Firefighter

CITY OF PORTERVILLE
INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR

FIREFIGHTER (Entry Level and Lateral)

SALARY: $5,115 - $6,424/month

DEFINITION: Under general supervision, responds to life and property protection emergencies

including fire, medical, vehicular accident, hazardous materials incidents, rescue
efforts and other emergency calls; participates in fire suppression and prevention,
station and equipment maintenance, and training activities; and performs related
duties as required.

SPECIAL
REQUIREMENTS: All candidates must possess and maintain a valid Class “C” California Driver’s

License AND a current EMT Certification Card at time of appointment and
throughout employment.

All full-time Fire Department personnel must reside within Tulare, Kern, Kings and
Fresno counties. (Newly appointed personnel must abide by the department order
within four months after appointment as part of their conditional offer.)

All candidates must pass the department’s physical agility test, which will be
provided during the testing process.

QUALIFICATIONS: Education and/or Experience:
Eligible applicants must be certified by the California State Board of Fire Services
as a Firefighter I or have successfully completed an approved Firefighter I
Academy and be eligible for a Firefighter I Certification at the time of
appointment.

Knowledge of:
Basic fire behavior and suppression techniques; universal fire vocabulary and
expressive techniques; emergency medical care and basic life support techniques;
basic mechanical and building construction maintenance principles; universal safety
precautions when providing medical attention; safety inspection procedures; and the
proper handling and disposal of toxic/hazardous materials.

Ability to:
Operate all fire, emergency and telecommunication equipment and apparatus; put
on and work in safety gear and equipment; administer medical care and life support
procedures; identify and solve problems; think and act quickly in emergency
situations; communicate effectively with individuals of all ages, in various emotional
states, from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and in a variety of mental
conditions; rapidly shift among communication styles to control situations involving
irate and emotionally distraught persons; communicate in person and by any form of
communication device; understand and follow directions; retain sense of direction in
total darkness, respond and make decisions under stress; recall and record
observations and actions taken; comprehend reading materials; use a computer to
enter and retrieve information; and establish and maintain effective working

relationships with superiors, peers, subordinates, and the general public.

REPRESENTATIVE
DUTIES:

1. Responds to fire emergencies; operates various firefighting, control and rescue equipment;
performs fire ground operations; and responds to and participates in emergency situations
involving toxic/hazardous materials.

2. Renders emergency medical aid and CPR to the sick and injured in fire and other emergency
situations.

3. Inspects, cleans and services firefighting equipment and apparatus; maintains clean and orderly
conditions in and about the fire station; and tests and maintains hydrant systems.

4. Attend and participates in training activities, practice drills and physical fitness programs.

5. Conducts inspections of public and commercial buildings for fire prevention, target hazard
identification and review and fire code enforcement.

6. Assists with programs such as weed abatement, arson investigation, public information
programs, staff development, pre-fire planning, and maintaining pertinent maps, assists in
various City operations by performing assigned tasks.

7. Participates in public education programs; makes presentations to schools, service clubs or
other public gatherings on fire and burn prevention; represent the department at public functions
to promote fire and burn prevention by the general public.

SELECTION
PROCESS: Screening will consist of a competitive assessment of relevant education,

certification, training and work experience to be followed by a physical agility test
which will rank the physical fitness of candidates and the top candidates will
advance to an interview before an Oral Board. Applicants will receive electronic
notification regarding the results of the recruitment process up to the establishment
of the Eligibility List, if applicable. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications
are not guaranteed advancement, and the decision of the screening committee
is final. Those candidates who are determined eligible for appointment to the
position will be placed on the City’s Certified Eligibility List. The City reserves the
right to alter the testing process, as needed, without notice.

TO APPLY: Apply online at governmentjobs.com/careers/porterville. Applications must be

received by 4pm, Friday, April 24, 2026.

SPECIAL
CONDITION: Prospective employees will be required to undergo a thorough background

investigation which will include a medical, psychological and drug/alcohol
screening.

The City of Porterville is an equal opportunity employer (EEO) and is compliant with
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you believe you need accommodation
under the ADA in the testing process for any position for which you intend to apply,
please contact the Human Resources Division at (559) 782-7441 to request such
accommodation. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color,

religion, creed, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability or medical condition,
Acquired Immune Deficiency (AIDS/HIV) or AIDS related conditions, political
affiliation, sexual orientation, ancestry, marital or domestic partner status, gender
identity, parental status, veteran status, height, weight, or any other basis protected
by law.

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