Lateral Entry Firefighter
Employer City of RedmondJOIN REDMOND!
Hiring Timeline Notes:
We have concluded our Spring recruitment process and anticipate another review of applicants in Fall 2025.
Your career as a firefighter begins here! Before we go on and tell you why the Redmond Fire Department is a great place for you, please read and follow these instructions for how to become a lateral level firefighter candidate with us. Failure to follow these steps will result in your application not being processed.
The City of Redmond is a thriving, culturally diverse community that serves as home to more than 80,000 residents with an annual population growth rate of over six (6) percent. Redmond is the hub to an array of commerce and industry including technology, aerospace, gaming, biomedical, and innovation start-ups. The weekday population of the City can grow beyond 150,000 due to the multitude of employment opportunities. The Redmond Fire Department also serves King County Fire District 34, east of the City, with a population approaching 30,000 residents.
Lateral Firefighter candidates will enjoy our professional and healthy work environment, dedicated resources for training and equipment, and career opportunities including Fire Prevention and EMS service delivery at both the BLS and ALS levels. Our employees embrace the City values of Integrity, Accountability, Welcoming and Commitment to Service.
Go to our Join Our Team page to see a video from our team about what it means to be a Redmond Firefighter: When you work for Redmond Fire, you can enjoy a healthy work/life balance with continuing education programs, leadership academies, and wellness incentives.
Upon Closer Look:
The City of Redmond Fire Department has 164 dedicated employees providing fire and life safety services to the City of Redmond and King County Fire District 34, protecting more than $40 B in assessed value with an average growth rate of 12.7 percent per year within the City. The Department’s biennial budget is $77 M. Four (4) fire stations are staffed within the City of Redmond and three (3) are staffed within King County Fire District 34. The combined service area is 45 square miles. Annual unit responses are approaching 17,000. Line personnel work a 48/96 schedule (two days on and four days off with 16 Kelly Days) and all Firefighters are trained as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) or Paramedics.
Redmond Fire is one of five Paramedic service providers in King County (Medic One) with Medic Units staffed in Redmond, Kirkland, and Woodinville. These Medic Units serve an area of 266 square miles and a population of 333,000. After three (3) years as a Redmond Firefighter and three (3) years as a certified Washington State EMT, Redmond Firefighters are eligible to participate in a selection process to become a certified King County Paramedic for Redmond Medic One.
Department Philosophy:
The Redmond Fire Department strives for excellence in service to our customers. We approach each circumstance by considering Mission, Organization, and Employee. Becoming a member of the Redmond Fire Department is a commitment to our team and to the citizens we serve. Join us in being a welcoming agency that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
- For a complete list of job responsibilities, working conditions and physical activities, please review the Firefighter classification. This position is covered by the Redmond Fire Fighters Union I.A.F.F., Local 2829.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be currently employed as a full-time professional firefighter for the past two (2) years or have been employed as a full-time professional firefighter consecutively for two (2) of the past five (5) years.
- At least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
- High School Graduate/GED
Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:- Possession of certification as IFSAC, or Pro-Board Firefighter I; or equivalent (accepted FF1 equivalency is subject to the discretion of the Fire Chief)
- HazMat Awareness and HazMat Operations certifications.
- Washington State EMT or National Registry EMTB certification
- Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) passed and completed by date of hire or successfully complete a 1.5 mile run on a track within 15 minutes prior to date of hire.
- Applicants claiming veterans’ preference must submit DD214 form or documentation of active or reserved duty status at the time of their application.
- Firefighters operate motor vehicles and are required to present a valid driver's license with any necessary endorsements. Driving records of applicants are checked.
Selection Process:- Applications will be reviewed to confirm that the minimum job requirements, licenses, certifications, and other job requirements are met.
- Applicants claiming veterans’ preference must submit DD214 form or documentation of active or reserved duty status at the time of their application.
- Top candidates will be invited to participate in a virtual interview via Microsoft Teams.
Round 1 Interview- Passing score: 70%
- Candidates passing the Round 1 interview may be invited to Round 2 interview based on the number of positions available and based on the current needs of the Department.
Round 2 Interview- Passing score: Pass/Fail
- Weight: 100%
Conditional Offer- Once mutual interest is established, candidates will proceed to the background process described below.
Background Investigation
Psychological, extensive background investigation, drug screening and medical exam will also be required of selected candidates being considered for hire. Any time during or after any portion of the selection process there are questions, concerns, information on review, retest, or an appeal on a decision made, a written request is required from the applicant and will be forwarded to the Redmond Civil Service Chief Examiner for their review.
Disqualifications
Applicants are disqualified under the following circumstances:- More than two (2) moving traffic violations within the preceding three (3) years; or reckless or negligent driving violation within the preceding five (5) years; or driving while intoxicated within the preceding ten (10) years.
- More than one (1) motor vehicle accident within the preceding three (3) years for which the applicant received a traffic or criminal citation and was convicted, forfeited bail, or entered a plea of "guilty" or "nolo contendre".
- Felony convictions or serious convictions of Federal, State, City, or County laws
- Been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces
- Falsified candidate application, personal history questionnaire or any other forms during the hiring process.
Reapplication
Applicants who fail one of the phases of the testing process are eligible to reapply for this position after six (6) months from the date of examination. Applicants who fail a component of the background process are eligible to reapply for this position after eighteen (18) months from the date removed from the eligibility list.BENEFITS
The City of Redmond offers an excellent benefits package including flexible work hours, medical, dental and vision benefits; paid sick leave, vacation, and holidays; life insurance; pension; MEBT deferred compensation, career development including tuition reimbursement, and transportation subsidies including free bus pass.
- This position is part of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' (LEOFF II) pension plan.
- Our employees earn competitive wages and enjoy an exceptional benefits packet.
- Successful candidates will be placed at base pay grade consistent with their experience, up to one (1) step below top-step Firefighter pay.
- Vacation accrual level offered with up to 10 years of experience.
- The City pays for all regular, full-time employee healthcare premiums and 80% of their dependent’s premium.
- Learn more about our medical, retirement and transportation subsidies including a free bus pass by visiting C2MB (ajg.com)
- Longevity pay based on total years of IAFF service.