Firefighter I - IV - Shift

CITY EQUITY STATEMENT
The City of Westminster welcomes diverse candidates from the broadest base possible. Our goal is to find the best candidate for the job-someone who belongs, not just fits. We value life and professional experiences, recognizing equivalent combinations of knowledge skills and education.

Aligned with our city SPIRIT values, the successful candidate will have a passion and commitment to serving a diverse population of residents and must respect and uphold the principles of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

We encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for this role, even if you believe you have a less traditional background than described we invite you to apply.

POSITION PURPOSE / IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

The Firefighter position consists of skilled firefighting work in combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires, providing emergency medical service, and treating and transporting medical patients. Work involves protection of life and property through firefighting and rescue activities. Work is performed under and evaluated by a Company Officer. This is a commissioned, safety sensitive position. Line personnel for the City of Westminster Fire Department currently work a 48/96 (48 hours on, 96 hours off) schedule.

In order to be considered for the position, a current copy (issued within the last 30 days) of your state-issued motor vehicle record must be attached to your online application. This record must be a State-issued document and not obtained through a third-party vendor. DO NOT attach copies of other certifications or documents at this time.

The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage, and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee’s level of proficiency and usage. Additionally, new firefighters hired for the 2026 spring academy may earn up to an additional $3,120, depending on the employee’s fluency as listed above. This bonus is a one-time incentive and would be paid after testing for competency through the City and in conjunction with City policies.

The hiring salary for this position is $25.88 per hour, or $75,362.56 annually . The full 2026 salary range and progression for the position of Firefighter is listed below:

• Fire Trainee $78,208.00
• Firefighter I $78,208.00
• Firefighter II $83,782.40
• Firefighter III $94,952.00
• Firefighter IV $111,716.80

Firefighter recruits that hold a current, valid State of Colorado EMT-P license will be paid at the salary for Fire Paramedic upon successful completion of, and graduation from, the fire academy. Fire Paramedic Job Description . The 2026 Fire Paramedic salary is $125,099.52 annually.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES AND CULTURAL VALUES/GENERAL COMPETENCIES

The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service - People - Integrity - Respect - Innovation - Teamwork).

This position promotes the mission and values of the City of Westminster by supporting the goals of the Fire Department, which is responsible for: providing timely emergency response to fire and emergency medical calls; ensuring the safety of personnel, citizens, and visitors to the community; and educating residents and business owners on fire safety, emergency medical prevention, and emergency preparedness.

Every employee is accountable to:

• Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
• Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
• Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
• Exhibit pride in self, the department, the City, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
• Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior
• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
• Support and promote change; demonstrate flexibility, and take calculated risks when appropriate
• Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
• Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
• Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
• Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences

GENERAL COMPETENCIES
Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:

• Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses, and target areas for personal self-development
• Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
• Achieve goals, handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
• Demonstrate accountability for work, and take ownership in job performance
• Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product

Job Specific - Every employee in this position must be able to:

• Control vehicles in routine and emergency situations
• Lay and connect hose lines, direct water streams from nozzles, and use fire extinguishers, ropes, and other fire service equipment
• Adapt quickly to changing situations
• Learn to skillfully operate Fire Department apparatus routinely and during emergency situations
• Learn a variety of firefighting duties, evolutions, and methods within a reasonable training period
• Learn emergency medical procedures, protocols and techniques
• Raise and climb ladders, work at heights, work in cramped and confined quarters, and work in adverse conditions
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public
• Adapt to fire station environment and living arrangements with other employees
• Assimilate well with all personnel on both professional and interpersonal levels
• Understand written and oral instructions
• Meet and pass Department physical fitness requirements
• Perform arduous tasks under strenuous and adverse conditions
• Act without direct supervision, and exercise independent judgment in handling emergency situations
  
  

JOB SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS

Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks Effectively responds to and maintains composure during emergency situations, including:

• suppressing fire
• removing people from danger
• administering emergency medical assistance

Demonstrates initiative, remains productive, and strives to improve skills, including:

