Firefighter Recruit, Sacramento County Airport Fire

County of Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Sacramento is seeking a Firefighter Recruit who will undergo a structured Fire Academy and SCAF training program. Recruits will learn firefighting methods, EMS procedures, equipment operation, and physical fitness through classroom and hands‑on training.

Candidates must meet education and EMT/Paramedic certification requirements, have a California driver’s license, and pass the CPAT. This is a full‑time, training‑level position aimed at preparing recruits for Sacramento County’s fire

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
• EMT or Paramedic certificate/license required (National Registry or CAL/EMSA).
• A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, required at appointment.
• CPAT certificate within 12 months prior to closure date or hire.
• Fire Academy completion required for Sacramento County employment.

Responsibilities

• Gain understanding of lifesaving and firefighting methods through intensive instruction and training.
• Attend a Fire Academy meeting California State Firefighters 1 curriculum standards.
• Complete academy training in firefighting, EMS, equipment operations, and physical fitness.

Skills

Firefighting procedures

EMS procedures

Rescue operations

Office procedures & software

Basic arithmetic

English usage

Customer service

Communication skills

Situational analysis

Prioritization

Arithmetical computations

Confidential information handling

Regulatory interpretation

Learning firefighting methods

Operating heavy equipment

Emergency response judgment

Education

High school diploma or GED

EMT or Paramedic certificate/license

Job description

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

10/9/26, 11/6/26, 12/4/26 (final)

Under close supervision, the Firefighter Recruit must gain an understanding of lifesaving and firefighting methods through intensive academic instruction and specialized training. Classroom academics, hand‑on training, and daily physical fitness training will be required.

Firefighter Recruit is a training-level classification that exists only for those who are completing their initial Sacramento County Airport Fire (SCAF) Training. Firefighter Recruits attend a Fire Academy that meets the California State Firefighters 1 curriculum standard. Academy instruction includes basic training in firefighting methods, equipment operations, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and physical fitness.

Knowledge of

• Firefighting and EMS procedures and equipment
• Rescue operations and procedures
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other specialized applications related to the area of assignment
• Basic arithmetic (i.e., addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, percentages, ratios, and fractions)

• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Principles of effective customer service

Ability to

• Establish and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with customers, co-workers, other agencies and the public
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing

• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action

• Effectively organize and prioritize work assignments

• Make arithmetical computations accurately and rapidly
• Maintain confidential information
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Apply customer service skills, including the identification of customer needs and follow up to ensure customer commitments have been met
• Learn a variety of methods and tasks in firefighting, fire prevention, and related activities
• Learn to operate heavy motorized firefighting equipment
• Apply training to respond quickly, calmly and effectively in emergency situations, demonstrating good judgment and independent action
• Meet the requirements of the Firefighter class

Minimum Qualifications

1a. High school diploma or GED equivalent.

AND

1b. 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).

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.

Training Requirement: 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 fulltime firefighter or higher.

Successful completion of a Fire Academy is required, even if similar training has been achieved elsewhere. Failure to complete a Fire Academy successfully will be cause for release from Sacramento County employment.

Uniform Requirement: Incumbents in this class 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: Positions in this class require the incumbents to be able to:

• Physically perform the duties of this class while wearing personal protective equipment.
• Must 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: Positions in this class require the incumbents to:

• Work various shifts, 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 twelve (12) months.

Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at [e-mail] or 916-874-7642, CA Relay 711. For more information, visit: Job Applicant Accommodations.