HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Heavy Equipment Operators (HEOs) drive and operate firefighting apparatus and perform related functions, including properly staging the vehicle, providing a water supply, putting pumps into operation, maintaining necessary flow and pressure, setting up master streams, operating aerial ladders and putting into use any equipment carried on the apparatus. HEOs actively participate in the provision of emergency medical care and firefighting operations.

Driving and Pumping Operations: Safely and effectively drive emergency rescue or firefighting vehicle and stage apparatus to ensure effective response and adequate water supply; make appropriate hose connections to the apparatus and to water sources; provide proper extinguishing agent and fire flows; determine static and residual pressure comparisons to ensure effective water supply and set pump controls and engine rpm to supply water at required volume and pressure. Advise officer regarding additional lines and/or pressure.

Fire and Emergency Scene Operations: Provide emergency medical care. Participate in emergency scene operations, including search and rescue. Provide ventilation and perform smoke removal functions; facilitate fire ground operations; operate, raise and climb aerial and ground ladders; supervise or participate in use of aerial master stream and ensure equipment is accounted for and in response-ready state. Troubleshoot equipment issues as needed. 

Apparatus Maintenance: Inspect and ready apparatus at onset of shift, including lights, sirens and basic mechanical issues (e.g. belts, loose wires, oil leakage and fluid levels) and check water level in tank and refuel as needed. Report defects to commanding officer. 

Station and Equipment Maintenance: Inventory and inspect condition of equipment assigned to apparatus; send equipment needing repairs to proper service facility and maintain and repair equipment. Ensure communication of apparatus issues with shop staff. Ensure staff carries out station duties. 

Physical Tasks: Perform fire ground operations wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Systematically search (e.g. crawling on floor) for trapped persons in limited visibility conditions; lift and carry equipment (e.g. hose pack, fan or ladder, including up flights of stairs); pull uncharged hose off an engine and effectively form a connection with a fire hydrant; operate nozzle and fire streams; use pike pole to breach and pull down ceilings; use equipment (e.g. axe, sledge hammer) to make forcible entries and chop/cut holes in roof to let out smoke and heat. Return equipment to proper place after fire is extinguished. 

Administrative: Complete scheduled check sheet for apparatus and review and maintain Log Book, entering apparatus updates, equipment needs, crew activities, etc. Ensure equipment is maintained in good order and manufacturer's schedule of equipment maintenance is completed. Coordinate repair of equipment and vehicles within the shop. 

Quality Assurance/Training: Participate in Vector Solutions Training; attend appropriate training at the Academy and participate in physical fitness training. Study locations of streets, buildings and water systems. 

Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

(1) Continuous service as a Firefighter or Fire Paramedic in the Milwaukee Fire Department in the four (4) years immediately preceding Monday, May 27th, 2025.

Continuous service includes:

a. time spent on military leave or duty disability;

b. unpaid absences of 30 cumulative days or fewer for non-disciplinary reasons such as educational leave, physical disability and/or sick leave and;

c. unpaid absences of more than 30 cumulative days for non-disciplinary reasons related to disability, sick or medical leave provided the applicant has the required years of actual service.

d. absences of 5 cumulative eight-hour working days or less or 2 cumulative twenty-four hour working days or less for disciplinary reasons, however the applicant must have the required years of actual service. 

A substitution may be made for a maximum of one (1) year of required experience in exchange for one of the following:

· Sixty (60) or more academic credits from an accredited college or university applicable to a degree. IMPORTANT NOTE: College transcripts are required and must be received by the application period closing date (Friday, April 18 2025.) Transcripts should be attached to your online application. Applications without transcripts attached will be considered incomplete and will be rejected. Student/unofficial copies are acceptable; however, your transcript must be legible and include your college/university name, your name, the degree completed (if applicable) and the date completed.

· Active certification for performing paramedic services for the Milwaukee Fire Department at time of application.

(2) Current State of Wisconsin licensure as an EMT, including all refresher requirements, and maintained throughout employment. 

(3) A valid regular Wisconsin Driver's License at time of application and throughout employment. 

(4) Completion of the MFD Professional Development Program for Driver/Operator, which includes State of Wisconsin certification as driver/operator pumper and driver/operator aerial, prior to May 27th, 2025. 

(5) Departmental (MFD) qualification on both an engine and a truck prior to May 27th, 2025. 

(6) Must complete Heavy Equipment Operator Keystone within next two (2) department offerings. Newly promoted HEOs will remain in probationary status until this requirement is met.  Failure to meet this requirement will result in demotion.

(7) Must complete required MFD Professional Development Programs required for position prior to promotion.

The current salary range (PR 4DN, depending on if hired prior to or after October 3, 2011 and if candidate has paramedic certification). Hired on or after October 3, 2011: Non-Paramedic: $90,166.47; Paramedic: $91,068.28. Hired prior to October 3, 2011: Non-Paramedic: $93,854.79; Paramedic: $94,793.37.

The online application is available at https://www.jobapscloud.com/MIL/default.asp. The list of study materials is available on the MFD intranet and also posted here https://city.milwaukee.gov/fpc/Jobs. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that applications are submitted online by the deadline of Friday, April 18th, 2025. The FPC is not responsible for applications not received. Please note that all correspondence regarding the selection process will be sent via email; it is imperative that applicants inform the Fire and Police Commission of any changes in the email address indicated on their application for this position. 

The selection process will be job-related and will consist of the following: 

Written test: 35% 

Performance: 60% 

Seniority: 5% 

Total: 100% 

Candidates must attain a passing score on all exam components to be placed on the eligible list. Promotion is contingent upon passing a drug screen. The eligible list resulting from this examination will remain in effect for two years unless rescinded or extended by the Fire and Police Commission. 

The written test is tentatively scheduled for May 22nd, 2025 The final exam date will be communicated to all qualified candidates after the posting dates closes. The written exam will be held at the Safety Academy located on 6680 N. Teutonia, Milwaukee. Qualified candidates will receive email notification that they are invited to attend the written examination. 

The performance test is tentatively scheduled for the week of June 09th, 2025. The final exam date will be communicated to all qualified candidates after the posting dates closes. The performance exam will tentatively be held at MATC-South Campus located at 6665 S Howell, Oak Creek. Qualified candidates will receive email notification that they are invited to attend the performance examination. 

Applicants will be notified of any changes in schedule for all exam components. Unless required by law, the Fire and Police Commission will not provide alternative test administrations. Applicants are responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the Fire and Police Commission. Any applicant who may be unavailable for this examination due to military service or military training and wishes to request an accommodation must submit such a request in writing to the Fire and Police Commission Human Resources Representative at eschac@milwaukee.gov no later than Friday April 25th, 2025. 

CITY OF MILWAUKEE FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSION

Room 705 City Hall, 200 East Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202

(414) 286-5000

EEO 404