FIRE CAPTAIN

Location : Cathedral City, CA
Job Type: FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE
Job Number: 26-29
Department: Fire Department
Division: Fire Department
Opening Date: 09/02/2026
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: CCFMA


Description
Nationally Recognized, Locally Dedicated: Join Cathedral City's Accredited Fire Service
(To establish an eligibility list)

Cathedral City Fire and EMS stands among the elite fire service agencies with our newly earned CPSE accreditation.
This distinction reflects our department's dedication to continuous improvement, data-driven decision making, and exceptional service delivery. Join our team and build your career with a department recognized for excellence!
APPLICATION PERIOD: CONTINUOUS This recruitment is continuous and may close without prior notice. Human Resources reserves the right to modify the recruitment timeline, including extending the application period, accelerating the selection process, or adjusting any deadlines. It is in the candidate's best interest to apply immediately.
THE POSITION
Plans, coordinates, assigns, and supervises the emergency and non-emergency activities of a fire station during an assigned shift to protect life and property. This class is the first level supervisor, supervising and participating in fire suppression and emergency medical response, fire prevention and related departmental functions. Incumbents supervise station staff directly and typically serve as a station administrator. This class is distinguished from Fire Battalion Chief which has overall supervisory authority for all activities related to assigned division(s).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Training and Experience
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education/Training/Experience:
Graduation from high school or GED equivalent supplemented by courses in Fire Science or a related field

Five (5) years of paid municipal, county, tribal or special district fire experience in fire suppression and prevention.
Must possess successful completion of California State Fire Training Apparatus Driver/Operator IA and IB.
Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid California Class B driver license, or a California Class C driver license with firefighter endorsement; must maintain a satisfactory driving record.
Certification as a Firefighter I and Firefighter II is required.
Possession of a current/valid CPR certificate.
Possession of a valid State of California Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic certification/licensure with eligibility to work under the Riverside County.
Completion of Intermediate (ICS-300 and ICS-400) training is required by the end of the probationary period
Must possess a California State Fire Marshal Fire Officer I Certificate or have completed all required coursework, with final certification to be submitted by the end of the probation period.
Must complete the assigned Task-book by the end of probation.
Advanced management leadership training from a recognized industry is desirable.
AA or BA degree with major coursework in fire science, or a closely related field is desirable.
Physical and Environmental Demands
Must possess strength and stamina sufficient to lift and carry equipment and patients exceeding 150 pounds and be able to wear self-contained breathing apparatus
Other Special Requirements
Must live within 150 miles of the city limits by the end of their probationary period. The calculation of the 150 miles shall be made using Google Maps driving directions.
TO VIEW THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION, CLICK HERE.
LET'S GET STARTED! - THE SELECTION PROCESS To be considered for this opportunity, candidates must attach all required certifications listed in the Education, Training and Experience section. Based upon the information presented on the applications, a limited number of candidates who possess qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process.


Tentative Testing Dates:

• Application period - Open until sufficient qualified applications are received. First round of screening scheduled for September 23, 2026
• Written Exam - Monday, October 19, 2026
• Practical Exam & Panel Interview - Tuesday, October 20, 2026
• Fire Chief Interview - TBD

WRITTEN EXAMINATION:

Candidates passing the written examination will be invited to participate in a practical exam and oral interview. The written exam is pass/fail .

The Fire Captain written exam is divided into the following content areas:
SECTION

DESCRIPTION

QUESTIONS
1FIREGROUND OPERATIONS302FIRE INSPECTION203INCIDENT COMMAND204SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT205WRITTEN COMMUNICATION AND REPORTS10
The sources for this test include:

Miller, Leslie A. and Fortney, Jeff (Ed.). (2019). Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer, 6th Edition. IFSTA.
Murnane, Lynne (Ed.). (2016). Fire Inspection and Code Enforcement, 8th Edition. IFSTA.
Hess, Karen M., Wrobleski, Henry M., and Lahera, Laz. (2019). For the Record: Report Writing for Fire Services, 3rd Edition. Innovative Systems.
National Incident Management System Consortium. (2007). Book 1 - First Edition Incident Command System (ICS) Model Procedures Guide for Incidents Involving Structural Fire Fighting, High-Rise, Multi-Casualty, Highway, and Managing Large-Scale Incidents Using NIMS-ICS, 1st Edition. Fire Protection Publications.
*This source is available through the IFSTA website, only in eBook format.

PRACTICAL & INTERVIEW EXAMINATION:

The practical exam consists of simulator exercises and panel interview.

ORAL INTERVIEW:

Placement on the eligibility list will be established based on the average score obtained from all sections of the practical and interview examination. The eligibility list will remain in effect for a period of (six) 6 months from the date of establishment.
THE PERKS

WHAT'S NEXT? APPLY TODAY AND SHARE WITH ANYONE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED!
All notifications will be sent by email only (regardless of the notification preference selected during the on-line application process).
Notifications will be sent to the email address listed on the application.
The City does not participate in the Social Security system except for a mandatory Medicare

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
The City provides an outstanding benefits plan that includes:

- Bilingual pay
- CalPERS Health Insurance plus other Benefits
- CalPERS Retirement
- Certification and Education Incentives
- Deferred Compensation
- Educational Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Holidays
- Life Insurance | Long Term Disability
- Sick Leave
- Vacation Accrual
- Wellness

Benefit description per bargaining unit are available for review on the City's website


- General Unit
- Cathedral City Professional Firefighters Association
- Cathedral City Fire Management Association
- Cathedral City Police Officer Association
- Cathedral City Police Management Association
01


Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, partial information, and reference to resume or application may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• YES
• NO

02


Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03


Have you completed any coursework, certification programs, or degrees in Fire Science or related fields? If yes, please provide details. If no, please type N/A.
04


Do you possess Five (5) years of paid municipal, county, tribal or special district fire experience in fire suppression and prevention? Note: Experience must be listed on your application.

• Yes
• No

05


Do you possess or have the ability to obtain a valid California Class B driver license, or a California Class C driver license with firefighter endorsement? If yes, please attach a copy.

• Yes
• No

06


Have you completed a California State Fire Marshal accredited Firefighter I Academy? If yes, please attach a copy.

• Yes
• No

07


Do you possess successful completion of California State Fire Training Apparatus Driver/Operator IA and IB? If so, a copy must be attached to your application.

• Yes
• No

08


Do you possess certification as a Firefighter I and Firefighter II? If yes, a copy must be attached to your application.

• Yes
• No

09


Do you possess a current CPR certificate? If yes, please attach a copy.

• Yes
• No

10


Are you currently certified as a Paramedic within Riverside County? If yes, please attach. To obtain your certification, log in to your Riverside County EMS account. If not, accreditation will need to be completed prior to appointment.

• Yes
• No

11


Are you willing to work shifts as structured in the Fire Department? Currently a 48/96 schedule.

• Yes
• No

Required Question