Firefighter Recruit: $6,983-$8,1912 Monthly

Firefighter: $7,288-$9,301 Monthly

The Salinas Fire Department invites interested and qualified applicants to apply for the position of Firefighter Recruit (Academy Graduate). Successful applicants selected from this process will be required to complete an in-house Fire Academy program.

Upon successful completion and department approval, candidates from this recruitment will be placed in the Firefighter classification. This recruitment will be used for current and future vacancies. The anticipated Fire Academy for this recruitment is scheduled for Winter 2027. Applicants that wish to be considered for the Firefighter Recruit (non academy graduate) recruitment must submit a separate application for recruitment #26-00723

Essential Job Functions

This classification, under supervision, responds to calls for fire, medical and/or hazardous material emergencies; and performs prevention and administrative shift duties as trained and assigned.

This is a training and entry level class in the firefighter series. Incumbents attend a fire academy and under direct supervision, incumbents learn and participate in various firefighting and emergency response activities. Incumbents remain in a probationary status for the duration of employment in this classification.

For a full list of essential job functions and duties, visit the City of Salinas website at governmentjobs.com to review the job description.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: An example of the education and experience that most likely demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties would be a high school diploma or GED. Additional education in fire science or a related field is desirable.

Minimum Firefighter Recruit (Academy Graduate) Requirements

High School Diploma/GED, 18 years of age.
Proof of legal right to work in the United States.
Valid Driver's License. If out-of-state, must have license upon start of the Academy.
Valid CPR card. CPR card must be a valid American Heart Association or American Red Cross certified.
Current EMT-B or EMT-P License (Out-of-state EMT cards must be National Registry (NREMTB or NREMTP)).
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
Graduation from a fully accredited State of California Fire Academy. Completion and holder of a Firefighter I certification. (Provided by the time of application).

Explanation Of Items Listed Above

A valid California Driver’s License with photo
Must possess and maintain, at minimum, a valid Class C California Driver's License.
Must be eligible for Firefighter endorsement (or equivalent) within one year of completing the Salinas Firefighter Academy.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a firefighter endorsement to maintain employment with the City of Salinas.
Current EMT -B or EMT-P License
Out-of-state EMT-B cards must be National Registry (NREMT) or NREMTP
Ability to obtain and maintain local Monterey County accreditation is a requirement for continued employment.
Valid CPR card
CPR card must be a valid American Heart Association or American Red Cross certified.
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
Must be valid within 12 months at time of application. CPAT testing locations and dates, please call 1-877-648-2728 or visit the website at https://fctconline.org/cpat/.
Firefighter 1 certificate issued by the State of California or proof of course completion
Training History Report or letter from Fire Academy Coordinator or designee will be accepted as proof. Report or Letter must state that the applicant has passed the OSFM CA FF1 Testing.
Firefighter I certificate/course completion issued within two years of the submittal date of this recruitment.

If beyond the two-year date, applicants must meet one of the additional following work experience criteria:

Paid-Call Firefighter
Volunteer Firefighter
Reserve Firefighter
Regular Firefighter experience
Or related experience

Note: All attachments must be uploaded using PDF format. It is recommended to attach all documents to your application at the time of submittal. All documents will be required by the Oral Board Process.

Supplemental Information

Testing Process

Applications will be screened for minimum qualifications and thoroughness. Applicants moving forward will be invited to the oral board process scheduled in May 2026.

The City reserves the right to use alternative testing dates (once announced), procedures, rating criteria as deemed necessary and invite/drop to lower bands for operational program needs.

All final selected candidates must complete and pass a thorough background process with an outside background investigator. All final candidates must complete and pass a pre-employment medical examination and psychological examination.

Tentative Dates

3/2/2026 = Recruitment Opens

3/31/2026 = Recruitment Closes

Last week of May = Oral Boards

June 15-26 = Chief Interviews

Background Investigation, Medical Examination, and Psychological Examination = July-December

Fire Academy Begins = January 2027

The Firefighter Recruit classification has a probationary period of 18 months from the completion of the Fire Academy. For questions about the recruitment process, please contact Salinas Human Resources at HRSalinasFire@salinas.gov or Darlenne Birrueta at darlenne.birrueta@salinas.gov or at 831-758-7388.

Physical Demands And Working Conditions

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills which may be required.

