FIRE CAPTAIN

State of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 66,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California – CAL FIRE is seeking a Paramedic Fire Captain in San Mateo, CA. The position is permanent and full time, with a monthly salary range of $5,934 to $8,483 and a final filing date of 10/11/2026.

Eligibility requires a paramedic license and a valid California driver’s license, with in-office work in San Mateo County. Application is electronic via CalCareer, with questions directed to Deputy Chief Ryan Westby at [e-mail].

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid California Driver's License (CDL) and provide CDL number, class, expiration date, and endorsements or restrictions.
• Must possess a valid California Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic License and provide a copy of the license prior to being hired. Must be able to obtain accreditation from Local Emergency Medical Services (LEMSA) for assigned work location.

Skills

CA Driver's License

EMT-Paramedic License

Job description

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

JC-534053 - PARAMEDIC FIRE CAPTAIN

$5,934.00 - $8,483.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 10/11/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

For questions related to the duties of these positions, contact Deputy Chief Ryan Westby phone at (650)-865-0077 or by email at [e-mail].

This position is located in San Mateo, CA.

Eligibility Information

In order to be appointed to a Fire Captain – Paramedic position, at least one of the eligibility criteria listed in the section titled "Who May Apply" must be met. However, lack of eligibility does not preclude interested parties from applying and competing for positions, and all applicants will be included in the selection process as long as all documents are submitted completely, correctly, and timely.

To establish list eligibility, candidates must take and pass the Fire Captain (FC) examination. Upon successfully completing and passing the examination, names are placed on a certification list establishing “list eligible” candidates. Obtaining list eligibility does not guarantee employment. In order to obtain employment, candidates must apply to job vacancies and compete through the State recruitment process.

The exam is currently available and can be found by following the link below.

*Please note: Taking and passing the exam will allow applicants for both non-paramedic and paramedic positions to obtain eligibility, but candidates must still apply to the appropriate job advertisement that corresponds to the position of interest to be considered for hire.

This job control is for PARAMEDIC positions only, applications submitted to this advertisement will not be considered for non-paramedic FC position vacancies.

Working Conditions

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, 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.

The incumbent typically is required to perform psychologically stressful and/or physically demanding duties consistent with firefighting, disaster response, and emergency medical response, including working in isolated areas, walking or running on uneven rough terrain, and remaining on duty 24 hours or longer without a break while performing these duties. Maintains the Arduous Fitness Standard in accordance with Department Policy.

Minimum Requirements

• Must possess a valid California Driver's License (CDL) and provide CDL number, class, expiration date, and endorsements or restrictions.
• Must possess a valid California Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic License and provide a copy of the license prior to being hired. Must be able to obtain accreditation from Local Emergency Medical Services (LEMSA) for assigned work location.

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: San Mateo County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

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 opportunities. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!

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:
Northern Region Hiring
[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.

BU 08 Considerations

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

Additional Information

Please include position number 542-117-1095-633 on your STD 678.

Use the “exam/assessment search” function on the CalCareers website at www.jobs.ca.gov to search for the examination you are interested in applying for. If the exam is currently being offered, you will need to follow the directions in the exam bulletin on how to apply for and take the exam. Not all examinations are offered continuously or at the time a job vacancy occurs.

Successful examination candidates are placed on an eligibility list. Candidates should refer to their examination results for specific list eligibility expiration dates and to re-take the exam when necessary. Once list eligibility has been established, you can search and apply for current vacancies in the classification to which you have established eligibility. Candidates must also meet the minimum qualifications of the classification to be appointed into the classification they are applying for. Minimum qualifications can be found in the class specifications listed on the exam bulletin or on the CalCareers website. Application packages should include documentation and relevant experience that shows you have the required education and/or experience to meet the minimum qualifications.

Pay

$6199 - $8033 Base Salary (paid every month)

$2192 - $2900 Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)

$250 - $6000 Paramedic Bonus (paid every November; amount based on months worked)

$105,884 – $140,096 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.

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 workplace. 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.