FIRE APPARATUS ENGINEER

Job Description and Duties

This is a new job advertisement, if you have previously applied to the Fire Apparatus Engineer (non-paramedic) job advertisement, you will need to reapply to be considered.

You only need to submit ONE application package to be considered for Permanent and Limited Term positions statewide.

Applications will be processed in rounds with the following cut-off dates:

• November 20, 2026
• January 22, 2027
• March 19, 2027
• May 14, 2027

The only certs accepted after the cut-off dates are: California Fire Fighter 1 Certification (SFT FF1), CAL FIRE Fire Fighter Academy (FFA), CAL FIRE Company Officer Academy (COA), California Joint Apprenticeship Committee Candidate Physical Ability Test (Cal-JAC CPAT) card, California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license, California Paramedic license, and Driver’s License submission. Certs submitted after the cut-off date will be considered the following round.

Under general supervision, operates fire apparatus and equipment during wildland and structural firefighting operations; leads an assigned crew in the performance of firefighting duties; maintains and makes minor repairs on vehicles, equipment, and the fire stations; performs fire prevention tasks, and other related work.

Drives and operates fire apparatus in connection with extinguishing wildland, structural, and other fires, and in fire prevention and rescue work; leads a crew; performs maintenance and simple repairs on equipment; makes reports on the operation of equipment; uses maps; operates two-way radio as necessary; may act as fire captain relief; assists in training crews to fight fire efficiently and safely; checks, cleans, and polishes trucks; does general facility maintenance and repair work; assists in building roads, trails, telephone lines, and minor structures; as a learner, may operate other heavy equipment to assist when required; makes fire law inspections; investigates fire causes; prepares and presents fire prevention programs to the public; keeps records and prepares reports. Performs work outside with potential exposure to environmental elements (e.g., extreme weather, poison oak).

Note: Fire Center and Fuels Reduction Crews positions exist within the units. Duties for Fuels Reduction Crews positions include: Operation of various prescribed fire ignition tools, fuels reduction tools and Prescribed Fire Crew equipment. Assist in planning fuels reduction projects and complete projects while providing leadership to crew members. Provide training in the use of tools specific to prescribed fire, fuels reduction and vegetation management to Prescribed Fire Technicians. Coordinate administrative duties in the absence of the Prescribed Fire Captain.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

- The Cal-JAC CPAT Card of Completion, issued by the Cal-JAC CPAT program to candidates who pass the Cal-JAC-administered CPAT, is the sole CPAT card accepted by CAL FIRE as evidence of successful completion of pre-employment physical ability assessment. 

- Applicants selected for positions are placed in an apprenticeship program. Permanent appointments are conditional upon successful completion of the training program.

- Possession of a valid driver's license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Currently, valid driver’s licenses are: 

• Class A or B Commercial with a tank endorsement and airbrakes
• California Class A, B, or C with a Firefighter endorsement
• An out of state driver’s license valid for the operation of firefighting equipment within the employee’s home state.

Please note: Some positions may require a HAZMAT or Passenger endorsement. If submitting a California driver’s license with a Firefighter endorsement, your driver’s license must show the Restriction 50.

- Applicants must pass medical clearances under the Respiratory Protection Program.

The Bargaining Unit 8 (BU8) Memorandum of Understanding regarding Voluntary In-Class Transfer Policy (Inter-Unit) (Section 9.2) will be followed. Transfers may require a two-year commitment and the completion of the JAC program.

TAU applicants are encouraged to apply. 

What is TAU? 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 appointment as a TAU. 

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.

FELONY DISCLOSURE

Pursuant to California Penal Code 4571, any individual interested in seeking employment that requires working with inmates at a conservation camp must disclose of any prior felony status up front, so CALFIRE/CDCR can provide informed consent to a former felon to be on the conservation camp/prison grounds.

Any person/employee who has been convicted of a felony, and has not received written consent, is committing a felony.

PREA INFORMATION

Positions located at a Camp or requiring the supervision of inmates requires compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act. Compliance is determined by completing a Live Scan prior to appointment and during the course of employment to verify the standards of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 115 Prison Rape Elimination Act National Standards are met. 

Application Instructions

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: Until Filled

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 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: FAE HIRING

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: FAE HIRING

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 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: 
• Other - Current FAE Work Location Form. This form may be found at: 
• Other - California Fire Fighter 1 Certification (IFSAC/Pro Board)
• Other - CAL FIRE Company Officer Academy (COA) Certificate
• Other - CAL FIRE Fire Fighter Academy (FFA) Certificate
• Other - CPR
• Other - Public Safety First Aid
• Other - Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Other - Paramedic
• Other - DMV printout, must be dated within 30 days of the Final Filing Date. A copy of your driving record can be obtained on the DMV website.
• Other - California Joint Apprenticeship Committee Candidate Physical Ability Test (Cal-JAC CPAT) card
• Other - Honorable Military Discharge Paperwork (DD 214 / Member-4 or NGB-22)

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.

Benefits

This classification is eligible for the following pay:

$5551 - $6856 Base Salary (paid every month)

$1886 - $2330 Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)

$91,130 – $112,562 Annual Compensation

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.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website:

Hiring Unit Contact:
FAE Hotline
View phone number on us.fitly.work

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
View phone number on us.fitly.work
View email address on us.fitly.work

California Relay Service: View phone number on us.fitly.work (TTY), View phone number on us.fitly.work (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Special Filing Instructions

*You only need to submit ONE application package to be considered for Permanent and Limited Term positions statewide.

DO NOT INCLUDE OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS ON YOUR APPLICATION.

All interested applicants must complete and submit the following documents: 

(1) State Application (Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) (Rev. 12/2021)

(2) Authorization to Release Information Form (PO-299)
(3) Current FAE Work Location Form

And a copy of each applicable document listed below. For items 7-10, you must submit a copy of both the front and back. Do not submit anything except what is listed. See the link below for more information about the acceptable documents:

(4) California Fire Fighter 1 Certification (IFSAC/Pro Board)
(5) CAL FIRE Company Officer Academy (COA) Certificate
(6) CAL FIRE Fire Fighter Academy (FFA) Certificate
(7) CPR 
(8) Public Safety First Aid
(9) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 
(10) Paramedic 
(11) DMV printout, must be dated within 30 days of the Final Filing Date. A copy of your driving record can be obtained on the DMV website.
(12) California Joint Apprenticeship Committee Candidate Physical Ability Test (Cal-JAC CPAT) card
(13) Honorable Military Discharge Paperwork (DD 214 / Member-4 or NGB-22)

Acceptable Documents :

If you do not have one of the required documents listed above, please indicate this in the "Bypass" section when asked to upload that document.

*BU8 In-Class transfers shall follow the BU8 Section 9.2 to be considered. BU8 In-Class transfers need not submit an application in accordance with this advertisement.

To obtain an Examination / Employment Application Form STD 678, go to the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website: