Firefighter

Civil Service Exam Information

All individuals interested in employment as a firefighter with the City of Pocatello are required to take and score a minimum of 70% on the Civil Service Exam. The exam, held annually, establishes an eligible register in rank order of exam scores. The eligible register is then used to hire new firefighters for the next year (unless the list is exhausted prior to that date).

The exam window is January 20–January 27, 2026. Invitations to take the exam will be sent in January.

If you plan on taking the exam in the future, we suggest you review the Entry Level Fire Candidate Study Guide. The City of Pocatello Fire Department utilizes the services of the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR) for its entry-level Firefighter Civil Service examination. Since 1953, IPMA-HR has been providing high-quality, reliable test products and services to police, fire, corrections, dispatch, and administrative departments throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Purchase of the guide is completely voluntary. You may order the guide through Public Safety Compass.

Job Description

Incumbents perform skilled firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical duties aimed at saving life and property including combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires, rescue, and emergency medical techniques and methods. Incumbents are accountable for the protection of life and property through the timely and effective response to fire and medical emergencies. Incumbent serves as a member of firefighting and ambulance crews and operates fire, rescue, and emergency medical equipment and vehicles. Performs physically demanding tasks in hazardous and stressful conditions. Work is performed under general supervision and requires careful judgment.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency and non-emergency incidents; provide appropriate services as required including rescue and fire suppression; emergency medical services; search and rescue; assist with weather emergencies, hazmat incident operations, vehicle extrication, wildland fire suppression, and general public assistance.
• Respond to fires as a member of a crew and performs fireground operations and emergency support activities while wearing protective ensembles and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Including but not limited to hose and extinguisher operations, using suppression and agents, ladder operations, forcible entry, ventilation, search, rescue, salvage, clean up and overhaul operations to remove hazards and protect property.
• Assists at an operations level in technical rescue emergencies including high/low angle rescue, trench, confined space, structural collapse, and surface water rescue.
• Assists at an operations level at hazardous material incidents including spills, leaks, and unknown substances.
• Communicates with required internal and external personnel, including but not limited to appropriate coordination of apparatus, equipment, and personnel; follows orders as given by superior officers at an emergency scene; observes, collects, and relays information to officer or crew.
• Operates and drives various apparatus and emergency vehicles, and performs various tasks associated with driving. As acting Engineer: operates, inspects, cleans, and maintains supplies, materials, and equipment aboard fire and rescue vehicles.
• Perform periodic and daily maintenance of equipment and apparatus at assigned fire station; including but not limited to checking and restocking of emergency medical supplies and the performance of routine housekeeping chores.
• Operates as an EMT or Paramedic according to level of licensure.
• Maintain overall health and personal wellness (physical, mental and emotional). Participates in wellness activities, critical incident stress debriefings and other programming set forth by the department. Maintains high levels of stamina and endurance to perform duties in highly stressful, hazardous or life-threatening situations through the completion of Department mandatory physical fitness programs and evaluation.
• Participates in drills and organized formal classes, scenario-based training relevant to the position or knowledge, skills, or abilities desired; conducts special training and demonstrations utilizing training and leadership skills. Reads internal memos and bulletins to keep apprised of new department operations and procedures general knowledge of fire code violations. Maintains familiarity with the city street network, hydrant system, physical infrastructure, and buildings. Participates in pre-fire plan activities. Shares knowledge and expertise with other firefighters, EMT’s, and Paramedics
• Performs public relations duties; performs demonstrations of equipment and techniques, addresses a variety of public groups; and conducts tours. Present public education information dealing with both fire and medical topics.
• Prepares and submits a variety of reports related to fire department activity. Completes assignments in a timely fashion.
• Function as an integral component of a mission driven team in high-risk environments.
• Assists in fire cause determination, evidence preservation and arson detection.
• Perform other related job duties / tasks as assigned through the chain of command.
  