• participating in training focusing on areas including instruction and drills in firefighting, fire prevention, emergency medical services and rescue, and other related subjects
• comprehending new information and applying newly acquired knowledge to make prompt and effective decisions during both routine and emergency situations
• maintaining physical conditioning and fitness standards to demonstrate the ability to meet strenuous physical demands
• maintaining a general high level of physical and mental fitness and participating in the Department’s physical fitness program, which requires being tested at least once per year

Ensures the safety of the public, including:

• maintaining all required certifications
• participating in fire hazard inspections and pre-planning surveys of residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional structures
• assisting in department training programs and public education programs
• performing clean-up and salvage operations by ventilating buildings, placing salvage covers, decreasing water damage, removing debris, and other overhaul techniques

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, fire department officials, and other City personnel, by:

• complying with City and Departmental rules and regulations
• following orders
• accepting advice and constructive criticism with a positive attitude
• learning from the experience of others
• adhering to an exemplary code of conduct while on and off duty
• working with minimal supervision
• demonstrating reliability, punctuality, and accuracy
• accepting that work is reviewed through observation, performance in emergency situations, evaluations, conferences, and on the ability to adapt to firefighting routines

Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills, including:

• effectively using fire department radios with clear voice projection
• writing reports that are well-organized, complete, and accurate
• using proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling
• maintaining logs and other standard fire records

Driving is essential for this position; must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain a safe driving recordMaintains regular and punctual attendance Other Duties and Responsibilities Assumes the duties of Fire Paramedic, Fire Engineer, or Fire Lieutenant if qualified and when necessaryMaintains, cleans, and repairs fire equipment, apparatus, and quarters as neededIncumbent is accountable for all duties of this job, and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion



POSITION REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS/PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses and Certifications
Required :

• Graduation from high school or GED
• At least 18 years of age
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and maintain a safe driving record
• Ability to legally work in the United States

Preferred

• State of Colorado EMT-B or EMT-P certification

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.
Physical Requirements
Must demonstrate ability to meet the physical demands of the job to include:

• Occasional use of sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility and ability to perform emergency work in various capacities; sufficient physical strength and stamina to perform emergency rescue of individuals that may be larger in stature and weight and sufficient physical stamina and strength to perform firefighting duties for extended periods of time from a sedentary or active, mobile situation on a 24-hour basis
• Occasional sitting, standing, walking, running, climbing and crawling in all weather conditions on various types of terrain in emergency situations and for routine maintenance of equipment and vehicles
• Frequent squatting, bending, kneeling, and twisting to perform emergency functions and routine maintenance of equipment and vehicles
• Occasional crawling over all types of terrain and indoor surfaces; frequent balancing on stairs, ladders, fire engines and emergency vehicles in slippery conditions; frequent reaching overhead to store supplies and equipment, and enter into high profile vehicles; frequent reaching below shoulder to store supplies and perform duties in an emergency situation
• Frequent light and firm hand grasp, fine manipulation and handling to safely use equipment and perform emergency functions
• Frequent step up/down to enter and exit high profile emergency vehicles and climb ladders and stairs; frequently actuate mechanisms to safely operate department and city vehicles
• Constant near and far binocular acuity to view potential hazards with color perception capability to use imaging devices such as, but not limited to, thermal devices and heads-up displays
• Constant hearing to follow spoken instruction and communicate with dispatch and public
• Occasional lifting, carrying and pulling of more than 100 pounds to move individuals, material and equipment
• Be physically capable to safely perform all of the essential job functions

WORKING CONDITIONS
This work is performed in all weather including catastrophic conditions such as high wind, tornados, blizzards, flooding, hail, etc. and in extreme weather conditions with temperatures below 0 degrees for extended periods, and temperatures in excess of 100 degrees for extended periods of time. Candidates must have the ability to use strength and quickness at all times. Work can include exposure to dust, fumes, loud noises, and flashing lights. Candidates must have the ability to use strength and quickness at all times. Firefighters perform hazardous tasks requiring strenuous exertion during firefighting, rescue, and emergency situations while being exposed to conditions such as extreme heat, smoke, cramped and/or hazardous surroundings.
Required Materials and Equipment
Vehicles and equipment related to firefighting which includes fire hoses, nozzles and appliances, axes, hydraulic jacks, sprinkler stops, high pressure air packs, shovels, wrenches, wyes, forcible entry tools, fire extinguishers, exhaust fans, ropes, bolt cutters, hammers, ladders, cardiac monitors, prams, backboards, all emergency medical supplies, extrication tools, and other equipment specifically related to the fire service and rescue, as well as office equipment including computer, phone, two way radio, etc. Full fire gear and general personal protective equipment for medical responses are also used.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Pass the written examination

