Firefighter- Paramedic and Firefighter- EMT

Cosumnes Community Services District (District) and the Cosumnes Fire Department (CFD) are seeking qualified persons for the position of Firefighter- Paramedic and Firefighter- EMT. Newly hired personnel will be classified as a Fire Recruit during the CFD Fire Academy and will be promoted to Firefighter at Step 1 upon graduation. 

To be considered for this position, candidates must be current on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List (SEL) and must complete an application and attach a current CPAT no later than Sunday, July 26, 2026. 

Candidates are required to be a California or National Registry Paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) by the time of application.

Salary Information:

The base salary range for the Firefighter classification is $7,774 - $10,575 monthly upon graduation from the Cosumnes Fire Academy. Fire Recruits are paid $40.77 per hour during the fire academy. 

Fire Recruits/Firefighter-Paramedics/ EMTs will be safety members in the California Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) with the appropriate pension formula in accordance with the 2012 Public Employees Pension Reform Act. Employees will be required to contribute at least 50% of the normal retirement costs from date of hire throughout the term of employment with the District. Health, vision and dental benefits will be provided.  The employee contribution toward the medical benefit is based on insurance provider selected.  Upon graduation from the academy, Firefighter-Paramedics and Firefighter-EMTs will also be eligible for educational incentives, EMT and paramedic incentives, longevity pay, and other benefits included in the contractual agreement between IAFF Local 522 (Sacramento Area Firefighters) and the District. Employment shall be governed by the policies of the District and the CFD. The probationary period for new Firefighter-Paramedics and Firefighter-EMTs is 12-months, including the time in the fire academy.

Please visit the website below to learn more about the requirements and application process for the Firefighter-Paramedic and Firefighter EMT positions. Also included are regular updates about opportunities to learn more about the CFD throughout the application period. 

CFD Fire Recruitment Website

The following duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statement on duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all the duties listed. Employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level as required.  

• Attends assigned training sessions both for classroom training and manipulative exercises and drills;
• Learns concepts of fire science and fire fighting methods, including safety practices;
• Studies and completes homework assignments;
• Takes periodic quizzes and examinations;
• Learns basic defensive driving techniques of fire apparatus;
• Learns equipment operation and maintenance procedures and practices;
• Learns to operate fire extinguishers, fog nozzles, and similar equipment used in extinguishing fires;
• Learns to raise, lower, and climb ladders;
• Learns salvage and overhaul operations;
• Learns basic emergency medical procedures;
• Learns the organization, chain of command, and rules and regulations of the Cosumnes Fire Department;
• Successfully participates in physical fitness training;
• Attends scheduled related training sessions or programs as required;
• Other related duties as assigned.

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities may be considered qualifying at the sole discretion of the District. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

Education: 

• Firefighters must obtain California State Fire Marshal Fire Fighter I certificate through successful completion of a Cosumnes CSD Fire Department fire academy. 
• All firefighters must qualify and apply for a Fire Fighter II Certification prior to completion of the probationary period and maintain it throughout employment.

Experience: 

• None  

Special Requirements: 

• Must obtain and maintain throughout employment a valid California Class "C" driver's license, with a Firefighter endorsement, with a driving record sufficient to be insurable through the District;
• Must be 18 years of age or older;
• Must pass a safety background investigation;
• A physical fitness examination is required every four (4) years pursuant to Department policy.  A fitness for duty exam may be required when appropriate. 

Additional Special Requirements: 

• Maintain licensure as a Paramedic and accreditation in Sacramento County as a Paramedic in good standing.
• EMT candidates are required to obtain and maintain licensure as a Paramedic and accreditation in Sacramento County as a Paramedic in good standing within 48 months of employment. Department assistance is available for this process. 

Ability to:

• Comprehend remember, interpret and apply written materials which may be of a complex and technical nature;
• Follow oral and written instructions;
• Communicate clearly both orally and in writing;
• Work and deal effectively and cooperatively with the public and to work as a member of an organized team;
• Use good judgment in emergency or critical situations;
• Remain calm and work effectively in stressful situations;
• Adapt to changes in work assignments and duties;
• Perform physical tasks that require coordination, strength, dexterity and stamina;
• Work at various heights, confined areas and low visibility conditions;
• Climb ladders and fences;
• Learn the use of specialized tools and equipment. 
• Mobility: Must be able to perform physically demanding work in temperatures as high as 400°F, and humidity up to 100% while wearing equipment which significantly impairs bodily cooling mechanisms; frequently works in wet, icy, or muddy conditions; frequently wears protective equipment that weighs in excess of 50 lbs while performing essential functions; must be able to operate in environments of high noise, poor visibility, and limited mobility at heights, or in enclosed or confined spaces;  frequent sitting at desk and in meetings for long periods of time; frequent reaching and twisting to reach equipment; frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, and squatting;
• Vision/Hearing/Talking: Regular reliance on sense of sight, hearing, smell and touch while on fire grounds to aid in assigned duties and maintain personal safety; color vision sufficient to perform assigned duties safely; visual acuity sufficient to drive vehicles, read blueprints, specifications, fine print and Video Display Terminals; hear well enough to identify mechanical noises, to converse on the radio, telephone, and in person over incident noise;
• Dexterity: Frequently performs a variety of tasks on slippery, hazardous surfaces, such as rooftops or ladders; must use manual and power tools; frequent repetitive motion;
• Emotional/Psychological: Frequently performs complex tasks during life threatening emergencies; frequently exposed to grotesque sights and smells associated with major trauma and burn victims; frequently works in areas where sustaining traumatic or thermal injuries are possible; frequently works for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense activity and intense concentration; occasionally must face life or death decisions during emergency conditions; must be able to make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods;
• Driving: Ability to use fine and gross motor coordination for driving;
• Potential Exposures: Frequently spends extensive time outside, exposed to the elements; frequently faces exposure to carcinogenic dust or toxic substances, either to inhalation or skin contact; frequently faces exposure to infectious agents, such as Hepatitis B or HIV;
• No person shall pose a direct threat to themselves, to the health and safety of other individuals in the work place, or to the public they serve. 

