Firefighter Position

South Bay Fire District 8 - Firefighter

 

PROFILE DISCLAIMER

The information herein is provided by the respective agency and is only as accurate and as up-to-date as the agency representative(s) update this information. PST is not responsible for the veracity of this data as it is provided directly from the agency. It is ultimately the applicant's responsibility to verify any information about the agency with the agency.

South Bay Fire District 8 - Firefighter

Last updated on April 06, 2025
PST Partner Agency since April 18, 2014

Vacancies: 3

Testing Deadline: September 01, 2025.

Important Information

The district is currently establishing a list for 3 positions.  In early September, we intend to review the applicant list and will be scheduling interviews based on the received test scores. We anticipate a start date of January 1, 2026 with entry-level candidates beginning a Firefighter and EMT academy in January or February.

Community Information

The South Bay Fire District is in the northern portion of Thurston County. The district is almost completely residential and is bordered by the Puget Sound to the north and Cities of Lacey and Olympia to the south.

Department Information

The South Bay Fire District was first organized in 1953 by citizens in the area. Career staffing of the agency consists of a Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, three Battalion Chiefs, six lieutenants, 9 firefighters and approximately 30 volunteers. South Bay (Thurston Fire District 8) serves over 13,000 residents within its 31 square mile area. We currently have two fire stations and respond to over 1,300 incidents annually. We share borders with the City of Lacey, the City of Olympia and the Puget Sound.

Area Information

County: Thurston
Population: 13,000
# of Staff: 18

Hiring Status

South Bay Fire District 8 - Firefighter has 3 vacancies.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is September 01, 2025.

The eligibility list is a continuous listing and maintained as scores are received from PST with oral board interviews conducted on an as-needed basis. Candidates must clearly demonstrate through their application materials that they meet the employment standards outlined above. All applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the position may consist of any combination of written, performance, and oral exams to evaluate the applicant's skills, training, and experience for the position. Successful applicants will be placed on an eligibility list for any future position openings.

The District is currently receiving scores for 3 anticipated positions in 2026.  Scores will be pulled on September 2, 2025.  Tentative start date of January 1, 2026.

Number of Current Vacancies: 3

Salary Information

All wages and benefits are negotiated by Thurston County Fire Protection District 8 (South Bay FD) and the IAFF Local 2903.  Entry level salary for 2025 is $81,761 with top step firefighters earning $102,201. 2026 salary updates are being negotiated. 

Benefit Information

Medical, vision, & dental insurance for employee and family; life insurance; 12 paid holidays; vacation and sick leave; LEOFF II retirement plan; deferred comp; HRA; Short & Long term disability

South Bay Fire District 8 - Firefighter Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Yes, required. Our agency will only accept PST’s CPAT

Your CPAT must be completed 180 days (~6 months) before or after your passing written exam.

Minimum Age 18
Citizenship Legally Eligible to Work in the US
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required Yes
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult No adult felony convictions at any time.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile Not normally, but can be reviewed depending on circumstance.
Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language Yes
Vision Requirements Must meet LEOFF II standards.
EMT Certification EMT not required for entry level applicants
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We consider the highest score received within the past one year
Request/Access Scores On an as-needed basis as vacancies occur

South Bay Fire District 8 - Firefighter Disqualifiers

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.

Category Disqualifier
Driving
Automatic 1 or more traffic crime convictions in last 3 years (DWI, Suspended, Reckless, etc).
Automatic Suspension of driver's license within past 3 years.
Automatic 3 or more moving violations in past 3 years.
Automatic 2 or more at-fault accidents in past 3 years.
Drug Usage
Automatic Illegal opiate use.
Potential Other drug use outside these standards will be considered on case by case basis.
Automatic Pattern of illegal use of prescription medication.
Criminal Activity
Automatic Any adult felony conviction.
Automatic Any misdemeanor, or felony conviction while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Potential Adult misdemeanor convictions will be carefully reviewed.
Potential Juvenile felony conviction will be carefully reviewed.
Automatic Been convicted of any crime under a domestic violence statue.
Automatic Unlawful sexual misconduct.
Employment
Automatic Been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces.
Automatic Lied during any stage of the hiring process.
Automatic Falsified his or her application, personal history questionnaire, or any other forms during hiring process.
Financial
Automatic Failure to pay income tax or child support.
Potential Current credit accounts, or unresolved accounts in collection will be carefully reviewed.

Contact Information

South Bay Fire District 8 - Firefighter

3506 Shincke Rd. NE
Olympia, WA 98506 Thurston County
360-491-5320

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Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: Yes, required
CPAT: Yes, required. Our agency will only accept PST’s CPAT