Become a Fire Fighter II (Paramedic)

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

Under supervision, (1) as a member of a fire apparatus crew, to perform the full range of fire-fighting duties in suppression of vehicle, building, improvement and vegetation fires; to assist in building, grounds, and equipment maintenance and repair; and (2) as a member of a paramedic team, to perform paramedic duties in emergency medical situations; and to do other related work.

Job Characteristics

Eligibles selected for positions in this classification are placed in an apprenticeship program. Permanent appointments are conditional upon successful completion of the training program.

Typical Tasks

Responds to 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 making fire prevention inspections; assists in building, grounds, and equipment maintenance and repair; inspects, cleans and repairs fire hoses and equipment; sharpens fire tools; paints equipment and buildings, and performs minor construction work; performs general housekeeping duties; may assist in the training of seasonal and volunteer fire fighters; keeps records and prepares reports.

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 to employees and the public demonstrations and classes in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other subjects relating to medical assistance.

This classification is eligible for the following pay:

$4,978 - $6,452 Base Salary (paid every month) 

$1,777 - $2,363 Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)

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

$85,837 – $114,143 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

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)

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)

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:

Either I
Three months of fire-fighting experience.

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

Or III
Completion of prerequisite training courses 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:
Fire-fighting and emergency medical rescue methods and equipment, and operation of fire and paramedic apparatus.

Ability to:
Read and write English at a level required for successful job performance; learn to operate emergency vehicles (special fire-suppression and paramedic) and other equipment efficiently and safely; learn fire laws; do heavy physical work; follow oral and written directions; write legibly; exercise good judgment in emergency situations; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; live in a fire station compatibly with others; and maintain cooperative relationships with other organizations and agencies.

Special Personal Characteristics
Willingness to work on weekends and holidays and remain on duty 24 hours a day, as required; 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; hearing adequacy within speech frequencies (uncorrected); full use of both hands and both feet; physical strength and agility; weight in proportion to height; no more than a mild reaction to poison oak; emotional stability; 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.

Requirements and Training

You must be 18 years of age at the time of your appointment to Firefighter I. You will be required to follow oral/written directions, do heavy physical work, exercise good judgment in hazardous emergency activities, be willing to live in remote areas and work on weekends/holidays. Being physically fit is vital to your success as a firefighter. Applications will be processed in rounds with cut-off dates throughout the year.

Successful applicants are placed into the appropriate category as follows:

  • Category 0: The applicant has returnee rights to a CAL FIRE Unit.
  • Category 1: The applicant is considered "fully trained" and has provided an acceptable document showing completion of ALL of the required trainings listed above.
  • Category 2: The applicant is considered "partially trained" and has provided an acceptable document showing completion of at least one of the required trainings listed above, or one of the desirable trainings listed above.
  • Category 3: The applicant has not provided acceptable documentation for any of the required trainings, or desirable trainings listed above.

For more information on category placement and required trainings please review the Required Training PDF.

For a list of acceptable documents, please review the Acceptable Documents PDF.

For additional questions, please call the FFI, FFII, and DSI hotline at 951-901-5051.

Job Application Period

November 1 through November 30 and there may be additional cutoffs throughout the season.

Hiring Begins

Hiring may be as early as January and it will continue throughout the year as the need arises.