ABOUT THE POSITION:
The City of Monterey Fire Department is currently recruiting Firefighters. There is a particular departmental need for Paramedics; therefore, possession of an active Paramedic License valid in California is highly desirable. Successful candidates will be required to complete training with the City of Monterey. Training will be tailored to experience. Lateral candidates may progress through certain components more quickly depending on demonstrated proficiency. Successful Paramedic candidates must also pass paramedic accreditation in Monterey County with the Monterey Fire Department and maintain that status for a period of at least five (5) years.
The Fire Department is recruiting to fill five (5) vacancies at this time. Candidates who successfully complete all phases of this recruitment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list is active for 12 months and may be extended for an additional 12 months to be used in filling additional vacancies as they occur.
** Incentives for eligible employees include:
Paramedic Pay (10% of Firefighter Step 5 pay)
Education pay (up to 7.5%)
Bilingual pay (5%)
Company Officer Certification pay (2.5%)
Consideration for a higher starting step based on experience (Laterals only)
**Effective July 1, 2026, there will be a 4% salary increase
For planning purposes, first-round interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of June 29, 2026. Final interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of July 13, 2026.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: The Monterey Fire Department serves the City of Monterey, City of Pacific Grove, City of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Sand City as well as the Naval Postgraduate School, La Mesa Village and the Monterey Regional Airport. The department operates out of six stations strategically located to achieve the shortest response time to emergency calls. The Monterey Fire Department prides itself as being a customer service organization by providing excellent emergency services as well as additional public safety support through Fire Prevention, Public Education and Special Operations (Urban Search and Rescue, Marine Safety, and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting).
Highly Desirable Qualifications
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Possession of an active paramedic license valid in California or National Registry EMT-P. The Paramedic License waives the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification requirement.
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Possession of a current Firefighter-I certificate or higher
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Successful completion of a Fire Academy through an accredited regional training program
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Lateral* Firefighter experience
- Lateral experience is defined as candidates with at least one continuous year (including probationary period) of full-time, paid experience within the last two years as a firefighter in any fire protection district, city, county, state or federal agency.
ABOUT THE CITY OF MONTEREY: Nestled along California's Central Coast, the City of Monterey is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, hospitality, and sense of community. The City of Monterey is a full-service charter city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City of Monterey is a full-service city that provides police, fire, public works, planning, recreation, and parks services and operates its conference center, sports center, parking, and marina facilities.
WHY WORK FOR US? The City of Monterey offers a competitive benefits package to full-time employees. Some of these benefits include a Health Spending Fund, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Vacation Accruals, Sick Leave, Education Incentive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement Programs, CalPERS Retirement, and more!
Application Process
A limited number of applicants who clearly show that they most closely meet the needs of this position in terms of training, experience, education, and other job-related characteristics will be accepted to participate in the selection process. This process will include evaluation and initial screening of the standard on-line City application to determine which candidates progress to the next phase of the recruitment process. The subsequent selection process may include a written test/written exercise, performance exercise, panel interview, and a final departmental interview. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to make changes to components of the examination process.
As a condition of employment, the selected candidate will be required to successfully pass a Live Scan fingerprint background check and reference check. Depending on the position, as a condition of employment, the selected candidate may also be required to pass a physical exam including a drug screen and a federal background check to gain access to military and police facilities and systems. Positions that require work on a military installation will involve job duties performed on-site and therefore require passing a background check conducted by the Department of Defense (DoD).
Please note that ride-alongs and station visits will be permitted during the recruitment process on a limited basis. Candidates who are interested in scheduling are asked to contact the station ahead of time. Please refer to the website for station phone numbers: https://monterey.gov/your_city_hall/departments/fire/fire_stations.php
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
The City of Monterey provides outstanding services
to the public and is deeply committed to a community and workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including underrepresented minorities that contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. The City of Monterey does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual’s status in any group of class protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
SUMMARY: Under direction, prevent emergency situations or reduce their potential impact to cause property damage, life loss and environmental damage; respond to and conduct emergency work, such as firefighting, rescue, identification and control of hazardous material incidents, emergency medical services; conduct non-emergency work, such as facility, apparatus and equipment maintenance, hazard inspection, public education, training, repair, research and subsequent writing of reports for management analysis; conduct related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is the journey-level Firefighter class. Incumbents are expected to perform all of the class’s essential duties and responsibilities. This class is distinguished from Fire Engineer in that the latter is fully qualified to operate any of the department’s vehicles and apparatus in addition to performing all of the normal emergency response duties.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of:
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Use and maintenance of facilities, equipment and water systems; fire control and extinguishing systems and building construction.
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Elementary physics, chemistry, mechanics, general mathematics and driving.
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Report writing and research.
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Principles of hydraulics as applied to fire department operations.
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Emergency Medical Services.
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The City’s water system, streets and emergency routes.
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City, State, and Federal laws relating to the fire department’s missions and goals.
Skill in:
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Applying technical firefighting principles and techniques.
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Following oral and written directions.
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Establishing and maintaining cooperative relations with the public, City and departmental personnel.
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Conducting research for assignments and subsequently preparing and writing reports and accomplishing related work, such as keeping records, compiling statistics, typing and filing.
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Making oral and written presentations.
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Conducting mechanical work.
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Using and maintaining power tools, fire department equipment and apparatus.
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Preparing maps and sketches.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Physical Demands
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Standing & Walking – Standing for extended periods of time and/or walking distances (1 or more miles).
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Sitting – Ability to work in a seated position at a computer station for extended periods of time.
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Lifting - Ability to safely lift over 50 pounds; use proper lifting techniques including bending at the knees. A Firefighter may be required to lift and carry victims or equipment.
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Climbing - Ability to ascend 100 ft. or more up ladder(s) while wearing assigned safety equipment.
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Manual Dexterity - The ability to perform multiple work activities requiring a significant level of physical and mental coordination, such as operating a chainsaw or using emergency medical equipment.
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Visual - Acuity for driving long periods; reading literature for long periods; industry warning signs and instruments; reading maps and diagrams, computer screen.
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Hearing and Speech – Firefighters must be able to hear a variety of warning devices including alarms, gas leaks or calls for help; ability to communicate in person, before groups and over the telephone.
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Mobility - Ability to operate a motor vehicle, and reach, push, pull, stoop, bend, and squat.
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Reflexes - Ability to quickly and automatically respond to emergency and safety situations.
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Ability to function in confined spaces and/or hazardous environment.
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Ability to don, wear, operate in and carry on back a self-contained breathing apparatus weighing up to 100 pounds for extended periods.
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Wear and operate in protective equipment as assigned, when working in hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions, including but not limited to head protection, eye protection, respiratory protection, hand protection, foot protection, knee protection, and full body protection.
Environmental Elements
Firefighters perform work in any building, structure or any place an emergency occurs within the service area. Employees are exposed to inclement weather, noise, dust, grease, fumes, gasses and potentially hazardous materials. Employees may work in very hot, very cold or wet environments. Employees 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. Balance is required working in slippery wet conditions, maneuvering on beams and other structural parts of building, hillsides, and fences. Employees must have the mental acuity to act under stress in life threatening situations, and to maintain calm efficient judgment. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, and holidays and the ability to be available for work on an emergency basis. The position may be required to work overtime as assigned.
DISASTER SERICE WORKERS
All City of Monterey employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
