How to hire an emergency vehicle operator

How to hire an emergency vehicle operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step emergency vehicle operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an emergency vehicle operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new emergency vehicle operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your emergency vehicle operator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an emergency vehicle operator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An emergency vehicle operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, emergency vehicle operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of emergency vehicle operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Emergency Vehicle Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Emergency Vehicle Operator	Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers, also called public safety telecommunicators, answer emergency and nonemergency calls.	$41-55
   Public Safety Dispatcher	A public safety dispatcher is primarily responsible for handling emergency or non-emergency calls from the public. They are in charge of identifying the caller's needs calmly and proactively, dispatching law enforcement officers or emergency responders at the scene in a timely and efficient manner... Show more	$12-22
   Police Dispatcher	Police Dispatchers are responsible for assessing incoming calls and deploying police resources using professional judgment. Their duties include answering emergency calls from agencies and the public, gathering information from police systems and call handlers, conducting priority assessments based on vulnerability and risks, and liaising with police officers to determine the logistics of place and time of an incident lodged... Show more	$13-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • CPR
   • Ambulances
   • Patient Assessment
   • Life Support
   • Medical Care
   • Emergency Vehicle Operations
   • Medical Services
   • Emergency Response
   • Critical Care Transport
   • Vehicle Inspections
   • Assist Emergency
   • Equipment Checks
   • Medical Professionals

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the upgrade of the Monaco fire alarm system.
   • Perform oxygen administration, taking blood pressures and pulses, performing CPR, and administering emergency medical care.
   • Assist in providing emergency care to patients while maintaining universal safety precautions for a military installation and surrounding area.
   • Help maintain and clean ambulances on a daily basis.
   • Interpret and translates data from maps to firefighting crews.
   • Increase customer loyalty through transporting patients on emergency and non-emergency transports.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your emergency vehicle operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An emergency vehicle operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, emergency vehicle operators' average salary in arkansas is 53% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level emergency vehicle operators earn 25% less than senior-level emergency vehicle operators.
   • Certifications. An emergency vehicle operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an emergency vehicle operator's salary.

   Average emergency vehicle operator salary

   $100,077yearly

   $48.11 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level emergency vehicle operator salary

   $86,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing an emergency vehicle operator job description

   A job description for an emergency vehicle operator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an emergency vehicle operator job description:

   Emergency vehicle operator job description example

   EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATOR
   
   The EVO assists Emergency Medical Technicians in providing life support and transport of sick and injured persons in and out of hospital settings. Provides EVO-level emergency medical care to patients. Operates ambulance and maintains a good working relationship with all customer groups and agencies.
   
   This full time position is a great introduction to EMS as a career, with a starting base salary of $28,000 and the opportunity for growth.
   
   PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
   
   + Operates an ambulance and transports patients
   
   + Operates and monitors emergency medical equipment per EVO protocols
   
   + Communicates with MEMS' Communication center and other agencies while in transport or while responding to calls
   
   + Timely completes all required documentation with appropriate and accurate information
   
   + Adheres to all operating and safety policies and procedures.
   
   + Assists in maintaining supplies and equipment as well as general upkeep and cleaning of ambulances
   
   QUALIFICATIONS: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
   
   + Arkansas driver's license with motor vehicle record that meets insurance carrier standards
   
   + Arkansas EVO certificate
   
   + American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR
   
   + Two years driving experience
   
   + Ability to speak clearly and effectively in person and over the telephone and radio
   
   + Knowledge of pre-hospital emergency medical protocols
   
   + Knowledge of MEMS's service area and the ability to read and comprehend maps and directions
   
   + Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people
   
   + Ability to remain calm during stressful situations
   
   + Ability to present caring and professional image
   
   WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
   
   Primary schedule will be 10 or 12 hour shifts, generally on weekdays. Weekend hours and occasional overtime may be required. Physical demands include:
   
   + Frequent lifting of 110+ pounds to include lifting and carrying stretchers with and without patients
   
   + Pushing, pulling and carrying various medical equipment
   
   + Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, bending, twisting, lifting, walking, and running
   
   + Driving, using 2-way radio and other devices
   
   + Hearing that by audiometric testing demonstrates no worse than a moderate loss of hearing in one ear or no more than a mild loss in both ears
   
   + Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
   
   + Occasional respirator use
   
   + Hearing that by audiometric testing demonstrates no worse than a moderate loss of hearing in one ear or no more than a mild loss in both ears
   
   + Requires corrected or uncorrected vision 20/20 in each eye & with both eyes together.
   
   MEMS is committed to providing a safe and healthful workplace. In keeping with this commitment, we maintain a drug, alcohol, and smoke-free working environment. Smoking and tobacco products are not permitted in our facilities, in our vehicles or on company grounds. Pre-employment drug testing is required of all candidates. Employees in safety-sensitive positions, including EMT, Paramedic, and Emergency Medical Dispatcher, are subject to random drug screens.
   
   Applicants certify that the information provided in this application is true and complete and understand that intentional false statements could lead to dismissal as an employee or rejection as an applicant.
   
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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right emergency vehicle operator for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your emergency vehicle operator job on Zippia to find and recruit emergency vehicle operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit emergency vehicle operators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new emergency vehicle operator

   Once you've selected the best emergency vehicle operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new emergency vehicle operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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