and paramedic).

• Mustpassadrugscreeningtest,medicalscreening,criminalbackgroundcheckandphysiological exam.

• Meetthefollowingdrivinghistory requirements:

  1. Havenotaccrued12pointswithin36monthsor18pointswithin48 months.

  2. Havenotbeenconvictedonalcohol/drugrelatedoffenseswithin36 months.

  3. Havenotbeenconvictedoftwo(2)alcohol/drugrelatedoffenseswithin10 years.

  4. Havenothadasuspension,revocation,orrestrictionduetomovingviolationsor alcohol/drugrelatedproblem,includingfailuretotakeabreathtestwithinthe36 months prior.

  5. Havenothadtwo(2)failurestopayfineswithin36 months.

  6. Havenothadtwo(2)seatbeltviolationswithin36 months.

  7. Havenothadthree(3)lapsesofinsurancewithin36 months.

  8. Noserioustrafficviolationssuchasleavingthesceneordrivingonasuspended license within 36 months.

  9. Mustprovideproofofinsurancewhenrequiredtousetheirpersonalvehicleaspart of their daily job duties.

• Must obtain and maintain Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Awareness certification through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Employees hired into this position after Jan. 1, 2013, must obtain and maintain this certification as a condition of employment.

• Applicant/employeeshallbefingerprintedandsubjecttopersonalbackgroundinvestigationprocedures toascertainanevaluationanddeterminationofmoralcharacteraccordingtoChapter69A-37Firefighters Standards and Training.

• Maysignamemorandumofunderstanding(MOU)acknowledgingtherisksanddangersassociatedwith the firefighter and/or EMT role.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Recruitsmust successfully completethe following requirements

• National Registry EmergencyMedicalTechnician Certification

• State of Florida EmergencyMedicalTechnician License

• State of Florida Firefighter Certification of Compliance

• Anyone hired under this job description has the following paramedic requirements:

  1) Enrollment to paramedic school within 12 months of the hire date or first available class.

  2) Completion of paramedic school within 13 months after enrollment.

  This means the total time of completion is 25 months.

***Management has the right to extend any of the requirements based on the availability of paramedic school and / or paramedic orientation.

***Failure to successfully complete any of the above certificates/licensures shall result in termination of employment.

Upon completion of obtaining their Florida State certified Emergency Medical Technician Certification and Florida State Fire Certificate the recruit will then enroll in the next available course to complete the terms of their employment agreement.

All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its residents.