Become a Fire Fighter II

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

Under supervision, perform the full range of firefighting duties in suppression of vehicle, building, improvement, and vegetation fires; to assist in building, grounds, and equipment maintenance and repair; perform heavy physical work involved in firefighting as a member of a crew; or when performing in a paramedic position, as a member of a paramedic team, to perform paramedic duties in emergency medical situations; and to do other related work.  

Typical Tasks

Responds to wildland, rural, and structural fires; connects, lays, and operates hose lines; enters burning areas and structures with charged hose lines; operates and climbs ladders; makes forcible entry into buildings; ventilates buildings; uses hand tools and fire equipment to contain and suppress fire; assists in wildland fire suppression in difficult terrain; assists in making fire prevention inspections; assists in building grounds and equipment maintenance and repair; inspects, cleans, and repairs fire hose and equipment; sharpens fire tools; performs general facility maintenance and repair work; performs general housekeeping duties; assists in training as needed; and keeps records and prepares reports. 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.

Eligible candidates selected for positions in this classification may be placed in an apprenticeship program.

(Range A - Non-Paramedic)
This classification is eligible for the following pay:

$4,650 - $6,030 Range A Base Salary (paid every month)
$1,580 - $2,050 Range A Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)
$76,340 – $103,834 Annual Compensation Range A

(Range B - Paramedic)
This classification is eligible for the following pay:
 
$4,978 - $6,452 Range B Base Salary (paid every month)

$1,777 - $2,363 Range B Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)
$250 - $6,000 Range B Paramedic Bonus (paid every November; amount based on months worked)
$81,310 - $111,780 Annual Compensation Range B

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:
Possession 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 

Possession of a valid Candidate Physical Activity Ability Test (CPAT) Card of Completion, issued by a currently licensed CPAT organization authorized by the Department. Incumbents who have worked as a Fire Fighter II or Fire Apparatus Engineer with CAL FIRE and have not had a break in service greater than 12 consecutive months, do not need to obtain a new CPAT card. (Applicants who do not possess the CPAT Card of Completion will be admitted to the examination but must submit the card before they can be eligible for a job offer.) AND

For paramedic positions, possession of a current California Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic (EMT-P) license or a National Registry EMT-P license is required. (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 have a California EMT-P license prior to a job offer or reassignment. AND

Minimum Age: 18 years at the time of appointment. (Candidates who are within two months of satisfying the age requirement will be admitted to the examination.); (and)

Experience:

Either I
Three months of fire-fighting experience.

Or II
One year of experience as a certified volunteer firefighter.

Or III
Completion of training courses prerequisite for Fire Fighter I Certification.

Or IV
One year of experience as a Fire Prevention Specialist I; (and)

Successful completion of the mandatory training courses prescribed for a Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Fighter I.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: Safe physical work methods. Ability to: Read and write English at a level required for successful job performance; follow written and oral instructions; communicate effectively, learn to operate fire apparatus and special fire suppression equipment efficiently and safely; learn to operate emergency/paramedic rescue and other equipment as required; learn forest and fire laws; perform heavy physical work; follow directions; write legibly; exercise good judgment in hazardous fire suppression activity; demonstrate leadership; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; live in a fire station compatibly with others; and maintain cooperative relationships with other organizations and agencies.

Ability to be willing to work in remote areas, on weekends and holidays, and to remain on duty 24 hours a day, as required.

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.

Background Investigation

Positions located at a Camp or requiring the supervision of incarcerated individuals requires a criminal records background check prior to and during employment, i.e., Live Scan, to ensure compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act.

All employees shall have general qualifications as described by California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 172.

The CAL FIRE Examination Unit is not accepting exam applications at this time. Please check back periodically to see when the next exam bulletin is released.

There are no available positions at this time, but new opportunities are posted regularly - check back soon!