Spokane Valley is a city in Spokane County, Washington, United States, and the largest suburb of Spokane. It is located east of Spokane, west of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and surrounds the city of Millwood on three sides. The city incorporated as the City of Spokane Valley on March 31, 2003.

The City of Spokane Valley is a family-friendly urban city of about 100,000 population that borders the City of Spokane (west) and Liberty Lake (east). Because the valley is centrally located in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene corridor, residents can easily commute to jobs in nearly all areas of the region.

The Spokane River meanders through Spokane Valley. The city uniquely benefits from its nearby endless opportunities to hike, bicycle, ski and enjoy numerous water sports on the river – all without venturing too far from great restaurants and retail shopping. With 260 days of sunshine a year, residents have plenty of time to enjoy local parks and trails.

Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) is an Accredited Agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), one of only a handful in the state of Washington. The ongoing Accreditation process promotes excellence and continuous quality improvement that leads to improved service delivery for our citizens.

Established in 1940, Spokane Valley Fire Department proudly serves the Cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Millwood, and parts of unincorporated Spokane County, including the communities of Otis Orchards, Pasadena Park, and the area surrounding Liberty Lake with a combined population of 125,000. SVFD firefighters and paramedics provide a variety of fire, rescue and emergency medical services. We also provide fire prevention, commercial property inspections and public education about fire and life safety.

Within our 75 square mile response area there are single and multi-family homes, retirement homes, schools, health care facilities, businesses, railroads, federal and state highways and approximately 13 miles of the Spokane River. Beyond our response area we participate in “automatic aid” with Spokane Fire Department (along our western border) and Spokane County Fire District 8 (along our southern border). Automatic aid means the highest level of customer service through faster emergency response from the closest and most appropriate fire service resource, regardless of boundaries.

SVFD has an overall Washington Survey and Rating Bureau (WSRB) rating of Class 2 in our municipal areas — Cities of Liberty Lake, Millwood and Spokane Valley — and a Class 3 in our unincorporated service area. We operate 10 fire stations, a Fleet Maintenance and Training Center, and an Administrative building located at 2120 N. Wilbur. We employ about 200 personnel – 90 percent are uniformed personnel and the remainder are civilian support staff employees.

Nature of Work

The primary functions of a SFVD firefighter are to respond to a wide range of emergencies including the protection of the community from disaster situations, including house, building and wildland fires, and to promote an environment of public safety within the Spokane Valley Fire Department response area. The position also participates in community risk reduction through fire prevention and inspection, equipment and quarters’ maintenance and training with all phases of fire suppression, prevention, inspection, rescue, and emergency operations. An employee in this classification performs duties of other employees when so assigned.

Supervision

The work is performed under the direct supervision of a Fire Captain.

Essential Job Functions

Essential functions are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills. They are intended to be a summary of what the job classification involves and what is required to perform. Employees are responsible for all other duties as assigned.

• Responds to fire alarms and extinguishes fire.
• Responds to calls for emergency medical services and renders first aid.
• Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers and removing debris. Responds to and renders assistance in emergency medical cases.
• Cleans and inspects equipment and apparatus after returning from emergency incidents. Inspects equipment and apparatus and follows policy to report defects.
• Keeps fire station, equipment, and grounds in a clean and orderly condition. Participates in training activities and instruction sessions.
• Acquires and retains a thorough knowledge of SVFD response area, including streets, buildings, water supply, unusual hazards, and related items.
• Performs various public information or education tasks.
• Enters inspection, training and (on occasion) fire and emergency medical service calls into the records management systems.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with SVFD policies and procedures.
• Works in a safe manner and reports unsafe activity and conditions. Follows SVFD safety policy and practices and adheres to responsibilities concerning safety prevention, reporting, and monitoring as outlined in SVFD policies.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• May respond to emergency calls for specialized service such as hazardous materials, confined spaces rescue, extrication and technical rescue that include high angle, below grade, swift water, ice, trench, and collapse rescue.
• May respond to non-emergency calls for community risk reduction, fire prevention, and public education events.
• Deals with social service-related areas of emergency response by assisting victims and relatives of traumatic events.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• The geography of Spokane Valley Fire Department and surrounding areas (or the ability to quickly learn this information), including streets, hydrant locations, layout and location of public utilities and potentially hazardous materials and substances.
• Specialized firefighting vehicles and equipment.
• Current strategies for all types of fire such as wildland, commercial, residential, flammable, and combustible liquids, etc.
• Basic mathematical and science skills.
• Emergency response records systems, communication equipment and use, fire computer applications and incident reporting procedures.
• Computers and related software.

Ability to:

• Make determinations as to the best course of action for fighting fires or responding to other related emergency situations.
• Work under extremely stressful situations, day, and night, which result from fires and other emergencies, including the ability to remain calm and carry out all duties with the recognition of the threat to life and property.
• Work within a command structure requiring strict adherence to the following of orders. Work in a team environment under stressful situations.
• Quickly learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Learn and correctly apply routine division and department policies and procedures.
• Read, comprehend, and follow simple oral and written instructions; understand and apply available guidelines to varied operational requirements.
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time sensitive deadlines.
• Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Operate a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing, with the public and other employees.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED equivalency.
• Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application. 
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must hold and maintain a valid state drivers’ license. 
• Must be a non-tobacco user including e-cigarettes/vape.
• Must maintain Washington State EMT Certification as a condition of employment. 
• Must maintain the department's minimum training and performance standards.

Essential Physical Abilities:

• The primary duties of this class are performed in a work environment in which the employee is subject to potential personal danger. Therefore, the following physical abilities are deemed essential.
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing and other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively, including during emergency situations which may involve a high degree of noise.
• Sufficient vision and other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to effectively operate at a fire or related emergency scene.
• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate equipment used in firefighting.
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflects, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform all duties involved in protecting life and property.

Spokane Valley Fire Department - Firefighter has 23 vacancies.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is November 22, 2024.

Spokane Valley Fire Department will be contacting selected candidates to participate in interviews in December 2024.

Selected Entry Level Firefighter candidates will be expected to start the academy as of April 1, 2025.

Salary for 2025:

• $6,430.59 per Month – 1st Year – (70% of Top Step FF [TFF])
• $7,349.25 per Month – 2nd Year – (80% of Top Step FF)
• $8,267.90 per Month – 3rd Year – (90% of Top Step FF)
• $9,186.56 per Month – 4th Year – (100% of Top Step FF)

Benefits Package:

• Retirement – Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters II (LEOFF).
• Deferred Compensation – Department matches 5% of TFF monthly wages.
• Medical/Vision Insurance – The Department will pay 100% of active employee premium. A maximum monthly employee contribution of $79.96 for 2+ dependents coverage.
• Dental insurance - The Department will pay up to $130 per month.
• Provided Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) - $1,700 per year.
• Paid Vacation – Earned at an initial rate of 6 shifts, up to 13 shifts based on longevity.
• Holidays – Compensated.
• Bereavement Leave – Two shifts for approved family members.
• Paid Sick Leave – Earned at a rate of 18 hours per month.