FIRE APPARATUS ENGINEER

State of California; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is seeking a Fire Apparatus Engineer to operate fire apparatus during wildland and structural firefighting, lead crews, and maintain equipment. The role includes fire prevention duties and related work in various conditions.

Positions are permanent full time with a monthly salary between $5,551 and $6,856, with the potential to start at the minimum during hire for new state candidates.

Qualifications

• FIRE APPARATUS ENGINEER

Responsibilities

• Operates fire apparatus and equipment during wildland and structural firefighting operations.
• Leads an assigned crew in firefighting duties and performs maintenance on vehicles and equipment.
• Performs fire prevention tasks and related work.

Job description

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

JC-529942 -

JC-529942 - FIRE APPARATUS ENGINEER
FIRE APPARATUS ENGINEER

$5,551.00 - $6,856.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 9/21/2026

Job Description and Duties

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.

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).

Note: Fire Center and Fuels Reduction Crews positions exist within the units. Duties for Fuels Reduction Crews positions include: Operation of various prescribed fire ignition tools, fuels reduction tools and Prescribed Fire Crew equipment. Assist in planning fuels reduction projects and complete projects while providing leadership to crew members. Provide training in the use of tools specific to prescribed fire, fuels reduction and vegetation management to Prescribed Fire Technicians. Coordinate administrative duties in the absence of the Prescribed Fire Captain.

Working Conditions

Willingness to live and work in remote areas and on weekends and holidays, to remain on duty 24 hours a day, as required, distant visual acuity (Snellen) of not less than 20/100 without corrective lenses in each eye, separately corrected to not less than 20/40 in one eye with corrective lenses, distant binocular acuity (Snellen) of at least 20/40 in both eyes with or without corrective lenses, 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.

Minimum Requirements

• FIRE APPARATUS ENGINEER

$5,551.00 - $6,856.00 A New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: Multiple

Work Location: United States

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Facility: Statewide

Department Information

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California's fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 12,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.

When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co-workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunites. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!

• The Cal-JAC CPAT Card of Completion, issued by the Cal-JAC CPAT program to candidates who pass the Cal-JAC-administered CPAT, is the sole CPAT card accepted by CAL FIRE as evidence of successful completion of pre-employment physical ability assessment.


• Applicants selected for positions are placed in an apprenticeship program. Permanent appointments are conditional upon successful completion of the training program.


• Possession of a valid driver's license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Currently, valid driver’s licenses are:

• Class A or B Commercial with a tank endorsement and airbrakes


• California Class A, B, or C with a Firefighter endorsement


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

Please note: Some positions may require a HAZMAT or Passenger endorsement. If submitting a California driver’s license with a Firefighter endorsement, your driver’s license must show the Restriction 50.

- Applicants must pass medical clearances under the Respiratory Protection Program.

The Bargaining Unit 8 (BU8) Memorandum of Understanding regarding Voluntary In-Class Transfer Policy (Inter-Unit) (Section 9.2) will be followed. Transfers may require a two-year commitment and the completion of the JAC program.

TAU applicants are encouraged to apply.

What is TAU? TAU appointments to this classification are made under temporary authorization. In accordance with the California State Constitution, no person may serve in one or more positions under a temporary appointment longer than 9 months in 12 consecutive months. Therefore, all time served in temporary appointments during the 12 consecutive month period will count towards this 9 month maximum. An employee gains no status or rights as a result of the TAU appointment and an employee who has had only a TAU appointment has no reinstatement eligibility. Persons who do not possess the minimum qualifications for the classification are ineligible for appointment as a TAU.

If you are offered and accept a TAU appointment, you will be required to take the next exam administered for this classification. If you do not apply to take the exam, score too low to be in a reachable rank, OR if you fail the test, your TAU appointment will be terminated within 48 hours of the exam results being released.

FELONY DISCLOSURE

Pursuant to California Penal Code 4571, any individual interested in seeking employment that requires working with inmates at a conservation camp must disclose any prior felony status up front, so CALFIRE/CDCR can provide informed consent to a former felon to be on the conservation camp/prison grounds.

Any person/employee who has been convicted of a felony, and has not received written consent, is committing a felony.

PREA INFORMATION

Positions located at a Camp or requiring the supervision of inmates requires compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act. Compliance is determined by completing a Live Scan prior to appointment and during the course of employment to verify the standards of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 115 Prison Rape Elimination Act National Standards are met.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: www.fire.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
FAE Hotline
[phone]

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
[phone]
[e-mail]

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Pay and Benefits

$5551 - $6856 Base Salary (paid every month)

$1886 - $2330 Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)

$91,130 – $112,562 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.

Required Application Package Documents

• 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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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). This form may be found at: https://www.fire.ca.gov/-/media/D817B8E27D8049C3BC35297686467FB9


• Other - Current FAE Work Location Form. This form may be found at: https://www.fire.ca.gov/-/media/7830631C359D49E4836ED9FBDEB54BE9


• Other - California Fire Fighter 1 Certification (IFSAC/Pro Board)


• Other - CAL FIRE Company Officer Academy (COA) Certificate


• Other - CAL FIRE Fire Fighter Academy (FFA) Certificate


• Other - CPR


• Other - Public Safety First Aid


• Other - Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)


• Other - Paramedic


• Other - DMV printout, must be dated within 30 days of the Final Filing Date. A copy of your driving record can be obtained on the DMV website.


• Other - California Joint Apprenticeship Committee Candidate Physical Ability Test (Cal-JAC CPAT) card


• Other - Honorable Military Discharge Paperwork (DD 214 / Member-4 or NGB-22)