Lateral Firefighter

Description

Come join a team dedicated to making a positive impact in our community, where the well-being of our residents is always our top priority. We offer foster professional growth through comprehensive training programs and learning opportunities. Shape your future in a career that empowers you to make a difference and thrive in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment. 

Position Details

This job posting is for Lateral Firefighters with a minimum of one-year full-time Firefighter experience prior to hire date (by February 2026). Please read through the entire job posting for important deadlines and details. All dates are subject to change. A resume, proof of fire certifications, and proof of NREMT certification attachments are required. 

A West Valley Firefighter may respond to a broad assortment of calls, both emergent and non-emergent, fire, medical, public assist calls, and public education. See below for the full job description.

See what our team has to say about working at West Valley City and learn more here.

Starting Pay (Firefighter): $56,000 - $65,512 annually DOE 

Starting Pay (Paramedic): $70,000 - $79,512 annually DOE; Certified Paramedic's will be eligible for paramedic pay after six months of employment and upon approval from the Chief. 

Career advancement opportunities and competitive salary growth are available within the department for both Firefighters and Paramedics. Eligible employees may advance to Senior Firefighter after the required years of service with West Valley City and successful completion of the promotional testing process. Candidates may also be eligible for service credit for previous firefighter experience. View our 2025/2026 pay scale for complete details. 

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 

Schedule: Full time. 48/96 shift schedule. 

Benefits: Full benefits. Health, dental, and life insurance. Optional vision reimbursement plan. Paid time off accruals (11 hours per pay period). Paid holidays (156 hours per year). Paid military leave (132 hours per year). Mental health resources including an Employee Assistance Program, Peer Support Program, and a Public Safety LCSW Therapist on staff. Overtime opportunities. 

Retirement: Utah Retirement Systems, Pension and/or 401(k). For Tier II employees, 2% 401K Contribution 2% Matching Contribution. 

Application Deadline: January 4, 2026.

Career Opportunities

• Technical Rescue Team
• Wildland Program
• Hazardous Material Team
• Paramedic
• Critical Care Paramedic
• Engineer
  

Hiring Process

West Valley City Fire Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Lateral Firefighter. Each candidate will be required to submit to two tests for placement on the hiring roster. The placement tests consist of:  

• Physical Agility Test (PAT)
• Oral Interviews

The minimum qualifications to participate in the placement tests include:

• Must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline.
• Possession of a valid state-issued driver's license.
• Graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D. certificate.
• Must have a minimum of one-year full-time Firefighter experience prior to hire date (February 2026).
• Possession of Fire I & II certifications (Proof of Fire certifications ATTACHMENT REQUIRED).
• Possession of EMT Basic, EMT Advanced, or Paramedic certification. Must have NREMT certification prior to February 12th, 2026. (Proof of certification ATTACHMENT REQUIRED).
  

Physical Ability Test (PAT)

The "Physical Ability Test" (PAT) is used by West Valley City Fire Department as an initial evaluation of an individual's physical ability to perform the essential job functions. The PAT for West Valley City Fire Department is conducted by West Valley City Fire Department Peer Fitness Training members under the supervision of the Human Resource Office. To be considered for full-time employment, you must complete the PAT on the date(s) scheduled by West Valley City Fire Department. Physical Ability Test (PAT) instructions and schedules will be emailed to eligible candidates by 5:00pm on January 6, 2026.  

The West Valley City Fire Department PAT will be held on January 13, 2026. Testing will take approximately one and a half hours. Candidates must bring a valid picture ID to the PAT. All candidates that pass the PAT will move forward in the hiring process.

Oral Interviews

The Oral Interview process is used by West Valley City Fire Department during the evaluation process to determine an individual's cognitive, social, and stress management skills. The Oral Interview process will be conducted by members of the West Valley City Fire Department under the supervision of the Human Resource Office.  

• The West Valley City Fire Department Preliminary Interviews are scheduled for January 20, 2026. 
• The top candidates will move forward to a Final Chief's Interview, tentatively scheduled for January 27, 2026. 

Hiring List

Following the placement tests, a list of eligible candidates will be established. WVC may pull more candidates throughout the year from this hiring list to move forward in the process. Human Resources will reach out to candidates with any updates as, and if, they become available. Candidates selected from the hiring list must pass a Chief's interview. 

Notifications to candidates will generally be sent by email. It is the responsibility of each candidate to keep contact information up to date during the eligibility period of the list. To update your contact information, please contact Ari Williams at ari.williams@wvc-ut.gov or (801) 232-0006 and reference WVC Fire Hiring List on all correspondence. 

Candidates selected for hire must successfully pass a physical examination, pre-employment drug screen, and background check. 

Summary:

A West Valley Firefighter may respond to a broad assortment of calls, both emergent and non-emergent, fire, medical, public assist calls, and public education, including but not limited to;

• Structure fires, both residential and commercial.
• Grass fires, wildland, and or Urban interface.
• Fire or Medical alarms.
• Medical calls, ranging from traffic accidents, Heart Attacks, Seizures, Assaults, and Shootings.
• Public assist calls, ranging from helping a patient up off the floor to helping clean up a flooding problem.
• School visits and community education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Functions are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills. They are intended to be accurate summaries of what the job classification involves and what is required to perform it. Employees are responsible for all other duties as assigned.