Typical Working Conditions 
Incumbents are typically assigned work both in an indoor and outdoor environment which may take place in various types of weather and temperatures. Work frequently takes place at indoor or outdoor locations and may involve exposure to hazardous and/or carcinogenic materials either through inhalation or skin contact as outlined above.

THE PROCESS:

Application Review (Pass/Fail): All applicants must complete and submit an application by the final filing deadline. Applications and the FCTC list will be reviewed for possession of minimum qualifications and evaluated according to the essential functions of the job and other needs of the position.

• Supplemental Questions: The supplemental questions are considered a part of the application process. All required questions must be completed before the application can be submitted. The supplemental questions will be used to evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of the applicant's education, training, and experience. Depending on the size of the applicant pool, the supplemental questions may be used as a part of the supplemental screening.
• Supplemental Screening: The district will review the responses to the supplemental questions of all candidates meeting the minimum qualifications. The most competitive candidates in the applicant pool will be selected to continue in the selection process.
• When writing job-related responses to supplemental questions in the supplemental questionnaire, please be succinct and brief in your answers.

Oral Panel Interview - All candidates who pass the application review will be invited to participate in an oral panel interview. The oral panel interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of 8/10/2026.

EMS Assessment - Candidates who pass the first interview panel may be invited to a EMS Assessment. The assessments are tentatively scheduled for the weeks of 8/24/2026 and 8/31/2026.

Sr. Chief Interviews - Candidates who pass the EMS Assessment may be invited to a Sr. Chief interview. The Sr. Chief interviews are tentatively scheduled for the weeks of 9/14/2026 and 9/21/2026.

Conditional Offer: Candidates selected from the process receive a conditional offer of employment contingent upon the successful completion of the following:

• Department of  Justice (DOJ) and FBI Background Check
• Background Investigation
• Psychological Exam
• Medical Exam

Work Eligibility: The District participates in E-Verify to confirm authorization to work in the US.

Failure to meet these pre-employment requirements will be grounds for withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment.

Probationary Period: A probationary period of one (1) year is the final phase of the selection process.

Benefits For Full-Time Employees: 

• Full-time employees receive generous medical, dental, life, disability, and vision benefits.
• The District participates in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). New members in the CalPERS system will receive a 2.7% at 57 retirement formula. Applicants who meet the CalPERS requirements for a "classic member" will receive a 3% at 50 retirement formula.
• All employees of the District participate in the Medicare portion of Social Security.
• Full-time employees receive generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave allowances.

RIGHT-TO-WORK VERIFICATION
Documentation verifying the candidate's legal right to work in the United States will be required and shall be presented upon hire.

ABOUT THE CSD
The Cosumnes Community Services District serves an estimated 221,000 south Sacramento County residents in a 157-square-mile area. Its award-winning parks and recreation services – including the operation of more than 100 parks – operate exclusively within the Elk Grove area of the District. The Cosumnes CSD provides fire protection and emergency medical services throughout the District, including the cities of Elk Grove and Galt and unincorporated areas of south Sacramento County.

Our Vision: 

Be an innovative, inclusive, and intentional regional leader committed to providing exceptional services that exceed expectations and enhance the quality of life of those we serve. 

Our Mission: 

The District is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of the residents, businesses, visitors, and employees within our diverse community by protecting lives, property, and the environment through superior fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire prevention, and special operations response; and by providing parks and recreation services through well-maintained parks and recreational opportunities for health, wellness, and social interactions.  

Our Values:

Safety & Mitigating Risk – We protect District employees, as well as mitigate risk and exposure of the District and the public. 

Financial Responsibility – We are an accountable, transparent, and stable Agency as we provide quality services through progressive innovations. 

High-Quality Workforce – We develop and train a high-quality workforce with an emphasis on professionalism, diversity, equity and inclusion, succession planning, competency, and organizational growth. 

Service to the Community –We deliver the highest levels of service to the residents, visitors, and businesses within the District. 

Diversity, Equity & Access – We ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of District work.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.
 
The District is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, gender, gender identity or gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, covered veteran/military status, marital status or any other status