Entry Level Firefighter

Why Tumwater?
Tumwater is more than just a city; it’s a vibrant community rooted in history and filled with opportunity. Located at the southern gateway to the Seattle-Tacoma metro area, Tumwater offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-picture vision.

Surrounded by the natural beauty of Puget Sound, prairie landscapes, rivers, and evergreen forests, we’re just over an hour from ocean beaches, the Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Rainier. Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking, brewery-hopping, or live music, you’ll find easy access to it all.

Here in Tumwater, we’re building a future that’s highly livable, connected, and inclusive. With safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a deep sense of civic pride, it’s not just a great place to live, it’s a great place to grow your career.
The Opportunity

The City of Tumwater is actively seeking qualified applicants for the position of Firefighter. Applicants interested in this position must complete the Fire Selection Tool written test through Public Safety Testing. Please visit their website (www.PublicSafetyTesting.com) to register for testing. Be sure to select Tumwater Fire Department under the Puget Sound agency section.

Candidates must score 80% or more on the written test and submit their scores to Tumwater by January 30, 2026, 5:00 p.m. The top qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a speed interview. See below for full recruitment process and schedule.

You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process continues. Please refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) for more information on the City of Tumwater website at www.TumwaterFireJobs.com.Firefighters provide emergency assistance and protective services to people in our community. They are trained and equipped to protect life and property threatened by disaster, fire, explosion, hazardous materials, illness, accidents and other hazards. Firefighters perform rescue and emergency medical services in accordance with Thurston County Medic One protocols. Work may involve environments that are dangerous to life and health. Strenuous physical exertion under stressful conditions may be required during training and emergency scene operations. The work environment includes, but is not limited to, confined spaces, temperature extremes, inclement weather, extreme heights, exposure to diseases, and violent acts.

The career firefighter also conducts or participates in non-emergency services, including training, pre-incident planning, fire/injury prevention, public education, building inspections, public relations, facility and equipment maintenance, apparatus and equipment checks, report writing, and other activities.

Supervision: Direct supervision is from a superior Firefighter, Fire Lieutenant, or Fire Captain. Performance evaluations are conducted by a Company Officer.

Essential Functions: Typical firefighter tasks and or assignments include but are not limited to:
• Compliant with Agency policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations.
• Responds to emergencies.
• Public education, outreach, and training.
• Participates in assigned training.
• Responds to customer requests.
• Operating agency equipment and apparatus.
• Physical training/conditioning.
• Obtaining and retaining Agency-required professional certifications.
• Timely and accurate documentation of activities.
• Operating a variety of telecommunication tools and computer programs.
• Mentoring other firefighters.
• Opportunity to work out of class after sufficient training and experience is completed.
• Other duties as assigned.
Contacts: Firefighters routinely come in contact with the general public, law enforcement personnel, medical professionals, and fire service personnel from other jurisdictions. Contacts with the public are generally in emergency and stressful situations, which require the employee to present and maintain a professional, service-oriented public image. Firefighters must be able to use tact, discretion, and may exercise independent judgment in emergency or dangerous situations.

