Entry Level Calpers Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $87,252.00 - $116,916.00 Annually
Location : Riverside, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-2040-01
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 07/16/2026
Closing Date: 7/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
The Position
Firefighter Paramedic
ENTRY LEVEL
Candidates must possess a current California or National Registry Paramedic certificate.
Successful completion of a State Fire Marshal approved Fire Academy/or equivalent IFSAC PROBOARD Certification.
No on the job experience Required.
The City of Riverside offers a competitive compensation package, retirement through CALPERS, and a generous benefit package. Firefighters may be eligible for a variety of additional compensation including specialty, bilingual, and education incentive pay.
The City of Riverside Fire Department is a progressive, all-risk department responsible for the protection of a diverse population of over 320,000 people, covering nearly 82 square miles. Under the direction of Fire Chief Steve McKinster, The City of Riverside Fire Department protects life, property, and the environment from 14 stations, responding to more than 45,000 calls for service. The department offers a variety of specialty programs, including Urban Search & Rescue, Hazardous Materials, and Arson Investigations.
Under the supervision of a Company Officer, Firefighters are responsible for performing a broad range of duties in the protection of life and property. Work involves suppressing, extinguishing, and preventing fires; rendering emergency medical care; and participating in training programs and fire prevention activities. Firefighters operate, inspect, and maintain firefighting apparatus, equipment, and facilities, and may be assigned to conduct fire inspections or related prevention activities. Employees in this classification are also required to participate in drills and evolutions with individual companies as well as multi-company operations. This position requires the consistent exercise of sound judgment, strict adherence to established policies and procedures, and the ability to maintain a state of operational readiness.
Work Performed
Typical duties include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Respond to fire alarms, rescue alarms, medical emergency, and other emergency calls to protect life and property endangered by fire; operate various communications equipment.
• Respond to requests for medical emergencies; provide immediate medical care to persons injured in automobile accidents, fires, industrial accidents, and victims of sudden serious illness such as heart attacks, drownings, and similar emergencies; observe and report vital signs; and administer medical treatment.
• Serve as a hose operator in firefighting situations; lay and connect hoses; hold nozzle and direct water streams in the control and extinguishing of fires in structures, brush, and grass; clean and test fire hoses; raise, lower, and climb aerial ladders; perform rescue work and remove persons from danger.
• Ventilate structures using such techniques as opening windows and chopping holes through the roof; use forcible entry tools, bars, hooks, life lines, chemical extinguishers, and other auxiliary equipment; assist in overhaul and salvage operations; sweep water and remove debris.
• Perform preventive maintenance and daily inspections on fire apparatus; inspect fire apparatus after each operation to ensure proper and efficient operating condition; clean, wash, and service fire apparatus; test, wash, hang, and dry hoses; change hoses on fire apparatus; report worn, damaged, or lost parts and tools.
• Clean and maintain station quarters, grounds, and equipment; perform routine housekeeping chores such as sweeping, mopping, cooking, and washing; assist visitors at the station and conduct tours.
• Conduct fire prevention inspection and education programs; serve as a fire inspector, inspecting commercial and other properties for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention codes and ordinances, and participating in or conducting investigations to determine fire causes.
• Participate in continuous training in fire prevention, inspection, and suppression through fire drills, training exercises, simulations, and on-the-job exercises to maintain occupational skills.
• Study technical material on Fire Department rules and regulations, fire hazards, and modern firefighting techniques, City layout, water systems, and related subjects.
• Prepare reports on preventive maintenance and with respect to work operations.
• Work 24-hour shifts and overtime; may be recalled to duty in cases of emergency.
• Serve as a substitute fire engineer under special instructions and limited conditions on a relief or training basis; operate and maintain motorized firefighting equipment; operate and adjust pump controls and other mechanical equipment to maintain correct water pressure consistent with the type of fire; drive and operate the tiller position on a ladder truck; operate ladder mechanism on an aerial truck; place truck to best advantage to facilitate firefighting.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Successful completion of the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) written test with a passing score of 70% or above and Candidate Physical Agility Test (CPAT). Must be completed and present on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility list (SEL) on 7/30/36.
Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade and successful completion of a State Fire Marshal approved Fire Academy.
Experience: None required.
Necessary Special Requirements:
Possession of a valid Class "C" California Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
Paramedic: Must possess a current California or National Registry Paramedic certificate.
Applicants must possess the following by time of appointment:
• CPR Card or REMSA-approved equivalent: current and valid American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (ARC), or California-approved BCLS/CPR card ("professional" level).
• ACLS/ALS or REMSA-approved equivalent: current and valid American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) OR American Red Cross (ARC) Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider card.
• PALS/ALS PEPP: current and valid American Heart Association (AHA) OR American Red Cross (ARC) Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) provider card OR proof of successful completion of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Advanced Life Support (ALS) Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals (PEPP) course.
• PHTLS/ITLS/TPATC: proof of successful completion of the National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) course OR the American College of Emergency Physicians' (ACEP) International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) course OR Air and Surface Transport Nurse Association (ASTNA) Transport Professional Advanced Trauma Course (TPATC).
Selection Process
The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening. Additionally, this process will include oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.
It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.
Appointment will be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, medical/physical examination, drug and alcohol test.
NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards.
All applicants will be notified via e-mail of their application status after the closing date of this announcement.
Riverside Firefighters' Association (RCFA)
The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired on or after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 3% at age 55; 3-year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 9%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7% at age 57; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost. Per CalPERS the employee contribution is subject to change every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Health Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and contributes up to $1,612 per month for HMO plans (family coverage).
• Dental Insurance - The City provides three dental insurance plans and contributes up to $35 per month.
• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment equal to $100,000. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employees and eligible dependents (up to $300k).
• Deferred Compensation - City Fire employees may participate in a deferred compensation plan.
• Leave Benefits - Includes vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits. Please refer to Fire MOU for specific details.
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.
• Long Term Disability - Employees may enroll in the LTD plan through their employee association.
• LegalEase Plan - Optional legal services plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• Critical Illness Plan - Optional critical illness insurance plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• For other special compensation, refer to the

