Firefighter Trainee

The City of Pasadena is pleased to announce the recruitment for the position of:

• Firefighter Trainee (40 HRS): $35.48/Hour (during training tower)
• Firefighter (56 HRS): $76,070.76 - $121,841.57 Annually (upon graduation/12 Mo. probation)

THE DEPARTMENT
The mission of the Pasadena Fire Department is to provide protection of life, property, and the environment from the effects of fires, medical emergencies, and hazards. We engage the community in our mission through progressive community outreach.

The members of the Pasadena Fire Department take pride in our commitment to professional service by maintaining our skills, knowledge and abilities. All members of the Department will conduct themselves in an ethical manner conforming to a moral standard of right versus wrong by treating each other and the people we serve humanely, decently, and honestly.

Join a renowned Fire Department within a World-Class City with exposure to dynamic fire and rescue call responses, a challenging emergency medical services environment, the wildland urban interface, and Urban Search and Rescue opportunities; all within a diverse culture, community and workforce. We are looking for individuals who embody accountability, integrity, and flexibility. Apply today!

*TENTATIVE TEST SCHEDULE

• Panel/ Chief Interviews- Tentatively scheduled week of Week of July 6, 2026.*
• Biddle Testing- Tentatively scheduled for week of July 27, 2026.* 
  *Subject to change

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS OVERVIEW
The City of Pasadena Human Resources Department and the Pasadena Fire Department have collaborated with the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) to select the best individuals suited to become firefighters. Read the following information thoroughly and carefully. 
 

1. APPLICTION- You must submit an employment application to the City of Pasadena. The City of Pasadena application-filing period opens May 14, 2026, and closes May 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. All certificates or licenses must be submitted with your FCTC registration.  Hard copies will not be accepted by the City of Pasadena.
2. FCTC- 
   • Must be current on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List (SEL) on 05/28/26- by the closing date. (For more information on how to be placed on the FCTC SEL, visit https://www.fctconline.org/find-a-job/fctc-statewide-list/)
   • Cal-JAC CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) Card must be dated between 05/28/25 and 05/28/26. 
   • A passing score on the FCTC Written Test must be dated 05/28/25 and 05/28/26 (12 months from your application deadline). 

To view upcoming Cal-JAC CPAT and FCTC Written Test dates, click here (https://www.fctconline.org/candidates/upcoming-test-schedule/).

Candidates experiencing financial hardship may qualify for financial aid to pay for their FCTC testing fees. (https://www.fctconline.org/grants/) 

• You must possess a valid California issued EMT certification, a valid National Registry issued EMT certification or Paramedic license to be eligible for the FCTC SEL.  All certificates or licenses must be submitted with your FCTC registration.  Hard copies will not be accepted by the City of Pasadena. 
• FCTC provides study materials, a test prep course, and financial hardship grants to qualified individuals. 

1. STRUCTURED CHIEF INTERVIEWS- Top scoring applicants on SEL and those that meet the most desired qualifications may be invited to participate in structured Chief interviews with the City of Pasadena. 
2. BIDDLE: Top scoring candidates on structured Chief interviews may be invited to proceed to City paid Biddle test.  
3. ELIGIBILITY LIST- Candidates whose final score and qualifications best meet the Department’s needs will continue in the selection process.  If you receive a qualifying score, you will remain on the eligible list for one year.  
4. VETERANS PREFERENCE POINTS - Three points will be added to the final qualifying score for veterans who served at least one year of active military duty and submit documentary evidence of honorable discharge with their online application.
5. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION - Candidates will be required to undergo a thorough background and medical review including psychological screen and drug test.

Candidates who successfully complete all phases of this process may be appointed to the at-will position of Firefighter Trainee with the City of Pasadena, with the intention of being appointed as a Firefighter after successful completion of the Firefighter Academy.

The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the job description. A Firefighter Trainee is trained to perform the full range of fire safety activities, including:

• Lay hose; set up ladders; operate Fire Department equipment.
• Conduct rescue and salvage work. 
• Administer first aid and assist in medical incidents.
• Perform basic fire prevention and code enforcement duties, including life safety inspections.
• Perform support and maintenance activities such as servicing fire hydrants, fire equipment maintenance and repair, and station and grounds maintenance.
• Keep abreast of current firefighting methods and operations, city geography, and departmental policies and procedures.
• Conduct public education and information activities including assisting in the preparation and dissemination of informational materials and making public presentations.
• Perform vehicle and apparatus repair and maintenance.
• May operate fire apparatus and perform other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES 
The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position.

• Accountability members of the Pasadena Fire Department will be accountable to each other and the community we serve. We accept responsibility for our decisions and actions.
• Cooperation-Interpersonal Skills ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships in a community living environment and with the public.
• Flexibility Pasadena Fire Department members will adapt to the ever-changing needs of our community, the organization, and the environment.
• Integrity as members of the Pasadena Fire Department, we strive for honesty and fairness in our dealings with our customers and each other. We are honorable to our profession, and we inspire each other to maintain trustworthiness, openness, and sincerity.
• Physical Abilities possess the physical endurance and ability to perform a wide variety of strenuous fire suppression activities, ability to lift heavy loads, bend in all directions, climb ladders and poles, squeeze with arms and hands, pull and lower heavy loads, operate machinery using hands and legs, and work outdoors in all kinds of weather.
• Trainable ability to be trained instructed and supervised in all aspects of fire suppression, fire prevention, and emergency medical procedures.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
• Must be 18 years of age or older at the time of appointment.
• Possession of a valid Class C Driver's License.

• Applicants must possess a valid CAL-JAC CPAT card. 

• Applicants must be active on the FCTC SEL by May 28, 2026, and no earlier than May 28, 2025. (12 months from your application deadline).
• Applicants must submit an online employment application to the City of Pasadena by May 28, 2026. 
• Applicants must possess a California issued EMT certification or a current National Registry EMT certification or paramedic license. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possession of a California State Paramedic license or a National Registry paramedic certification eligible for California certification.
• Possession of Los Angeles County Paramedic Certification.
• Possession of an Associates of Arts or Associate of Science in Fire Science or above.
• Possession of a California State Fire Fighter I certificate. 
• Preference will be given to Pasadena residents. Proof of residency (valid California driver’s license or identification card or copy of utility bill) will be required at the time of applying and will also be verified at the time of appointment.
• Preference will be given to applicants involved in Pasadena Fire Department Programs: Pasadena Fire Explorers, Pasadena EMS Reserves, Pasadena Paramedic Internship, or Pasadena Fire Department Local Fire Academy Sponsorship.

Special Requirements

• Candidates must be non-smoker and remain a non-smoker for the duration of employment.
• Paramedic certified candidates must maintain paramedic certification for the duration of employment.
• New hires may be required to obtain a state of California Paramedic training and certification.
• Out-of-state candidates must apply for a state of California Driver's License when the conditional offer of employment is made.
• The Firefighter Trainee is an FLSA Non-exempt and At-Will classification.

Visit www.FCTConline.org for information about how to be placed on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List, how to register for CPAT, and the written tests. Information and study materials can be found on the website along with information about financial hardship grants and testing fees.