Fire Apparatus Engineer

Job Description

Job Description and Duties
This job advertisement is for vacancies throughout the state in Range B of the Fire Apparatus Engineer (FAE) classification (Paramedics). Applicants will be considered for PARAMEDIC POSITIONS ONLY. Job Duties and Typical Tasks: 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. When performing in a paramedic position, as part of a paramedic team, performs paramedic duties in emergency medical situations. 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). In addition to the tasks listed above, when working in a paramedic position, renders emergency medical assistance at the advanced life support level; performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation and electrical defibrillation; lifts and transports injured persons; administers intravenous fluids as needed; obtains blood for laboratory analysis; interprets cardiac arrhythmias; performs pulmonary ventilation by use of airway adjuncts; administers drugs; operates voice and biomedical telemetry communication systems and equipment; assists in childbirth; drives medical rescue vehicles under emergency conditions; prepares and completes documentation associated with patient care delivery; prepares and presents demonstrations and classes in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other subjects relating to medical assistance to employees and the public. Eligible candidates selected for positions in this classification may be placed in an apprenticeship program. 2026-2027 Annual Hiring Process Each FAE Range B (Paramedic) hiring process lasts for one year and consists of multiple hiring rounds. There will be two (2) continuously posted advertisements per process, one for permanent and one for limited-term appointments. Every two months, applications submitted before a designated cutoff date are processed and candidates are introduced to appointing authorities in rounds based on the date their application is submitted. Candidates only need to apply once per process to be considered in all subsequent rounds, and their single application will be considered for both permanent and limited-term positions. Cutoff dates for the current process are as follows: September 4, 2026 November 6, 2026 January 1, 2027 March 5, 2027 May 7, 2027 July 1, 2027 Applications submitted after a cutoff date will be processed with the next group and considered in the following round. When a new advertisement is posted, a new annual process begins, and all candidates must apply to the new job control to be considered for the current annual process. Applications from previous job controls do not carry over.

Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification. FIRE APPARATUS ENGINEER

Special Requirements
The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired. The position(s) require(s) a(n) CA Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired. The position(s) require(s) possession of a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Card of Completion, issued by a currently licensed CPAT organization authorized by the department is required prior to job offer. Incumbents who have worked as a Fire Fighter II/Fire Fighter II - Paramedic (FFII)/FFII(P) or Fire Apparatus Engineer/Fire Apparatus Engineer - Paramedic (FAE)/FAE(P) with CAL FIRE and have not had a break in service greater than 12 consecutive months do not need to obtain a new CPAT card. The position(s) require(s) possession of a valid California Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) license or a National Registry EMT-P license is required for FAE Range B (Paramedic) positions. Paramedic applicants must possess a valid California EMT-P license prior to job offer or reassignment. Candidates must provide a copy of the Paramedic card for verification. Only California State level Paramedic cards issued by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (CA EMSA) are accepted; National Registry or local county cards will not qualify. The position(s) require(s) possession of a valid driver's license of the appropriate class with any applicable endorsements issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles or applicable agency is required prior to job offer. Acceptable driver's licenses include: Class A or B Commercial with a tank (N) endorsement and no restriction for airbrakes. California Class A, B, or C with a Firefighter endorsement (restriction 50). An out of state driver’s license valid for the operation of firefighting equipment within the employee’s home state. 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, the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (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. Selected candidates must complete CAL FIRE Fighter Academy (FFA) and Company Officer Academy (COA) training during the probationary period as a condition of employment. The Bargaining Unit 8 (BU 8) Memorandum of Understanding regarding Voluntary In-Class Transfer Policy (Inter-Unit) (Section 9.2) will be followed. Per departmental policy, the unit may require 2 years of service in the employee's current assignment starting on the date of appointment and the completion of the JAC program before eligibility for transfer.

Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate: Candidate's ability to follow instructions, provide complete application packages, and demonstrate attention to detail. For more information about the Fire Apparatus Engineer (FAE) certification list and the process of establishing eligibility, contact the Statewide Hiring Hotline listed below. TAU applicants are encouraged to apply. Temporary Authorization Utilization (TAU) appointments may be considered as an option to fill vacant positions at units in this classification. Candidates that were unsuccessful in the FAE examination process may still be eligible for a TAU appointment to open paramedic positions after applicants with all other types of eligibility have been considered if minimum qualifications are verified and all other requirements are met. In accordance with the California State Constitution, no person may serve in one or more positions under a temporary appointment longer than nine (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 a TAU appointment and if appointed TAU only (no permanent appointment), the employee has no reinstatement eligibility. Persons who do not possess the minimum qualifications for the classification are ineligible for a TAU appointment. If you are offered and accept a TAU appointment, you will be required to take and pass the examination for this classification as soon as you are eligible to retake it. If you do not take the exam within 9 months, if you cannot substantiate you meet the minimum qualifications of the classification, or if you do not pass the examination, your TAU appointment will be terminated within 48 hours of the exam results being released, resulting in immediate separation from service.

Minimum Qualifications

The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired. The position(s) require(s) a(n) CA Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.