Firefighter / Paramedic (2026-2)

Application requires proof of certifications to be uploaded at time of submission or letter confirming the anticipated date of completion

APPLICATION OPENING: Monday, November 2, 2026 at 08:00 AM

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, December 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM

• POSITION:
• Under direct supervision will perform a myriad of firefighting and EMS skills including responding to structure fires, wildland fires, vehicle accidents and medical emergencies. May be assigned to an ALS ambulance. Participates in all fire suppression, prevention, and public education activities; performs station, equipment and apparatus maintenance; participates in training activities and other related duties as required.

SCHEDULE: 56-hour work week (Kelly); during recruit academy schedule is a 40-hour work week.

• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• •18 years of age or older at time of hire
• •Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• •Possess a CA Class C driver license
• •CA Paramedic licensure with San Diego County accreditation Paramedic Accreditation (SD County) or
• currently participating in the paramedic clinical or field internship portion
• of a paramedic training program (accreditation is required at time of hire)
• •Possess the physical abilities to perform the duties identified in the NFPA
• 1001: Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualification
• •Must have CPAT certification (at time of hire, no greater than 12 months)

CA State Fire Marshal FireFighter I Certificate OR completion of an accredited academy OR meet the minimum requirements for the Heartland 42nd Fire Academy starting February 1, 2027

• HIGHLY DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
• •Associate degree in Fire Science (Not required, but highly desirable)

• EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - 2027
• *Subject to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Local 4488*

FLSA Premium Pay – Range from approximately $3,000 to $4,000 annually

Education Incentive – Up to a maximum of 5% of the hourly rate

Continuing Licensure Incentive (Paramedic) - $2,000 annually

Holiday Pay – Range from approximately $3,500 to $4,500 annually

Paid Leave (Sick, Vacation, Bereavement, Parental)

Retirement – Eligibility through CalPERS

Insurance Benefit amount of $2,264.68 per month, effective January 1, 2027

Long-term Disability Insurance – Portion of premium paid by employer

Deferred Compensation (457 Plan) – Employee funded

• TESTING PROCESS
• The applications submitted will be screened and the most qualified applicants will be invited to our testing process which may include the following components:

Written test

Oral interview

Skills assessment, including patient assessment (using San Diego protocols)

TENTATIVE SELECTION SCHEDULE AND PROCEDURE

*Interview schedule may be subject to change

Application Deadline – Wednesday, December 2nd at 12:00 PM

Testing & Oral Interview (1st Round): Week of December 7th

Chiefs Interview: Week of December 14th

Job Offers Extended and Background Process Begins: Week of December 21st

Anticipated Hire Date: January 2027

Prior to employment, the successful candidate will be required to complete and pass all areas of a conditional offer which may include drug screening, physical, backgrounds, psychological evaluation, and fingerprinting.

Essential Job Functions

The following are the typical duties performed by employees in this classification. However, this job specification is intended to identify essential functions and requirements of the job and should not be considered all-inclusive.

Responds to emergency medical situations and convalescent (non-emergency) medical situations in a wide variety of settings ranging from apartments to wild land fires

Responds to both ALS, advanced life support, and BLS or basic life support

As needed, extricates persons from vehicles, buildings or other structures, transfers persons on a gurney to the ambulance, may also transport patients to the hospitals

Responsible for transporting patients in a helicopter on occasion

Restrains uncooperative patients using soft and leather restraints

Restocks the unit with medical supplies such as IV’s, Oxygen, medications, linen, etc.

Performs firefighting activities

Controls and extinguishes structural and wild land fires to protect lives and property.

Responds to the fire alarm by donning protective clothing and driving the paramedic unit to the emergency site

As needed, dons additional gear at the site such as a breathing apparatus, etc.

Selects the appropriate hose and assists to hook up hoses to the hydrant or pump on the apparatus.

Monitors and controls water flow on hoses throughout a fire

Assists to extend hose lines to the site as needed

As needed, handles hazardous materials at sites by identifying materials, evacuating individuals from the area, and isolating the materials

After the fire is resolved, assists to roll up hoses and drives the ambulance or other vehicle back to the station

Assists to wash and hand up the fire hoses to dry on the hose tower at the station

Cleans the firefighting gear at the station after a fire ambulance

Responds to miscellaneous public service calls such as handling transients, vacuuming water from residences, etc.

Notifies and waits for the arrival of law enforcement personnel if a weapon is involved at the scene

Performs maintenance of the apparatus

Performs vehicle inspection by checking motor, engine, lights, oil, and water levels, etc.

Ensures that the apparatus is always in complete readiness for emergencies

Performs minor repairs to apparatus such as replacing light bulbs, etc.

Maintains and performs minor repairs on firefighting equipment

Reports detected repair needs to the mechanic

Assists mechanic in all repairs to apparatus as time allows

Participates in scheduled station and outside ground maintenance

Cleans inside areas of the fire station

Performs outside ground maintenance such as mowing the lawn, weeding, raking leaves, trimming shrubs and trees, etc.

As needed performs painting, roof repairs, window replacement, structural repairs, etc.

Performs commercial building inspections to inform businesses of fire codes and fire hazards and become acclimated to the physical layout of the building

Recommends corrective measures for fire hazards.

Performs hydrant maintenance by checking valves and seals, checking to ensure that water flows properly, etc.

Participates in training drills and evaluations a minimum of 2 hours daily

Participates in public education activities such as: conducting station tours, participating in Fire Awareness week in October; and performing other public education activities as requested

Participates in voluntary physical training to maintain physical fitness. Two hours per shift is allowed for this training.

Attends scheduled meetings and in services.

As required, if on the eligibility list, assumes the role as captain in the event of the captain’s absence.

Qualifications

K nowledge of:

Proper methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in firefighting principles of fire suppression and prevention

Appropriate safety precautions and procedures

Laws, ordinances, and codes governing Paramedics

Diagnostic signs and treatments for injury and illness as described in the State and County Scope and Practice guidelines

Medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and prescription drugs

Skills and A bilities to:

Read, understand, and apply technical firefighting materials and concepts

Respond quickly to changing situations under emergency pressures

Perform routine administrative functions

Perform Basic Life Support/Advanced Life Support functions in accordance with established procedure

Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices

Understand and carry out oral and written instructions

Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Read, write and speak the