Working Title:
Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Classification:
HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC
$5,608.00 - $6,723.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Work Location:
Nevada County
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California's fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 12,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.
When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co-workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunities. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!
Department Website: www.fire.ca.gov
- The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
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.
As a condition of employment, incumbent is required to obtain a Class A or B Commercial Driver License with Tank (N) and Passenger (P) endorsements and no restriction for air brakes or standard transmission by the end of the 6-month probationary period.
Employees using a Commercial Driver License (CDL) are subject to drug and alcohol testing under Federal regulations. Consequently, employees in classifications that require a CDL as a minimum qualification will be placed in the State’s random drug and alcohol testing pool. Candidate must pass a pre-employment medical evaluation, drug pre-screen test, and be enrolled in the Federal Department of Transportation random pull program.
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 7/6/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring
Attn: NEU HEM - 541-216-6834-501
135 Ridgway Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring
ATTN: NEU HEM - 541-216-6834-501
135 Ridgway Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is required and must be included.
- Other - Authorization to Release Information Form (PO-299). This form may be found at: https://www.fire.ca.gov/-/media/D817B8E27D8049C3BC35297686467FB9
- Other - Copy of the front and back of your valid Driver’s License of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
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:
Possession of a Class A or B Commercial Driver License with Tank (N) and Passenger (P) endorsements and no restriction for air brakes or standard transmission.
This classification is eligible for the following pay:
$5608 - $6723 Base Salary (paid every month)
$67,296 – $80,676 Annual Compensation (plus Fire Mission Pay)*
- Fire Mission Pay: Incumbents receive approximately 10% of base pay paid monthly when fire season is declared for the employee’s Unit.
In addition to the above pay items, employees are eligible for medical benefits (health, dental, vision) and may be eligible for other pay differentials.
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: www.fire.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Michi McKillip
(707) 576-2905
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
(916) 767-8359
[email protected]
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Please include position number 541-216-6834-501 on your STD 678.
Candidate may be selected by resume review.
Applicants are highly encouraged to complete a Recruitment Questionnaire, located at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLYSH8V
Eligibility Information
To be eligible for consideration, you must meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
- Candidates with SROA/Surplus eligibility will be given priority, if any. If none, then;
- Must have taken and passed the examination for this classification and be on a current certified eligibility list;
- Must be eligible to transfer;
- Must be eligible to reinstate.
Applicants that successfully pass the examination will be placed on an eligibility list. Obtaining list eligibility does not guarantee employment. Those interested in obtaining employment must apply and compete through the State recruitment process.
The examination for this classification is currently available and can be accessed by following the link below:
Heavy Equipment Mechanic (HEM) Exam Bulletin
The next cutoff date for the exam is October 14, 2026.
Taking and passing an examination for a specific classification grants you list eligibility for that classification only. Establishing eligibility for a “higher level” classification does not establish eligibility in the “lower level” classifications in the same series. To establish eligibility for a specific classification, you must take and pass the examination for that exact classification.
Sign up for CAL FIRE exam notifications here.
General information on CAL FIRE career opportunities can be found here.
TAU candidates are encouraged to apply.
TAU appointments to this classification are made under temporary authorization. In accordance with the California State Constitution, no person may serve in one or more positions under a temporary appointment longer than 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 the TAU appointment and an employee who has had only a TAU appointment has no reinstatement eligibility. Persons who do not possess the minimum qualifications for the classification are ineligible for TAU appointment.
If you are offered and accept a TAU appointment, you will be required to take the next exam administered for this classification. If you do not apply to take the exam, score too low to be in a reachable rank, OR if you fail the test, your TAU appointment will be terminated within 48 hours of the exam results being released.
How To Get A State Job
Individuals must pass an open examination before applying for most job vacancies with the State of California.
Use the “exam/assessment search” function on the CalCareers website at www.jobs.ca.gov to search for the examination you are interested in applying for. If the exam is currently being offered, you will need to follow the directions in the exam bulletin on how to apply for and take the exam. Not all examinations are offered continuously or at the time a job vacancy occurs.
Successful examination candidates are placed on an eligibility list. Candidates should refer to their examination results for specific list eligibility expiration dates and to re-take the exam when necessary. Once list eligibility has been established, you can search and apply for current vacancies in the classification to which you have established eligibility.
Candidates must also meet the minimum qualifications of the classification to be appointed into the classification they are applying for. Minimum qualifications can be found in the class specifications listed on the exam bulletin or on the CalCareers website. Application packages should include documentation and relevant experience that shows you have the required education and/or experience to meet the minimum qualifications.
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