• Pass the aerial ladder climb test (107 foot - performed immediately prior to the JSPA test)
• Pass the Job Specific Performance Assessment (JSPA)
• Pass all pre-employment interviews

• Background checks will include employment references and criminal history and when applicable, credit check, driver’s license record, and education verification
• Psychological examination
• Pre-employment drug screen
• Pre-employment physical
• Must be legally entitled to work in the United States
• Pass the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) test, background, and fingerprint check(criminal history check via fingerprint - administered immediately after hiring)

The JSPA is a physical, job specific test, simulating fire ground conditions. The test consists of several drills that require continuous movement, with the total time allowed to complete all portions being 10 minutes and 15 seconds. The candidate will complete the JSPA wearing structural firefighting gear to include a turnout coat, helmet, and gloves. Candidates will wear a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) during the test, but will not be breathing from the SCBA nor wearing the face mask. Turnout pants and boots will not be worn during the test. The candidate can wear athletic shoes and clothing.

The JSPA elements are:

• Taking two (2) saws from an engine compartment, carrying them for a short distance, then replacing them on the engine
• Moving to a 28-foot ladder that is laying on the ground with the heels against a building, and raising the ladder against the building, then re-lowering it to the ground
• Moving to a 35-foot extension ladder secured to the building, extending the ladder to its full length, locking the ladder, then unlocking it and retracting it in a controlled fashion, then locking it on the lowest rung. All actions performed with one (1) foot against the rail of the ladder and the other foot inside of a painted box on the ground
• Moving to a charged 1-3/4-inch hose, filled with water, with nozzle attached, picking the nozzle up and stretching the charged line 75 feet, then placing the nozzle on the ground
• Entering a drill tower and picking up a high-rise hose pack, consisting of a shoulder load of 55 feet of 2-1/2-inch hose with an attached pressure gauge, and a high-rise tool bag weighing approximately 43 pounds, then proceeding up five (5) flights of stairs, then setting the hose and tool bag on the floor of the fifth (5 th ) story of the tower
• Moving down the stairs to the fourth (4 th ) floor of the tower, hoisting a 2-inch hose, (dry) that is connected to a 3-inch hose (dry) with a gated wye (horizontal standpipe configuration) up from ground level by pulling up the 2-inch hose, bringing the hose onto the floor of the tower until the gated wye between the 2-inch and 3-inch sections is on the fourth (4th) floor of the tower
• Moving down the stairs and out of the tower to a mannequin, weighing approximately 175 pounds, laying outside on the ground, then picking up, pulling, dragging, lifting, or carrying the mannequin 100 feet; the test is complete, and time stops when the feet of the mannequin cross the finish line
• Constant motion is required for the JSPA; stopping at any point will constitute a failure

For a video outlining the JSPA test, access the Westminster Fire Department recruitment page Become-a-WFD-Firefighter

The City of Westminster, Colorado, is a drug free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity and aims to have its workforce reflect the community.

The City of Westminster offers a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Health and Dental
• Flexible Spending
• Deferred Compensation
• FPPA
• Term Life Insurance
• Long-term Disability
• Survivor Benefits
• Wellness Program
• Career Development Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Leave program that provides for vacation, holidays, sick leave, major illness, and on the job injury

The City of Westminster provides employees with innovative and practical ways to improve their commute through two key features, EcoPass and Commute Benefits powered by Commutrics. EcoPass provides unlimited trips on RTD's core transit services and Commute Rewards allows you to record your trips and get rewards based on your commute mode.

Closing Date/Time: 8/4/2025 8:30 AM Mountain

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• City of Westminster, Colorado

• 303-658-2150

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