Firefighter - Lateral

About the Role

The Liberty County Board of Commissioners is seeking qualified applicants for the full-time position of Lateral Firefighter within the Fire Rescue Department. This position requires a minimum of one (1) year of firefighting experience with a career fire department, and candidates must be currently employed with a career fire department in good standing, having served within the last ninety (90) days. The Lateral Firefighter will initially be assigned to the Training Division for a one-to-two-week evaluation. Upon successful completion of the evaluation, the firefighter will be assigned to a station in the Operations Division, working a 48/96 shift schedule.

Responsibilities

• Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Performs firefighting duties, including fire suppression, containment, and extinguishment; rescues fire and accident victims; provides emergency medical care (within scope of practice); and identifies hazardous materials incidents.
• Maintains and inspects equipment and apparatus to ensure constant readiness for emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Provides fire prevention information to the public for fire and life safety education.
• Enters data into computer programs for call reporting, equipment inventory, information sharing, and communication.
• Performs station housekeeping, building maintenance, and groundskeeping duties.
• Operates department vehicles, including passenger vehicles and fire apparatus, in emergency and non-emergency modes, in response to calls for service, routine work assignments, and training.
• Remains subject to recall and/or holdover for minimum staffing and emergency events.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Intermittently sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, or stooping.
• Frequently lifting light objects and occasionally lifting heavy objects; climbing ladders; using tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity; and distinguishing between shades of color.
• Work environment includes office settings, very noisy environments, and outdoor conditions, occasionally in cold or inclement weather.
• Exposure to dust, dirt, grease, machinery with moving parts, contagious or infectious diseases, and irritating chemicals.
• Required use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, breathing apparatus, and gloves.

Requirements

Knowledge Required

• Fire suppression techniques and tactics; fire dynamics, behavior, science, and smoke patterns.
• Fire investigation principles and practices.
• Computers and job-related software programs.
• Local, state, and federal fire codes; local ordinances; and departmental rules and regulations.
• County geography, streets, buildings, traffic patterns, and water supply.
• First Aid, CPR, and emergency medical principles and applications.
• Hazardous materials handling and response.
• Operation and use of firefighting apparatus and equipment.
• Building construction and basic mechanics.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Skills Required

• Oral and written communication.
• Interpersonal relations.
• Decision-making and problem-solving.
• Fire investigation.
• Operation of fire equipment and apparatus.

Education & Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Valid Georgia Class C driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• Minimum of one (1) year of firefighting experience with a career fire department.
• Current employment with a career fire department in good standing, having served within the last ninety (90) days.
• Ability to meet current requirements set forth by the National Fire Protection Association and the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Act.

Certifications

Required Certifications:

• Firefighter I
• Hazmat Awareness
• Hazmat Operations
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Card (American Heart Association)
• Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
• Current NIMS 100, 200, 700, and 800

Preferred Certifications:

• Firefighter II
• EMT-Basic or higher
• Current NIMS G-191, 300, and 400
• Valid Georgia Class E or F driver’s license

Benefits

Liberty County government offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time permanent employees, including:

• 401(a) retirement plan with employer match
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance
• Free term life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health & wellness program

Schedule

Upon successful completion of the one-to-two-week evaluation in the Training Division, the Lateral Firefighter will be assigned to a station in the Operations Division, working a 48/96 shift schedule. Additional overtime is available.