Becoming an Apprentice Firefighter

The Firefighter Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide training opportunities and firefighting experience to a diverse mix of career minded individuals. No experience is necessary; Coos Bay Fire Department will provide the required uniforms, equipment, and training. The program is designed to eliminate barriers of gaining a career in the fire and emergency services. By eliminating barriers, the Fire Department hopes to reach underserved and underrepresented populations that may often lack the resources and abilities to attend college or enter into a non-paid internship due to financial or family hardships. For those seeking a career in the fire service, this presents a potential to be recruited as an unskilled, entry level worker, that can gain skills and nationally recognized credentials while being able to earn a living wage and insurance benefits.

The City of Coos Bay is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and believes that a variety of backgrounds and experiences best serve our purpose – to protect and serve the residents, businesses, and visitors of Coos Bay. Veterans, women, and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. The City of Coos Bay shall not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 18 years old or older. The City of Coos Bay shall take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and shall operate the apprenticeship program as require under This Plan and Title 29 CFR, part 30. 

Description of Job Duties

Apprentice Firefighters respond to alarms and assist in the protection of life and property by combating, extinguishing and preventing fires as well as providing emergency medical care to the sick and injured. Additional duties include operating a variety of equipment, tools and devices; training for firefighting, rescue, and patient care; maintenance of firefighting equipment; fire prevention and public education, and complying with orders and directives. The job of an Apprentice Firefighter is physically demanding and requires a high level of physical fitness and the ability to work effectively as part of a team in emergency situations. Here is the full job description for an Apprentice Firefighter for Coos Bay Fire Department.

Download the Firefighter Apprentice Job Description

Qualifications (please note that these requirements are subject to change)

• 18 years of age or older
• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
• Successfully complete Coos Bay Fire Department Evaluation Components (see below)
• If selected, successfully complete Coos Bay Fire Department Post-Testing Clearance (see below)

Evaluation Components

• General Aptitude Testing
• General cognitive aptitude test that measures critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to learn and apply new information
• Mechanical reasoning test that measures a candidate’s mechanical aptitude and reasoning ability
• Employee Personality Profile, a general personality inventory that measures personality traits that provide insights into a person's work styles
• Video-Based Interview Panel
• Home-based video recorded interview process
• Video will be reviewed by a panel of four Coos Bay Fire Department staff members
• Top 30 highest-scoring applicants will move onto the in-person panel interview
• Video interview tips
• Panel Interview
• Top 12 applicants from the video interview will be invited for an in-person four-person panel interview

Conditional Job Offer

• The top five applicants will be offered a conditional job offer
• Selected applicants must pass the Post-Testing Clearance
  • Successfully complete pre-employment NFPA 1582 medical clearance physical
  • Successfully pass a background check clearance
  • Successfully complete a pre-employment drug test

Benefits

• In addition to a salary of $4,097.49 per month, apprentices will receive the following benefits:
• Paid Sick Leave
• PERS Retirement
• Paid Tuition
• Paid Vacation Leave
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance with Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Deferred Compensation programs (457b)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Comprehensive Wellness Program

Application 

To apply, please complete the City of Coos Bay Employment Application and return to the Human Resource Office at Coos Bay City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, OR 97420 or by email at jspencer@coosbayor.gov. If reasonable accommodation is required to complete the application process, please contact the City's Human Resources Office at 541-269-1181 or by email jspencer@coosbayor.gov during normal business hours.

Frequently Asked Questions