Fire Fighter Probationer

Fire Fighter Probationer

Competition Number:               26/110

Posting Scope:                          Internal / External

Posted Date:                              May 26, 2026

Closing Date:                            June 16, 2026, 4:30 PM PST

Departments:                             Victoria Fire Department, Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services, Oak Bay Fire Department, Saanich Fire Department

Posting Type:                           Full-time

Work schedule:                       Shifts may vary between departments pursuant to their specific Collective Agreement

Salary:                                      $6,849 monthly ($37.63 per hour) (2024 rate)

Employee Group:                   This is an IAFF position

Number of Vacancies:            Eligibility Lists will be created for each department

This posting is a joint recruitment effort between the City of Victoria, the Township of Esquimalt, the District of Oak Bay and the District of Saanich.

Please review the Victoria Firefighter Application Guide found at 2026-firefighter-application-guide and submit your application online at City Careers | City of Victoria. Your application should include a resume, cover letter and all necessary documentation as specified in the Application Guide.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is responsible for responding to fire and life hazard emergencies in accordance with standard operating procedures. These emergencies can involve minimizing distress and suffering, and frequently include numerous hazards.

Firefighters work closely with local schools, community organizations, and citizens to increase fire safety awareness.

Firefighters maintain, clean, and test equipment ensuring its readiness for use. Working as a firefighter means continuous learning, exercises, lectures, practice drills and other forms of training are all part of the job.

KEY DUTIES

Candidates must be able to fulfill the following duties:

• Respond to fire and rescue incidents, dangerous goods incidents and life hazard emergencies, which may require the removal of people from danger.
• Familiarize and safely operate all firefighting equipment and related rescue tools
• Adhere to Policies, Standing Orders and Operational Guidelines of the Victoria Fire Department and City of Victoria and/or Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services and the Township of Esquimalt and/or Oak Bay Fire Department and the District of Oak Bay and/or Saanich Fire Department and the District of Saanich.
• Achieve and maintain an Emergency Medical Assistant First Responder (EMA FR) licence or higher and administer first aid.
• Possess and maintain a valid Class 3 driver’s licence with air brake endorsement.
• Perform routine and unscheduled maintenance of apparatus, portable and fixed tools and equipment.
• Perform routine maintenance at fire stations, including cleaning and housekeeping.
• Compose comprehensive reports.
• Attend training sessions, during both regularly scheduled shifts and those beyond the normal scheduled hours of work.
• Maintain licences and certifications, as required.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of the topography of the City of Victoria and/or the Township of Esquimalt and/or the District of Oak Bay and/or the District of Saanich including streets, block numbers, water distribution systems critical infrastructure, or other areas of potential hazard or increased risk.
• Conduct fire inspections.
• Enter and maintain statistics in database.
• Comfortable working in and around a marine environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Effort

• Must be able to lift/carry/push/pull 50 pounds or more, from floor to above shoulder height and from floor to waist height. 
• Must climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach above and below shoulder level in all directions, seize, hold, grasp and turn objects with hands, stand and walk. 

Mental Effort

• Must be able to follow instructions, make critical and timely decisions.
• Exposure to traumatic incidents.

Visual/Auditory/Olfactory Effort

• Normal eyesight with color vision sufficient to distinguish the colors red, green and yellow.
• Normal hearing with no artificial aids.
• Must be able to smell/detect odours.

Work Environment

• Primarily field work.
• Office environment. (occasional)
• Adverse working conditions requiring personal protective equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus and the us of respirators. (occasional)
• Confined Spaces.
• Working at Heights.
• Working around water.
• Hazardous Environments.

Minimum Qualifications

• Firefighter Level 1 and 2 certification that meets the NFPA 1010 standard and is accredited by either IFSAC or Pro Board
• Valid certificate from a recognized training program in one of the following categories:

− First Responder

− Emergency Medical Responder

           − Primary Care Paramedic

           − Advanced Care Paramedic

           − Critical Care Paramedic

Refer to the Province of B.C.’s First Responder Licensing for a list of recognized training programs.

• Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residence
• Proof of Grade 12 or equivalent
• Valid British Columbia Class 3 Driver’s Licence with Air Brake Endorsement or equivalent
• A current driver’s abstract reflective of a safe and responsible driving history
• Successful completion of the University of Victoria or University of Alberta Fitness Test within one year of the job posting.

To apply for this opportunity, you will need to create an online profile or log back into our career portal at www.victoria.ca/jobs - only online submissions will be considered. All applications must be submitted online by 4:30 pm on the closing date noted on the posting. Please be prepared to provide proof of qualifications as outlined in your resume.  

The City of Victoria, Township of Esquimalt, District of Oak Bay, and District of Saanich are committed to integrating equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility into our programs, policies, spaces, and services. Our goal is to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the community we serve and aim to become. Individuals who are Indigenous, racialized, immigrants, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+, or facing any additional barriers are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be available upon request throughout the application and selection process. 

If you require assistance or have questions specific to the following: Victoria Fire, please email careers@victoria.ca;

If your questions are specific to Esquimalt Fire and Rescue, please email fire@esquimalt.ca;

If your questions are specific to Oak Bay Fire, please email firechief@oakbay.ca;

If your questions are specific to Saanich Fire, please email fireadmin@saanich.ca