Job Description

Job Description and Duties

This job advertisement is for vacancies throughout the state in Range B of the Fire Apparatus Engineer (FAE) classification (Paramedics). 

Applicants will be considered for PARAMEDIC POSITIONS ONLY.

Job Duties and Typical Tasks:  Under general supervision, operates fire apparatus and equipment during wildland and structural firefighting operations; leads an assigned crew in the performance of firefighting duties; maintains and makes minor repairs on vehicles, equipment, and the fire stations; performs fire prevention tasks, and other related work. When performing in a paramedic position, as part of a paramedic team, performs paramedic duties in emergency medical situations.

Drives and operates fire apparatus in connection with extinguishing wildland, structural, and other fires, and in fire prevention and rescue work; leads a crew; performs maintenance and simple repairs on equipment; makes reports on the operation of equipment; uses maps; operates two-way radio as necessary; may act as fire captain relief; assists in training crews to fight fire efficiently and safely; checks, cleans, and polishes trucks; does general facility maintenance and repair work; assists in building roads, trails, telephone lines, and minor structures; as a learner, may operate other heavy equipment to assist when required; makes fire law inspections; investigates fire causes; prepares and presents fire prevention programs to the public; 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.

2026-2027 Annual Hiring Process
Each FAE Range B (Paramedic) hiring process lasts for one year and consists of multiple hiring rounds. There will be two (2) continuously posted advertisements per process, one for permanent and one for limited-term appointments. Every two months, applications submitted before a designated cutoff date are processed and candidates are introduced to appointing authorities in rounds based on the date their application is submitted. Candidates only need to apply once per process to be considered in all subsequent rounds, and their single application will be considered for both permanent and limited-term positions.

Cutoff dates for the current process are as follows:

1. September 4, 2026
2. November 6, 2026
3. January 1, 2027
4. March 5, 2027
5. May 7, 2027
6. July 1, 2027 

Applications submitted after a cutoff date will be processed with the next group and considered in the following round.

When a new advertisement is posted, a new annual process begins, and all candidates must apply to the new job control to be considered for the current annual process. Applications from previous job controls do not carry over.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a(n) CA Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

• Possession of a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Card of Completion, issued by a currently licensed CPAT organization authorized by the department is required prior to job offer. Incumbents who have worked as a Fire Fighter II/Fire Fighter II - Paramedic (FFII)/FFII(P) or Fire Apparatus Engineer/Fire Apparatus Engineer - Paramedic (FAE)/FAE(P) 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.

• Possession of a valid California Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) license or a National Registry EMT-P license is required for FAE Range B (Paramedic) positions. Paramedic applicants must possess a valid California EMT-P license prior to job offer or reassignment. Candidates must provide a copy of the Paramedic card for verification. Only California State level Paramedic cards issued by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (CA EMSA) are accepted; National Registry or local county cards will not qualify.

• Possession of a valid driver's license of the appropriate class with any applicable endorsements issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles or applicable agency is required prior to job offer. Acceptable driver's licenses include: 

1. An out of state driver’s license valid for the operation of firefighting equipment within the employee’s home state.

The incumbent is required to wear respiratory protection equipment (including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The use of such equipment may place a physiological burden on the incumbent that varies with the type of equipment used, the job and workplace conditions in which the equipment is used, and the medical status of the incumbent. As such, the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) requires that the incumbent be annually medically cleared to be fit-tested for respiratory protection equipment. This clearance process consists of a comprehensive medical evaluation including a review of the incumbent's medical history, a complete physical examination, and vision, hearing, spirometry, and exercise treadmill test.

Selected candidates must complete CAL FIRE Fighter Academy (FFA) and Company Officer Academy (COA) training during the probationary period as a condition of employment.

The Bargaining Unit 8 (BU 8) Memorandum of Understanding regarding Voluntary In-Class Transfer Policy (Inter-Unit) (Section 9.2) will be followed. Per departmental policy, the unit may require 2 years of service in the employee's current assignment starting on the date of appointment and the completion of the JAC program before eligibility for transfer.