For additional benefits information, please visit the following website:
For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.
01
Instructions: The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and/or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered.
(*Do not refer to a resume in lieu of completing the supplemental questions).
Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

02
Please indicate the highest level of education you have completed.

• Less than High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some college coursework completed (less than 59 semester units or less than 89 quarter units)
• Associate's Degree (at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units)
• Bachelor's Degree (at least 120 semester units or 180 quarter units)
• Master's Degree
• PhD

03
Have you successfully completed the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Written Test with a passing score of 70% or above and Candidate Physical Agility Test (CPAT) dated between 07/30/2025 and 07/30/2026?

• Yes
• No

04
Please indicate the amount of experience you possess as a firefighter.

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year or more, but less than 1.5 years
• 1.5 years or more, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 2.5 years
• 2.5 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 or more years

05
Have you successfully completed a State Fire Marshal approved Fire Academy and/or IFSAC Pro Board Fire Service certification (must attach to your application)?

• Yes
• No

06
Have you attached your State Fire Marshal approved Fire Academy/or equivalent IFSAC PROBOARD Certification to your application?

• Yes
• No

07
What is your FCTC ID number? If you haven't taken an exam through FCTC, add N/A.
08
Do you currently possess a valid California or National Registry Paramedic Certification?

• Yes
• No

09
Please indicate the type of valid Paramedic Certification you possess (must attach to your application).

• State of California Paramedic License
• National Registry Paramedic Certificate
• State of California Paramedic License AND National Registry Paramedic Certificate
• None of the above

10
Have you attached your paramedic certificate to your application?

• Yes
• No

11
If you possess a valid State of California Paramedic License, please indicate which of the following card(s) you possess:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• International T