Firefighter Job Profile

• Undertake suppression duties necessary to save life and property
• Combat, extinguish and/or prevent fires by rapidly and efficiently performing varied duties as required under emergency conditions
• Lay and connect hose, hold nozzles and direct high-pressure water streams
• Raise, climb and work from ladders
• Use and/or operate all equipment associated with fire extinguishment and incident control
• Use SCBA and full protective clothing while working in noxious and/or smoke-filled environments
• Ventilate buildings or areas to release heat, smoke or fumes
• Perform salvage operations to protect property and prevent water damage
• Perform overhaul operations to ensure complete fire extinguishment

• Provide emergency medical response and aid to injured persons using advanced techniques to restore cardio-pulmonary functions
• Perform rescue/extrication operations where necessary
• Secure immediate area and transport required medical equipment
• Assess situation/victim for medical history, visual and vital signs
• Perform appropriate intervention (e.g. first aid, CPR, defibrillation)
• Provide assistance to medical personnel (information transfer, lift/carry patients, etc.)

• Perform a variety of rescue-related duties to protect the public and lessen severity of injuries, including: auto extrication, confined space entry, water/ice rescue, high angle/rope rescue, HAZMAT response, etc.
• Provide service assistance with respect to (but not limited to) police, ambulance, other fire departments and the public
• Manage crowd, bystanders, victim's relatives, etc.

• Perform general maintenance work in the up-keep of the fire department property including equipment, apparatus, buildings and grounds
• Participate in training programs to maintain and upgrade skills, knowledge and proficiency
• Participate in public relations projects and perform duties at events for the public including station tours, visits, demonstrations, parades, etc., as assigned
• Conduct or assist in training of other fire personnel
• Perform inspections and assessments related to fire prevention
• Perform other duties related to public education as assigned
• Other duties or specialized assignments as assigned

This is a guideline and is intended for reference purposes only. All dates and stages are subject to change at the discretion of the town. Only a select number of candidates will proceed through each stage of the recruitment process.

Commencement of Recruitment

Date: TBD

Deadline for Applications

Date: TBD

First interviews

Dates: TBD

Interviews will be conducted over this period. Interviews will be conducted by a Selection Committee who will interview selected candidates based on qualifications. The town will also consider such factors as, but is not limited to: work experience, education related to fire fighting and community volunteer service.

Second interviews

Dates: TBD

Second interviews will be conducted over this period.

Additional screening, testing and/or assessments

Dates: TBD

Any additional screening, testing and/or assessments deemed necessary by the Selection Committee will be conducted over this period.

Conditional offers of employment

Date: TBD

Candidates selected for employment will be notified the week of TBD with a conditional offer of employment.

Confirmed offers of employment

Once candidates have successfully met all conditions of employment, candidates will receive a confirmed offer of employment.

Employment start date

Date: TBD

The Town of Oakville anticipates a TBD start date.

General information about recruitment

• The Town of Oakville is recruiting for Probationary Firefighters.
• Generally, recruitment is initiated based on need and is subject to budget approval. It is not always known how many positions will become available from year to year and during a given recruitment period.
• Full details regarding minimum and preferred qualifications/requirements can be found on the job posting.

Applications

• Applications are to be submitted electronically through the town’s website. Applications will not be accepted in person, by email, by mail or fax and must include a resume and cover letter. Applicants will also be required to complete an online questionnaire as part of the application process.
• After applying online, you will receive an email confirmation that your resume and cover letter has been successfully received by the town. Please check your junk or spam folder if you do not see this confirmation email in your inbox. Do not call the town to confirm that your application has been received.
• If you have applied in previous years, you will need to reapply to be considered for the position. Each recruitment campaign is unique.
• Do not attach copies of certificates to your application. They are not required at time of application however may be requested at any point in the recruitment process.

Certifications

• To be considered for this recruitment, the town requires all applicants to hold valid Ontario Fire Administration Inc. (OFAI) Candidate Testing Program Stage 1, 2 and 3  and swim test certificates.  You must possess valid Stage 1, 2 and 3 certificates at time of application.  Swim test certificates must be valid at time of offer (please see Key Dates). 
• All required certificates must be current at time of application and throughout the recruitment process. If it is determined that you did not have all the requirements at time of application you will be eliminated from the recruitment process.

Selection process

• The Selection Committee will review the applications and select candidates to move to the interview stage of the recruitment process. Only those applicants selected to participate will be contacted. Selection will be based on required and preferred qualifications as well as the online questionnaire.
• Firefighter recruitments attract a high volume of applicants. As a result, the town is unable to respond to individual inquiries during the recruitment process or provide individual feedback if you are not selected for an interview.
• The interview process consists of a formal interview with the Selection Committee – first interview. The number of candidates who will participate in the interview process will depend on the number of potential new recruits to be hired. 
• After the first interviews, a select number of candidates will be invited back for a second formal interview with the Selection Committee. Additional testing or assessments may be conducted at the discretion of the Selection Committee.

Offer of employment

• Those candidates recommended for a position of Probationary Fire Fighter will be contacted and presented with a conditional offer of employment. Those candidates who are interviewed but not selected for hire will also be advised.
• If you have received a conditional offer of employment, congratulations! At this stage of the recruitment the following conditions must be met in the required timeframe. Please note, a candidate may have their conditional offer of employment withdrawn if any of the conditions are not successfully met within the required timeframes.
  • Reference checks: With the authorization of the candidate, a representative of the Town of Oakville will complete three reference checks with the candidate’s present and past employers regarding his or her work record. The candidate’s work reference checks will be used to assess the candidate’s suitability to a position of Fire Fighter.
  • Pre-employment medical: A candidate recommended for employment will also be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination completed by a medical practitioner.
  • Immunization: Candidates recommended for employment are required to provide documented proof of vaccinations at the Conditional Job Offer stage. Acceptable forms of documentation are:
    • Yellow immunization cards (copy)
    • Test results indicating immunization
    • Letter from your doctor on letterhead indicating immunization
    • Please note that the date of immunization is important therefore ensure that dates are legible and included with documentation.
  • Education and other certificates: At the Conditional Offer of Employment stage candidates will be required to provide copies of all education and other certificates for verification. These include, but is not limited to degrees, diplomas, certifications, certifications and other training.
  • Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening: A Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening, at the candidate’s expense, is required to be submitted. Employment offers will only be made if the results of the candidate's Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening are satisfactory to the town.
  • Driver’s abstract: Candidates must have a valid and unrestricted Ontario Class DZ driver’s license. Candidates must have a driving record that demonstrates responsible and safe driving behaviour and those with six or more demerit points are ineligible for consideration. A driver’s abstract will be required at the Conditional Job Offer stage and must be dated within the last 30 days of that date.

Wait list

• If it is determined that a Wait List or Hiring List will be created, those selected will be notified at the end of the recruitment process.

Probationary period for new hires

• A new employee hired within the Town of Oakville’s Fire Service will be required to serve a 12-month probationary period as per the Oakville Professional Firefighters Collective Agreement.
• Performance appraisals are conducted at different intervals throughout the 12-month period. Once the employee has successfully completed the 12-month probationary period they will be confirmed as a 4th Class Firefighter.
• Forming part of the probationary period, the new employee will be required to participate and successfully complete the Oakville Fire Service Recruit Program. The Recruit Training Program commences the first day of employment and is for a period of time established by the department.