Performs responsible emergency response work including fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical, and hazardous materials response and maintains fire apparatus, facilities, grounds, and related equipment.

An employee in this class is responsible for performing various emergency response and general fire suppression work at the scene of a fire. Work involves preparing equipment for responding to fire calls, fighting fires, fire salvage, and equipment and vehicle maintenance. Work may involve driving a fire engine to the fire scene and performing the duties of a Fire Engineer at the scene of a fire. Work is often performed under stressful emergency conditions and frequently involves personal hazards. Work standards and procedures are generally established and understood. The employees are subject to call-back requirements and hazards associated with firefighting and emergency care including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as exposure to high heat, exposure to chemicals, and in the proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, and working in high places. Employees are also exposed to atmospheric conditions and subject to OSHA requirements on bloodborne pathogens, and may be required to work in close quarters. Work is reviewed through observation and discussions concerning the quality and effectiveness of fire and rescue efforts and through evaluation of the completion of training activities.

The work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as frequent climbing, lifting of objects weighing in excess of 74 pounds, moving in areas of difficult or dangerous access, and defending oneself or others against physical attack or harm. The work environment involves extremely high risks with exposure to potentially life threatening (traffic, biological, chemical, fire, gun fire) situations or unusual environmental risk which require a full range of safety and other precautions, but in some cases, these precautions cannot prevent injury, illness, or possibly death. These risks occur on a more frequent basis.

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Completion of a high school diploma or GED
• Possession of a valid North Carolina Class C or higher driver's license; or equivalent valid driver's license from another state.
• Have no felony convictions or misdemeanors involving moral turpitude
• Meet the medical requirements set forth in OSHA 1910.156, 1910.134 and 1910.120.
• Ability to obtain a Work Keys certificate during hiring process.
• Possession of a North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification or a National EMT certification that is transferrable at time of job offer is preferred. Must obtain EMT certification within 1 year of hire date.
• Ability to obtain Firefighter I and II certification during the probationary time period of employment.

Benefits Summary

The following is a summary of the City of Goldsboro benefits:

A maximum of 30 vacation days may be carried over from one calendar year to the next. Any excess of 30 vacation days on December 31 of each year may be transferred to employees sick leave balance, provided that they have taken five (5) days of vacation in the calendar year.

Holidays: City paid holidays are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving (2 days) and Christmas (3 days).

When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the previous Friday shall be observed. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed. In order to receive a paid holiday, an employee must be on paid status before and after the holiday.

Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program is available to all full-time employees and covered dependents on the employee's health insurance plan. Part-time employees who work 30 hours or more per week on a continuous year-round basis are also eligible for EAP services. Employees and dependents each receive three free visits per year. Services include, but are not limited to, financial counseling, depression, mental illness, and end of life/terminal illness.

Medical and Dental Insurance: The City of Goldsboro is fully-insured, and provides medical, dental, and vision insurance through the State Health Plan (SHP), MetLife, and Community Eye Care respectively. Medical, dental, and vision coverage is available to all full-time employees. Part-time employees who are scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week on a continuous year-round basis may, if they so desire, purchase available group health through the City for themselves and qualified dependents. The coverage for medical is the first day of the month following the date of employment and dental is effective on the first day of employment, vision insurance is effective the first day of the month following the effective date of employment. Medical insurance is provided to full-time employees at a minimal cost and pro-rated for part-time employees. The types of coverage available are individual (Employees only), Employee/Child, Employee/Spouse, and family. Dental and vision insurance is available at cost to the employee and/or his/her dependents. Premiums are paid through payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis.

Wellness Assistance Benefit
The City of Goldsboro offers a wellness assistance benefit of $25/month to employees. This can be used to offset the cost of dental insurance or gym membership. Employees must meet eligibility requirements for the State Health Plan and show proof of membership (if gym membership is selected).

Flexible Spending Account
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) provide you with an important tax advantage that can help you pay for health care and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis. By estimating your family's health care and dependent care costs for the next year, you can lower your taxable income and save money. The City of Goldsboro offers a FSA through Health Equity. The Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is available to all full-time employees who are scheduled to work 40 hours per week. The FSA is effective the first day of the month following the date of employment. These are some of the expenses FSAs can be used for: medical and dental services, chiropractic services, orthodontia, and the child or adult dependent care.

Social Security: The City employees are members of the Social Security System. The employee contributes 6.2% (FICA) and 1.45% (Medicare) for a total of 7.65% of their annual salary and the City contributes the same amount. Social Security benefits include retirement and disability payments and survivor's insurance.

Promotion Opportunities: Employees are encouraged to apply for internal positions. Employment opportunities for current employees are posted on the City's Intranet.

Retirement: All employees who are in a regular position that requires 1,000 hours or more of service per year are covered under the North Carolina Local Governmental Employee's Retirement System (NC LGERS). The employee contributes 6% of their annual salary on a tax deferred basis. The City contributes to the employee's retirement account. Eligibility for unreduced monthly benefits begins upon retirement after 30 years of service at any age, at age 65 with 5 years creditable service or at age 60 with 25 years creditable service. Police Officers and Park Rangers may retire at age 55 with 5 years of service and receive an unreduced benefit. Eligibility for reduced monthly benefits begins after you reach age 50 and complete 20 years of creditable service or you reach age 60 (age 55 if you are a firefighter) and complete five years of creditable service. Police Officers may retire early with a reduced retirement benefit after you reach age 50 and complete 15 years of creditable service as an officer.

457 & 401K Supplemental Retirement Plan: The City of Goldsboro offers the NC Supplemental Retirement Plans, 401K and 457. The City contributes 4% to the 401K for all non-sworn full-time employees and 5% for sworn police officers (as approved by the Council) and the 457 plan is voluntary with no contribution by the City.

The 457 and the 401k allow employees to set aside funds which is through payroll deduction and is tax deferred. Income tax is due when the deferred earnings are returned to the individual normally at retirement.

Worker's Compensation: All City employees are covered under the North Carolina Worker's Compensation Act. This act covers those employees who suffer injuries as a result of an accident while performing duties. The Workers' Compensation program will pay medical expenses and a portion of the employee's salary, after 7 days, if the individual is out of work as a result of a work-related disability.

Compensation, Performance Appraisals and Merit Process: The City of Goldsboro is committed to hiring and retaining high quality personnel. As a result, we offer competitive salaries that are consistent with market growth. New hires may serve a six month probationary period upon date of hire and are evaluated in six-month increments.

The eligibility for merit is based upon the following criteria:
Employee must have an overall appraisal rating of 2.0. Employee should score at least 2.0 in competencies; any competency with a score less than 2.0 will result in employee's ineligibility.

Note: The merit eligibility criteria is subject to change at the City Manager's discretion.

The appraisal process in the City of Goldsboro includes an evaluation of each employee's duties and responsibilities applicable to their position. Upon completion of the probationary period, employees are evaluated on an annual basis. The appraisal period is from October 1 – September 30 of each year.

The City of Goldsboro may provide merit incentives for high performing employees subject to City Council approval.