Entry Level Level Firefighter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $104,162.28 - $126,609.84 Annually
Location : Colton City Hall, 650 N. La Cadena Dr., Colton, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26/27-00006
Department: Fire Department
Opening Date: 07/06/2026
Closing Date: 7/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Definition
FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC
ENTRY AND LATERAL POSITIONS
*Lateral Firefighters starting salary is negotiable, based on qualifying experience.
This recruitment is open continuously.
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as the recruitment may close at anytime.
$15,000 HIRING BONUS!
Here's how it works.
Lateral Firefighters -$5,000 upon completion of the Fire 14-day mini academy; $5,000 upon passing probation at 12months, $5,000 on the one (1) year anniversary of successfully passing probation.
Newly hired Firefighters -$2,500 after passing six (6) month probationary test; $5,000 upon successfully completing one (1) year probation; and $7,500 on the one (1) year anniversary of successfully passing probation.
The Colton Fire Department's mission is to protect life, property, and the environment in order to preserve and improve the quality of life of those we serve. Paramedics employed by the Colton Fire Department engage directly in firefighting, emergency medical care, technical rescue, hazardous materials mitigation, disaster responses, fire prevention, public education, and community service. We are here to provide not only emergency care, but also personal care and services.
Why should you join our department?
Are you tired of:
- Continuous force hires
- Big city/county/state issues
- Unhealthy work/life balance
Our department succeeds because our employees succeed, and we firmly believe in mentoring our members at all ranks. Joining our agency means you will be working alongside passionate, dedicated, and innovative members to provide excellent service to our community, visitors, and those who travel through our major highways.
Our standards are high. We recognize current challenges and tackle them head on, all while striving for, and progressing toward excellence in every aspect of our job. If you believe you have what it takes to be a part of our community of firefighters, we invite you to apply today!
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Firefighter Medic is the entry level class primarily responsible for responding to fire alarms, providing life support at emergency scenes and protecting life and property endangered by fire.
The (Lateral) Firefighter Medic is the journey level class and is defined as an individual currently employed with an established fire department, functioning as a licensed paramedic and firefighter. Occasionally assist in the training of lower-level Firefighter positions.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
May occasionally exercise technical and functional supervision over lower-level Firefighter staff.
Essential Functions
We are looking for individuals striving to be part of our team that possess the following values:
Courage - You are not afraid to challenge yourself to move outside your comfort zone, to be a leader in your rankand to promote.
Teamwork- You work alongside others to accomplish your mission, utilizing our core values to guide decisions.
Listening - You listen twice as much as you speak, to better learn your job and our practices.
Learning - You seek out learning opportunities at every opportunity, and apply the lessons learned to your craft.
Integrity & Ethics - You display honesty and embrace personal accountability.
Attention to Detail - You take pride in your work and perform to the best of your ability in every task.
Safety- You put the safety of our citizens and personnel above all other interests.
Physical Fit - You maintain your physical fitness in order to be prepared for the many demanding situations you will be put in.
Decision Making - You aim to choose the best course of action for any situation you may find yourself in.
Light-hearted- You know being a first responder is emotionally tough work; you know how to have fun at the appropriate times.
For additional essential functions of the job, review the Firefighter Medic job description.
Qualifications
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education: High School diploma or equivalent is required.
Experience: Firefighter Medic must possess experience in emergency services, or paramedic services. (Lateral Firefighter Medic) must possess one (1) year of continuous employment with an established fire department functioning as a licensed paramedic and firefighter.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Possession of, or the ability to obtain upon hire, a valid California Class C Driver License ,and a satisfactory driving record at the time of hire, and throughout employment.
- Possession of, or the ability to obtain upon hire, valid EMT-P, CPR and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications.
- Lateral Firefighter Medic must possess a California State Training Fire Fighter I certification
Additional Information
All interested candidates must be on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List (list requirements include the written and physical agility components).
How to be placed on the FCTC list: visit for more information on how to register for upcoming CPAT physical agility and written tests. Information and study materials can be found on the web-site along with information about financial hardship grants and testing fees. Human Resources will confirm eligibility to move forward with the recruitment process.
Below is the recruitment timeline to give you advanced notice of important dates of this process. When backgrounds are complete and clear, we provide time for candidates to provide two-week notice to their current employers.
Application review period - July 27-30
Practical Examination - August 24
Chief's Interviews - August 27
Tentative Job Offer - August 31
Backgrounds - August 31 thru Sept. 23
Official Job Offer - Sept 24
Academy - Oct. 12 - 23
Recruitment process will include, but is not limited to:
1. Complete City of Colton application submitted through
2. Paramedic Skills Assessment Center
3. Captain's Oral Interview
4. Background check includes: review of personal, professional and educational history;
fingerprinting; psychological evaluation; and pre-employment physical examination, including drug
screening.
5. Chief's Oral Interview
Candidates successful in all phases of the recruitment process will have their name certified to an eligibility list. This list will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they occur. The list will be active for one (1) year.
Why this job may be for you!
- Accelerated Lateral Candidate Testing: For lateral candidates, probationary testing is completed at six (6) months upon successfully passing all tests, with final completion of probation at 12 months.
- FORCE HIRE PROTECTIONS: The Colton Firefighter's Association has worked tirelessly with management to maintain a culture that recognizes and prioritizes work/life balance. If you believe your time at home is important, so do we! We have set procedures to minimize force hire days within all ranks.
- Vacation accruals: Vacation accrual rate is based on fire service tenure.
- Holiday Hours: Annually, Colton Firefighters receive 192 hours of holiday leave, in addition to annually accrued vacation time; vacation accrual rates between 168-280 hours annually for shift employees based on tenure. Holiday leave can be taken as time off or cashed out for payment.
- Compensation: In addition to normal salary, the following compensation is provided to qualified Colton Firefighters: longevity pay, (based off of fire service tenure) bilingual pay, special certification pay, educational incentive, and up to $2,500 a fiscal year for tuition reimbursement.
- Work Schedule: 48 hours on and 96 hours off schedule allows for much needed family and decompression time away from work.
-Family Atmosphere: The people employed here routinely become "family", sharing meals and time off with one another, all while utilizing teamwork to accomplish the mission of the fire department. We strive to mentor each other at all ranks in order to bring out the best of our members.
Positions designated in the Colton Fire Fighters Association receive the following benefits:

