What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fire Heavy Equipment Specialist I/II - Shift - Department Promotional position at Kern County?
Position Information
This is a Department Promotional Examination and is open only to eligible employees of the Kern County Fire Department who have permanent status in the classified service and received an overall rating of standard or better on the last employee performance report.
Examination Schedule
WRITTEN EXAM (Weight 30%): May include knowledge of operation and use of heavy motorized construction and maintenance equipment; methods, materials, tools and equipment used in servicing, maintenance, and repair of equipment and trucks; provisions of the California Vehicle Code as applies to operation of heavy motorized equipment; safety practices in use of equipment; modern fire prevention and suppression methods & emergency medical care; reading comprehension and general mathematics.
PERFORMANCE EXAM (Weight 70%): May include job related exercise.
Examination components for promotional testing will be administered during the scheduled date(s)/time(s)/location(s) without exception.
Salary: Level I $2,971.10 - $3,550.74; Level II $3,450.63 - $4,123.82; paid bi-weekly
Level I
Minimum Qualifications / Employment Standards:
High School Diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent and two (2) years of experience in operating heavy motorized equipment including bulldozers and heavy transport trucks, some of which shall have been in rugged terrain.
Additional Requirement: Level I
EMT certification is required prior to completion of the probationary period.
Level II
High School Diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent and three (3) years of experience in operating heavy motorized equipment including bulldozers and heavy transport trucks some of which shall have been in rugged terrain.
Additional requirement: Level II
EMT certification is required at the time of employment.
Additional requirements: Both Levels
Possession of a valid California Class A Driver's license.
As a condition of employment, the appointee shall not use tobacco products during his or her tenure with the Kern County Fire Department, either on or off duty.
Physical Examination: A rigid medical examination by the County Physician is required. Includes Spine and Chest XRays; Blood Chemistry and Electrocardiograph tests. Weight must be proportionate to height and age.
Vision: 20/50 uncorrected in each eye no color deficiency. No permanent or progressive eye abnormalities.
Hearing:No hearing deficiency.
Minimum Age:Applicants must have reached their 18th birthday by the application filing deadline.
Full job description for: Fire Heavy Equipment Specialist I / II
This position works within the Kern County Fire Department. For more information about the department, please view their website, here .
About Kern County
Kern County employees provide opportunities that are purposeful to our community. Every employee and every action contributes to the improvement and strengthening of our county.
To learn more about Kern County, click here or follow us:
Growth Mindset
We always encourage our employees to grow and develop. Kern County has a culture of innovation that allows employees to explore creative and more efficient ways to accomplish their work. We provide access to training and continued professional development in an effort to ensure that our employees have opportunities for career growth.
Additional Information
Admittance to the examination will require a valid government issued photograph identification. Applicants who are unable to present proper identification must make arrangements with the Human Resources Division prior to the test date.
A background check may be conducted for this classification.
Following an offer of employment, you may be required to submit to post offer medical and drug screening tests at County expense.
This examination will establish an eligible list from which appointments will be made in the Fire Department. Other permanent and temporary appointments will be made as needed. Successful candidates will remain on the eligible list for a period of twelve-months, unless specified otherwise by the Civil Service Commission.
For more information regarding Kern County's recruitment process, please see our FAQ page .
Kern County is an ADA compliant and an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.
This is a Department Promotional Examination and is open only to eligible employees of the Kern County Fire Department who have permanent status in the classified service and received an overall rating of standard or better on the last employee performance report.
Examination Schedule
- Written Exam: Qualifying candidates will be notified at least five days prior to the examination.
- Performance Exam: Qualifying candidates will be notified at least five days prior to the examination.
WRITTEN EXAM (Weight 30%): May include knowledge of operation and use of heavy motorized construction and maintenance equipment; methods, materials, tools and equipment used in servicing, maintenance, and repair of equipment and trucks; provisions of the California Vehicle Code as applies to operation of heavy motorized equipment; safety practices in use of equipment; modern fire prevention and suppression methods & emergency medical care; reading comprehension and general mathematics.
PERFORMANCE EXAM (Weight 70%): May include job related exercise.
Examination components for promotional testing will be administered during the scheduled date(s)/time(s)/location(s) without exception.
Salary: Level I $2,971.10 - $3,550.74; Level II $3,450.63 - $4,123.82; paid bi-weekly
Level I
Minimum Qualifications / Employment Standards:
High School Diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent and two (2) years of experience in operating heavy motorized equipment including bulldozers and heavy transport trucks, some of which shall have been in rugged terrain.
Additional Requirement: Level I
EMT certification is required prior to completion of the probationary period.
Level II
High School Diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent and three (3) years of experience in operating heavy motorized equipment including bulldozers and heavy transport trucks some of which shall have been in rugged terrain.
Additional requirement: Level II
EMT certification is required at the time of employment.
Additional requirements: Both Levels
Possession of a valid California Class A Driver's license.
As a condition of employment, the appointee shall not use tobacco products during his or her tenure with the Kern County Fire Department, either on or off duty.
- Applicants must attach a copy of their California Class A Driver's license to this application by the final filing deadline of March 24, 2026. If you are unable to attach your license, you may e-mail it to nacket@kerncounty.com
Physical Examination: A rigid medical examination by the County Physician is required. Includes Spine and Chest XRays; Blood Chemistry and Electrocardiograph tests. Weight must be proportionate to height and age.
Vision: 20/50 uncorrected in each eye no color deficiency. No permanent or progressive eye abnormalities.
Hearing:No hearing deficiency.
Minimum Age:Applicants must have reached their 18th birthday by the application filing deadline.
Full job description for: Fire Heavy Equipment Specialist I / II
This position works within the Kern County Fire Department. For more information about the department, please view their website, here .
About Kern County
Kern County employees provide opportunities that are purposeful to our community. Every employee and every action contributes to the improvement and strengthening of our county.
To learn more about Kern County, click here or follow us:
Growth Mindset
We always encourage our employees to grow and develop. Kern County has a culture of innovation that allows employees to explore creative and more efficient ways to accomplish their work. We provide access to training and continued professional development in an effort to ensure that our employees have opportunities for career growth.
Additional Information
Admittance to the examination will require a valid government issued photograph identification. Applicants who are unable to present proper identification must make arrangements with the Human Resources Division prior to the test date.
A background check may be conducted for this classification.
Following an offer of employment, you may be required to submit to post offer medical and drug screening tests at County expense.
This examination will establish an eligible list from which appointments will be made in the Fire Department. Other permanent and temporary appointments will be made as needed. Successful candidates will remain on the eligible list for a period of twelve-months, unless specified otherwise by the Civil Service Commission.
For more information regarding Kern County's recruitment process, please see our FAQ page .
Kern County is an ADA compliant and an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Salary : $2,971 - $3,551