Captain
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Job Summary
Job Summary
This non-exempt position reports directly to the Deputy Chief or designee. The Captain provides initial response to fire, EMS, rescue, and hazardous materials incidents in the Steese Fire and EMS service areas, establishing incident command until relieved by a superior officer.
Duties include supervising assigned personnel, performing daily operations, maintaining facilities and equipment, and participating in training both as a student and instructor. Captains are required to obtain certification to drive/operate all department apparatus, function as a Firefighter II, and serve as a lead medic at the EMT III–Advanced level or above under the department’s medical standing orders. Captains may also act as Battalion Chief as assigned.
This position follows a rotating 48-hour on/96-hour off schedule or an 8-hour per day/40-hour per week schedule.
Responsibilities
- Provide leadership, mentorship, and training to assigned personnel.
- Perform emergency response duties, including apparatus operation, interior and wildland firefighting, rescue, extrication, and hazardous materials operations.
- Serve as Company Officer or Driver/Operator on emergency response and act as Incident Commander until relieved.
- Function as Lead Medic on ambulance crews when required.
- Conduct and document daily/weekly apparatus checks, initiate maintenance work orders, and ensure readiness of vehicles and equipment.
- Maintain facilities and grounds, performing routine cleaning, stocking, repairs, and upkeep.
- Complete reports and data entry, including ANFIRS, EMS reports, training records, PPE assignments, hose and SCBA records.
- Instruct and support training in fire, rescue, EMS, driver operations, and “check-off” procedures. Assist with training preparation, equipment setup, and instruction during shift-level and department-wide sessions.
- Participate in fire prevention education, accident prevention, and community awareness programs.
- Supervise volunteer personnel, summer hires, or community service workers assigned to the shift, including task delegation, counseling, quality control, and performance evaluations.
- Enforce department policies, directives, and operating guidelines.
- Serve as Acting Battalion Chief at least two (2) evenings per month when not assigned to a shift.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Fire Chief or designee.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- At least 19 years of age
- Five (5) years of firefighting experience, including three (3) years at an Officer level or equivalent
- Physically fit for structural firefighting; must pass annual department physical agility test
- Valid Alaska driver’s license and insurable under department policy
- State of Alaska Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator (Pumper/Mobile Water Supply) Certification, or ability to obtain within 1 year of hire
- State of Alaska or IFSAC Firefighter II
- State of Alaska or IFSAC Fire Instructor I
- State of Alaska or IFSAC Fire Officer I
- State of Alaska EMT III or AEMT (Paramedic preferred)
- HazMat Operations Certification
- ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800 certificates
- Certification to drive/operate all Steese VFD apparatus within three months of hire
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate degree in fire science, paramedicine, or related field
- AHA BLS Instructor certification
- Rapid Intervention Technician certification
- State of Alaska EMT Instructor
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Fire suppression and prevention principles
- Safe operation and maintenance of firefighting equipment and apparatus
- Department policies, procedures, and guidelines
- Local geography, cold weather operations, and rural EMS/rescue practices
Ability to:
- Safely operate all firefighting apparatus and equipment, and instruct others in their use
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, other agencies, and the public
- Maintain physical fitness for firefighting, EMS response, and training duties
Skills in:
- Written and verbal communication
- Map reading and observation
- Firefighting tactics and techniques
- Advanced life support procedures and CPR
Job Contacts
- Department Operations, Training, Administrative, and Support Staff
- General Public
- Steese Fire Service Commissioners
- Fairbanks North Star Borough staff
- Other area emergency service organizations
Salary and Benefits
Benefits (including health, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k with 12% match)
Application Packet Requirements
Application Packet Requirements:
1. Completed application (downloaded from www.steesefire.org)
2. Resume
3. Copies of all required certifications
4. Two letters of reference
5. Questionnaire for Captain
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
1. The employee shall be required to maintain physical fitness equal to the demands of structural
firefighting, EMS emergencies, and training duties.
2. The individual must pass the Department’s physical ability test annually.
2. The employee shall be required to cultivate a positive attitude and work ethic with members of
this organization while performing the position’s duties.
3. Yearly performance evaluations will take place. The employee shall meet the expectations of
the job.
4. All Steese Volunteer Fire Department Inc. members, whether volunteer or paid, are at will. The Fire Chief may dismiss your membership at any time, for any reason, with or without notice.
There are no contracts for membership for either paid or volunteer personnel.
5. There is no probationary period for volunteer or paid positions within the Steese Volunteer Fire Department Inc.
6. Certified to operate all department apparatus within three (3) months of hire date.
7. Achieve State of Alaska Fire Apparatus Driver/Pumper/Mobile Water Supply Operator (FADO) Certification within one (1) year of hire date.
8. Achieve IS-200 and IS-800 certificates within three (3) months of the hire date.
9. Achieve Lead Medic status within three (3) months of hire date.