Firefighter Trainee - EMT & Firefighter Trainee - Paramedic

ACADEMY:

Firefighter Trainee - Paramedic and/or EMT - Starting Pay $81,312 Annual Base Salary. (During the Santa Barbara County Fire Recruit Academy.)

POST-ACADEMY:
Firefighter: Starting Pay $97,293 Annual Base Salary (Commences after Graduation from Academy). 

• EMT Allowance: 4% of Base Salary Annually (Commences after Graduation from Academy).
• Paramedic Allowance: Approx. $12,848 - 11% of "E" step of Firefighter Annually (Commences after Accreditation Period).  

We are accepting applications to fill vacancies in All Locations.  One employment list will be used to fill vacancies at all locations (separate employment lists for different locations will not be established).  Therefore, applicants must check "All Locations" on the application and be willing to accept assignment at any location.
 
Before submitting your application, please read the employment standards (qualifications) carefully and the remainder of the job bulletin.  If you do not meet the employment standards, we ask that you consider applying once you have met the required employment standards.  
 
About the County of Santa Barbara Fire Department:
Since 1926, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department has served and safeguarded the community from the impacts of fire, medical emergencies, environmental emergencies, and natural disasters through leadership, planning, education, prevention, code enforcement, and all-hazard emergency response. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department has a rich tradition and commitment to service excellence; we are well equipped, well trained, and experienced. We have excellent working relationships with other State fire agencies and maintain a reputation as leaders in the region. We have 294 employees, an annual operating budget of $120.9 million, and a capital budget of $3.3 million. Services are provided through 16 fire stations, air operations, heavy equipment, and three offices located throughout Santa Barbara County. We serve the cities of Buellton, Goleta, and Solvang, private lands, and County unincorporated areas. To learn more about our department, please visit: www.sbcfire.com.

THE POSITION:   Under immediate supervision, candidates will attend the Santa Barbara County Fire Department Firefighter Recruit Academy to receive instruction designed to qualify trainees for the classification of Firefighter; and in a non-safety capacity, to perform other duties as required.  Firefighter trainees should strive to continuously improve their skills in rescue services and emergency medical delivery and be able to adapt to, and implement, new techniques and procedures.
  
IDEAL CANDIDATE: 

1. Highly motivated; 
2. Follows directions; 
3. Cohesively works as part of a team; 
4. Dedicated to delivering excellent customer service; 
5. Works proficiently under pressure; 
6. Organized and efficient; 
7. Knowledge of basic emergency medical techniques;
8. Committed to safety and prepared to work in adverse conditions.

For more information about the Fire Department, please visit https://www.sbcfire.com/
  
OVERVIEW OF THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, FIREFIGHTER RECRUIT ACADEMY:  This is a trainee-level classification, and incumbents are expected to successfully complete the Firefighter Recruit Academy, receive the recommendation of the Fire Chief, and promote to Firefighter as a condition of continued employment. The Fire Academy will operate Monday through Friday and may include some weekend days and evenings. Trainees participate in a physical training program, followed by morning line up, inspection and briefing for the day of training. The training day includes both classroom time and field exercises conducted at various locations throughout the county. Field exercises are designed to simulate actual firefighting tasks including advancing hose lines, working with tools as a team and individually under extremely difficult conditions including: confined space, restricted visibility, wearing heavy clothing and breathing from a self-contained breathing apparatus. Trainees must raise and climb ladders and be comfortable working high above the ground. Trainees are expected to climb steep hills while wearing protective clothing and packs, carrying heavy tools and hoses in extreme environmental conditions including high temperatures, humidity, and smoke. All facets of fire service response are covered, including, but not limited to: structural and wildland firefighting, hazardous materials, high angle rope rescue, emergency driving, confined space and trench rescue and delivery of emergency medicine.

