Firefighter - Lateral

Job Description:

Firefighter - Lateral

Description

The Position

Firefighter - Lateral

Firefighter - Lateral - Candidates MUST currently be working as a Firefighter for another municipal fire department that is comparable to the City of Riverside Fire Department.

The City of Riverside offers a competitive compensation package, retirement through CALPERS, and a generous benefit package. Firefighter Laterals are offered a starting salary at Step 3, an accelerated probationary period, and may be eligible for a variety of additional compensation including specialty, bilingual, and education incentive pay.

The City of Riverside Fire Department is a progressive, all-risk department responsible for the protection of a diverse population of over 320,000 people, covering nearly 82 square miles. Under the direction of Fire Chief Steve McKinster, the City of Riverside Fire Department protects life, property, and the environment from 14 stations, responding to more than 45,000 calls for service. The department offers a variety of specialty programs, including Urban Search & Rescue, Hazardous Materials, and Arson Investigations.

Under the supervision of a Company Officer, Firefighters are responsible for performing a broad range of duties in the protection of life and property. Work involves suppressing, extinguishing, and preventing fires; rendering emergency medical care; and participating in training programs and fire prevention activities. Firefighters operate, inspect, and maintain firefighting apparatus, equipment, and facilities, and may be assigned to conduct fire inspections or related prevention activities. Employees in this classification are also required to participate in drills and evolutions with individual companies as well as multi-company operations. This position requires consistent exercise of sound judgment, strict adherence to established policies and procedures, and the ability to maintain a state of operational readiness.

Work Performed

Typical duties include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Respond to fire alarms, rescue alarms, medical emergency, and other emergency calls to protect life and property endangered by fire; operate various communications equipment.
• Respond to requests for medical emergencies; provide immediate medical care to persons injured in automobile accidents, fires, industrial accidents, and victims of sudden serious illness such as heart attacks, drownings, and similar emergencies; observe and report vital signs; and administer medical treatment.
• Serve as a hose operator in firefighting situations; lay and connect hoses; hold nozzle and direct water streams in the control and extinguishing of fires in structures, brush, and grass; clean and test fire hoses; raise, lower, and climb aerial ladders; perform rescue work and remove persons from danger.
• Ventilate structures using such techniques as opening windows and chopping holes through the roof; use forcible entry tools, bars, hooks, life lines, chemical extinguishers, and other auxiliary equipment; assist in overhaul and salvage operations; sweep water and remove debris.
• Perform preventive maintenance and daily inspections on fire apparatus; inspect fire apparatus after each operation to ensure proper and efficient operating condition; clean, wash, and service fire apparatus; test, wash, hang, and dry hoses; change hoses on fire apparatus; report worn, damaged, or lost parts and tools.
• Clean and maintain station quarters, grounds, and equipment; perform routine housekeeping chores such as sweeping, mopping, cooking, and washing; assist visitors at the station and conduct tours.
• Conduct fire prevention inspection and education programs; serve as a fire inspector, inspecting commercial and other properties for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention codes and ordinances, and participating in or conducting investigations to determine fire causes.
• Participate in continuous training in fire prevention, inspection, and suppression through fire drills, training exercises, simulations, and on-the-job exercises to maintain occupational skills.
• Study technical material on Fire Department rules and regulations, fire hazards, and modern firefighting techniques, City layout, water systems, and related subjects.
• Prepare reports on preventive maintenance and with respect to work operations.
• Work 24-hour shifts and overtime; may be recalled to duty in cases of emergency.
• Serve as a substitute fire engineer under special instructions and limited conditions on a relief or training basis; operate and maintain motorized firefighting equipment; operate and adjust pump controls and other mechanical equipment to maintain correct water pressure consistent with the type of fire; drive and operate the tiller position on a ladder truck; operate ladder mechanism on an aerial truck; place truck to best advantage to facilitate firefighting.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Education : Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade and successful completion of a State Fire Marshal approved Fire Academy.

Experience: Must be employed with and have 18 months of full-time experience as a paid firefighter with a municipal fire department that is comparable to the City of Riverside Fire Department, as identified by NFPA and CPSE standards.

Necessary Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid Class “C” California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.

Possession of a valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification:

(One of the following)

• National Registry EMT, Advanced EMT or Paramedic registration certificate
• Out-of-state Advanced EMT or Paramedic certificate
• California Advanced EMT certificate or a California Paramedic license

Selection Process

The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening. Additionally, this process will include oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.

It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.

Appointment will be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, medical/physical examination, drug and alcohol test.

NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail of their application status after the closing date of this announcement.

Riverside Firefighters' Association (RCFA)

The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired on or after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 3% at age 55; 3-year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 9%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7% at age 57; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost. Per CalPERS the employee contribution is subject to change every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Health Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and contributes up to $1,612 per month for HMO plans (family coverage).
• Dental Insurance - The City provides three dental insurance plans and contributes up to $35 per month.
• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment equal to $100,000. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employees and eligible dependents (up to $300k).
• Deferred Compensation - City Fire employees may participate in a deferred compensation plan.
• Leave Benefits - Includes vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits. Please refer to Fire MOU for specific details.
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.
• Long Term Disability - Employees may enroll in the LTD plan through their employee association.
• LegalEase Plan - Optional legal services plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• Critical Illness Plan - Optional critical illness insurance plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• For other special compensation, refer to the Fire MOU.

For additional benefits information, please visit the following website:
https://www.riversideca.gov/human/employee-hub/benefits/about-1

For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.

Closing Date/Time: 10/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$83,892.00 - $112,416.00 Annually