Firefighter Paramedic

Berkeley, California is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Firefighter Paramedic in the Fire Department! In this role, you will have the opportunity to learn and perform all duties required to effectively respond to emergency fire suppression and basic life support medical situations. You will be assigned to a truck or engine, typically in a three or four-person crew, and will respond to fires, medical emergencies, and other emergency and non-emergency situations.

See the full job class specification here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/berkeley/classspecs/1423226

For more information, visit the Berkeley Fire Department recruitment website and view the recruitment timeline.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC - AT TIME OF APPLICATION:

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.

• Valid California Paramedic License, NREMT Paramedic Certification, or actively participating in a paramedic internship.

• Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Card of Completion issued no earlier than one (1) year from the recruitment filing deadline.

• Successful Completion of the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) written exam completed no earlier than one (1) year from the recruitment filing deadline.

• Valid Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.

• Proof of vaccination to include: TDaP, TB, MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella (Chicken Pox), and Influenza. Titers demonstrating immunity may be substituted for the proof of vaccination.

FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC - BY TIME OF APPOINTMENT:

• Valid California Paramedic License.

• Valid California Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.

FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC - BY COMPLETION OF FIREFIGHTER 1 ACADEMY:

• Successful completion of all required City of Berkeley and California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) academic training and certification examinations, including successful completion of the Berkeley Fire Academy, is a condition of continued employment. Failure to meet these requirements shall result in separation from employment.

• Achieve certificates of completion issued by FEMA, OSFM or the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) for the following courses or equivalents/replacements as determined by FEMA, OSFM or NWCG:

a. FSTEP Rope Rescue Awareness/Operations (RRA/O)

b. FSTEP Fire Fighter Survival

c. FSTEP Fire Control 3B

d. FSTEP Fire Control 4 (if applicable to that academy)

e. FSTEP Driver Operator 1A

f. FSTEP or NWCG S130

g. FSTEP or NWCG S131

h. FSTEP or NWCG S190

i. FSTEP or CSTI HazMat FRO

j. FSTEP Vehicle Extrication

k. CFSTES Firefighter I

l. FEMA Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS-100)

m. FEMA National Incident Management Systems, An Introduction (IS700.A)

FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC - BY COMPLETION OF PROBATION:

• Successful completion of the City of Berkeley Firefighter Taskbooks.

• Successful completion of City of Berkeley Firefighter written and psychomotor examinations.

• Certificates of completion issued by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) for the following courses or equivalents/replacements as determined by OSFM:

a. CFSTES Firefighter II

FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC LATERAL - AT TIME OF APPLICATION:

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.

• Valid California Paramedic License, or NREMT Paramedic Certification, or actively participating in a paramedic internship.

• Currently employed as a full-time paid Firefighter with at least two years of continuous employment.

• CFSTES or IFSAC/ProBoard Firefighter I Certification.

• Valid Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.

• Proof of vaccination to include: TDaP, TB, MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella (Chicken Pox), and Influenza. Titers demonstrating immunity may be substituted for the proof of vaccination.

FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC LATERAL – BY TIME OF APPOINTMENT

• Valid California Paramedic License.

• Valid Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.

FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC LATERAL - BY COMPLETION OF FIREFIGHTER 1 ACADEMY:

• Successful completion of all required City of Berkeley and California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) academic training and certification examinations, including successful completion of the Academy, is a condition of continued employment. Failure to meet these requirements shall result in separation from employment.

• Achieve certificates of completion issued by FEMA, the OSFM or the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) for the following courses or equivalents/replacements as determined by FEMA, OSFM, or NWCG:

a. FSTEP Rope Rescue Awareness/Operations (RRA/O)

b. FSTEP Fire Fighter Survival

c. FSTEP Fire Control 3B

d. FSTEP Fire Control 4 (if applicable to that academy)

e. FSTEP Driver Operator 1A

f. FSTEP or NWCG S130

g. FSTEP or NWCG S131

h. FSTEP or NWCG S190

i. FSTEP or CSTI HazMat FRO

j. FSTEP Vehicle Extrication

k. CFSTES Firefighter I

l. FEMA Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS-100)

m. FEMA National Incident Management Systems, An Introduction (IS-700.A)

FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC LATERAL - BY COMPLETION OF PROBATION:

• Successful completion of City of the Berkeley Firefighter Taskbooks.

• Successful completion of City of Berkeley Firefighter written and psychomotor examinations.

• Certificates of completion issued by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) for the following courses or equivalents/replacements as determined by OSFM:

a. CFSTES Firefighter II

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must be received by Monday, October 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM PST and must include a completed application, all required certifications and licenses attached as photos/scans, and responses to supplemental questions. Applicants must attach all supplemental documentation listed below as part of the minimum qualifications in order to be invited to the next phases of the recruitment process. Please do NOT submit your application until you possess all required documents as listed below. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.

Supplemental attachments must include:

• Valid California Paramedic License, NREMT Paramedic Certification, or proof of active participation in a paramedic internship that must be fully completed by April 2027
• Valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Card of Completion issued no earlier than one (1) year from the recruitment filing deadline (October 12, 2025 - October 12, 2026) - ENTRY LEVEL ONLY
• Valid proof of successful completion of the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) written exam completed no earlier than one (1) year from the recruitment filing deadline (October 5, 2025 - October 5, 2026) - ENTRY LEVEL ONLY
• Valid CFSTES or IFSAC/ProBoard Firefighter I Certification - LATERAL ONLY
• Valid Driver’s License
• Proof of vaccinations must include:
  • TDaP
  • TB - within the last two years
  • MMR
  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
  • Current Influenza/Flu Shot

*Titers demonstrating immunity may be substituted for the proof of vaccination.

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to [email protected]. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

EXAM PROCESS

The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents (qualifying experience and documentation will be calculated based on the application closing date)

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.

Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to [email protected] at the time of application.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background check that may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of employment history, educational credentials and degrees, certificates, registrations, and licenses including driver's license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER

The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans’ status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.

Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other benefits, including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.

Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.

Retirement

CalPERS

City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2.7% at age 57 (PEPRA members) or 3% at age 50 (Classic members).

Deferred Compensation

The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.

Medical Plans

Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Dental Plan

The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $3,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $3,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Life Insurance

The City provides employees with a $100,000 Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.

Sick Leave

Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.

Vacation

Employees on a suppression shift accrue 144 hours of vacation annually. Administrative staff accrue 80 hours of vacation annually. Vacation accrual rates increase at 6 years, 12 years, 19 years, and 25 years of service.

Holidays

15 paid holidays annually

Uniform Allowance

$1,400 annually

Premium Pay

Employees receive a pay differential of 5% for EMT certification, as well as differentials for certain assignments:

• Water Rescue Swimmer Team (2.5%)
• Hazardous Materials Response Team, Medical Specialist Team, Shift Fire Prevention Inspector, or special assignment (5%)
• FRALS Paramedic (6.25%)

(SWORN FIRE)