Oak Creek Fire Protection District

Fire Captain Job Announcement

Job Title: Captain

Location: Oak Creek Colorado

Number of Positions: 1

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Compensation:  Annual compensation $82,500 to $107,500 (Step 5) DOE (OCFPD utilizes a step program all employees must follow for salary increases).

Employees will receive a 30% per hour differential payment for wildland deployments.

Work Hours:  OCFPD typically works a 48/96 shift structure.

This position is also a Wildland Deployment Position.  This means employees may be assigned to wildland fires both in and out of the fire district.  Employees must be able to be away from home for up to 30 days at a time (this includes travel time).

Paid Time Off:  The Position earns paid time off as well as sick time.

Retirement Benefits:  This position qualifies for Colorado FPPA retirement benefits.  Employees contribute 12% and OCFPD matches 10%. 

After being employed for a one-year period the employee may elect to purchase additional time served. See the FPPA website or talk with an FPPA representative for details.

Employees are vested after a 5-year period.

Temporary housing options are available.

Insurance:  Oak Creek Fire Protection provides full medical, dental, vision, disability, and death insurance.

Family members can be added to the employee’s policy.  The cost of additional family members will be deducted from the employee’s payroll (pre-tax).

Position Summary:

This is a career position with the Oak Creek Fire Protection District.

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification. Shown are duties intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

1. Provide an environment through leadership and example where customer service is the highest priority company activity.
2. Supervise employees and coordinate personnel-related activities to include, but not limited to: training, recommending/approving personnel actions, coaching and counseling, establishing performance goals, and writing performance evaluations.
3. Recommend and assist in the implementation of District goals and objectives.
4. Implement and positively reinforce District policies and procedures.
5. Respond to emergency medical scenes, fire incidents, and other related emergency requests. While wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), may be required to perform firefighting tasks (e.g. hose line operations, climbing, crawling, lifting, and carrying heavy objects, ventilating roofs or walls, forcible entry, etc.) rescue operations, and other emergency response actions.
6. Direct and coordinate emergency scene activity to include the laying of hose lines, the placement of ladders, directing the pressure and use of water streams, ventilation procedures, salvage operations, and overhaul activities unless and until relieved of command by a supervisor.
7. Communicate (give and comprehend verbal orders) while wearing personal protective equipment and SCBA under conditions of high background noise, poor visibility, and drenching from hose lines and/or fixed protection systems (sprinklers).
8. Supervise and render first aid at an emergency medical incident.
9. Direct the continuous maintenance of quarters, equipment, and apparatus at assigned fire stations according to District standards.
10. Write reports of all fires and related emergency activities and reports concerning the use and condition of apparatus, related equipment, and supplies.
11. Identify training needs, supervise, and instruct classes and drills in firefighting and emergency medical service techniques, including such areas as driving and operating equipment, the use of tools, techniques of firefighting, first aid, rescuing, and hydraulics to ensure minimum company standards are maintained.
12. Participate in budget preparation; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations.
13. Submit justifications for needed equipment, and monitor and control expenditures.
14. Provide assistance to personnel under stress due to incidents and provide company training.
15. Conduct fire prevention inspections and educate the public about fire prevention.
16. Work with other management staff in maintaining and improving the operation of the District.
17. Operate emergency response vehicles.
18. Perform other job duties and job tasks as assigned by upper-level supervisory staff.

Evaluation Period

All new employees will be evaluated during their first 12 months of employment (lateral applicants with adequate experience may qualify for a 6-month probation period, during probation compensation will be equal to a step lower than their lateral step).  This evaluation period will begin after the employee completes the 2-week conditional employment period.  The employee’s performance will be judged on their abilities to do the job as defined in this document. 

The employee will go through a complete review at the end of the evaluation period.  The review will identify if the employee is to be released from employment, have the evaluation period extended to accomplish needed training and evaluation, or successful completion of the evaluation period.

The probationary period may be shortened or lengthened depending on the employee’s performance and acquisition of required certifications.

Employment At-Will

It is Oak Creek Fire Protection District’s policy that employees are employed at the will of OCFPD and the employee (“at-will” employment).  Thus, either employees or OCFPD may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason not prohibited by law, with or without cause or notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oak Creek Fire Protection District is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Minimum Employment Requirements

The following are conditions of employment:

*Indicates requirements before the hire date

** Indicates must pass within 14 days of hire date

·       *Minimum 5 years experience or Equivalent

·       *Minimum 2 years of higher education or Equivalent

·       *Colorado or Equivalent Firefighter I & II Certification

·       *Colorado or Equivalent HazMat Operations Certification

·       *NREMT EMT-B (Colorado License within 60 days)

·       *Colorado or Equivalent Fire Officer I

NOTE: Higher levels of certification will be considered and given additional points when determining applicants’ ranking.  This includes NWCG wildland certifications.