Application Instructions

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.

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring

Attn: FAEP HIRING

135 Ridgway Avenue

Santa Rosa , CA 95401

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring

Attn: FAEP HIRING

135 Ridgway Avenue

Santa Rosa , CA 95401

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - Authorization to Release Information Form (PO-299). Access the form here:  PO-299
• Other - Current FAEP Work Location Form. Access the form here:  FAEP WLF
• Other - Copy of the front and back of your valid driver’s license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Other - Copy of the front and back of your valid California Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) license issued by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (CA EMSA) (California State level).
• Other -

  Copy of your valid Cal-JAC CPAT card. All applicants must submit their current or most recent card or, if applicable, a personal statement, demonstrating CPAT completion. CPAT validity will be determined based on the date printed on the card or through verification of current/former employment in a qualifying CAL FIRE classification.

• Other - Completed Paramedic Supplemental Form. Access the form here:  Paramedic Supplemental Form

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

This classification is eligible for the following pay:

$5934 - $7342 Base Salary (paid every month)
$2101 - $2665 Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)
*$250 - $6000 Paramedic Recruitment and Retention Pay (paid every November)

$101,521 – $128,749 Annual Compensation

*Paramedic employees are paid annually each November a sum based on the amount of qualifying pay periods served in the preceding twelve (12) pay periods (November through October). The qualifying pay periods are cumulative and need not be consecutive. The rate increases each year, bonus pay can reach up to $500 per accumulative month of pay or $6,000 each year if 37 or more qualifying pay periods are accumulated. See Recruitment and Retention Pay Differential 247for more information.

In addition to the above pay items, employees are eligible for medical benefits (health, dental, vision) and may be eligible for other pay differentials that can be found on the  Pay Differentials Library website.

Benefit information can be found on the  CalHR website and the  CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website:

Human Resources Contact:
Statewide Hiring Hotline
(707) 576-2963

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
(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.

Special Filing Instructions

Refer to the Application Instructions section above for more information on how to apply for these positions.

*Only ONE application package submission is required to be considered for permanent and/or limited-term positions statewide.

To be included in the selection process, a complete application package that references the job code/job control number (JC-#) must be submitted. Please include the classification and Job Control # on the STD 678. DO NOT INCLUDE OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS ON YOUR APPLICATION.

All interested applicants must submit the following items in the application package to be considered: 

1. State Application (Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) (Rev. 12/2021) - must complete entire form, including relevant work history and detailed descriptions of relevant job duties 
2. Resume - Must be current and reflect all relevant qualifications
3. Authorization to Release Information Form (PO-299)
4. Current FAEP Work Location Form
5. Front and back of your valid driver’s license of the appropriate class
6. Front and back of your valid California Paramedic license
7. California Joint Apprenticeship Committee Candidate Physical Ability Test (Cal-JAC CPAT) Card
8. Paramedic Supplemental Form

• Cal-JAC CPAT is considered valid for one (1) year from date printed on card. Incumbents who have worked in an appropriate class (listed above) with CAL FIRE and have not had a break in service greater than 12 consecutive months do not need to obtain a new Cal-JAC CPAT card, but should still provide a copy of their most recent card or will need to attach a personal statement in lieu of a Cal-JAC CPAT card indicating work history in an appropriate class.

*Additional items may be included to demonstrate experience, training, qualifications, certifications, etc. but the inclusion of extra documents does not guarantee a higher rating.

*BU8 In-Class transfers must follow the BU8 MOU Section 9.2 guidelines to be considered in the selection process. BU8 In-Class transfers need not submit an application in accordance with this advertisement.

To obtain an Examination / Employment Application Form STD 678, go to the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website:  STD 678 Form

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Apprenticeship, Work at office, Local area

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