Firefighter/Paramedic

The Position

The City of Santa Cruz Fire Department is now accepting application for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic.

The Santa Cruz Fire Department has been in service since 1894 and now includes four fire stations and one lifeguard headquarters. Our staff includes firefighter/paramedics, engineers, captains, battalion chiefs, fire prevention staff, training staff, administrative staff, and seasonal lifeguards. The downtown station was built in 1940 and is still in use today. The Department continuously strives to improve the services provided to the citizens and visitors of Santa Cruz, and looks forward to another century of community wide, all risk protection services provided by our highly motivated and professional firefighters.

• On Thursday, 04/02/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm with all required documentation attached to the application.

• Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process. Applications must include responses to the supplemental questions as well as the below required documents listed below. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
• Response to supplemental questions - will be a tool in the evaluation of your qualifications.
• REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION: Current CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) card. Issue date must be within one year of recruitment opening date, March 1, 2025 or later, and must be valid. Please go to http://www.cffjac.org/go/jac/cpat/ for schedule and registration information.
• REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION: A three-year DMV driving record printout (obtained within 30 days prior to recruitment closing date) scanned and attached to online application. Official printouts are issued by a Department of Motor Vehicles office or unofficial DMV printouts obtained online will be accepted. Request Your Driver's Record - California DMV
• Candidates that currently possess a California Paramedic License should provide proof with their application. Candidates who do not yet currently possess a California Paramedic license may qualify as below.
  • Not required at time of application, will be required at start and end of Fire Academy:
  • Candidates will be required to have proof of passing the National Registry Paramedic Exam by the start of the Fire Academy as noted above.
  • Candidates will be required to provide a valid California Paramedic license by the end of Fire Academy, after graduation.

• Week of 04/06 and 04/13/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Applicants will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 04/17/26.

• Week of 04/27, 05/04, and/or 05/11/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for qualified candidates. Interviews will be held in person at Santa Cruz Fire Administration, 230 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Qualified candidates invited to interview will be notified of the interview date and time at least one week prior to interview.

Typical Duties

Minimum Qualifications

• Basic mathematics and mechanical principles, which demonstrate the ability to learn technical concepts, procedures, and equipment operation.
• Basic human anatomy and physiology.
• Delivery of emergency medical services for both Basic and Advanced Life Support (BLS/ALS) care.

• Learn technical concepts, procedures, and the operation of equipment utilized in firefighting, fire prevention and education, including:
  • Modern principles and practices of fire department administration, fire-fighting procedures, techniques and equipment.
  • Local, state and national safety codes, ordinances and laws, including OSHA regulations.
  • Building materials and construction.
  • Principles of combustion and extinguishment.
  • High quality customer service methodology and principles.
  • Hazards and generally accepted safety standards.
  • City ordinances and administrative rules and regulations affecting departmental operations and personnel matters.
  • General City operations.
• Maintain physical health, strength, and agility to meet the physical demands of fire work as determined by a pre-employment physical agility test and medical examination.
• Use manual and/or power tools safely and effectively to perform essential duties.
• Assess situations quickly and adopt effective courses of action.
• Work effectively as a member of a team.
• Follow both verbal and written instructions.
• Read, comprehend, retain, and apply a large number of technical procedures, policies, codes and orders.
• Work under physically demanding conditions and in potentially hazardous or stressful situations.
• Tactfully and effectively interact with all people regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, age, or economic status.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Maintain a level of performance consistent with the standards of the department.

• Possession at time of application of the following:
  • Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license.
  • CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) – issued within one year prior of the recruitment open date.
• Possession by the start of the Fire Academy:
  • Candidates must have proof of passing the National Registry Paramedic Exam.
• Possession by the end of the Fire Academy:
  • Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Paramedic License (must be maintained throughout employment).
• As a condition of continued employment incumbent must obtain and maintain the following:
  • Current ACLS certificate or local agency equivalent (such as Santa Cruz County Resuscitation Course).
  • Current PALS certificate or local agency equivalent (such as Santa Cruz County Resuscitation Course).
  • Current CPR certificate.
  • Firefighter Endorsement for California Class C driver’s license.
  • Hazardous Materials First Responder certification (FRO) by completion of probation.
  • Confined Space Awareness certification by completion of probation.
  • S-130 certification (Firefighter Training) by completion of probation.
  • S-190 certification (Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior) by completion of probation.

• At least 18 years of age.
• Willingness to work a 24-hour continuous shift and to be subject to recall during emergencies.

• Bilingual ability to speak both English and Spanish.
• Firefighter 1 certificate.
• One year or more of full time Paramedic experience.
• One year or more of full time Firefighter experience.
• AA/AS degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Ability to swim 1000 yards in less than 20 minutes in the ocean.
• Graduate of a CA State Fire Marshal accredited Fire Academy.

Career Ladder