Performance and Training Physical Therapist

* This position is exempt from Civil Service and serves at the pleasure of the Fire Chief.*

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity. 

The Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) protects people and property within our City, remaining responsive to the needs of our residents and visitors by providing rapid, professional, humanitarian services essential to the health, safety, and well-being of the City. Further, the MFD contributes to safe, healthy neighborhoods through a range of fire prevention and fire safety programs.

The Performance and Training Physical Therapist supports the day-to-day administration and delivery of injury care and prevention programming across the department.

Injury Care and Physical Training

• Manage injury care for active members, including sworn, civilian, and academy cadet and recruit classes.
• Educate and support members through injury care, including provider collaboration, worker’s compensation navigation, records management, and overall customer care.
• Work with the Fire Health and Safety Manager (HSMGR) to support mitigation strategies for safety and training needs.
• Develop and implement innovative training sessions for members related to health and injury.
• Serve as a resource and trainer on injury care topics during recruit onboarding, return to work refresher training, and field operations.

Program Management and Compliance

• Document all encounters in the electronic health record system and provide regular reports to appropriate stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the HSMGR and Peer Fitness Trainers (PFTs) to create and conduct department-wide injury fitness, injury prevention trainings, exercises, and activities.
• Support all MFD health and wellness initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to improve the well-being of department members.
• Actively collaborate with the performance and training team to enhance member experience from all aspects.
• Serve as an adjunct member of the Peer Fitness Trainer Team and the Peer Support Team.

Administrative

• Manage appropriate Firefighter Performance Training Centers including cleaning, supply orders, contract management, and increasing engagement of space.
• Prepare and share reports with relevant stakeholders to support accountability and program improvement.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

The Performance and Training Physical Therapist must be willing and able to do the following:

• Work beyond standard business hours to meet departmental needs and in emergencies.
• Carry and use a mobile phone during work hours.  The standard business hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Able to perform physical work that includes walking, climbing ladders, crawling, working in confined spaces, reaching, pushing, pulling, and transferring and moving objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Able to tolerate varied indoor environmental conditions (e.g., noise, vibration, dirt, fumes, and pollen) and work outdoors in all types of weather conditions for extended periods of time.
• Wear a respirator while performing some duties.

1. A Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited program.
2. Three years’ experience in an orthopedic or sports medicine physical therapy setting.
3. Valid Wisconsin licensure as a Physical Therapist at the time of hire.
4. Valid Driver's License at the time of appointment and throughout employment.

• Certification in Strength and Conditioning or Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator or equivalent.
• Experience with large groups and tactical athletes such as military, fire or police.

Technical

• Ability to manage injuries and educate members through the duration of the care.
• Ability to create and integrate exercise programming for the job-specific physical conditioning conducive to firefighting.
• Ability to modify and enhance programming to meet individuals’ conditioning levels and goals when rehabilitating from injuries.
• Ability to develop and deliver innovative, data-informed training sessions related to injury prevention and physical readiness.
• Ability to generate and design evidence-informed injury and prevention programs based on department trends and outcome data.
• Proficiency using standard and proprietary computer applications, as well as common athlete management systems.

Interpersonal and Communication

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and department members, whether civilian or sworn.
• Verbal communications and presentation skills to clearly communicate information and ideas.
• Written communication skills to craft educational materials and reports.
• Ability to build cooperative, effective relationships in a team environment with managers, coworkers, other city staff, and the public whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Ability to actively collaborate with external partners and the MFD’s performance and training team.
• Written communication skills to craft educational materials and reports with a variety of stakeholders.

Critical Thinking and Professionalism

• Organizational skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure while handling multiple tasks.
• Honesty, integrity, and ability to maintain confidentiality of department members’ medical information and other restricted information.
• Ability to remain calm during emergencies.
• Record-keeping skills to be able to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to consider policy and projects from different viewpoints. 

The current footnoted salary range (2LX) is $90,230 - $105,223 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $92,968 - $108,380 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS: The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

• Screening for this position will be based on an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments, which should be detailed in a cover letter and resume.  On the resume or cover letter please include your physical Therapist License number.
• Cover letter and resume must be sent via email to Fire Human Resources Administrator Juliet Lee Battle, jbattle@milwaukee.gov  by 4:00 p.m. on January 5, 2026.
• Please indicate “Performance and Training Physical Therapist” in the subject line of the email.
• Questions relative to the selection process may be directed to Juliet Lee Battle by calling 414.286.8942 or via email at jbattle@milwaukee.gov.
• The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process. 

INITIAL FILING DATE:

• The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after January 5, 2026.
• Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the City's needs are met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

Note: The selected candidate must pass a Milwaukee Fire Department Background investigation before hire.

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.