·       *Valid Driver’s License (Must obtain a Colorado license within 30 days)

·       *Clean Driving Record

·       *Pass Criminal Background Check

·       *Pass District Structure Fitness Test (this is a pass-fail test)

·       *Pass NFPA 1582 Firefighter Medical Physical

·       *Pass Drug Test (illegal drugs and non-prescribed medication)

·       *Reference Check

·       ***Pass NWCG S130/190 Basic Wildland Firefighter Training (online certification is acceptable with a valid Field Day)

·       **Pass NWCG Fitness Pack Test [Arduous Level] (this is a pass-fail test)

·       **Obtain FEMA ICS 100,200,700,800

Employment Recruitment Proces

Structure Fitness Test

All qualified applicants will be required to take the OCFPD’s fitness test.  This test is a modified version based on the Biddle test.  A full description of the test will be provided to those applicants who qualify for the test.  In addition to the fitness test the candidate will be required to take an acrophobia test.  This test will consist of climbing a 75’ ladder at a 70-degree angle.  The candidate must climb up and down the ladder (belayed) without stopping for more than a total of 30 seconds.

Panel Interview

Qualifying candidates will participate in an interview with a panel.  The panel interviews will be held at the Stagecoach station. The panel will ask the candidate questions in various categories pertaining to the position being offered.  The candidate will be scored on the ability to answer questions correctly, attitude, demeanor, aptitude, and effective communication.  Candidates will be assigned an interview day and time after the successful completion of the fitness test.

Chief’s Interview

This interview will be used to select the candidate for a conditional job offer.  In the event the chief does not choose a candidate then the chief interview process will continue until a candidate is chosen.

Conditional Employment Period

The first two weeks of employment will be considered conditional employment.  During this time the candidate will be required to complete and pass the NWCG Pack Test (arduous), pass, complete and pass an NFPA 1582 medical physical, pass a drug test (illegal drugs and non-prescribed drugs), pass a background check, reference check, and provide a clean DMV driving record.

NWCG 130/190/L180, Pack Test, and FEMA ICS Certifications

During the first 14 days of conditional employment, candidates selected for employment will need to complete an NWCG Pack Test (arduous).  Candidates will be required to wear a 45-pound vest and walk a three-mile course in 45 minutes or less.  This is a pass-fail test.  If the selected candidate cannot pass this test prior to the conditional employment period, then the candidate will be terminated. If the candidate does not already have current S130/190/L180 wildland certifications and FEMA ICS 100/200/700/800, they will be required to complete these courses within the first 14 days of employment.

NFPA 1582 Medical Physical

During the conditional employment period, the candidate will complete an NFPA 1582 medical physical examination at OCFPD’s expense.  This medical physical will consist of medical health history, physical examination, blood analysis (complete metabolic and lipid profile), urinalysis, infectious disease screening (tuberculosis and hepatitis), pulmonary function test, chest x-ray, EKG and cardiac risk assessment, cancer screening, audiometric exam, vision testing, vaccination review.  Failure to pass this examination will result in termination.

Drug Test

During the medical examination the candidate will have a drug test.  This drug test will test for illegal or non-prescribed drug use.  A failure of this test will result in the candidate being terminated.

Background Check

A criminal background check will be completed on each candidate.  All candidates are encouraged to be forthcoming and not try to hide any issues with the law.  Failure of this background check will be grounds for termination.

Reference Check

The district will contact all references as well as preference employers to ascertain candidates’ accuracy of application as well as their ability to perform this job.

DMV Driving Record

OCFPD will need a complete drivers record from the DMV before or during the conditional employment period.  Records that include excessive speeding tickets, reckless driving, are any other instance of unsafe driving practices will be grounds for termination.

Applying For Position

All interested candidates for this position will need to send a cover letter and complete resume.  A resume is considered complete if it includes work history with previous employers contact information.  If you do not want us to contact a previous employer, please explain why. List of education, training, and certifications (do not include copies of certifications at this time). At least three references with complete contact information.  Send cover letter and resume to join@oakcreekfire.org .