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Join Us – Firefighter

JOIN OUR TEAM TO
BECOME A LEADER IN
FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY

Renton RFA is among the top 5 percent of fire and life safety agencies in the nation for public protection rating. Why? We have GREAT people, just like you! Joining Renton RFA means joining a best-in-class team that has your back.

Position OverviewEligibility RequirementsBenefitsWhy Renton RFA

FIRE STATIONS
SQUARE MILES PROTECTED
COMMUNITY MEMBERS SERVED

POSITION OVERVIEW

 

2024 STARTING SALARY: $89,463

As a Renton RFA firefighter, you will work as part of a team to protect the life and property of Renton community members through fire fighting, responding to emergency incidents, delivering emergency medical care, engaging in pre-fire inspections, participating in training, and taking part in community outreach events.

Our organization believes in providing exceptional career development. In addition to fire suppression and emergency medical services, our firefighters have the opportunity to further their professional skills in several different areas, including:

  • Technical Rescue
  • Water Rescue
  • Hazardous Materials Response
  • Wildland and Wildland-Urban Interface Response

As an organization with a paramilitary structure, there are upward growth opportunities throughout your career. Our team members have the opportunity to move from the initial role of firefighter into the ranks of: Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief, Fire Chief.

It is important to us to provide the ongoing education and professional development that allows our team members to pursue their interests within the fire service and continue to grow in their craft. Click here for the full firefighter job description. 

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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

What you DO need…

…to take the firefighter exam:

✓ Must be at least 18 years old
✓ Must show proof of legal right to work in the U.S.
✓ Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language
✓ Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent

…to be eligible for an interview:

✓ Must possess a valid driver’s license
✓ Must have proof of a passing CPAT from an IAFF certified provider when contacted for an interview
✓ Must pass the National Testing Network firefighter exam (recommended score of 90% or higher)

…to get hired, if selected:

✓ Must pass a personal and professional reference check
✓ Must pass a criminal background check, drug screening, and psychological exam

What you DON’T need…

…in advance of applying for Renton RFA:

✘ You DO NOT need any prior fire service experience
✘ You DO NOT need a college degree
✘ You DO NOT need any certifications
✘ You DO NOT need to know someone already in the fire service
✘ You DO NOT need to do a ride along

We provide all the training you need to become a successful firefighter when you join our team. You do not need any prior experience or higher education to begin working with us.

Don’t know anyone in the fire service to help guide you through the process? That’s ok! We have a strong team of mentors, with diverse backgrounds, ready and willing to help guide you along your career path.

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BENEFITS

Our people are our greatest assets. In recognition of that, we have devised an extremely comprehensive benefits package that includes health care benefits, financial wellness benefits, retirement options, paid leave, and more, for our firefighters and their families. Click here to review our detailed Benefits Guide.

HEALTH CARE BENEFITS

Our health care coverage includes:

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Hearing
  • Behavioral Health
  • Chiropractic
  • Acupuncture
  • Physical Therapy
  • And more for you, your spouse, and your dependent children

We cover OVER 90% of your health care premiums.

We also contribute up to $4,000 per year to your Healthcare Reimbursement Account (HRA), which you can use toward qualifying healthcare-relate expenses of your choice.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

After dedicating your career to serving the Renton community, you deserve to have the financial stability to thoroughly enjoy life after the fire service. We provide our members with access to exceptional options in retirement planning.

Renton RFA members are enrolled in a generous Pension Program. Unlike a traditional retirement plan, pension programs provide a monthly financial benefit for life upon retirement. You are vested in the program after just five (5) years of service credit and can retire as early as age 53!

In addition, all members have access to our Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan, to further support your retirement goals. Contributions and investments earnings to this plan are tax deferred.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

We also provide additional and optional benefits for our members and their family, including:

  • Generous Paid Time Off
  • Life Insurance
  • Healthcare Advocate Program
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • College Tuition Discounts
  • Identity & Fraud Protection
  • Travel Assistance Program
  • Injury Rehabilitation Program
  • Critical Illness Coverage
  • Accident Insurance
  • Long Term Disability
  • And more!
View our full Benefits Guide

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WHY RENTON RFA?

Become a Part of the Renton RFA Family

Like all fire departments, Renton RFA is purpose-built to serve the community, but our people and our culture is what really differentiates us from the rest. Although we are a top-tier agency with an excellent compensation package, there is still so much more we have to offer.

We hire the best and the brightest in our industry, and we believe that our people are what make us great and ultimately so successful. Because of that, we work hard to foster a well-connected team with the ability to effect change at every level of the organization, whether you’re a probationary firefighter or a deputy chief. We listen, we understand, and we care. 

Our team thrives because we help each other learn and grow in both our professional and personal lives, and our members make strong connections here that last a lifetime.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

We believe in providing our firefighters with the tools they need to pursue their unique professional goals. Their development is important to us, whether than means climbing the ranks, pursuing one of our Special Teams, becoming an instructor, or all of the above!

MENTORSHIP

MENTORSHIP

Fire agencies perform their best when their firefighters work well as a team, and nobody works better together than Renton RFA firefighters. Our team is comprised of experience mentors who take pride in helping their brothers and sisters in the fire service grow in their professional careers and flourish in their personal lives.

A VOICE IN THE ORGANIZATION

A VOICE IN THE ORGANIZATION

We understand that great ideas come from every level of the organization. Renton RFA is committed to listening to the voices of our members and building an organization that reflects their unique ideas. Our members are instrumental in helping us shape our policies, strategic direction, public programs, and benefits. 

LIFETIME CONNECTIONS

LIFETIME CONNECTIONS

A career in firefighting is not always easy. That is why we focus on creating a positive work environment that promotes physical and mental health and wellness. Our members participate in a Peer-Support program, designed to not only celebrate successes but to provide support from people who understand your experiences. Our members are there for each other, and that culture of support forges life-long bonds.

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Learn everything you need to know about joining the fire service

We are a member of WA Fire Careers, a collaborative group of fire agencies who have teamed up to make the process of joining the fire service easier and more affordable. Taking the firefighter exam for WA Fire Careers submits your score to several agencies throughout South King County for the cost of a single test. We have also developed www.WAFireCareers.org to help walk you – step by step – through the entire hiring process, from preparing for the exam to graduating fire academy!

Visit Wa Fire Careers