Citrus County is a welcoming, economically vibrant community where people and nature live in harmony. Working for Citrus County means becoming an integral member of an organization driven by values, committed to delivering responsive services to our citizens. We aim to enhance our community's strength and improve our citizens' quality of life through high-quality programs, services, and facilities.

Citrus County Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services is dedicated to exceptional service through prevention, response, and education. We are committed to protecting the lives and property of the citizens and visitors of Citrus County. Through public education, knowledge, skills, and abilities, we can lower the community’s risk and ensure Citrus County is a safe place to live.

The Driver Engineer contributes to the comprehensive Countywide Fire Rescue and Emergency Services program. Performs public safety work oriented in the protection of life and property through the application of technical knowledge, skills, and abilities in emergency vehicle driving, hydraulics, strategic positioning of fire rescue apparatus/equipment at critical incidents, delivery of emergency medical services, and the application of fire science technology in fire prevention, control, and suppression activities.

• Drives and/or operates a county vehicle or equipment and must obey all safety policies, and roadway rules and laws.
• Performs emergency response operations responding to 9-1-1 calls to include fire and medical emergencies, extricating persons from entrapments, stabilizing victims, administering basic and advanced life support care as necessary.
• Performs fire prevention, control, and suppression tasks in both structural and non-structural incidents including, but not limited to, inspecting fire hydrants, establishing hydrant/hose connections, assisting in scene perimeter security, extinguishing, and containing fires with proper agents, and participating in post-fire cleanup and salvage operations.
• Provides advanced life support (ALS) emergency medical care in accordance with Florida law, EMS protocols, physician written or verbal orders, and in compliance with County and departmental policies.
• Completes and monitors checklists, reports, forms, and other legal documents each shift pertaining to Advanced Life Support service delivery.
• Performs routine station tasks to maintain the unit's state of operational readiness including, but not limited to, daily inspecting/testing of equipment, supplies, and materials applicable to assigned equipment/engines/apparatus, stocking and inventory of materials and supplies, inspecting personal gear, and equipment. Maintains all advanced life support equipment in proper operating condition.
• Responds to non-emergency calls and requests which may include lift-assists and smoke detector installations.
• Performs administrative tasks including, but not limited to, documenting calls and patient conditions, quality assurance, data entry, and post-incident analysis.
• Participates in on-going training on equipment/apparatus according to proper procedures and established protocols, participates in pre-fire planning and station operational drills.
• Performs strategic and tactical decision-making in response to fire alarms, 9-1-1 calls, or other critical incidents including, but not limited to, transporting fire rescue personnel to incidents, exercising defensive/offensive driving skills in response to road and traffic conditions, determining most time-efficient geographic route to the scene, strategic placement of assigned apparatus/equipment to best address an emergency incident or fire attack, determining which water resources or agents to apply to fire control suppression activities, determining which equipment to apply to firefighting actions applicable to the specific incident encountered, and determining attack logistics.
• Performs emergency rescue operations in preserving life and property including, but not limited to, extricating persons from entrapments; stabilizing victims for transport, administering basic and advanced life support, administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, assessing extent of illness/injury, and determining appropriate medical protocol.
• Operates various equipment/apparatus according to area of assignment including, but not limited to, technical rescue/hazardous materials tractor trailers, engines, rescue vehicles, air trucks, aerial apparatus, brush apparatus, marine units, and tankers.
• Responds as part of a unit/team to emergency scenes, natural disasters or other critical incidents including, but not limited to, hazardous materials spills, hurricanes, automotive accidents, building collapses, civil disturbances, explosions, water incidents, and aircraft crashes.
• Functions in a public relations capacity including, but not limited to, providing fire safety information to the community, conducting presentations on fire services and emergency rescue operations, and participating in demonstrations.
• Performs other duties as required.

Education, Training, and Experience

• High School diploma/GED equivalent.
• 18 years of age at time of appointment.
• One (1) year continuous full-time service with Citrus County Fire Rescue as a Firefighter or three (3) years continuous full-time service in a career department.

Certificates, Licenses, Registration, Skills

• Valid Florida Driver License or must obtain within 30 days of establishing residency in Florida.
• Valid Certification as a State of Florida Firefighter II and EMT (Paramedic preferred).
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification, preferred.
• Required certifications:
  • Emergency Vehicle Operator Certification (EVOC)
  • State Certification as a Pump Operator
• Ability to successfully complete the Fire Rescue Abilities Test (FRAT) as required by policy.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in decision making and all phases of responsibilities.
• Promotions will be done in accordance with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement. 
• Requires ability to maintain courteous and effective relations with County staff, elected officials, community interest groups and the public.
• Must have or be able to obtain within 90 days certification in FEMA National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses:
  • IS-100.c: Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS)
  • IS-200.c: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
  • IS-700.b: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
  • IS-800.d: National Response Framework, an Introduction
  • G-300 Incident Command System, Intermediate (as courses become available)
  • G-400 Incident Command System, ICS, Advanced (as courses become available)

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Requires medium to heavy work that involves walking or standing virtually all the time.
• The job involves frequent lifting and carrying more than 50 pounds.
• The job requires frequent bending, squatting, kneeling, balancing, throwing, twisting, and reaching above shoulders, and occasional crawling and climbing.
• The job requires the completion of tasks that involve simple grasping, pushing, pulling, fine manual manipulation, typing, operating foot controls/levers, driving automotive equipment and working in darkness.
• The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, depth perception and color vision, hearing, and speaking.
• The job may risk exposure to adverse weather, moving machinery, fumes and gases, electrical hazards, and extreme noise.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Emergency Response/Recovery Activities

Basis of Rating: Some positions may require a written and/or skills test. Applications will be carefully reviewed to assess each individuals’ qualifications. Selected persons will be interviewed to determine who will be hired for the job. The kind and length of related work experience, training and education shown on the application will be an important consideration in the screening process.

Must successfully pass an employment reference check, criminal background check, physical examination check. Drug screens will be in accordance with the Drug Free Workplace Act and/or the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991.

Citrus County, Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Citrus County, Florida Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), marital status, citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected trait.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the Citrus County, Florida Board of County Commissioners in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.

Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.

Pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes or the “Public Records Law,” applications, resumes and personnel records are subject to public inspections. Details regarding the “Public Records Law”/ “The Sunshine Law” / Florida Statutes and the statutory exemptions are available on websites such as the Florida Office of the Attorney General, Florida Senate and Florida Legislature. Additionally, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners Public Information section is located on our website.