Examination: Fire Captain (1095), Non-Paramedic / Paramedic
- Working title
- Fire Captain (1095), Non-Paramedic / Paramedic
- Monthly salary
- FIRE CAPTAIN: $5,934.00 - $7,694.00 (A) per Month *1FIRE CAPTAIN: | $6,513.00 - $8,483.00 (B) per Month *2FIRE CAPTAIN: $6,354.00 - $8,234.00 (C) per Month *3 *1: Non-Paramedic Range (A) *2: Non-Paramedic Range (B) *3: Paramedic Range (C)
- Exam #
- 5398
- Deadline
- Continuous
- External Link
- View Full Bulletin
00101095 - FIRE CAPTAIN
Under direction, supervise the work of engine company(s) and hand crews; manage a facility including the maintenance of emergency apparatus and equipment; or to perform full-time duties in one of the following specialty assignments: (1) peace officer/fire prevention duties within a unit; (2) serve as a dispatcher; (3) serve as an assistant air attack program coordinator; (4) serve as a helitack captain; (5) supervise crews and operate crew-carrying vehicles and fire apparatus; (6) serve as an instructor at the Training Center and other training assignments; or (7) when performing in a paramedic position, perform paramedic duties and supervise a crew of personnel engaged in emergency medical rescue activities, and to do other related work.
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, hazardous materials incidents, emergency responses, vehicle extrication incidents, and other emergency activities; performs general facility maintenance and repair work; supervises projects related to resource management; 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; transports a crew over mountainous roads; operates fire apparatus, power tools (e.g., chain saws), and heavy equipment during emergency incidents and nonemergency project work; assists in the preparation and maintenance of a fire prevention plan; conducts fire prevention education programs; installs and supervises exhibits and displays; performs dispatching of resources; performs as fire information officer; supervises the air attack base crew; serves as controller in airport operations; leads a helitack crew; 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 as required; and does other related work. Performs work outside with potential exposure to environmental elements (e.g., extreme weather, poison oak).
In addition to the tasks listed above, when working in a paramedic position, renders emergency medical assistance at the advanced life support level; performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation and electrical defibrillation; lifts and transports injured persons; administers intravenous fluids as needed; 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 completes documentation associated with patient care delivery; prepares and presents demonstrations and classes in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other subjects relating to medical assistance to employees and the public.
In addition to the non-paramedic tasks listed above, peace officers’ duties include applying and enforcing fire prevention laws, issuing citations and undertaking investigations and reports on the cause and origin of fires; collecting and preserving evidence, making inspections and may conduct code enforcement.
SPECIAL PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Demonstrate good judgment in emergency situations; demonstrate leadership ability; be of high ethical character; foster diversity, equity, and inclusion; possess visual acuity, color vision and hearing adequate to successfully perform the job; and maintain physical strength, dexterity, and agility necessary to perform the duties of the position. Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of injured persons and their families; possess patience, tact, resilience, alertness, and keenness of observation.
*See the Classification Specification (linked above) for more details
All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.
00101095 - FIRE CAPTAINPossession of a valid Class A, Class B, or Class C driver's license, with any applicable endorsements, issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, or applicable agency.
AND
For paramedic positions, possession of a current California Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic (EMT-P) license or National Registry EMT-P license. (Applicants currently enrolled in a paramedic training program must be within six months of completing their training by the date of the exam to be eligible to apply for a position). Paramedic applicants must obtain a California EMT-P license prior to a job offer or reassignment.)
AND
ExperienceEither I
Thirty-six months of full-time experience in the 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 examination but must successfully complete the apprenticeship program before they can be eligible for a job offer or receive SubJAC certification of journey level status.)
Applicants who gained employment with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) by Board Resolution may compete if they have thirty-six months of full-time experience equivalent to Fire Apparatus Engineer or Fire Apparatus Engineer (Paramedic) or higher but must successfully complete the apprenticeship program before a job offer or receive SubJAC certification of journey level status. [Experience as a CAL FIRE Fire Apparatus Engineer or a Fire Apparatus Engineer (Paramedic) may be combined with equivalent experience outside of California State Service to meet this requirement.]Or II
Twenty-four months of experience as a full-time paid Company Officer leading an engine company (or equivalent) or hand crew, such as an Incident Command System Type I or II Crew. Qualifying experience must be at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a CAL FIRE Fire Captain. (Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement will be admitted to the examination but must complete the experience requirement before they can be eligible for a job offer.)
*Reasonable Accommodation (RA) requests: This 90-minute timed examination consists of job-related multiple-choice questions that are administered via an online testing platform. The examination MUST be taken virtually, in a private location with reliable internet. Once a candidate requests an RA, their account will be locked and they will NOT be able to proceed with the exam until the request is processed.
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.Extended Duty Week Compensation (EDWC)
(Range A and B - Non-Paramedic)
This classification is eligible for the following pay:
$5,934 - $7,694 Range A Base Salary (paid every month)
$6,513 - $8,483 Range B Base Salary (paid every month)
$2,016 - $2,615 Range A Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)
$2,213 - $2,883 Range B Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)
$97,416 - $126,323 Annual Compensation Annual Compensation Range A
$106,925 - $139,275 Annual Compensation Annual Compensation Range B
(Range C - Paramedic)
This classification is eligible for the following pay:
$6,354 - $8,234 Base Salary (paid every month)
$2,244 - $2,968 Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)
$250 - $6,000 Paramedic Bonus (paid every November; amount based on months worked)
$108,420 - $143,392 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.
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.
Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):
- FIRE CAPTAIN - Open
*Effective July 31, 2025, the Fire Captain (1095) and Fire Captain - Paramedic (1757) classifications were consolidated into one classification. Candidates interested in a Fire Captain or Fire Captain - Paramedic position, MUST successfully pass this examination to be placed on the eligibility list. Successful candidates are then encouraged to apply for open positions (non-paramedic and/or paramedic). Visit our Join CAL FIRE webpage for more information.
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.
*Applications for this examination will only be accepted via electronic submission through CalCareers. Applications sent via mail, email, or delivered in-person 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
Fire Captain (1095), Non-Paramedic / ParamedicQuestions regarding this examination should be directed to:
CAL FIRE Examination Unit710 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.