1. Attends the Firefighter Recruit Academy to obtain instruction in such topics as Structural and Wildland Firefighting, Emergency Medical Response, Hazardous Materials Response, Urban Search and Rescue, High Angle Rope Rescue, and related all-risk response duties.
2. Participates in rigorous physical fitness training.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS THESE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS (QUALIFICATIONS) ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THE RECRUITMENT, AUGUST 3, 2026. PLEASE ENSURE ALL LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS LISTED BELOW ARE CURRENT ON AUGUST 3, 2026. 

THESE DOCUMENTS MUST BE DOWNLOADED AND SUBMITTED TO FCTC (Firefighter Candidate Testing Center). WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU VERIFY RECEIPT OF YOUR DOCUMENTS AND CONFIRM WITH FCTC THAT YOU ARE REGISTERED ON THE FCTC STATEWIDE ELIGIBILITY LIST (SEL) PRIOR TO SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION.

1. Placement on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List (SEL): AND
   • Possession of a valid driver’s license 
   • High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) 
   • Possess a valid Cal-JAC CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) Card (must be valid on August 3, 2026) 
   • Receive a passing score of 70% or higher on the FCTC Written test (written test expires 12 months from date taken - test must be valid on August 3, 2026) 

Additional Qualifications:

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License at the time of appointment.
• A California Firefighter Endorsement is required within one year of appointment.

Applicants hired after December 26, 1988, shall be disqualified from further employment consideration if they use tobacco products in any form on or off duty.

Each Employment Standard listed above must be maintained until time of appointment.

PLEASE NOTE:  A National Registry EMT Certification (NREMT) does NOT meet the requirement of a CA-EMT certification.

Knowledge of:  Basic emergency medical techniques.
 
Ability to:  Learn the proper use of firefighting tools and equipment; understand and follow written and oral directions; effectively communicate verbally; work under a structured organization that will require emotional and physical stability under stress; work in an outdoor environment; and perform moderate and heavy physical activities for prolonged periods.

Desirable Qualifications:  

• Possession of a current EMT-P license is highly desirable.
• Fire suppression experience.
• Firefighter I Certification issued by the California State Board of Fire Services or graduation from a State of California Certified Fire Fighter I Academy.

To view upcoming Cal-JAC CPAT and FCTC Written Test dates, click here: (https://www.fctconline.org/testing-information/upcoming-test-schedule/).
Please visit www.fctconline.org/cpat/ for further information regarding the CPAT, written tests, and to learn about the examination process, requirements, study materials, and other testing information including fees. Costs associated with taking the examinations are the responsibility of the applicant.SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine applicants who meet the minimum employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Responses to the required supplemental questions will be evaluated and scored. Candidates’ final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the responses to these questions. Your responses on the Supplemental Questionnaire will be used for ranking placement on the employment list. 

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking Assessment to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the Supplemental Questionnaire Assessment, rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.
 
Selection Interviews: A select number of candidates from the eligibility list will be invited to participate in selection interviews. Selection Interviews will occur following the steps above. Selection interviews are tentatively scheduled to start the week of August 18, 2026.

The eligible list established for this position may be used to fill existing and future Firefighter Trainee-EMT and Firefighter Trainee-Paramedic positions. We anticipate our next academy will begin on January 4, 2027. The first day of employment will be January 4, 2027.
 
If you have application login problems or get an error message during the application process, please call Government Jobs (NeoGov helpline) for assistance: (888) 636-4681.
 
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE CREDIT: Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability. To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) attach a copy of your Form DD214 to your application at the time of application, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final supplemental questionnaire score.
 
Background Investigation: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidates will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks.  Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical examination and psychological exam.  

Appointees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period, to begin on the first day of employment. Post Academy, the appointee will start a one-year probationary period that must be satisfactorily completed.
 
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. 

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement -The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization. 

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, please CLICK HERE to visit our website. Additionally, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.  
 
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: August 3, 2026, at 4:59 PM PST; Postmarks are not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.  
 
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, YOU MAY EMAIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AT: firedghr@sbcfire.com

Salary : $81,035 - $96,961