  

Required Certifications/Qualifications

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

• Must possess high school diploma or GED;
• Must be 18 years of age;
• Must complete 1st year PFD task book by the end of year 1;
• Must complete 2nd year PFD task book by the end of year 2;
• Must complete Step-up Engineer requirements by the end of year 3;
• Must be EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) or Paramedic Certified if applicable;
• Must possess ICS 100, 200, and IS 700, 800 by the end of year 1;
• HazMat Operations Certification;
• Must maintain a current and valid Idaho driver’s license.
  
  

The Department Provides Annual

• Medical evaluation;
• Fit for duty work performance test;
• Mental health wellness visit.
  
  

Classification Requirements

The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability for an individual to be successful in the position.

Knowledge Of

• Fire Department tactics and strategies; department standard operating procedures; fire-fighting equipment types and their most appropriate and effective use; fire-fighting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• City and county roads and means of access; equipment maintenance and care.
• Working knowledge of state and city codes, laws, regulations, and ordinances related to fire prevention; fire vehicle equipment; emergency medical techniques, protocols, and procedures; interpersonal communication skills.
• Principles of leadership and supervision.
  
  

Skill And Ability To

• Use of standard fire-fighting and rescue equipment; recognize hazardous materials; communicate while wearing PPE and SCBA with high background noise, poor visibility, stress, and other adverse conditions.
• Solve critical, time-sensitive, complex problems during physical exertion in hazardous environments.
• Provide guidance to other firefighters.
• Operate basic office equipment; operate a personal computer and job-related software and applications;
• Maintain a professional demeanor.
• Communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance.
• Understand and comply with all rules, policies and regulations.
  
  

Physical Requirements / Working Environment

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 20 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 75 pounds of force, and occasional exertion in excess of 100 pounds of force. Work can occur while wearing PPE and SCBA; this work can include searching, finding, and rescue-dragging or carrying victims ranging from newborns to adults weighing over 200lbs to safety despite hazardous conditions and low visibility.

Additional Physical Efforts Include

• Performing firefighting operations while wearing heavy (about 50 lbs.) protective clothing and gear in extremely hot and toxic environments;
• Climbing ladders up to 100 feet;
• Work in enclosed and confined spaces with limited visibility, fatigue, flashing lights, sirens, and other distractions;
• Worker is frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions, vibration, fumes, bloodborne pathogens, or airborne particles, and may be required to wear self-contained breathing apparatus or specialized personal protective equipment;
• Performance of essential functions may be performed in high, precarious places, and may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, weather, temperature, noise extremes, hazardous materials, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, explosives, disease, or pathogenic substances.
  
  

Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision, and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.

Work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle, or feel, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching with hands and arms, climbing or balancing, pushing or pulling, lifting, and repetitive motions.

Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm’s length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment, and observing general surroundings and activities.

Considerable exposure to stressful situations as a result of human behavior while responding to emergency and non-emergency situations.

Unconventional working hours. During prolonged emergency operations, may be required to work without sleep for extended periods, including shift rotations. May be required to respond to fire stations or scenes during evolving or prolonged incidents outside of scheduled shifts.

EQUIPMENT

• Two-way radios;
• Computers and peripheral equipment;
• Firefighting apparatus, tools, and equipment;
• Rescue equipment;
• Emergency medical tools, equipment, and devices;
• Personal protective equipment (PPE).
  
  

DISCLAIMER

The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions through an interactive ADA process. The above statements describe the general nature, level, and type of work performed by the incumbent(s) assigned to this classification. Job descriptions are not intended to and do not imply or create any employment, compensation, or contract rights to any person or persons. Any and all changes to job descriptions and/or working conditions shall be negotiated and agreed upon prior to implementation.

Company Description

Nestled in the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains, Pocatello offers a perfect blend of work and play. With a semi-arid climate, you can experience the best of all four seasons, from hiking and skiing to fishing and camping. Plus, you're just a short drive away from Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Lava Hot Springs, and other must-visit destinations.

All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.