Fire Captain, Sacramento County Airport Fire

Sacramento County, CA; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacramento County Airport Fire is seeking a Fire Captain to oversee firefighting operations, rescue, and medical response on a 24-hour shift. The role includes supervising a crew, ensuring safety, enforcing policies, and coordinating incident response with other agencies.

Paramedic duties may apply with ALS responsibilities. Incumbents may receive Paramedic Pay and must meet rigorous training and certification requirements.

Qualifications

• Possession of EMT or Paramedic certificate/license from NREMT or EMSA.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, assigns, reviews, and participates in firefighting and related work.
• Responds to aircraft, structural fires, medical aid calls, vehicle accidents, and Hazmat incidents.
• Ensures work quality and adherence to policies and procedures.
• Provides guidance and training to staff.
• Maintains records and reports; coordinates incident response.
• Operates and maintains firefighting equipment and vehicles.

Skills

Staff supervision

Emergency scene leadership

Plan and coordinate operations

Policy compliance

Communication (verbal & written)

Fire/Rescue knowledge

Hazardous materials response

Aircraft rescue knowledge

Training and mentoring

Education

EMT or Paramedic certificate

California OSFM Driver Operator 1A/1B

OSFM Fire Officer or Company Officer cert

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheet software

Job description

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:

9/2/26, 9/16/26 (final)

Sacramento County Airport Fire is an operational ALS provider. To learn more about the division including their mission, history, staff, and equipment, visit their website: Sacramento County Airport Fire.

Incumbents may also be eligible for a 10% Paramedic Pay incentive. The following table includes the salary calculations for an employee on a 24-hour shift with the differential calculations for Paramedic Pay (10%).

Under direction, the Fire Captain, Sacramento County Airport Fire supervises, assigns, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for preventing, controlling, and extinguishing fires; rescuing persons endangered by aircraft crash and fire or structural fire; responds to and provides assistance for medical aid calls, vehicle accidents, and Hazmat incidents. While providing supervision to a single crew, incumbents ensure work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures, and performs the more technical and complex tasks relative to the assigned area of responsibility.

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of supervision, discipline, leadership, mentoring, and training
• Team dynamics and team building
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of assigned programs and functions
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other specialized applications related to area of assignment
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Principles, practices, and procedures of aircraft rescue and firefighting operations
• Principles of structural, wildland and aircraft firefighting
• Principles, practices, and procedures of fire prevention and fire investigation
• Training standards necessary to comply with all federal, state, and local aircraft rescue and firefighting requirements
• Operation and maintenance of equipment and vehicles used in firefighting activities
• Concepts, components, and procedures of the Incident Command System
• Hazardous materials incident response and management
• Fire investigation procedures and techniques
• Fire and life safety codes
• Basic life support principles and techniques

In addition, when assigned to a paramedic position

• Advanced Life Support (ALS) techniques including but not limited to IV therapy, cardiac monitoring, advanced airway control and a variety of medication therapies, as a Paramedic
• Standing orders provided by off-line medical director
• Medical terminology

Ability to

• Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff
• Plan, organize, and provide direction at an emergency scene
• Plan, coordinate, assign, and review the work of subordinate staff
• Investigate and resolve disciplinary issues
• Develop and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with others
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Collect and compile a variety of data and information
• Direct subordinates in firefighting or other emergency situations
• Evaluate an aircraft fire and rescue situation and determine appropriate action
• Respond to vehicle accidents and medical aid calls
• Operate aircraft firefighting and rescue equipment
• Conduct and participate in SCAF training
• Enforce federal, state, and local fire protection and prevention codes
• Conduct emergency drills
• Respond to fires and alarms and effectively perform fire suppression and rescue work
• Conduct preliminary fact-finding inspections and investigations of fire scenes, including evidence gathering
• Prepare and maintain accurate and complete records
• Prepare clear and concise reports
• Operate communication equipment
• Work safely under hazardous conditions
• Operate and maintain fire testing equipment i.e., foam testing, defibrillators, air monitoring meters, radiological detectors, etc.
• Review and interpret maps, diagrams, and mechanical drawings
• Deal courteously and effectively with the general public

In addition, when assigned to a paramedic position

• Perform ALS procedures
• Maintain accurate records of medical treatments, including equipment and medication use
• Understand and apply medical directives

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possession of a current and valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic certificate/license issued by either the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or the California State Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA).
2. Four years of full-time paid experience performing firefighting duties.
3. Possession of a valid California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Driver Operator 1A and 1B Certificate.
4. Either:
   • Possession of a valid California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Fire Officer Certificate, Company Officer Certificate or equivalent.
   • Completion of current Company Officer curriculum courses as outlined by California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).

NOTE applicable to 3, 4a, and 4b: Possession of valid equivalent certification(s) from an outside entity, including the Department of Defense, the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), or National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualification (Pro Board) may substitute for Driver Operator and/or Company Officer curriculum or Certification requirements.

Note: If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.

General Qualifications

Criminal History and Background Checks: The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies, and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate’s ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained.

The County may also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to a position within this class. The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history checks where authorized by Labor Code section 1024.5, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act.

License Requirement

A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, shall be required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate California Driver License, or comply with state and federal requirements for utilization, may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

All incumbents will be required to obtain and maintain a Firefighter Endorsement issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles within six (6) months from date of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate endorsement, or comply with state and federal requirements for utilization, may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Note: A valid class A or B driver’s license may substitute for the firefighter endorsement.

Successful completion of emergency vehicle operations course (EVOC) within six (6) months of appointment.

Incumbents must acquire and maintain an Air Operations Area driver permit issued by the Department of Airports within six (6) months of appointment. Failure to obtain or keep current the required permit may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement.

Certificate Requirement

Incumbents must maintain a valid EMT certificate issued by the California State Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA). Failure to keep current the required certificate may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement.

Paramedic License

Some positions in this class may be designated to operate as a Firefighter/Paramedic and require a valid EMT-Paramedic license issued by the California State Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA). Incumbents in these positions must acquire and maintain accreditation as an EMT-Paramedic by the County of Sacramento within 90 days of appointment. Failure to maintain the required license may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement.

Training Requirements

Incumbents in this class must complete an initial 40 hour Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting training program in accordance with FAR Part 139 within 6 months of appointment to the class and complete annual training in accordance with FAR 139.319, and Advisory Circular 150/5210-17, including other state and local requirements as a condition of continued employment.

A Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Certificate issued within the last twelve months prior to the application closing date or by date of hire.

Note: A CPAT certificate may be waived for any applicant currently employed as a full-time firefighter or higher.

Uniform Requirement

Incumbents are required to wear a designated uniform and personal protective equipment.

Special Access

Prior to appointment, incumbents in this class must acquire and maintain an airport security badge allowing access to secure County airport locations. Failure to maintain an airport security badge may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement.

Physical Requirements

• Physically perform the duties of this class while wearing personal protective equipment.
• Demonstrate physical endurance, agility, strength, and stamina in the performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions.

Individuals who do not meet these requirements due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Working Conditions

• Work various shift, overtime, weekends, holidays, non-routine hours, and be subject to on-call status 24 hours a day.
• Work outside in all types of climatic conditions including inclement and very hot weather.
• Work at various locations within Sacramento County.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.