Become a Firefighter

JOIN OUR TEAM

We are seeking candidates to become firefighters for the City of Watertown.  We are hiring residents of Watertown and surrounding communities to serve as paid on-call firefighters.  Our minimum requirements are that you be 18 years old with a HS Diploma or equivalent, live within 10 minutes of the station, and have a valid Minnesota Driver’s License.    Non-resident applicants must have current firefighting credentials and experience.

Most importantly, we need positive mindsets with strong work ethics who strive in a team environment.   Firefighter applicants must be willing to learn new skills and desire to be part of a high-performing team environment.   The Watertown Fire Department prides itself in having well-trained, competent staff, along with well-maintained equipment.

HIRING PROCESS

1. Informational Meeting with Chief Officer
2. 2 Panel Interview(s) and Physical Agility Test
3. Conditional Job Offer – Background Check, DVS Check, Medical Evaluation, including Personality Profile
4. City Council Approval Pending results of above checks and evaluation

DEPARTMENT BACKROUND

The Watertown Fire Department was organized in 1878 and is considered a combination department, which provides services utilizing paid on call members and FT staff.  The department provides fire, first responder, rescue, fire prevention, and education services to the City of Watertown, Watertown Township, Hollywood Township, Franklin Township, and Woodland Township, in addition to providing services to our mutual aid partners. The population the Watertown Fire Department serves is estimated to be over 6,500 residing in an area of 52 square miles. The services are provided from one main fire station, centrally located within the City of Watertown. The Department has averaged between 500 and 600 calls per year over the last three years; and responds to fires, alarms, medical emergencies, personal injury accidents, carbon monoxide alarms, water rescue incidents, severe weather events, hazardous materials incidents, mutual aid calls, and for any event when summoned by the public.

Watertown Firefighters typically train at the same standards as typical career firefighters, with the biggest difference being they receive fewer calls than career departments.

The composition of the Watertown Fire Department is very diverse and consists of firefighters from a wide variety of occupations. The department relies heavily on its members to manage almost all aspects of response, while a full-time fire chief manages the administrative tasks.

We currently have two types of Paid on Call firefighters: Resident FF’s (those residing in the Watertown Fire District) and Non-Resident FF’s (those residing outside of the Fire District).  Non-Resident FF’s must have prior Fire Department Experience and FFI/II, HazMat Operations, and EMR Certifications for consideration of employment.

INTRODUCTORY MEMBER REQUIREMENTS

During your first year as a probationary member of the department, you will be required to obtain certification in both firefighting and medical care. This training is provided to you free of charge, in partnership with the Carver County Fire Academy.  The Department will do its best to work with your schedule and provide you with the tools and equipment required to attend. This training typically starts in August of each year and finishes by March of the next year.  Once you complete these sessions (or if you already have these trainings), you will continue to hone your skills and with our internal training team.  These sessions will get you familiar with our equipment and procedures.

ONGOING REQUIREMENTS and SCHEDULING

Most of our attendance requirements fall on Monday evenings.  We hold business meetings on the first Monday of “odd” numbered months.  Every month, we hold a worknight session to check our trucks and equipment on the second Monday.  Ongoing training sessions are offered every month on the 3^rd, and 4^th Monday’, these sessions are a combination of classroom learning and hands-on or skills-based education.

In addition to the above sessions, we have several station staffing models that assist with a tiered call response, in which only 3-4 FFs respond to low-acuity calls for service.  Resident Firefighters are required to be on-call for 36 hours a month and respond from their home.  Non-resident firefighters are required to work 4-12 hours shifts a month, typically running from 6pm – 6am.  In both situations, firefighters are required to maintain less than a five-minute response time to the fire station.

In the event of a larger scale call for service, or when a scheduled crew is not in service, an “All Call” is dispatched and all available personnel respond to the station and respond with appropriate apparatus.  Our current “All Call” requirement is 25% for Resident Firefighters.  There are typically 10-12 all calls per month.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

At the completion of your probationary period, you will be entitled to an incentive bonus of $500.00. Upon your second anniversary, you will be entitled to an additional retention bonus of $500.00