Atchison, Kansas - Fire Dept. - Employment Information

Fire Dept. - Employment Information

Persons interested in employment opportunities at the Atchison Fire Department should contact the Atchison Workforce Center at 818 Kansas Avenue, Atchison, Kansas 66002, 913-367-4311.

QUALIFICATIONS

Age:

At the time of appointment to the Atchison Fire Department, you must be at least 18 years of age.

Personal History:

You must be a citizen of the United States (KSA 74-5606 (a)), of good moral character and able to pass a rigid background investigation. You may not have been convicted of a felony. You must be the holder of a valid driver's license in the state where you reside and be able to obtain a valid Kansas Class B driver's license.

Vision:

Your vision must be correctable to 20/20 in each eye and you may not be colorblind.

Physical Exam:

Upon offer of employment, you must be willing to submit to a job-related examination and substance abuse screening.

Education:

You must have a high school diploma or it's equivalent.

Testing:

You must be willing to submit to and pass a physical agility test and a written examination prior to employment.

Interview:

You must receive a satisfactory rating on the interviews with the members of the Interview Board.

Residency:

You must be willing to establish residency, within ten minutes of your workstation, upon appointment.

Applicants interested in employment with this department shall be notified of the following automatic disqualifications prior to being considered for employment:

1. Experimentation with marijuana more that 10 times or the use of marijuana within the past 12 months.

2. Consumption of any narcotics or hallucinatory drugs, either consumed orally or intravenously.

3. The sale or possession of any illegal drugs and/or contraband.

4. Excessive theft from employers or others.

5. Pending legal action involving DUI, including, but not limited to, diversion agreements involving applicant's driver's license.

THE TESTING PROCESS

Written Examination:

A nationally validated written examination will be given. There will be 90 items on this examination and a time limit of 120 minutes to complete the test. No prior training or experience in the job of firefighter is assumed. To be successful in completing this phase of the hiring process the applicant must score above 70% and secure one of the top 15 scores. A sample of the content of the test include:

Reading Comprehension
Interpreting Tables
Situational Judgement
Logical Reasoning
Reading Gauges
Applying Basic Math Rules
Mechanical Aptitude
Spatial Sense
Map Reading
Vocabulary

Physical Agility Test:

The physical agility test is the second component of the process designed to seek the most qualified applicants. The physical agility test can be expected to take approximately 1/2 hour to complete (this includes preparation). Applicants who successfully complete the written phase of the hiring process will proceed to the physical agility test screening table, complete necessary screening and waiver procedures, and then proceed to the physical agility test layout. Physical agility times will be assigned by the officer conducting the testing. The physical agility test will be conducted on the same day as the written examination.

The response to calls involving a fire and/or explosions and calls involving the moving/lifting/treating of injured or ill persons necessitates that individuals seeking employment with the Atchison Fire Department be physically able to perform such tasks. The following information is furnished so that the applicant may be better prepared to take this physical agility test.

The physical agility test will be performed with the following equipment and gear wore by the applicant. A turnout coat, helmet, gloves, and a self-contained breathing apparatus. These items will be furnished by the testing department.

Order of agility test:

1. Hose Roll - applicant rolls and unrolls 50 feet of 3" double-jacketed hose.

2. Ladder Set-up Event - applicant removes a 14 foot aluminum alloy roof ladder from the holders provided and sets the ladder in position for climbing at the appropriate spotting location. Applicant then climbs up and off the ladder.

3. Hose Advance Event - applicant drags 100 feet of 3" double jacketed hose approximately 100 feet to the ramp, then proceeds to next event.

4. Citizen Assist Event - applicant moves an approximate 135 pound rescue dummy to the hose advance event starting point and places the dummy on the ground. Then applicant proceeds to the 14-foot roof ladder used in the ladder set up event. Applicant then proceeds to descend this ladder and replaces it in the holder it was originally cradled in.

5. Extension Ladder Climbing Event - applicant proceeds to the training tower and climbs a secured 35 foot extension ladder to the forth floor of the tower and step off onto the landing.