Accountability: Firefighters are accountable for maintaining public safety through fire suppression and prevention, basic life support emergency medical response, and for compliance with departmental or other policies, procedures, regulations and/or codes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Ability to work in a closely managed, paramilitary management system.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and comply with safety regulations.
• Ability to work under hazardous conditions using proper techniques and wearing proper equipment.
• Ability to learn principles and techniques of modern fire suppression, prevention, and lifesaving procedures and techniques.
• Ability to maintain composure and self-control under adverse conditions.
• Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and with respect for the rights of the others.
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively with people of different genders, races, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, and experiences. Multilingual skills are desirable.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees and external partners.
• Ability to meet adopted performance standards.
• Ability to hold self in readiness at all times to answer calls, accept authority, and obey orders from superiors.
• Ability to attend school, conferences, and training sessions, keeping current in tactics and other information related to this position.
• Ability to work/operate cooperatively in small groups and team environments to accomplish mission, task, and/or assignments.
• Must be able to drive fire apparatus, medic units, and Agency vehicles.
• Ability to understands and adheres to the Agency’s policies, procedures and operating guidelines.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Must complete the written exam (Firefighter Selection Tool) through Public Safety Testing (PST) and a City of Tumwater Application for employment by January 31, 2026.
Training Requirements:
• Successfully complete an Agency-recognized firefighter recruit academy upon offer.
• Obtain Washington Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification as required by Thurston County Medic One within one (1) year of appointment and maintain throughout the period of employment.
• Obtain IFSAC Firefighter I within the first year of employment.
• Obtain IFSAC Firefighter II with the first two (2) years of employment.
• Complete the Washington State Fire Fighters Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) program for Firefighter within first three (3) years.
Physical Requirements:
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age at time of appointment.
• Must be able to read, utilize a computer (screen, keyboard, etc.), write, and understand various reports, letters, documents, emails, training materials, etc.
• Frequent movement is necessary in a fire station setting, in meetings and/or training, at conferences, etc., for long periods.
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs and/or ladders; occasionally positions self to reach high/low work spaces; occasionally kneels, stoops, crouches, or crawls.
• Must successfully pass Agency’s requirements for fitness for duty test and SCBA/HEPA mask fit test.
• Lifting and or moving up to 50 pounds and occasionally lifting or moving up to 150 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Corrected vision is permitted.
• Frequently operates a computer and other office production machinery such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Frequently works in an indoor or outdoor setting; occasionally required to work for prolonged periods without rest during disasters or in inclement weather.
• Must successfully pass the Agency’s pre-hire background, medical physical, drug screen, and suitability testing.
Working Conditions:
• Firefighters work in a team environment.
• Shifts are generally 24 hours.
• Training outside the normal shift schedule will be required.
• Subject to callback situations.
• Work in various indoor settings including living quarters, office areas, classrooms, automotive, mechanical, and other storage areas.
• Majority of work is performed preparing or responding to emergency situations, indoors or outdoors, including exposure to hazards associated with firefighting, emergency medical response, rescue operations, natural and manmade disasters.
Firefighters are exposed to physically and mentally stressful situations, including trauma, illness, contagious diseases, extreme temperatures, and contaminated environments.Selection process for entry-level firefighters

Step 1: Apply with the City of Tumwater

Candidates interested in this position must complete the written exam (firefighter selection tool) through Public Safety Testing (PST) and a city of Tumwater application for employment. Applications are available at the Government Jobs website. The application deadline is January 30, 2026.

Applicants interested in this position must complete the written exam (firefighter selection tool) through Public Safety Testing. Please visit Public Safety Testing for information regarding the testing process. All candidates with a combined score of 80% on the PST written test will be invited to participate in 9-minute speed interviews scheduled for the week of Feb. 23, 2026, in Tumwater. Candidates must pass with a minimum of 70% on the speed interview will be considered for the next step.
Step 2: Speed interview

All candidates with a combined score of 80% on the PST written test will be invited to participate in a 9-minute speed interview. Candidates must pass with a minimum of 70% to be considered for the next step. Volunteer points are added to passing scores for those who qualify. Speed interviews will take place the week of Feb. 23, 2026, in Tumwater.
Step 3: Oral board interviews

Top candidates from speed interviews will be invited to participate in oral board interviews. These interviews will take place the week of March 23, 2026. Candidates must pass with a minimum of 70%.
Step 4: Eligibility list

Candidates will be placed on a ranked eligibility register based on their scores achieved on the PST Written Exam (40%) and the oral board interviews (60%), plus veteran’s preference. The eligibility list will be approved at the April 2026 Civil Service Commission.
Step 5: Chief’s interview

Depending on department openings, the top seven candidates will be invited to the chief’s interview, which will be scheduled as needed.
Step 6: Conditional offer
• Pre-employment screening

The next step in hiring is a conditional offer of employment. Candidates will be required to participate in pre-employment screenings, including a medical and psychological exam.
• A valid candidate physical ability test (CPAT) certification is required.

CPAT certification is accepted from PST or another agency provider licensed by the IAFF/IAFC. To be valid, CPAT testing must have been completed within the last calendar year.

Candidates without valid certification who are scheduled for oral board interviews may request a test fee waiver.
• How to prepare for the candidate physical ability test (CPAT)

Engage in advanced physical training before the CPAT, targeting muscle groups used in lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, and other actions related to firefighter tasks. A workout program may include distance running, sprints, rowing, stair climbing with a weight pack, and weightlifting to develop both the upper and lower body.

More information can be found at the Public Safety Testing website.
Step 7: Recruit academy

Successful candidates will begin a firefighter recruit academy.

Candidates will receive updates regarding application status by email.