Goochland County is located in the heart of Central Virginia. Just over 289 square miles of rural countryside, our County is home to just over 26,000 residents and is ideally located within a short drive to beaches or mountain tops. We have great proximity to major cities including Charlottesville and Richmond. Our quality of life is unsurpassed, and our active community welcomes one and all. A community rich in history, the Goochland County Courthouse is widely considered to be the most well-maintained Jeffersonian courthouse in Virginia. Goochland County is the smallest county in the United States to have earned the highest rating from all three credit rating agencies which reflects the County’s exceptional financial resilience and is home to an award-winning public-school system.

Description

The Opportunity
The Goochland County Department of Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services (GCFR) is accepting applications for the position of Firefighter/EMS Provider. This position will perform firefighter duties and emergency medical services and will work under set procedures as directed by supervision. Goochland County Fire-Rescue (GCFR) is an all-hazard, full-service, combination fire-rescue department. We currently operate out of 6 stations that are strategically positioned within the +/- 280 square miles of the county and serve a population of over 26,000. Goochland County is located just west of Richmond, Virginia, and is home to several Fortune 500 and nationally known companies.
We offer an excellent employee benefits package, contributions to the Virginia Retirement System, and 14 paid annual holidays and reward employees for professional accomplishments through our career development program.

Position Details
Pre-Certified Starting salary $61,096
Intermediate Incentive $4,000 (after being cleared to practice by the DEPT OMD)
Paramedic Incentive $7,000 (after being cleared to practice by the DEPT OMD)

PRE-CERTIFIED REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant must possess Virginia Department of Fire Programs FFI, FFII & Hazardous Materials Operations certifications or be eligible for Virginia Reciprocity. Applicants without these certifications will not be considered for this process.
• Applicant must possess a current National Registry or Virginia Office of EMS Emergency Medical Technician Certification or be eligible for Virginia Reciprocity. Applicants without this certification will not be considered for this process.

Essential Functions

• Performs firefighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps, and related equipment, and performing fire combat, containment, and extinguishing tasks; lays and connects hoses; secures nozzles and directs streams; raises and climbs ladders; uses various types of extinguishing agents and other firefighting tools
• Participates in activities and operations in response to natural and manmade disasters, major accidents, incidents involving hazardous materials, and other emergency situations
• Participates in emergency rescue operations, including search and rescue, building collapse, trench and confined space rescue, water rescue, high elevation rescue, and other rescue operations
• Responds to emergency medical services calls and provide first aid and emergency medical treatment as needed or as qualified
• Inspects, cleans, tests, and performs preventive maintenance work on fire apparatus, hoses, tools, medical and firefighting gear, and equipment and maintains all assigned apparatus and equipment in a state of readiness to respond to emergency calls
• Performs routine fire station and grounds maintenance activities to maintain a clean and orderly environment
• Participates in routine non-emergency activities such as fire prevention inspections, code enforcement, hydrant maintenance, and pre-fire planning
• Presents programs to the community on safety and fire prevention topics

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge

• Basic level of mechanical aptitude Basic mathematics and science
• CPR
• Current strategies for all types of fire suppression
• Virginia Department of Fire programs such as Firefighter I and II, Hazardous materials-awareness and operations, and emergency vehicle operations
• Working knowledge of first aid methods and emergency medicine.

Skills:

• Completing various reports
• Following simple oral and written instructions, adhering to policy and procedure Maintaining technical knowledge
• Operating, utilizing, and helping maintain fire department equipment Participating in public education and community outreach programs Performing custodial duties at the station
• Providing fire suppression, firefighting, hazardous material response, different types of rescues, hazard inspections, investigations, and emergency medical services
• Regulating water pressure
• Rescuing people from harmful situations Reviving people as needed
• Staying physically fit
• Suppressing and extinguishing fires
• Using a variety of equipment such as fire engines, bag valve masks, ladders of various types and lengths, forcible entry tools, power saws, etc.
• Working under extremely stressful situations, day and night
• Abilities:
• Reading and comprehension Conscientiousness
• Dependability
• Good problem-solving Mental alertness
• Team player

Education, Experience and Training

This process is open to all applicants who meet the following requirements.

• Minimum of 18 years of age at the time of application. There is no maximum age limit. Requires a high school diploma or GED.
• Requires a valid VA driver's license or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.
• Applicant must pass a Firefighter Assessment. The Firefighter Assessment is designed to assess an applicant’s ability to process information and think critically.
• All Applicants must pass a Physical Ability Test.
• Applicant must possess a National Registry EMT Certification, VDFP Firefighter I & II, EVOC III and ICS700 & ICS800, ICS100 & ICS200 or be eligible for Virginia reciprocity.
• Applicant must maintain a cumulative minimum average of 75% which will be tabulated from all department quizzes, tests, and practical evaluations during the GCFR Training Academy
• Upon successful completion of the GCFR Training Academy, personnel will be assigned to Operations and will serve a one-year probationary period.

Background, Screening, and Driving Record

• Selected applicants who are offered conditional employment must successfully pass the following 4 evaluations: NFPA 1582 Medical Examination, Psychological Test, Drug Test, and a National and State criminal history records check and FBI fingerprint check
• Any applicant who will operate a county vehicle while performing job duties must possess and maintain a valid Virginia driver's license with a driving record that is acceptable to the County. An applicant is automatically disqualified if there are negative traffic points on their Virginia driver’s license (or the equivalent for an out-of-state license) at either their date of application or at their date of hire.
• An applicant is automatically disqualified if there is more than one DWI/DUI conviction or a DWI/DUI conviction within 3 years of the date of application or within 3 years of the date of hire.
• A conviction for any felony or entering a plea of nolo contendere in any felony charge automatically disqualifies an applicant.
• An applicant cannot have been convicted of any offense that denies the applicant licensure as a Virginia Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Hiring Process

• Monday, December 2, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Thursday, December 5, 2024, 9:00 AM
• Saturday, December 7, 2024, 1:00 PM

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The on-line application MUST be completed and include copies of all applicable certifications.
https://goochlandfire-rescue.org/recruitment/career-opportunities/

As part of employment with Goochland County, all employees are required to complete Emergency preparedness and incident management training courses as directed or requested.
Goochland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, color, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, family medical history or genetic information, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal, state or local laws.