Lateral Firefighter (EMT/Paramedic)

Department: Fire & Emergency Services

Division: Fire

Firefighter/EMT ----------------

• Start at Step F: $9,227/monthly
• Position Salary Range: $7,105-$9,227/monthly

Lateral Firefighter/EMT -------------------------

• Start at Step F: $10,473/monthly
• Position Salary Range: $8,351-$10,473/monthly

Recruitment for 2027 Vacancies

Recruitment for 2027 vacancies will begin in the spring of 2026. The Richland Fire & Emergency Services department is seeking Lateral Firefighter applicants. If you are currently a professional full-time Firefighter with three years of consecutively paid experience at a like department (reviewed case by case), have successfully passed your probationary period with your current Firefighter employer, you may be considered as a Lateral Firefighter.

Certification List

The Department maintains an ongoing and merged certification list for the Lateral Firefighter EMT/Paramedic position. We are currently accepting applications and will be holding oral board processes monthly beginning April through June 2026.

Hiring Process

For more information on the pay, benefits, and hiring process, please view our Hiring Brochure.*

Application Review

Lateral applications will be reviewed by hiring staff for experience with agencies with a similar structure to Richland Fire and Emergency Services (full-time agency with frequent calls). If it is determined that a candidate's agency experience is not similar to Richland, the candidate may not meet the requirements for our internal lateral academy. Candidates in this situation will be requested to reapply and go through the entry level Firefighter process (to include PST written testing and CPAT physical test).

Job Summary

Under the general supervision of a Fire Captain or designee, performs skilled emergency and non-emergency tasks in the area of fire prevention, fire suppression, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness, and emergency medical services for the protection of life and property for municipalities, airports, and private industry.

Minimum Qualifications

To be eligible to participate in the City of Richlands application screening process, you need to complete the following items (in order):

1. Submit an online application with our agency by clicking "Apply" on this page.
2. Applicants are encouraged to attach a current cover letter and resume to the Citys application.
3. Applicants must complete a Personal History Statement (linked here) to attach to their application.
4. Please review the hiring standards brochure HERE which includes temporary or permanent disqualifiers.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Three (3) consecutive years of paid experience as a full-time Firefighter in a like department.
• Successfully completed probationary period with current Firefighter employer.
• Graduation from a career-based fire academy.
• High school diploma or GED.

Licenses, Certifications & Other Requirements

• Valid drivers license.
• Eighteen (18) years of age or older at time of application.
• Certified to wear a respirator at SCBA level.
• Washington State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Advanced EMT (AEMT) certifications.
• IFSAC Firefighter I and II certifications.
• IFSAC Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations certification.
• Obtain Wildland Firefighter II certification within one (1) year of hire and maintain throughout employment.
• Washington State Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention (EVIP) certification within two (2) years of hire date and prior to driving fire department vehicles in the "emergency" mode.

Desirable Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelors degree in Fire Science or Fire Administration or Business Administration.
• Wildland Firefighter II certification.
• Washington State Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention (EVIP) certification.
• Certified Washington State or National Registry Paramedic.

Selection Guidelines

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job classification description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Richland and employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.

City of Richland Benefits

The City of Richland benefits for IAFF R&F and IAFF-BC affiliated staff (union-represented employees) include:

• LEOFF Health and Welfare Trust 6-B medical and vision plan (employee/employer contributions), including employer contribution to a Health Reimbursement Account
• City-paid dental plan
• City-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (equals two times the employees annual salary)
• Long-Term Disability Insurance (employee/employer contributions)
• Participation in the State of Washingtons LEOFF II Pension Plan
• 10 Paid Holidays + 1 Floating Holiday
• Retirement Medical Trust
• City-match deferred compensation plan
• 457IAFF = 4.5% Match of top step FF max
• IAFF-BC = 4% Match of base rate
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Longevity Pay
• Section 125 - Flexible Benefits Plan (Medical/Dependent Care)
• Fire Education Incentive Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Vacation Leave Accrual Rates
• Rates subject to change based upon collective bargaining agreement (CBA). See CBA for eligibility requirements.