Firefighter

Firefighter

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.

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 include: 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. Possession of a current Firefighter-I certificate or higher, successful completion of a Fire Academy through an accredited regional training program, and lateral firefighter experience.

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.

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!

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).

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.

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.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responds to emergencies and assists with mitigation by confining, controlling, and extinguishing fire, conducting rescue, ventilation, salvage, overhaul and clean-up as required.
• Responds to all non-fire related emergencies, including, but not limited to gas leaks, electrical hazards, fire alarms, and emergency medical services.
• Conducts non-emergency work, such as maintenance of equipment, apparatus and facilities.
• Conducts research for assignments, subsequent report writing and related duties, such as typing, filing, attending meetings and compiling statistics.
• Trains department personnel and the public.
• Performs inspections in coordination with the Prevention Division.
• Conducts self-training to maintain required skills and participates in departmental training.
• Creates maps and pre-plans of hazards, buildings, systems and streets.
• Conducts presentations to public groups about emergency activities and fire department operations.
• When appropriately qualified and assigned, acts as relief for higher levels of responsibility.
• Operates equipment and apparatus.
• Meets with public and private agencies to resolve assigned operational goals and related problems; develops proposals for new concepts.
• Makes recommendations regarding department operations.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Monterey and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff.
• Maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
• Performs other job-related duties within the scope of this job classification as assigned.

Education: Graduation from high school or GED equivalent. Additional education in Fire Science or related fields is desirable. Experience: No prior experience required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Must possess a valid California Driver's License upon time of appointment and be insurable with the City's standard insurance rate, unless otherwise approved by appointing authority. Current Emergency Medical Technician certification valid in California is required.

Knowledge of: Use and maintenance of facilities, equipment and water systems; fire control and extinguishing systems and building construction. Elementary physics, chemistry, mechanics, general mathematics and driving. Report writing and research. Principles of hydraulics as applied to fire department operations. Emergency Medical Services. The City's water system, streets and emergency routes. City, State, and Federal laws relating to the fire department's missions and goals.

Skill in: Applying technical firefighting principles and techniques. Following oral and written directions. Establishing and maintaining cooperative relations with the public, City and departmental personnel. Conducting research for assignments and subsequently preparing and writing reports and accomplishing related work, such as keeping records, compiling statistics, typing and filing. Making oral and written presentations. Conducting mechanical work. Using and maintaining power tools, fire department equipment and apparatus. Preparing maps and sketches.

Physical Demands: Standing & Walking – Standing for extended periods of time and/or walking distances (1 or more miles). Sitting – Ability to work in a seated position at a computer station for extended periods of time. 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. Climbing - Ability to ascend 100 ft. or more up ladder(s) while wearing assigned safety equipment. 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. Visual - Acuity for driving long periods; reading literature for long periods; industry warning signs and instruments; reading maps and diagrams, computer screen. 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. Mobility - Ability to operate a motor vehicle, and reach, push, pull, stoop, bend, and squat. Reflexes - Ability to