Examination: Heavy Fire Equipment Operator

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Working title
Heavy Fire Equipment Operator
Monthly salary
$6,230.00 - $7,694.00 (A) per Month | $6,838.00 - $8,446.00 (B) per Month
Exam #
4828
Deadline
04/13/2026
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Position Description

00106387 - HEAVY FIRE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Under direction, to operate heavy motorized equipment in wildland fire control work and in forest protection and conservation project work; to perform maintenance and repair on vehicles and heavy equipment; and to do other related work.

TYPICAL TASKS

Operates heavy bulldozers, motor-graders, heavy-duty transports, trucks, and other types of heavy equipment used in fire suppression work, road maintenance and in other wildland protection and conservation project work; reads maps to understand type of terrain to be worked on and location of projects; operates equipment on steep, narrow, mountain roads and under hazardous conditions; as assigned, works with or supervises both inmate and free personnel crews on fire line assignments, road construction assignments, forestry conservation projects, or in-camp work projects; services and, under supervision, assists mechanics in making major mechanical repairs to heavy bulldozers, motor-graders, heavy-duty transports, trucks, and other types of repair which may include preventive maintenance service, tune-up, brake relining and adjustment, disassembly and assembly for overhaul, welding, limited body repair, and lubrication; maintains other equipment used in fire suppression activity such as chain saws and portable generators; estimates cost of repairs and purchases parts; maintains simple records and written reports of work performed; trains others in safe practices in the use and repair of heavy equipment and vehicles.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS

Incumbents will receive in a timely manner during the probationary period "Heavy Fire Equipment Operator" and "Basic Fire Control" training courses. Successful completion of both training courses is a requirement for permanent status in this class.

SPECIAL PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Willingness to work in remote areas; willingness to work on weekends and holidays and to 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; and visual acuity (Snellen) of not less than 20/100 without correction in each eye corrected to not less than 20/30 in one eye; hearing adequacy within speech frequencies (uncorrected); normal use of both hands and feet; physical strength and agility; no more than mildly susceptible to poison oak.

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

00106387 - HEAVY FIRE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Minimum Age: 18 years at the time of appointment.

Possession of the type of driver license required by law applicable to the types of heavy motorized vehicles operated on the job. (Applicants who do not possess the required license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to the performance test),

AND

One year of over the highway experience operating Class 8 transport vehicles with multi-speed manual shift transmissions, with a gross vehicle weight of at least 60,000 pounds or greater,

AND

One year of experience operating D6 or D7 bulldozers or equivalent size bulldozers produced by other manufacturers. Qualifying bulldozer experience must include at least 500 hours of operation of the specified bulldozers in rugged terrain,

AND

Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.


NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THE “HFEO EXAM SUPPLEMENTAL FORM”. COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM WITH YOUR STATE APPLICATION STD. 678. (YOU MAY USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS, IF NECESSARY.)
1. Applicants must specify the number of combined axles and weight(s) of loaded Class 8 transport vehicle(s). Please note: You must have one year of over the highway experience operating Class 8 transport vehicles with multi-speed manual shift transmissions, with a gross vehicle weight of at least 60,000 pounds or greater. Please include name of employer(s), dates of employment (month/day/year), combined number of axles, weight of loaded transport(s), hours per week driving, and total hours of operation. (See “HFEO Exam Supplemental Form” to provide this information.)

2a. Applicants must specify the type(s) of bulldozer(s) and the number of hours spent operating D6 or D7 bulldozers (or equivalent size bulldozers). Please note: You must have one year of experience operating a D6 or D7 bulldozer or equivalent size bulldozer produced by other manufacturers. Please include name of employer(s), dates of employment (month/day/year), make/model of dozer(s), hours operating per week, and total hours of operation. (See “HFEO Exam Supplemental Form” to provide this information.)

2b. Applicants must specify the number of hours and type of “rugged terrain” in which they have experience operating a D6 or D7 bulldozer (or equivalent size bulldozer). In addition to providing name(s) of employer(s), dates of employment, make/model of dozer(s), please provide examples of the type of terrain, including the percentage or ratio of slope, and total hours of operation in rugged terrain.

Please note: You must have at least 500 hours of operation using the specified bulldozer(s) in rugged terrain. (See “HFEO Exam Supplemental Form” to provide this information.)

3. If applicant possesses the required Class A license, please provide a copy of the driver’s license and complete section 3. (See “HFEO Exam Supplemental Form” to provide this information.)

WHAT TO BRING TO THE PERFORMANCE EXAMINATION:

Accepted applicants are required to bring the following to their performance examination:

  1. A Valid Driver’s License of the appropriate class (Class A) AND
  2. A current Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) printout showing medical certification dated within 30 days of their performance examination.

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: 4/13/2026.

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.

*The HFEO Exam Supplemental Form is REQUIRED and MUST be submitted with your STD 678 to be considered for this examination.
    - Candidates that do NOT submit this form may NOT be accepted.
    - The purpose of this form is to assist the Department in determining whether or not you meet the minimum qualifications for this classification.


EXTENDED DUTY WEEK COMPENSATION

This classification is eligible for the following pay:

$6230 - $7694 Range A Base Salary (paid every month)
$6838 - $8446 Range B Base Salary (paid every month)

$2117 - $2615 Range A Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)
$2324 - $2870 Range B Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)

$102,281 – $126,323 Annual Compensation Range A
$112,268 – $138,662 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.

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):

  • HEAVY FIRE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - Open

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements by the Final Filing Date of April 13, 2026, unless otherwise noted.
  • Once you have participated in this examination, you may not test again for six (6) months.
  • The following applicants are encouraged to apply:
    • Candidates that wish to have list eligibility (the current list will be abolished).
    • Incumbents that have not passed probation in this classification.

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.

To apply for this examination, please complete and return the following:


1). A State Application (STD 678) is REQUIRED and must be submitted. This can also be found on the California Department of Human Resource’s website.
2). The HFEO Exam Supplemental Form is REQUIRED and MUST be completed and submitted with your application packet. If you do not submit this form, you may be disqualified from the testing process.

3). All applications must include “from” and “to” employment dates (month/day/year), time base, and applicable civil service class titles. 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

Heavy Fire Equipment Operator

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.