Examination: Unit Chief

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Working title
Unit Chief
Monthly salary
$9,411.00 - $12,182.00 per Month
Exam #
4515
Deadline
10/13/2025
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Position Description

00101037 - UNIT CHIEF

DEFINITION

This is the administrative level for this series. Unit Chiefs have management responsibility for a specified geographical area called a unit.

 

Positions at this level provide guidance and leadership to subordinate supervisors and unit employees and oversee all operational and administrative functions within a unit; and ensure unit compliance with federal and state laws, and departmental policies and procedures.

 

Unit Chiefs assure that emergency resources, personnel, and equipment are trained, available, and ready to respond to fires and other emergencies; ensure the unit coordinates, develops, and implements the unit's Interagency Operational Plans; serve as State Office of Emergency Services Operational Area Coordinator; coordinate with local governing bodies to prepare and implement contractual fire protection services; and liaise with California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation staff to ensure that cooperative programs function within the policies and guidelines of both agencies.


Positions at this level also review, analyze, and ensure the development and implementation of the unit's Fire Plan and Fire Prevention Program, including law enforcement, civil cost recovery, Fire Safe and Land Use Planning, and promote public interest and participation in fire prevention efforts.

 

Unit Chiefs oversee a unit's administrative functions, including purchasing, acquisition, storage, inventory, and distribution of supplies and equipment; budget management; and personnel management, including the selection, hiring, assignment, staffing, training, performance, promotion, discipline, and grievances of employees. Positions at this level also review and recommend Capital Outlay Budget Change Proposals and special repairs priorities, serve as unit contact for internal and external audits, and ensure that the mobile equipment fleet is managed, operated, and maintained safely.

 

Unit Chiefs serve as the unit contact, developing and maintaining positive working relationships with various groups, including political officials and governmental representatives at the federal, state, and local levels, cooperating agencies, media, landowners, and specialists from within the Department and from outside organizations.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS

Certain positions in these classifications require peace officer status as a condition of appointment and continued employment.

FELONY DISQUALIFICATION

Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029, persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers except as provided under Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 1179 (b), or Division 2.5, Chapter 1, Article 4, Section 1722 (b). Except as provided for by these statutes, persons convicted of a felony are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in this class. This felony disqualification applies only to those positions designated as peace officers.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

Candidates selected for an appointment will be required to complete a Background Certification Statement regarding criminal convictions. A criminal conviction may preclude a candidate from employment; however, appointment commitments will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENT

Existing law provides that peace officers be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

AGE REQUIREMENT 

Must meet minimum age requirement to be appointed as a California peace officer per the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and in accordance with existing law.

EDUCATION

Existing law provides that a peace officer must be a high school graduate, pass the General Education Development (GED) Test indicating high school graduation level, pass the California High School Proficiency Examination, or have attained a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited college or university.

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

00101037 - UNIT CHIEF

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

Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Assistant Chief with Fire Administration/Fire Operations experience (Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement will be admitted to the examination but must fully meet the experience requirement before being eligible for appointment).


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: 10/13/2025.

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.

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.

Promotional Examination(s):

  • UNIT CHIEF - Promotional

In addition to meeting the Minimum Qualifications, competition is limited to individuals who meet at least one of the following filing criteria:

  • 1. Have a permanent civil service appointment with a promotional testing department (see Testing Departments), or
  • 2. Are current or former employees of the legislature for 2 or more years as defined in Government Code 18990, or
  • 3. Are current or former non-elected exempt employees of the executive branch for 2 or more consecutive years as defined in Govt. Code 18992, or
  • 4. Are persons retired from the United States military honorably discharged from active duty with a service disability or honorably discharged from active duty as defined in Government Code 18991. Applicants must provide a copy of discharge papers (DD 214) for verification purposes at the time of application.

Under certain circumstances other employees may be allowed to compete under provisions of Rules 234, 235 and 235.2. California Code of Regulations Rules 233, 234, 235.2 and 237 contain provisions regarding civil service status and eligibility for promotional examinations.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements by the final filing date October 13, 2025, unless otherwise noted.

  • Once you have participated in this examination, you may not test again for six (6) months.
  • Applicants who have not passed probation in this classification are encouraged to apply.

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.

Please note the following:

1. A State Application (STD 678) is REQUIRED and must be submitted.


2. All applicants must include "from" and "to" employment dates (month/day/year), time base, and applicable civil service class titles on their STD 678. 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

Unit Chief

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.