• Cafeteria amount for the purchase of medical, dental, and vision insurance is$1,675/mo effective November, 2025; $1,750/mo effective January, 2026
• Employees hired on or after January 1, 2018, shall have a maximum cap of $500 for cash in-lieu or for the difference between the medical insurance premium and the cafeteria dollar amount.
• Up to 160 hours per year of vacation accrued for 0 - 5 years of service for Shift personnel; up to 120 hours per year of vacation accrued for 0 - 5 years of service for Non-Shift personnel.
• Up to 144 hours of sick leave (12 hours accrued monthly) for Shift personnel; up to 96 hours of sick leave (8 hours accrued monthly) for Non-Shift personnel.
• 192 hours holiday credit (per fiscal year) for Shift personnel.
• 12 Holidays off plus 20 hours floating holiday for Non-Shift personnel.
• California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) for Fire Safety:
  Classic Members hired prior to 10/15/2011 benefit level is 3% @ 50
  Classic Members hired after 10/15/2011 benefit level is 3% @ 55
  PEPRA Members hired after 1/1/2013 benefit level is 2.7% @ 57
• Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance
• CalPERS 4th Level 1959 Survivor Benefit
• Uniform Allowance: $75 per month per fiscal year.
• Longevity pay: $100/mo for 10 years, $200/mo for 15 years, $300/mo for 20 years, $400/mo for 25 years including previous fire experience in a similar position (non-cumulative)
• Bilingual Pay $200/mo
• Fire Arson Investigator pay $150/mo
• Captain training pay $400/mo
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $2,500 per fiscal year after passing probation.
• City paid life insurance coverage in the amount of $100,000
• City does not participate in the Social Security System
• One year probationary period

01
Background check process: You will be working in the Fire Department and subject to a thorough background investigation, including a personal history questionnaire and pre-employment physical, which includes a drug screening. Please indicate "yes" that you understand you are subject to the investigation and pre-employment physical. If you do not understand and will not participate in the thorough investigation and pre-employment physical please select "no".

• Yes
• No

02
Do you possess a satisfactory driving record and valid California Class "C" driver's license issued by the State of California department of motor vehicles?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you possess current and valid certifications for the following:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• EMT-P
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• Fire Academy

04
Are you currently active on the FCTC eligibility list for the written examination AND physical agility testing? Are you applying as a Lateral Firefighter? To qualify for this level, you must be currently employed as a Firefighter Paramedic with another agency. You must also possess the California State Fire Training, Firefighter I certification. Ifyes, please upload your certificate to the application before submission.

• Yes
• No

Required Question