Physical mobility to sit, stand, walk, crawl, kneel, crouch, squat, lay on back or stomach, climb and balance, reach at shoulder level and above shoulder level, push, pull, twist and rotate for periods of between five minutes to two and one-half hours per eight-hour shift. Stamina to run, walk, and stand wearing protective equipment weighing up to 100 pounds, for periods of time ranging from 5 minutes to two and one-half hours. Physical agility to walk and run over uneven, wet surfaces, climb ladders of up to 100 feet in height, push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop, climb and reach overhead. No severe allergic reactions to dust or pollen. Physical strength to lift, carry and drag persons weighing more than 120 pounds for transport to triage, and up to 300 pounds with assistance, while carrying fifty pounds of equipment attached to the body. Physical strength to lift up to 75 pounds on a frequent basis, and to pull, drag and extend a two and one half-inch charged fire hose, and 75-pound ladders. Ability to work at heights on an aerial lift of up to 100 feet above ground. Manual dexterity of neck, wrists, waist, hands and fingers sufficient to wear respirators and other protective gear, to climb through small, confined spaces, use hand and power tools, handling and grasping equipment and or debris, and to administer first aid. Hearing and speaking ability sufficient to converse over the telephone, two-way radio and in person often over the noise of machinery and traffic, to detect and describe noises in machinery or to hear running water. Uncorrected vision of 20/40 or better in one eye, and 20/100 in the other, or corrected to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish colors to recognize flame, smoke, hazardous materials placards and skin signs. Mental acuity to act under stress in life threatening situations, and to maintain calm efficient judgment in serious situations involving quick action or mental stress.

WORKING CONDITIONS

A Firefighter Recruit is required to wear protective gear, carry appropriate tools, and wear self -contained breathing apparatus, weighing a combined total of 100 pounds, while performing many of the emergency-related duties during the fire academy. Firefighter Recruits work in a variety of very hot and very cold temperatures, and often in a wet environment. The Firefighter Recruit must be able to respond physically to alarms and/or calls for help and be in a full sprint from a standstill or sleep, in a matter of seconds. While performing academy training emergency aid, a Firefighter Recruit may lift and carry victims and move equipment requiring the use of stomach and back muscles. It is required that they be able to hear a variety of warning devices and alarms, gas leaks or calls for help. Tools used by a Firefighter Recruit require precise arm-hand positioning movements such as when operating a chain saw or using emergency medical equipment. The operation of said equipment often requires the coordinated movement of more than one limb simultaneously. Emergency situations may require work to be performed in small, cramped crawl spaces, areas where vision is limited, and/or heights including roof-tops and ladders. Balance is required working in slippery wet conditions, maneuvering on beams and other structural parts of building, hillsides, and fences.

Employee must complete SB 1343 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training within six months of appointment and every two years thereafter.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.

Veteran’s Preference: A veteran is defined in accordance with California Government Code 18540.4. In order to exercise this preference, the veteran must submit the City’s Veteran’s Preference Application and provide a copy of the DD-214 form at time of application as proof of military status. Failure to submit the required forms will be deemed a waiver of veteran's preference. Military veterans shall be given preference in initial appointment to City service. Further details can be obtained from the Human Resources Department, at 831-758-7254.

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all City of Salinas employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

Selection Process: Applicants’ qualifications will be evaluated based on the information provided on the employment application. The exam process may consist of an application appraisal, oral interview, assessment center and/or written exam. The City reserves the right to use alternate testing procedures if deemed necessary. CITY COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL BE VIA E-MAIL. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE E-MAIL ON YOUR APPLICATION.Finalist interview/assessment will be held with the City of Salinas.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Salinas does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor. The City of Salinas makes reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability. Individuals requiring any accommodation in order to participate in the testing process must inform the Human Resources Director in writing no later than the final filing date stated in this job announcement. Requests for accommodation should include an explanation of the type and extent of accommodations needed to participate in the selection process and/or to perform the duties of the job for which they have applied. EEO Utilization Report is available for candidate review upon request.

Salary Steps: The following applies for Full-Time Regular positions only. Appointments are normally made at the first step. Consideration is given for increase to the second step after successful completion of the probationary period. (Employees appointed at a higher step will be eligible for consideration for the next step after one year, providing they successfully complete a probationary period.)

For a complete listing of benefits, please click here to visit the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for this position.

City of Salinas

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Firefighter Recruit (Academy Graduate)