Fire Cadet

Fire Cadet

Pay: $25.997 - $33.708 per hour

Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Benefit Eligible, Two-Year Term

Join the Eagan Fire Department as a Fire Cadet and ignite your passion for public service!

This dynamic two-year career development program offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience, education, and training as you prepare for a rewarding career as a firefighter. If you're ready to make a difference and embark on an exciting journey in firefighting, we want to hear from you!

Why Choose Eagan?
Our team is more than a workforce; we're a close-knit community that values diversity, hard work, and pride in serving our residents. 

 

Recruitment Process & Timeline:
All applicants who meet minimum qualifications for the position will participate in a pre-recorded video interview.
Fire Cadet Hiring Timeline

Position Overview:
 

The Fire Cadet is a two-year term career development position to become a full-time firefighter through education, training, and hands-on experience. Fire Cadets are uniformed civilian employees who will work in an apprentice-style program designed to prepare them for a career as a firefighter. Duties include training, administrative and clerical functions, station duties, responding to calls for service, community engagement, as well as community health functions under the guidance of the Assistant Chief of EMS & Training. Assignments within the fire department are varied to provide Fire Cadets with a broad range of operational and administrative experience. While the Fire Cadet program will provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be a firefighter, it does not guarantee full-time employment as a firefighter at the Eagan Fire Department, or other department upon completion of the employment term. The Fire Cadet is full-time in nature. Work hours are split between working in the fire department and going to school at an accredited community/technical college for Fire & Emergency Medical certifications and licenses.

Essential Position Functions

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed, with or without accommodation. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Participate and complete academic coursework and training in preparation for future duties as a firefighter.
• Learn the correct methods to perform the following functions:
  1. Respond to fires, fire alarms, emergency medical calls, and other emergency calls.
  2. Maintain fire apparatus, equipment, stations and grounds.
  3. Drive/operate fire apparatus.
  4. Conduct safety inspections and pre-fire planning of commercial buildings.
• After successful completion of required certifications:
  1. Assist with emergency medical response during 911 service calls.
  2. Support fire and other emergency operations under direct supervision.
• Train in various topics and conditions such as fire tactics, EMS skills, documentation, and physical fitness.
• Work towards and attain certifications:
  1. Firefighter I & II- MN Fire Service Certification Board
  2. Hazardous Materials Operations
  3. Firefighter Licensing- MN Board of Fire Training and Education (MBFTE)
  4. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - MN EMSRB
• Take part in public education and events as well as attend external education courses.
• Continually show respect for diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and interests.
• Exhibit sensitivity to the needs of diverse audiences in all duties performed on behalf of the City to support Eagan in building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment and community.
• Participate in classroom instruction.
• Lifting, carrying, and operating heavy tools and equipment.
• Maintenance of department equipment, buildings, and grounds.
• Administrative and clerical duties.
• General housekeeping duties.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Ability to wear and perform work duties in an SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) mask and full firefighting PPE ensemble e.
• Successful completion of background check, physical, drug screen, psychological exam, and reference check.
• Physically able to perform the same job functions as a firefighter and be able to pass the Eagan Fire Department’s Physical Ability Test.
• Access to reliable transportation that will enable the cadet to be present at the Eagan Fire Department during assigned work hours and off-site training.

Things that may help you be successful in this role

• Experience working with and communicating with the public.
• Experience in working independently and as a team member.
• Previous experience in volunteering and community outreach initiatives.
• Ability to make presentations to the community to enhance the department’s community contacts.
• Fluency in a non-English language

Knowledge of:

• Possess excellent moral character exhibiting honesty, responsibility, and trustworthiness with a positive attitude.

Skills in:

• Willingness and aptitude to learn the skills necessary to communicate effectively with a diverse population in person, via phone, and in a virtual setting.
• Willingness and aptitude to learn excellent customer service skills.
• Working well with others showing respect for peers and supervisors.
• Pays attention to safety instructions and consistently follows policies and guidelines.

Ability to:

• Take direction from supervisors.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Complete the required initial firefighting educational program, obtain state certification in Firefighter I, II, and Hazardous Material Operations, and obtain National and State EMT Certification.
• Speak and communicate clearly both orally and in writing with co-workers, supervisors, and the public.

Supervision

None

Physical Requirements

Job demands for this position fluctuate with seasons and job assignments.

Frequently

• Standing: Dynamic standing, raising ladders, operating a hose, clearing debris, inspecting equipment, sweeping or mopping, power washing.
• Walking: Walking from and to truck or engine multiple times at a fire or accident scene. Walking on rough ground or uneven surfaces when working in fire scenes that have no pavement or smooth surfaces or working on surfaces strewn with debris.
• Twist or Turn: Frequently, removing and replacing protective gear, tools, and equipment from the truck, removing, deploying, and replacing ground ladders, moving or removing furniture or other obstacles.
• Reaching Waist to Shoulder: Pulling hoses off of truck or engine, carrying/using axes or other tools, moving or removing furniture or other obstacles, retrieving and storing items and supplies.
• Handling/grasping: Using tools, hoses, first aid cases, ladders, protective gear, backboards, removing victims, sweeping, mopping.
• See objects clearly and read computer screens and written material.
• Hearing – Normal hearing needed. Requires ability to discriminate among similar sounds in environments with background noise

Occasionally

• Running: Running from truck or engine to fire or accident scene with tools, equipment, fan, or other items; running to pull a dry hose; running to transport a victim on a backboard; running up or down a staircase.
• Sitting: Riding in a truck or engine to and from a fire or accident scene.
• Driving: If assigned to drive equipment to and from a fire or accident scene, or if assigned to operate a department vehicle in the course of other duties.
• Balance: When climbing ladders or stairs, suppressing fires at or near rooftops or several stories above ground, walking or running on wet or muddy surfaces, carrying victims.
• Work at heights: When suppressing fires at or near rooftops or several stories above ground, climbing/standing on a ladder, or standing on top of parked equipment.
• Climb stairs or ladders: Deploying and climbing a ground or aerial ladder to enter a building or suppress a fire; climbing stairs in a building to reach sources of fires or to access and retrieve victims.
• Bend/stoop: Unwinding hoses, laying a hose, coupling and uncoupling a hose, rolling hose, mopping a floor, dismantling a vehicle, unpacking and re-packing medical equipment and supplies.
• Crouch/Squat: Unwinding hoses, pulling a hose, coupling and uncoupling a hose, rolling hose, administering first aid to a victim.
• Crawl/Kneel: Crawl on the floor or through wreckage to access a victim; kneel, unwinding hose.

Working Conditions

FLSA non-exempt position. Normal hours of work are Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm, 40 hours per week. Work hours may fluctuate depending on class availability.

Work is both in the field and in classroom settings. Employees may be frequently exposed to hazardous conditions, chemicals, and stressful emergencies. There is exposure to elements such as outdoor weather conditions, severe medical conditions, and varying levels of stress.

• Non-skid floor surfaces and handles in ambulance and fire trucks
• Work in confined spaces
• Work in and around burning and smoke-filled structures
• Varied outside temperatures
• Work in unprotected heights
• Work around mechanical, chemical, and electrical hazards
• Work around noise
• Working around moving objects and people
• Vibration
• Hazardous waste
• Odors/toxic fumes
• Lung/skin irritants
• Wet/damp surfaces
• Slippery surfaces in garage after washing vehicles daily
• Garage heated but not air conditioned
• Infectious diseases, needles, body fluids, blood borne pathogens
• Uneven surfaces