Examination: Assistant Chief

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Working title
Assistant Chief
Monthly salary
$10,569.00 - $13,674.00 per Month
Exam #
4883
Deadline
04/09/2026
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Position Description

00101039 - ASSISTANT CHIEF

This is the full supervisory level. In a typical unit, Assistant Chiefs serve as Division Chiefs supervising either the entire administrative program, operations program, or conservation camp. Positions at this level ensure consistent application of the Department's fire prevention, pre-fire engineering, education, information, volunteers in prevention, and law enforcement policies and procedures.

In unit administration, Assistant Chiefs are responsible for the unit's budget, personnel functions, including the selection, hiring, assignment, staffing, training, performance, promotion, discipline, and grievances of employees; Assistant Chiefs in administration will also have other unit program responsibilities such as the emergency command center, mobile equipment, fire prevention, or training and safety.

In unit operations, Assistant Chiefs assure that emergency resources, personnel, and equipment are trained, available, and ready to respond to fires and other emergencies; establish incident objectives and ensure the effective management and mitigation of emergencies; coordinate, develop, and implement the unit's Emergency Resource Directory, County Emergency Response Plan, Local Government Mutual Aid Plans, Local Government Automatic Aid Plans, and Interagency Operational Plans.

In a conservation camp, Assistant Chiefs liaise with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation staff to ensure the cooperative program function within the policies and guidelines of both agencies; direct the workday custody, training, and daily ratings of inmates and wards; responsible for planning, developing, inspecting, implementing, and evaluating work projects for federal, state, and local agencies.

In a region or headquarters office, Assistant Chiefs serve as Division Chiefs supervising program staff and assisting higher level managers with direction of a major fire protection or fire prevention program. Assistant Chiefs may have other unit program responsibilities. Assistant Chiefs may also serve as Deputy Chiefs in very large and complex units or have staff responsibility for program direction in a region or headquarters office.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS 

Certain positions in these classifications require peace officer status as a condition of appointment and continued employment.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Existing law provides that a peace officer must be a high school graduate, pass the General Education Development (GED) Test indicating high school graduation level, pass the California High School Proficiency Examination, or have attained a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited college or university.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

00101039 - ASSISTANT CHIEF

Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. (Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment.)

AND

Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Battalion Chief. (Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement will be admitted to the examination but must fully meet the experience requirement before being eligible for appointment.)

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Final Filing Date: 4/9/2026.

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will not be accepted.

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

If using the United States Postal Service (USPS) for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be postmarked and arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark and arrives after the final filing date, your application may not be accepted into the examination. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof the application was sent prior to the final filing date.

Who Should Apply

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Promotional Examination(s):

  • ASSISTANT CHIEF - Promotional

In addition to meeting the Minimum Qualifications, competition is limited to individuals who meet at least one of the following filing criteria:

  • 1. Have a permanent civil service appointment with a promotional testing department (see Testing Departments), or
  • 2. Are current or former employees of the legislature for 2 or more years as defined in Government Code 18990, or
  • 3. Are current or former non-elected exempt employees of the executive branch for 2 or more consecutive years as defined in Govt. Code 18992, or
  • 4. Are persons retired from the United States military honorably discharged from active duty with a service disability or honorably discharged from active duty as defined in Government Code 18991. Applicants must provide a copy of discharge papers (DD 214) for verification purposes at the time of application.

Under certain circumstances other employees may be allowed to compete under provisions of Rules 234, 235 and 235.2. California Code of Regulations Rules 233, 234, 235.2 and 237 contain provisions regarding civil service status and eligibility for promotional examinations.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements by the final filing date April 9, 2026, unless otherwise noted.

  • Once you have participated in this examination, you may not test again for six (6) months.
  • Applicants who have not passed probation in this classification are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

  • Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
    Examination Unit
    710 Riverpoint Ct.
    West Sacramento, CA 95605

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

  • Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
    Examination Unit
    710 Riverpoint Ct.
    West Sacramento, CA 95605
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

Please note the following: 

1). A State Application (STD 678) is REQUIRED and must be submitted.

2). All applicants must include "from" and "to" employment dates (month/day/year), time base, and applicable civil service class titles on their STD 678. Applications received without this information may be rejected.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

Special Testing Arrangements

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Application Link

Assistant Chief

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

CAL FIRE Examination Unit
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 894-9580
CALFIREexams@fire.ca.gov

CAL FIRE Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 767-8359
ReasonableAccommodations@fire.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.