Apprentice Paramedic Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

This job advertisement is for vacancies throughout the state in Range B of the Fire Apparatus Engineer (FAE) classification (Paramedics).
Applicants will be considered for PARAMEDIC POSITIONS ONLY.
Job Duties and Typical Tasks: 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. When performing in a paramedic position, as part of a paramedic team, performs paramedic duties in emergency medical situations.
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).
In addition to the tasks listed above, when working in a paramedic position, renders emergency medical assistance at the advanced life support level; performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation and electrical defibrillation; lifts and transports injured persons; administers intravenous fluids as needed; obtains blood for laboratory analysis; interprets cardiac arrhythmias; performs pulmonary ventilation by use of airway adjuncts; administers drugs; operates voice and biomedical telemetry communication systems and equipment; assists in childbirth; drives medical rescue vehicles under emergency conditions; prepares and completes documentation associated with patient care delivery; prepares and presents demonstrations and classes in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other subjects relating to medical assistance to employees and the public.
Eligible candidates selected for positions in this classification may be placed in an apprenticeship program.
2026-2027 Annual Hiring Process
Each FAE Range B (Paramedic) hiring process lasts for one year and consists of multiple hiring rounds. There will be two (2) continuously posted advertisements per process, one for permanent and one for limited-term appointments. Every two months, applications submitted before a designated cutoff date are processed and candidates are introduced to appointing authorities in rounds based on the date their application is submitted. Candidates only need to apply once per process to be considered in all subsequent rounds, and their single application will be considered for both permanent and limited-term positions.
Cutoff dates for the current process are as follows:

September 4, 2026

November 6, 2026

January 1, 2027

March 5, 2027

May 7, 2027

July 1, 2027

Applications submitted after a cutoff date will be processed with the next group and considered in the following round.
When a new advertisement is posted, a new annual process begins, and all candidates must apply to the new job control to be considered for the current annual process. Applications from previous job controls do not carry over.
Working Conditions
Willingness to live and work in remote areas and on weekends and holidays, to remain on duty 24 hours a day, as required, distant visual acuity (Snellen) of not less than 20/100 without corrective lenses in each eye, separately corrected to not less than 20/40 in one eye with corrective lenses, distant binocular acuity (Snellen) of at least 20/40 in both eyes with or without corrective lenses, color vision adequate to successfully perform the job as measured by the Ishihara Pseudo - Chromatic Plate Test or for persons failing the Ishihara, the Farnsworth D - 15 Arrangement Test, hearing adequacy within speech frequencies (uncorrected), full use of both hands and both feet, physical strength and agility, weight in proportion to height, no more than a mild reaction to poison oak.
Eligibility
In order to be appointed to an FAE Range B (Paramedic) position, at least one of the eligibility criteria listed in the section below titled "Who May Apply" must be met. However, lack of eligibility does not preclude interested parties from applying and competing for positions, and all applicants will be included in the selection process as long as all documents are submitted completely, correctly, and timely.
To establish list eligibility, candidates must take and pass the Fire Apparatus Engineer (FAE) examination. Upon successfully completing and passing the examination, names are placed on a certification list establishing "list eligible" candidates. Obtaining list eligibility does not guarantee employment. In order to obtain employment, candidates must apply to job vacancies and compete through the State recruitment process.
The exam is currently available and can be found by following the link below:
Fire Apparatus Engineer Exam Bulletin
*Please note: Taking and passing the Fire Apparatus Engineer (FAE) (1077) exam will allow applicants for both non-paramedic and paramedic positions to obtain eligibility, but candidates must still apply to the appropriate job advertisement that corresponds to the position of interest to be considered for hire.
This job control is for PARAMEDIC positions only, applications submitted to this advertisement will not be considered for non-paramedic FAE position vacancies.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• FIRE APPARATUS ENGINEER

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-524307
Position #(s):
542-000-1077-VAR
Working Title:
FAE RANGE B - PARAMEDIC (ONLY)
Classification:
FIRE APPARATUS ENGINEER $5,934.00 - $7,342.00 B
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
12 Month Limited Term - Full Time
Facility:
Statewide
Department Information The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California's fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 14,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.
When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co-workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunites. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!
Department Website: www.fire.ca.gov
Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a(n) CA Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

• Possession of a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Card of Completion, issued by a currently licensed CPAT organization authorized by the department is required prior to job offer. Incumbents who have worked as a Fire Fighter II/Fire Fighter II - Paramedic (FFII)/FFII(P) or Fire Apparatus Engineer/Fire Apparatus Engineer - Paramedic (FAE)/FAE(P) with CAL FIRE and have not had a break in service greater than 12 consecutive months do not need to obtain a new CPAT card.

• Possession of a valid California Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) license or a National Registry EMT-P license is required for FAE Range B (Paramedic) positions. Paramedic applicants must possess a valid California EMT-P license prior to job offer or reassignment. Candidates must provide a copy of the Paramedic card for verification. Only California State level Paramedic cards issued by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (CA EMSA) are accepted; National Registry or local county cards will not qualify.

• Possession of a valid driver's license of the appropriate class with any applicable endorsements issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles or applicable agency is required prior to job offer. Acceptable driver's licenses include:

Class A or B Commercial with a tank (N) endorsement and no restriction for airbrakes.

California Class A, B, or C with a Firefighter endorsement (restriction 50).

An out of state driver's license valid for the operation of firefighting equipment within the employee's home state.

The incumbent is required to wear respiratory protection equipment (including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The use of such equipment may place a physiological burden on the incumbent that varies with the type of equipment used, the job and workplace conditions in which the equipment is used, and the medical status of the incumbent. As such, the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) requires that the incumbent be annually medically cleared to be fit-tested for respiratory protection equipment. This clearance process consists of a comprehensive medical evaluation including a review of the incumbent's medical history, a complete physical examination, and vision, hearing, spirometry, and exercise treadmill test.
Selected candidates must complete CAL FIRE Fighter Academy (FFA) and Company Officer Academy (COA) training during the probationary period as a condition of employment.
The Bargaining Unit 8 (BU 8) Memorandum of Understanding regarding Voluntary In-Class Transfer Policy (Inter-Unit) (Section 9.2) will be followed. Per departmental policy, the unit may require 2 years of service in the employee's current assignment starting on the date of appointment and the completion of the JAC program before eligibility for transfer.
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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: FAEP 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: FAEP 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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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). Access the form here: PO-299
• Other - Current FAEP Work Location Form. Access the form here: FAEP WLF
• Other - Copy of the front and back of your valid driver's license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Other - Copy of the front and back of your valid California Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) license issued by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (CA EMSA) (California State level).
• Other -
  Copy of your valid Cal-JAC CPAT card. All applicants must submit their current or most recent card or, if applicable, a personal statement, demonstrating CPAT completion. CPAT validity will be determined based on the date printed on the card or through verification of current/former employment in a qualifying CAL FIRE classification.
• Other - Completed Paramedic Supplemental Form. Access the form here: Param