• Responds to fire alarms and extinguishes fire adhering to property conservation practices.
• Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water and removing debris.
• Represent the department and city in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
• Responds to calls for emergency medical services, and renders aid.
• Cleans and inspects equipment and apparatus after returning from a fire.
• Inspects equipment and apparatus and notifies superior officer of any defects.
• Makes minor repairs to equipment and apparatus, performs routine preventative maintenance tasks, and keeps records of such action.
• Keeps fire station, equipment and grounds in a clean and orderly condition.
• Participates in training activities and instruction sessions.
• Acquires and retains a thorough knowledge of the city, including streets, buildings, water supply, unusual hazards and related items.
• Performs various public information or education tasks.
• Participates in fire prevention activities including inspections and code enforcement.
• Enters inspection, training and fire and emergency medical reports into the different records management systems.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies and procedures.
• Works in a safe manner and reports unsafe activity and conditions. Follows City-wide safety policies and practices and adheres to responsibilities concerning safety prevention, reporting and monitoring as outlined in the City's Policies and procedures, and department SOG's.
• Maintain a thorough working knowledge of local geography, which includes maps, streets, and grid book systems.
• Demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal communication.
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate both verbally and written.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Additional Paramedic Responsibilities:

• Responding to emergency and non-emergency calls calmly, efficiently and promptly.
• Administering basic and advanced life support to patients at the scene, responding to the hospital and in a pre-hospital setting in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations and standards.
• Assessing the nature and extent of injury or illness to establish and prioritize medical procedures to be followed.
• Extricating victims of accidents, sudden illness or entrapment using proper rescue and medical techniques.
• Treating patients at the scene, responding to the hospital, and in a pre-hospital setting in accordance with federal, state, local, laws, regulations and standards and in accordance with Suburban EMS policies rules, and guidelines.
• Effectively communicate with professional medical personnel and treatment facilities to obtain instructions regarding further treatment and/ or to arrange reception of patients to the appropriate center.
• Maintaining order at scenes, including crowd disbursement and restraint of family and friends.
• Completing patient care reports, evaluation forms, and all other forms or documentation in a competent and timely fashion.
• Adhere to and follow all policies and procedures concerning safety and contamination by blood borne pathogens.
• Educate and/or train department personnel, EMS trainees and the public.

Additional HAZMAT Responsibilities:

A West Valley Fire Department Hazardous Materials Technician is a position that requires a high level of technical expertise in hazardous materials. The Hazardous Materials Technician will have knowledge in chemistry, hazardous materials mitigation, planning and response. The Hazardous Materials Technician will maintain the ability to perform firefighting and rescue activities and participate in all functions required of a firefighter in the West Valley City Fire Department.

• Respond to hazardous materials incidents as part of a company.
• Possess the ability to analyze the hazardous materials incident.
• Properly collect and interpret hazard and response information.
• Properly mitigate and provide corrective actions for hazardous materials incidents.
• Conduct training on hazardous material response.
• Work professionally and in harmony with other agencies prospectively, reactively, and retrospectively.
• Replace and restock supplies and equipment.
• Regularly familiarize themselves with equipment, equipment usage, proper operation of the hazardous materials unit, and hazardous materials SOG's.

Additional Technical Responsibilities:

• Knowledge of technical rescue incident types; including high-angle and low-angle rope rescue, trench rescue, structural collapse rescue, open and swift water rescue, ice rescue, light and heavy vehicle extrication, and machinery entrapment rescue.
• Ability to size-up a technical rescue incident.
• Ability to identify and manage technical rescue incident hazards.
• Ability to manage technical rescue incident resources.
• Ability to manage and appropriately care for a victim in a technical rescue incident.
• Inspection and maintenance of PPE.
• Use of Technical Rescue related tools and devices; including ability to operate, inspect and repair various types of equipment.
• Conduct training on technical rescue.
• Maintain membership and participation with Metro USAR team.
• Maintain approved technical rescue certifications.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

The minimum qualifications to participate in the placement tests include:

• Must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline. 
• Possession of a valid state-issued driver’s license.   
• Must possess a high school diploma or a G.E.D. certificate. 
• Must have a minimum of one-year full-time Firefighter experience prior to hire date (February 2026). 
• Possession of Fire I & II certifications (Proof of Fire certifications ATTACHMENT REQUIRED). 
• Possession of EMT Basic, EMT Advanced, or Paramedic certification. Must have NREMT certification prior to February 12, 2026. (Proof of certification ATTACHMENT REQUIRED). 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Every fire department employee shall assume responsibility that all of their certifications, licenses and registrations are up-to-date, and all continuing education requirements are complete.
• Must be a current State Certified Fire Fighter II at the completion of the recruit academy.
• Must have a current EMT certification at the completion of the recruit academy.
• Must hold a current Hazardous materials certification at the level of, Ops and Awareness at the completion of the recruit academy.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• The primary duties of this class are performed in a work environment in which the employee is subject to potential personal danger. Therefore, the following physical abilities are deemed essential.
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing and other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively, including during emergency situations which may involve a high degree of noise.
• Sufficient vision and other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to effectively operate at a fire or related emergency scene.
• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate equipment used in firefighting.
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform all duties involved in protecting life and property.

Physical Demands:

• Must be in good physical condition as determined by a physical examination and laboratory examinations, given in accordance with guidelines for health standards.

Work Environment:

• Exposure to stressful situations of considerable magnitude as a result of human behavior.
• Moderately heavy physical activity. Required to stand, walk or sit uncomfortably for extended periods of time. Exposure to disagreeable elements such as cold, dampness, heat from flame and burning material, toxic fumes, smoke and noise. Intermittent exposure to hazardous materials.
• Subject to lifting 50 pounds or more, sometimes repeatedly.
• Aroused from sleep by station alarms.
• Rapid changes in temperature.
• Working without sleep for extended periods.
• Subject to traffic hazards during emergency responses.

Salary : $56,000 - $65,512