LATERAL Firefighter & Firefighter/Paramedic

Position Description West Pierce Fire & Rescue (WPFR) anticipates hiring up to 26 positions, to begin employment in January 2027. Please see the LATERAL Firefighter & Firefighter/Paramedic FAQ on our Career Resources webpage for more information. The minimum requirements for lateral entry are: > Currently employed as a Firefighter or Firefighter/Paramedic with a minimum of 12 consecutive months of full-time paid service with a municipal fire department, fire district, fire authority, or comparable public fire agency.

> Successful completion of probation with current employer. > Current National Registry or Washington State EMT or Paramedic certification. > IFSAC or Pro Board Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications.

> HazMat Awareness and Operations certifications. > Ability to obtain Washington State reciprocity/certifications prior to completion of probation. If you do not meet the lateral requirements, there is an ENTRY-LEVEL Firefighter & Firefighter/Paramedic job posting on the Employment Opportunities webpage.

Lateral Firefighter/EMT 2026 monthly base salary range is $8,389 to $9,781. Lateral candidates shall be paid one pay grade below their experience. Pay grade shall be no lower than 4th Class nor higher than 2nd Class.

Lateral employees proceed through the pay grades in accordance with the time frames indicated: $8,389 4th Class (7-12 months) $9,056 3rd Class (13-24 months) $9,781 2nd Class (25-36 months) Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic 2026 monthly base salary range is $9,438 to $11,004. $9,438 4th Class (7-12 months) $10,188 3rd Class (13-24 months) $11,004 2nd Class (25-36 months) Personnel shall be accepted and serve as paramedics in the District's program in accordance with the following parameters: a) Personnel hired for their paramedic certification shall serve in the District's program and shall be ineligible to leave the paramedic program and continue employment for a minimum period of six years from the date of employment. WPFR provides a generous benefits package and opportunity for a variety of pay incentives.

Please see the Benefits tab for more information. Longevity Pay: Lateral hire employees shall receive longevity compensation based upon their aggregate qualifying years of full-time paid fire service at the time of employment with West Pierce Fire & Rescue. Qualifying service shall include full-time paid service as a Firefighter, Firefighter/EMT, or Firefighter/Paramedic with a municipal fire department, fire district, fire authority, or comparable fire agency with West Pierce Fire and Rescue.

Longevity compensation shall be paid in accordance with Article 2.2 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the employee's total qualifying years of service. 2027 Longevity Schedule > 60 months: 2% of base salary > 120 months: $1,025 plus an additional 4% of base salary > 180 months: $1,025 plus an additional 6% of base salary > 240 months: $1,025 plus an additional 8% of base salary > 264 months: $1,025 plus an additional 10% of base salary > 300 months: $1,025 plus an additional 12% of base salary Vacation Accruals: Effective upon successful completion of probation and one (1) year of continuous employment with WPFR, lateral entry employees hired into the suppression division shall accrue vacation leave based on the tier below that corresponds with their aggregate qualifying service (as defined via Longevity Pay notation). 24-Hour Shift Annual Vacation Accrual > 0-36 months: 144 > 37-72 months: 180 > 73-108 months: 216 > 109-144 months: 252 > 145-299 months: 288 Academy & Probation: Lateral hires must successfully complete a six-week Mini Academy and six-month probationary period, consisting of a minimum of 36 full 24-hour shifts

Conditional offers are based on successful completion of: criminal history background investigation, driving abstract review, medical exam with drug screening, psychological/suitability assessment and verification(s) of employment to confirm aggregate qualifying service. Verification of qualifying service is required as a condition of employment. Human Resources will provide details on the verification process at the time of employment offers.

WPFR pays all costs associated with conditions; successful completion is required by December 4. Essential Job Functions The Firefighter is a uniformed, LEOFF position performing emergency and non-emergency duties with the legal authority and responsibility to direct and/or perform fire protection activities that are required for and directly concerned with preventing, controlling and extinguishing fires. Such activities include, but are not limited to: fire suppression, driving fire apparatus, performing as a pump operator and/or ladder company operator, emergency medical services, execution of training drills, business inspections, code enforcement, public education, and inspection and maintenance of fire equipment and high value apparatus.

Firefighters may be assigned to any division of West Pierce Fire…