Career Firefighter/EMT

Application Instructions – Please Read Carefully

To be considered, please ensure you upload all required materials at the time you submit your application. This may include your resume, cover letter, and any additional supporting documents (such as certifications or portfolios).

Please note: Once your application is submitted through Indeed, you will not be able to edit it or add additional documents. If you need to submit additional certifications after applying, you may do so through the Indeed messenger function

Career Firefighter/EMT

Join the Williston Fire Department in beautiful Chittenden County, Vermont! We're a thriving career/on-call department and are looking for dedicated Career Firefighter/EMTs to join our dynamic team. Ideal candidates possess a strong work ethic, EMS (and preferably Fire) experience, a clean driving record, and are detail oriented. Share your passion for public service, training, and exceeding expectations with us. Lateral candidates (those with prior experience as a firefighter and/or EMT) are strongly encouraged to apply!

Why Williston?

• One of Vermont's fastest-growing towns with a vibrant community of over 10,000 residents.
• Daytime population exceeds 20,000 due to bustling commerce and retail.
• A community that balances growth with open space to create a sought-after place to live, work and play.
• Surrounded by natural beauty, nestled between Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains.
• Williston offers a high quality of life, excellent schools, and a wide range of recreational opportunities and easy access to outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and water sports.

Department Overview:

• Annual call volume of 2,600+ incidents, including approximately 1,800 Emergency Medical Responses.
• Paramedic-level emergency transport ambulances.
• All Hazards response organization, including technical rescue capabilities.
• Advanced Life Support Engine Company operational 24/7 with plans for expansion.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• National Registry - EMT certification at time of employment.
• Firefighter I, AEMT, or Paramedic certified preferred.
• Must obtain Firefighter 1 certification within 12 months if not already certified.
• Current Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certification is required prior to employment.
• Successful completion of a background check.

Must also have:

• Thorough knowledge of firefighting and emergency medical care principles, equipment, and techniques.
• Ability to understand and adhere to departmental and Town guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to safely operate aerial devices, fire engines, and other emergency vehicles.
• Proficiency in using fire hoses, forcible entry tools, and other emergency equipment.
• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in high-pressure situations. Strong attention to detail in all tasks.
• Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent judgment.
• Capability to perform continuous strenuous effort for extended periods in hazardous and adverse weather conditions.
• A thorough knowledge of Williston’s layout, streets, and hydrant locations. Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Competency in using word processing, incident reporting, and other software systems.
• Proficiency in understanding and following oral and written instructions in English.
• Ability to rely on sight and hearing to assess emergencies and make decisions.
• Excellent customer service skills, including a sense of compassion and empathy, and ability to maintain a high level of public trust.
• Ability to comprehend and make inferences from written material in English.
• Ability to manage and maintain confidential information, such as sensitive medical, criminal and fire/arson investigation data.
• Ability to work as a team member, and to establish and maintain cooperative-working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Must be able to wear proper safety equipment as determined by the department head in accordance with established OSHA regulations.
• Ability to drag 165 pounds and lift at least 100 pounds.
• Successful completion of a fitness for duty exam upon hire and annual medical and agility/skills testing.
• Must be able to pass a comprehensive criminal background check.

Responsibilities include, and are not limited to:

• Provide emergency medical services such as taking vital signs, administering semiautomatic defibrillation, conducting patient assessments, and other patient care tasks.
• Perform interior firefighting activities such as utilizing fire hoses, heavy stream appliances, extinguishers, ladders, and ventilating burning buildings.
• Respond to various emergencies in Williston and mutual aid communities.
• Contribute to fire prevention programs and educational activities.
• Active participation in Fire and EMS training events and lesson plan development.
• Frequent strenuous physical work, often in situations of severe personal danger and exposure to various weather conditions and hazardous environments.
• Administrative and operational duties associated with daily firehouse operations.
• For the full job description, go to www.willistonfire.com/employment.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform interior firefighting activities and ventilate burning buildings utilizing equipment such as fire hoses, heavy stream appliances, extinguishers, hand tools, and ladders.
• Wear and use Self Contained Breathing Apparatus to enter extremely hazardous environments and perform search and rescue procedures to evacuate and rescue persons in danger.
• Operate and maintain all emergency equipment, including fire engines, aerial devices, and specialized rescue equipment.
• Perform hazardous materials mitigation at the certified operations level.
• Perform specialized rescue, as programs are implemented.
• Administer emergency medical services including vital sign assessment, semiautomatic defibrillation, patient assessments, and other related patient care tasks in accordance with state-approved protocols.
• Interact with injured and sick patients, with frequent exposures to illness, bodily fluids and potential blood and air-borne pathogens.
• Perform daily emergency apparatus and equipment inspections to ensure proper service of all equipment, including minor maintenance and repairs, and apparatus and equipment testing.
• Conduct routine station maintenance in accordance with an established schedule.
• Assist with daily record-keeping activities, including computer-based incident reporting and emergency medical documentation.
• Participate in building inspections in accordance with the fire prevention code, ordinance, and policy.
• Attend department training programs and occasionally instruct a department training.
• Maintain positive public relations by participating in and conducting fire prevention programs and other community risk reduction activities.
• Regularly interact, in a professional manner, with the general public, municipal emergency services agencies, and other private agencies when responding to fire and emergency medical incidents.
• Handle sensitive information routinely, including patient medical and other data, ensuring confidentiality.
• Work under the general direction of a superior officer and in accordance with departmental rules and regulations.
• Frequently perform strenuous physical efforts, often in situations of severe personal danger, exposure to various weather conditions, and extreme hazardous environments.
• Occasionally serve in a leadership role in the absence of superior officers. Shift work, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Salary and Benefits:

• Starting salary:
• Entry-level Hires: $65,570.00* This is an approximated annual salary for Firefighter I/EMT inclusive of anticipated average overtime and shift premium pay. Firefighter I/EMT certification. Pay incentives for additional certifications.
• Lateral Hires: Up to $80,000* (Firefighter II/Paramedic) approximate annual salary depending on certifications and experience, inclusive of anticipated average overtime and shift premium pay. Requirements are at least one year of full-time career fire or EMS service experience with NREMT EMT certification, or five years of credible and continuous volunteer/paid on call service with NREMT EMT certification.
• Additional Pay Incentives: Half percent (0.5%) for Firefighter II, five percent (5%) for AEMT, ten percent (10%) for Paramedic.

· The seniority and accrual of vacation, sick, or other leave time for all new hires will be based on their date of hire with the Williston Fire Department.

· Lateral Hires may have the ability to purchase qualified service credit in the Vermont Municipal Employers Retirement pension system if they previously participated in a public retirement system.

• For further salary and benefits information, email sleonard@willistonvt.org.

* Estimate assumes 4 worked holidays and 8 non-worked holidays; actual schedule may vary.

Work Schedule:

• Estimated Start Date: June 22, 2026
• Union (IAFF) positions with a 56-hour work week (24-hour on / 48-hour off rotation schedule).
• Schedule includes nights, weekends, and holidays.

Application Deadline: May 7, 2025

The Town of Williston is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,570.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

License/Certification:

• Drivers License (Required)
• EMT Certification (Please attach a copy) (Required)
• Firefighter 1 Certification (Please attach a copy) (Preferred)
• Candidate Physical Ability Test Cert (Please attach a copy) (Preferred)

Work Location: In person