2026 Entry-Level Firefighter/EMT

Description

ABOUT US:

South King Fire proudly serves the diverse communities of Federal Way, Des Moines, a portion of Auburn, and unincorporated King County, Washington. The District is made up of five former fire districts and protects 160,000 citizens in 41 square miles, responding to over 25,000 calls each year. Newly hired Firefighters become members of the South King County Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local #2024.

The communities we serve are steeped in natural beauty, home to lush gardens, forestry, public beaches, fishing piers, waterfront parks, and breathtaking mountain views. We are in close proximity to the vibrant and bustling Downtown Seattle and within 90-minutes driving distance to hiking, skiing, camping, watersports, and other outdoor recreation. Our communities are a central hub for the Arts, boutique shopping, and local eateries.

South King Fire strives for excellence and sets high standards in all we do by applying strategic thinking, leadership development, innovation, and maintaining financial responsibility and public trust.

URGENT: An online written exam is required to be considered in the hiring process. The deadline to submit your application is December 31, 2025. This application will automatically sign you up to receive a link to register for the Fire & Police Selection, Inc. (FPSI) exam. Once this requisition closes, applicants will receive an email with details for the online written exam from FPSI. Please be aware that the testing window is January 23-25, 2026, and the cost is $35.

• FPSI will email all qualified applicants a link to register/pay for their online test in early January.
• Written Test registration will be open from January 14th, 2026, at 8:00 am PST through January 21st, 2026, at 8:00 am PST.
• FPSI will send unique test links to all applicants who paid for their online test during the open registration on January 21st, 2026, at 12:00 pm PST.
• Testing window will be open from January 23rd, 2026, at 12:00 am PST through January 25th, 2026, at 11:59 pm PST.

DEFINITION:

Firefighter/EMTs perform skilled emergency and non-emergency tasks in the areas of fire prevention, fire suppression, Hazardous Materials, Technical Rescue, emergency or disaster preparedness, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for the protection of life and property for the citizens we serve. Members of South King Fire are held to the highest standard of ethical practices to ensure public trust.

Wages, hours, and working conditions are subject, in part, to the collective bargaining agreement between I.A.F.F. Local #2024 and South King Fire.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Firefighters report to, receive direction from, and are evaluated by their Company Officer and the Assistant Chief of Operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Drives, operates, and maintains Fire Department equipment and apparatus.
• Provides emergency medical service and pre-hospital care to the sick and injured.
• Drives or rides Fire Department apparatus; operates and maintains equipment; extends, connects, and operates hoses and nozzles; raises and climbs ladders, uses chemical extinguishing agents, and other tools and equipment as required.
• Ventilates structures, performs salvage operations, and other tasks as directed.
• Removes citizens and Firefighters from danger and administers Emergency Medical Services as required.
• Responsible for emergency triage and treatment of patients in varied settings; may transport patients for further treatment.
• Participates in training and attends classes on firefighting, Emergency Medical Services, disaster control, and other areas as directed; maintains skill level to prevent degradation of skills.
• Responsible for operating at emergency incidents through the utilization of the National Incident Management System.
• Receives emergency alarms; operates radio, Mobile Data Computers, and other communications equipment under routine and emergency conditions.
• Completes and maintains paperwork, records, and forms as directed by the Company Officer.
• Participates in the in-service fire prevention program; participates in public education.
• Performs minor maintenance and inspection of apparatus and equipment.
• Participates in the testing of engine pumps, hoses, ladders, and extinguishers, and other essential equipment.
• Maintains quarters and personal appearance as directed by department policy and procedures.
• Participates in daily fitness program and annual fitness evaluations.
• Participates in annual physical/medical evaluation.
• Carries out other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Complete tasks independently with and without direct supervision.
• With proper training, manage emergencies in an effective manner that will facilitate the quick and efficient completion of their assignment.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively, and determine proper courses of action.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with other employees and the community at large.
• Work collaboratively with Paramedics, Physicians, and ambulance crews as part of the local EMS system.
• Maintain self in good physical condition.
• Ability to read, speak, and write English clearly.
• Computers/computer software basic manipulation.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Emergency medical aid unit, portable defibrillators, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, emergency medical equipment, radio, pager, computers, and phone are a representative sample of the tools and equipment used.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Emergency activities may expose Firefighters to hazardous materials or conditions, or health risks during fire suppression, or when caring for the sick and injured. Performance of hazardous tasks requiring strenuous physical exertion may occur for long periods of time under extremely adverse and stressful conditions.

While performing the essential job functions, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk or hear; stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and taste or smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move 200+ pounds, with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Impairment to color vision is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily in vehicle and outdoor settings, in a fire station, in all weather conditions (including temperature extremes), during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individuals are exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils.

The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, below grade in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and loud at an emergency scene. Hearing protection required in loud environments.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

South King Fire is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type toward current and prospective employees in accordance with federal, state, and local law.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Must maintain a valid Washington State Driver's License and remain insurable.
• Graduated from high school or obtained equivalent G.E.D.

DESIRABLE:

• A 2-year degree or higher in a fire service curriculum
• Multilingual

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
• 21 years old by date of hire
• FPSI Written Exam passing score

REMINDER: An online written exam is required to be considered in the hiring process. The deadline to submit your application is December 31, 2025. This application will automatically sign you up to receive a link to register for the Fire & Police Selection, Inc. (FPSI) exam. Once this requisition closes, applicants will receive an email with details for the online written exam from FPSI. Please be aware that the testing window is January 23-25, 2026 and the cost is $35.