Firefighter Trainee 40 - Proactive Recruitment Training Program (PRTP)

Employee Benefits

• Direct Deposit, Bi-Weekly Pay Checks
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance
• FRS Retirement
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Education Incentives
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Wellness Incentives
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free Employee Gym
• Free Employee Health Clinic

Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Essential functions and job-related requirements, including physical and cognitive demands, are described below.This job description outlines the general scope of duties and responsibilities and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all tasks that may be assigned.
MAJOR FUNCTION
Responsiblefortechnical,academic,andphysicaltrainingworkperformedundertheProactive RecruitmentandTrainingProgram(PRTP)inpartnershipwithPolkCountyFireRescue. This apprenticeship provides full-time paid training designed to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to obtain State of Florida Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.
Traineesprogressthroughstructuredcoursework,supervisedfieldexperiences,physicalconditioning, and scenario-based activities while upholding the core PRTPvalues of Pride, Respect, Integrity, Courage,andExcellence(P.R.I.C.E.).ThepositionpreparesindividualsfortransitionintoFirefighter-EMT roles with Polk County Fire Rescue.
ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES
UnderthesupervisionofPRTPandFireRescueinstructors,the trainee:
TrainingandSkillDevelopment
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Participatesinfull-timestructuredtraininginfirefighting,rescueoperations,andemergency medical services.
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Attendsclassroominstructionandhands-onfieldtrainingtodevelopdiscipline,teamwork,safety habits, and essential fire service skills.
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Trainsinfirebehavior,suppressionprinciples,emergencymedicaltreatment,rescueprocedures, and patient care methods.
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Practicesdefensivedriving,roadwayfamiliarization,safevehicleoperations,andresponse modes.
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Participatesinrealisticemergencysimulationsinvolvingheat,smoke,confinedspaces,heights, and physically strenuous tasks.
EmergencySkillsPractice
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Learnsandpracticestoolselection,situationalawareness,size-up,risk-reductiontechniques,and emergency response procedures.
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Learnsapparatusoperationandassistswithdrivingandnavigatingequipmentundersupervision.
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Participatesinladderevolutions,hosehandling,ventilationtasks,live-firedrills,andmulti-story operations.
ApparatusandStationSupport
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Assistswithequipmentmaintenance,apparatusreadiness,toolchecks,andfacilityupkeep.
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Keepsfirefightingequipment,vehicles,andtoolsinproperworkingconditionbyperforming routine safety and maintenance inspections.
ProfessionalandProgram Responsibilities
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Participatesinphysicalfitnessdevelopmentandscenario-basedexercisespreparingforPolk County Fire Rescue Fire Academy entry.
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Participatesinscheduledweeklyphysicalfitnessevaluationstoassessprogressandensure readiness for the physical demands of fire and EMS training.
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Engagesinleadershiptraining andpublicspeaking development.
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RepresentsPolkCountyFireRescueatcommunityoutreach,education,andrecruitmentevents.
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DemonstratesprofessionalismandintegrityconsistentwithP.R.I.C.E.valuesthroughoutthe program.
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Performsotherdutiesas assignedtosupporttrainingandprogramoperations.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS
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Abilitytolearnandapplyfirefighting,rescue,andemergencymedicalprinciplesandtechniques.
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Abilitytoanalyzesituationsquicklyanddeterminethepropercourseofaction.
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Abilitytoreactcalmly,effectively,andsafelyunderemergencyconditions.
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Abilitytoperformphysicallydemandingtasks,includinglifting,carrying,climbing,and operating in extreme environments.
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Abilitytofollowcomplexoralandwritteninstructions accurately.
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Abilitytoestablishandmaintaineffectiveworkingrelationshipsandfunctionaspartofateam.
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Abilitytocommunicateclearly,bothorallyandinwriting,withcolleaguesandthe public.
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Abilitytomaintainemotionalcontrol,soundjudgment,andprofessionalismunder stress.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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Atleast18yearsof age.
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Graduate of an accredited high school or possession of an equivalent diploma.
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MustbeacontinuousPolkCountyresidentfortwo(2)yearspriortoapplicationandmaintain residency throughout participation.
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ValidStateofFloridadriver’slicensewithanacceptabledrivingrecord(norecentsuspensions, major violations, or patterns of unsafe behavior). Must have not accrued 12 points within 36 months or 18 points within 48 months.
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Passescriminalbackgroundcheck,fingerprinting,drugscreening,medicalevaluation,and psychiatric evaluation.
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PhysicallycapableofperformingessentialfireandEMStrainingduties,includingsuccessful completion of required agility testing.
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Legallyauthorizedtowork intheUnited States.
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MeetsHUDlow-incomehouseholdguidelines(≤50%AreaMedianIncome),basedonthemost current HUD Income Limits published for the applicable year, and provides required documentation.
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Doesnotcurrently holdStateof FloridaFirefighter orEMTcertification.
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Demonstratesgoodmoralcharacterandabilitytocommittotheprogram’sexpectationsand values.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
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Mustmaintainanactive cellphoneforcommunicationand scheduling.
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MustsuccessfullyobtainandmaintainFBICriminalJusticeInformationServices(CJIS)security clearance.
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MustobtainaStateofFloridaParamedicCertificationwithinthree(3)yearsofcompletingthe program (required for continued employment).
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Upon selection for employment, must sign a reimbursement agreement covering program trainingcostsifvoluntarilyleavingwithintwo(2)yearsofachievingrequiredcertifications.
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MustcompletealltrainingrequiredforEmergencyMedicalResponder(EMR),StateofFlorida Firefighter II, and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) certification.
All Polk County BoCC employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the county and its residents.