Become a Fire Captain (Paramedic)

  • Entry Level
  • Supervisory
  • Full Time
  • Seasonal
  • Benefits Eligible

Under direction, to supervise the work of an engine company(s) and hand crew(s); with other Fire Captains, share in the management of a fire station, including the maintenance of emergency apparatus and equipment; to perform paramedic duties and supervise a crew of personnel engaged in emergency medical rescue activities; or to serve as paramedic coordinator in a ranger unit; and to do other related work.

Job Characteristics

Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles is a condition of continued employment.

Possession of a valid paramedic certification issued by a California county health officer applicable to the county of employment is a condition of continued employment.

Typical Tasks

Plans and assigns work, gives instructions, maintains discipline and makes decisions relating to the supervision of engine companies and hand crews engaged in fighting wildland, structural or other fires, flood control, and other emergency activities; may occasionally perform minor maintenance on buildings and fire stations; trains a company to fight fire, and operate tools; supervises and performs the construction and maintenance of fire defense improvements; inspects, supervises the use of, and performs preventive and minor maintenance on assigned equipment; operates fire apparatus, power tools (e.g., chain saws) and heavy equipment during emergency incidents and nonemergency project work; installs and supervises exhibits and displays; issues citations and makes investigations and reports on the cause and origin of fires; collects and preserves evidence; makes inspections for enforcement of Titles 19 and 25 of the California Administrative Code; performs dispatching of resources; performs as fire information officer; conducts classroom and field training including the preparation of lesson plans and the evaluation of student performance; evaluates work of assigned employees; reads and uses maps; may assist others in performing accounting, budgeting, personnel and material management tasks; keeps records, writes and submits reports; and does other related work. Renders emergency medical assistance; performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation and electrical defibrillation; lifts and transports injured persons; administers intravenous saline, glucose and volume expanding agents; obtains blood for laboratory analysis; interprets cardiac arrhythmias; performs pulmonary ventilation by use of airway adjuncts; administers drugs; operates voice and biomedical telemetry communication systems and equipment; assists in childbirth; drives medical rescue vehicles under emergency conditions; prepares and presents demonstrations and classes in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other subjects relating to medical assistance to employees and the public.

This classification is eligible for the following pay:

$6,199 - $8,033 Base Salary (paid every month) 

$2,192 - $2,900 Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)

$250 - $6,000 Paramedic Bonus (paid every November; amount based on months worked)

$105,884 – $140,096 Annual Compensation

In addition to the above pay items, employees are eligible for medical benefits (health, dental, vision) and may be eligible for other pay differentials.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website. 

 

Minimum Qualifications

License and Education: Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Applicants who do not possess this license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment. and Possession of a current Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT- P) certificate issued by a California county health officer; or enrollment in an approved paramedic training program within five months of completion. Proof of paramedic certification applicable to the county of employment will be required prior to appointment. and Experience: Three years of permanent full-time experience in California state service performing the duties of a Fire Apparatus Engineer or Fire Apparatus Engineer (Paramedic) and successful completion of the corresponding California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee Program. (Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement will be admitted to the exam but must successfully complete the apprenticeship program before appointment.); (or)

Three years of permanent full-time experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Fire Apparatus Engineer with an appointment to the class prior to the initiation of the California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee Program on July 1, 1983; (or)

Applicants who gained employment with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection by Board Resolution may compete if they have three years of permanent full-time experience as a Fire Apparatus Engineer or Fire Apparatus Engineer (Paramedic) but must successfully complete the apprenticeship program before appointment or receive SubJAC certification of journey level status. [Experience with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection may be combined with prior Fire Apparatus Engineer or Fire Apparatus Engineer (Paramedic) experience to meet this requirement.] (Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement will be admitted to the exam but must successfully complete the apprenticeship program before appointment or receive SubJAC certification of journey level status.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge:
Forest and fire laws; types, causes, character, and behavior of fires; fire protection, prevention, and emergency medical rescue methods, equipment, and terminology; department's incident command system; vehicle extrication methods; methods for responding to hazardous materials incidents and other emergency incidents; principles of effective supervision, training, and directing a crew in fire protection, emergency, conservation, and rescue operations; maintenance and safe operation of fire, automotive, and emergency rescue equipment; methods, materials, and equipment used in minor construction and maintenance of fire stations, roads, trails, bridges, water developments, and similar structures; fundamental forest improvement, conservation, and safety practices; department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

Ability to:
Read and write English at a level required for successful job performance; locate and determine origin and fire causes; operate fire and automotive equipment safely; operate power tools; train, advise, instruct, and direct a crew of personnel in fire suppression and general maintenance work; read maps; supervise a fire suppression or paramedic crew; maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in all work; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; meet and inform the public; follow oral and written directions; keep records and prepare reports; administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid; participate in the department's physical fitness program; and effectively contribute to the department's affirmative action objectives.

Special Personal Characteristics
Demonstrated good judgment in emergency situations; willingness to live and work in isolated areas away from population centers and to work on weekends and holidays; willingness to remain on duty 24 hours a day as required; emotional stability; demonstrated leadership ability; high standards of morals and speech; satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen; distant visual acuity (Snellen) of not less than 20/100 without corrective lenses in each eye, separately corrected to not less than 20/40 in one eye with corrective lenses; distant binocular acuity (Snellen) of at least 20/40 in both eyes with or without corrective lenses; color vision adequate to successfully perform the job as measured by the Ishihara Pseudo-Chromatic Plate Test, or for persons failing the Ishihara, the Farnsworth D-15 Arrangement Test; normal hearing; normal use of both hands and both feet; physical strength and agility; no more than mild susceptibility to poison oak; sensitivity to the needs of injured persons and their families; patience, tact, alertness, and keenness of observation.

Additional Desirable Qualification
Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.

No examinations at this time.