THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
COMPENSATION:
UPON GRADUATION FROM THE OCEANSIDE FIRE ACADEMY
Firefighter Paramedic (56 Hour):
$7,503 - $9,578 per month
$90,036 - $114,936 per year
3% Base salary increase effective July 2026
3% Base salary increase effective July 2027
Educational Incentive Pay: All Firefighter/Paramedics holding certifications or completed task books for three eligible classes shall receive 5% of the employee’s base hourly rate of pay as Education Incentive Pay. See page 35 of the OFA MOU for a list of classes. Education Incentive Pay is available after successful completion of probation.
WHILE IN THE OCEANSIDE FIRE ACADEMY
Firefighter Paramedic Recruit (40 Hour):
$5,847 per month
The City of Oceanside is accepting applications on a continuous basis to establish a list to fill current and future vacancies for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit. There will be several waves of hiring from this continuous recruitment. Below are tentative examination and start dates.
Hiring Wave 1
Examination Date: June 15-16, 2026
Tentative Start Date: August 17, 2026
Hiring Wave 2
Examination Date: September 2026
Tentative Start Date: December 2026
Hiring Wave 3 (if still needed)
Examination Date: December 2026
Tentative Start Date: February 2027
** Exam dates may be subject to change and may be updated as needed.Firefighter/Paramedics provide basic and advanced life support to victims of injury or sudden illness; perform firefighting, rescue and fire prevention activities; drive and operate all types of fire apparatus and equipment; perform station, equipment and apparatus maintenance; participate in training activities; and perform related duties as required.
Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Graduation from a California State Accredited Fire Academy. Associates and/or Bachelor's degree is highly desirable.
Licenses/Certificates:-
Valid California Driver's license. (Candidates selected for hire who do not possess a California driver's license, must obtain it prior to completion of the Oceanside Fire Academy).
-
Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider or an American Red Cross CPR card.
-
State of California EMT-P license or National Registry EMT-P certificate.
-
Attainment of San Diego County EMT-P accreditation.
**Oceanside Emergency Medical Technician experience is highly desirable.
Note: In addition to completing the online application, you must attach copies of the required certifications listed below, to the application. If you do not, your application will not be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed applications, but may be attached.-
Valid California EMT-P license OR valid National Registry EMT-P certificate, OR verification of current enrollment in clinical or field internship with an Accredited Paramedic Program with an anticipated completion date of July 31, 2026 or December 31, 2026
-
Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider OR American Red Cross CPR card.
-
Current County of San Diego EMT-P accreditation. (Candidates selected for hire must obtain this accreditation prior to completion of the Oceanside Fire Academy.)
-
California Firefighter I Certification or California State Accredited Fire Academy certification, or verification of current enrollment in a California State Accredited Fire Academy with an anticipated graduation date of July 31, 2026 or December 31, 2026
-
Successful PAT completion within the past 12 months. Acceptable PAT are Fire Academy PAT, CPAT, and Biddle PAT.
Note: Applicants currently enrolled in a California accredited fire academy, who are enrolled in an academy, must submit a letter from the academy stating that they are in good standing and are expected to graduate. Please include the expected date of graduation. Applicants currently enrolled must possess a California State Accredited Fire Academy certificate at time of appointment.
Note: Applicants currently enrolled in an Accredited Paramedic Program, who are in their clinical or field internship, must submit a letter from the school stating that they are in good standing and expected to complete the program. Please include the expected date of graduation. Applicants currently enrolled must possess a National Registry Paramedic Licensure at time of appointment and a California Paramedic Licensure prior to the completion of the Oceanside Fire Academy.
Physical Demands: Must have the physical agility to perform the full range of Firefighter/Paramedic duties.
Work Schedule: All positions require the ability to work shifts of up to 24 hours, including evenings, holidays and weekends. Work schedules may occasionally require more than a 24-hour shift to ensure adequate shift coverage. Firefighter/Paramedics rotate between shifts and staff assignments at the discretion of the Fire Chief.
All properly completed applications will be reviewed and appropriately qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the examination process.
The Examination Process:
The examination process may consist of a Physical Abilities Test, Firefighter skills and knowledge test, Oral Board interview and a practical EMS Skills test.
Physical Abilities Test (PAT): Applicants must provide proof of successful PAT completion within the past 12 months from the date of application. Acceptable PAT are Fire Academy PAT, CPAT, and Biddle PAT.
Skills/Knowledge Test & Oral Board Examination:
Candidates who successfully complete all portions of the examination process will be placed on the eligibility list according to their final score and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.
Note: Prospective employees will undergo and must successfully pass a background investigation which includes fingerprinting; and a medical examination which will include drug screening.
RÉSUMÉS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.
CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.
