Human Resources Department
160 6th Ave East
Hendersonville, NC 28792
ww.hvlnc.gov
Fire Engineer
City of Hendersonville Fire Department
The Hendersonville Fire Department was established in 1892 and is currently the busiest fire department in Henderson County. The department has a total of 37 members making up four divisions: Administration (3), Operations (30), Life Safety (3), and Training (1). The department utilizes 3 rotating shifts working in 24-hour increments; which provides continuous coverage 365 days a year out of 2 fire stations. The members are broken into 2 Engine companies and a Ladder Company. All employees are NFPA certified Firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians at the basic level with the exception of the Administrative Assistant. Annually, the department responds to over 4,600 calls for service and maintains an ISO Class 3 rating.
The City of Hendersonville Fire Department recently received a Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Grant and is in the process of hiring twelve new Firefighters. These Firefighters will allow the department to add an additional engine company and three new Operational Battalion Chief positions bringing the total members to 49. The City has also purchased property for a third fire station and approved the purchase of a third engine company, replacement of our existing ladder company and engine over the next three years.
City of Hendersonville
The City of Hendersonville is located in the center of Henderson County, along the Eastern Escarpment of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains and serves as the county seat. The City is 7 square miles and the population as of 2017 was 14,165. This is a 19% increase since 2000. The City changes with the seasons, and truly cannot be measured by the almost 14,000 residents that call it home. The daytime population for the City is estimated to be around 30,000 due to the influx of people coming into the City for work. The historic downtown Main Street is a nationally recognized tourist attraction and brings a multitude of people of various ages to enjoy the numerous restaurants, unique shopping and night life activities. Hendersonville's median age is 47, which is 9 years above the median for the state. The City also has an extremely high population over the age of 65 (31.5%) compared to the state (15.9%) which also attributes to the high call volume. The city has multiple high hazard locations including a 222-bed hospital, 5 educational facilities, several large retirement communities that include assisted living, as well as several historic districts downtown that include large houses that date back to the 1800's.
About the Position
The Fire Engineer is responsible for safely driving and operating fire apparatus during emergency situations. Emphasis of the work is on equipment operation, determining water pressure rates for fire hoses, size of fire hoses required, and use of ladders, hand tools, and cutting tools. This employee is a Firefighter and retains the requirement to serve in the absence of a supervisor since the position may work up or down the command structure as the need arises. The employee also responds to emergency medical calls, provides emergency medical services, participates in training classes, and cleans fire equipment and station house. Work standards and procedures are well established and understood; however, significant independence of action and judgment are required during a fire or emergency medical call. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Fire Lieutenant or Captain and is evaluated through observation, reports and discussion regarding effectiveness of performance.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of the City’s geography, street locations and hydrant locations
- Knowledge of current firefighting practices and procedures
- Knowledge of the operation of and maintenance requirements of fire equipment, pumps, hose pressures and other aspects of operating one or more variations of fire trucks
- Knowledge of firefighting hazards and related safety precautions
- Ability to navigate to a fire scene with the shortest and most expedient route possible using knowledge of streets and GPS equipment
- Ability to operate and maintain various motorized fire equipment; ability to determine hose size, pump pressures, and water flow rates required to use in specific firefighting situations
- Ability to establish effective working relationships with members of the squad, company, station house and the general public
- Ability to present fire prevention/safety training to school age children through senior citizens
- Ability to represent the city fire department in a positive manner
- Skill in operating apparatus such as trucks, pumps, levers, hoses, radios and other apparatus
- Skill in using firefighting tools and equipment such as a pry bar, axe, hose, nozzles, air packs, fans, shovels, rakes, sledgehammers, jaws-of-life, defibrillator, engine trucks and others
Physical Requirements
This is heavy work requiring the exertion of 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Work requires stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, climbing, fingering, grasping, and repetitive motions. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Employee must have the visual acuity to be the operator of a truck and other equipment and be able to distinguish colors and see peripherally in both eyes, inspect small defects or parts, operate or inspect equipment, use measurement devices, and to determine the accuracy of work assigned. Employee must have the stamina to work for extended periods, in varied weather conditions, and in emergency situations
Desirable Education and Experience
- Graduation from high school or GED supplemented by completion of courses and seminars in fire service
- A minimum of three years with a Firefighter Level II Certification
Special Requirements
- Certification as a Firefighter Level II
- Valid Driver’s License (Obtain Class B driver’s license within one year of employment)
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic)
- NC certification at Hazmat Operations Level
- Emergency Vehicle Driver Certification
- NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800
- Child Passenger Safety Seat Technician (Obtain within one year of employment)
- Driver Operator Pumps
- Driver Operator Aerials (Obtain within one year of employment)
Compensation Package
- Starting Salary - $36,912 - $46,546 Depending on qualifications.
- This position is non-exempt
- Medical, dental and vision insurance available for employees and dependents. City pays for employee portion.
- Participation in the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees’ retirement System.
- Optional 401(k) available both Pre-tax and Roth options.
- Twelve Paid holidays.
- Vacation and sick leave.
- Employee Clinic
Applications Process & Closing Date:
To apply please submit a City of Hendersonville Application online, a resume, and a valid driver’s license to the Human Resources Department. The closing date for this position is Friday, November 08, 2019 at 12:00 pm. The City of Hendersonville is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Information about Assessment
The Assessment Center will be conducted the week of December 1, 2019 in Hendersonville.
The assessment center will comprise of a:
- Written Exam
- Pumping Assessment
- Panel Interview
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