6. Equipment Hoisting Event - applicant hoists a 50-foot section of 3-inch hose using the rope provided. Applicant then descends the tower to next event.

7. Fire Extension Event - applicant advances on a simulated rafter that run perpendicular and abutted against another simulated rafter that passes through and under a low hanging simulated roof line. Ladders are used to simulate the rafters and a table and tarpaulin is used to simulate the roofline. The applicant must remain on the rafters and must touch all three ends of the ladder.

8. High Rise Event - applicant carries standpipe pack and sledge hammer from its stored position to the 4th floor of the training tower.

9. Ventilation Event - applicant while standing on the 4th floor of the training tower will strike the target object 56 times using a 10-pound sledgehammer to simulate an axe. Target must be struck with enough force to simulate venting a roof.

10. Return to Quarters Event - applicant will with standpipe pack and sledgehammer return to the ground level of the training tower and proceed outside to the finish. Time is stopped.

All tasks must be completed in continuous sequence, therefore if the applicant must stop to rest the person timing the events will ask the applicant to continue on. If the applicant is unable to continue, time will stop and the test will end incomplete. A time limit of twenty (20) minutes is allowed to complete the test. Failure to complete the test in the time limits will also be incomplete. No points are awarded for the physical agility testing it is strictly pass or fail.

Failure to complete the physical agility test will result in an automatic elimination from the scheduled employment process.

Public Safety Interview:

Applicants will be notified as to the date, time, and location of the Public Safety Interview. This interview is usually conducted the day following the written and physical testing. Every effort will be made to take into consideration travel and convenience for each applicant.

Physical Examination:

Following an offer of employment the applicant must successfully pass a physical examination and substance abuse screening administered by a licensed health care professional. Applicant will be notified of results.

BENEFITS

Salary Range:

The salary range for the position of firefighter with the City of Atchison Fire Department is set by the City Commission, as are all other positions. The current starting annual salary is $26,178.88.

Holiday Pay:

Firefighters with the City of Atchison receive double time pay for all eleven paid holidays listed in the rules and regulations of the City of Atchison. A minimum of 12 holiday hours shall be earned by each shift employee for each holiday.

Overtime:

All personnel are subject to overtime assignments as deemed necessary by the department staff. This includes call back for emergencies and required minimum manning levels. All personnel are subject to call back and will be assigned days to be on call.

Vacations:

Firefighters accrue vacation in accordance with City of Atchison Personnel Rules and Regulations. Vacation is earned according to the following schedule:

Fifty-six (56) Hour Employees Annual Accural
0 to 5 years of service 112 hours per year
6 to 15 years of service 168 hours per year
over 15 years of service 224 hours per year

Compensatory Time:

All personnel with the City of Atchison Fire Department are compensated for all hours worked over 204 hours in our scheduled 27-day work period. This amount varies in accordance; of course, with the hours worked in the period but generally is 12 hours. The compensation is at a rate of 1.5 times the hours earned.

Retirement:

All firefighters shall be members of the Kansas Police and Fireman's retirement system upon their first date of employment with the City of Atchison. This is a contributory plan and payments of 7% of your gross wages are withheld from your paycheck.

Medical Insurance:

All employees shall be eligible for group medical and hospital insurance. During any authorized leave of absence, the City will maintain its contribution towards health insurance.

Sick Leave:

Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 5.17 hours for every BI-weekly pay period worked.

Credit Union:

Employees of the City of Atchison may join the credit union if the desire. Interested employees may contact the payroll department if they desire to join the Credit Union 1 of Kansas.

Work Week:

Firefighters with the City of Atchison typically work approximately one third of the year of scheduled duty. This is generally a ten or eleven 24-hour shift per month. The pay schedule is figured however on a basis of 56 hours a week or 112 hours per pay period.

Shift Assignments:

All firefighters are assigned to one of three shifts and will remain on that shift unless the Fire Chief deems a move necessary.