Probationary Firefighter

Position Details

• Job Status: Permanent Full-Time
• Union: Chatham-Kent Professional Firefighter’s Association (CKPFFA)
• Number of Positions: 3
• Hours of Work: 42
• Location: Fire Station 1, Chatham
• Closing Date: 2026-09-17 11:59pm EST

Job Description

A career with the Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue Services is both challenging and rewarding. It will require a very high level of dedicated service to the community and a willingness to always help others. This position will require that you respond to all emergencies when called upon. Specifically, you will respond to fire emergencies to perform rescues, protect property and the environment, medical emergencies to provide emergency patient care and assistance, motor vehicle emergencies to provide scene, vehicle and patient stabilization, and other specialized emergencies and calls for public assistance. In addition, you will be required to assist and provide public safety education, public relations, fire inspections, develop pre-emergency plans, train extensively and maintain fire apparatus, equipment, and fire stations.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent will be establishing and maintaining a list of qualified candidates (for a period of 2 years) that can fill the position of probationary firefighter. Vacancies will be filled as they arise. The position is probationary for a period of twelve (12) months from the start date. Candidates must be physically fit to handle the sustained, intense, physical effort often required to perform these duties.

Firefighters are expected to maintain: all required competencies, a high level of professionalism, solve problems, work as part of a dynamic team, and follow written and verbal instructions. Self-motivation as it relates to professional development and a team focused orientation.

Essential Responsibilities

• Maintain physical fitness and all required certifications
• Maintain a high level of professionalism, solve problems, work as part of a dynamic team
• Follow written and verbal instructions that are provided in English
• Respond to all emergencies when called upon to perform rescues, protect property, the environment and the economy, stabilize emergency scenes and provide patient care as required
• Provide all forms of public assistance as required
• Educate the public about fire prevention and public safety
• Assist with fire inspections as required
• Assist with fire investigations
• Maintain fire apparatus, equipment, and fire stations
• Train extensively
• Develop pre-emergency plans

Essential Qualifications

• Over 18 years of age and legally entitled to work in Canada
• Able to understand and communicate clearly in oral and written English
• Possess a secondary school graduation diploma/ certificate or Ontario Ministry of Education equivalency
• Possess a valid standard first aid certificate and a valid CPR Basic Rescuer Certificate (Level C)
• NFPA 1001 Level 1 and 2 accredited certification OR Employed or previously employed as a career firefighter and grandfathered to NFPA 1001, level 1 & 2 OR Employed or previously employed as a volunteer firefighter and grandfathered to NFPA 1001, level 1 & 2
• Successfully complete, in one day, the Medical Assessment, Clinical Assessment, Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), Acrophobia Test, Aptitude Exam and Fifteen (15) minute Tread Water Test, as provided by Firefighter Services of Ontario (FSO)
• Complete the Emotional Stability and Resiliency Assessment by the deadline provided by Firefighter Services of Ontario (FSO)
• Post-secondary education from a Community College or University in firefighting or other courses in the field of skilled trades, construction, medical or technical rescue will be considered an asset
• Previous professional and/ or volunteer firefighting experience an asset
• Other emergency services experience an asset (i.e. military, paramedic, emergency service, medical experience, etc.)
• Community involvement and/ or volunteer experience an asset

Work Environment

This position will work both indoors and outdoors.

Hours of Work

This position works twenty-four (24) hour shifts, and averages forty-two (42) hours per weeks over a four-week period.

Background Check Requirements

Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to commencement of employment. A background check may include the following: education/certification verification and employment reference check. Because of the environment this position will be working in, the successful candidate will be required to furnish an original Police Information Search (Vulnerable Sector Check) prior to commencement of employment.

Driver’s Licence/ Vehicle Requirements

A valid Ontario driver’s licence (minimum class D with a Z endorsement, or equivalent license from another province); a driver’s abstract will be conducted by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. An acceptable driver’s abstract will be an original document and current (within the previous thirty (30) days); have no more than [text truncated]