Fire Apprentice

To apply, Fire Apprentice candidates must be enrolled in a Firefighter Minimum Standards class and/or Emergency Medical Technician class AND obtain their State of Florida Firefighter Minimum Standards Certificate of Compliance for Firefighter II and Emergency Medical Technician certification at least 30 days prior to the start of the next scheduled firefighter orientation program. Failure to satisfactorily complete the minimum requirements will result in termination of employment. At the beginning of the next scheduled City of Clermont Firefighter orientation, the employee will be promoted to the position of Firefighter. Pay rates for firefighter will be at the current negotiated pay rates determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Clermont and Clermont Professional Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 4350.

These certifications (Firefighter Certificate of Compliance, Emergency Medical Technician) are prerequisites to transition to full-time high-risk firefighter position with the City of Clermont., The apprentice will learn about general firefighting and emergency work including but not limited to: the prevention and suppression of fires and delivery of other emergency and non-emergency services. Upon certification, the employee works within the scope of established fire department rules, regulations, and procedures, however, is expected to exercise considerable judgment and initiative, when required. Prior to completing the Clermont Fire Department Firefighter orientation program, the apprentice works under the general supervision of Administration and reports directly to the Training Captain or designee.

This position is non-exempt. Fair Labor Standards Act overtime provisions will apply.
Per Florida Statute , certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such servicemembers and veterans, receive preference and priority, and that certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements, in employment by the state and its political subdivisions and are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled.

• Participates and completes the State of Florida Firefighter Minimum Standards Program at an approved facility in accordance with FL Rule 69A-37
• Participates and completes the Emergency Medical Technician Program at an approved facility by the Florida Department of Health and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
• Understand, follow, and obey all verbal and written orders, directives, guidelines, and instructions from Fire Department Officers or Incident Commanders.
• Attends instructional training and educational sessions in firefighting, rescue, EMS.
• Special Operations and other disciplines related to fire department duties.
• Other job functions – Participates in custodial, maintenance, and repair duties; answers phones, providing information and assisting the public; performs routine clerical duties such as light typing and filing; performs other duties as assigned or required; may be assigned functional duties outlined in Department Operating Guidelines.
• A flexible schedule may be implemented if the Fire Apprentice has classes towards required certifications during a portion of the week.
• Assists supervisor and other office personnel by performing clerical, secretarial and related office work, which follows the established procedures, practices, and policies of the assigned office using personal computers and other general office equipment.
• Assist, initiate, and carry to completion related duties and information for supervisor's use or to meet work unit's needs/requirements.
• Independently drafts, prepares, proofreads, types, processes and/or research forms, memoranda, letters, records, reports, summaries, and other related office material using word processing and other software utilized by the work unit.
• Independently follows up on project/office assignments to ensure timely results.
• Deals with the public, other employees, or officials via telephone or in person guiding them according to the unit's established procedures, providing information and responding to inquiries as directed or trained by supervisor.
• May act as office receptionist.
• May handle routine mail duties.
• Performs related duties as required.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Medically cleared by candidate's physician to participate in the Clermont Fire Department's physical abilities test.
• Must be able to take and pass a physical exam, physical abilities test and drug screen.
• Valid Florida Driver License with acceptable driving record.
• Must be enrolled in a Firefighter Minimum Standards class and/or Emergency Medical Technician class or have a Florida Firefighters Certificate of Compliance.Physical Demands
• Moderately to heavy work for extended periods of duration with limited rest and rehabilitation.
• Walking, standing, lifting 50+ lbs., running, jumping/leaping, climbing, stooping, reaching, bending, carrying/pushing/pulling 50+ lbs.
• Good hand/finger dexterity and hand/eye coordination.
• Acceptable eyesight, hearing and speech.
• Ability to wear protective clothing and equipment of 60 lbs. or more and work in extremely dangerous situations associated with extreme atmospheric conditions and temperatures during prolonged and arduous working conditions.
• Ability to successfully complete the Clermont Fire Department Physical Ability Test (PAT) within 30 days prior to the start of the firefighter orientation program, and annually thereafter, as a condition of continued employment.
• Ability to perform prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions, including, but not limited to, weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, etc.), hazardous conditions and close/confined spaces for long periods of time.
• May be necessary to endure extensive periods of duty under unfavorable and life-threatening situations.
• Communicates both orally and in writing.

Work Environment
Works part of the time inside in an environmentally controlled space. The other part of the time will also work outside in adverse weather conditions (e.g. heat, cold, wet or humid conditions, bright/dim lights, dust or pollen, odor, slippery or uneven surfaces, heights, and traffic). In or with moving objects or vehicles. May be exposed to hazardous conditions such as flames, chemicals, smoke, heat, gases, moving vehicles, falling structures and debris, electricity, poor ventilation, poor lighting, heights, cold, extreme weather conditions, and exposure to contagious diseases, etc.

Fire Apprentices shall not be permitted under any circumstances to operate within an incident hot zone or IDLH atmosphere, including live fire training evolutions. However, they may participate in incident or training operations if an officer is dedicated to their direct supervision and they areas signed to duties outside of the established hot zone. The officer assigned to their care and supervision shall ensure all required PPE for the assignment is utilized at all times.

The City of Clermont is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations with management.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform all of the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described herein.
Job functions described are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees may be assigned additional duties by management as deemed necessary. Duties not contained herein may be considered essential to performing this job successfully, just as though they were included in this job description.
The City of Clermont has the right to revise this job description at any time. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.