Firefighter/Paramedic (Entry-Level)

Description

With a FY2025/26 budget of $7.2 million and 23.5 full-time equivalent positions, the Department’s primary divisions include Administration, Fire Prevention, Fire Emergency Operations, and Emergency Medical Services. The Department responds to a variety of emergency and non-emergency calls for service. Emergency responses include fire suppression, emergency medical incidents, hazardous materials threats, and various technical and water rescue incidents. Emergency Medical Services is responsible for ambulance transport, First-Responder ALS units, quality assurance and clinical education.

The Department works the 48/96 schedule and in 2025 responded to 21,31 incidents from a single station. As part of the Alameda County and the State of California Mutual Aid Plan, the Department also works closely with surrounding agencies.

Examples of Duties

For a full job description, click here Firefighter/Paramedic.

The ideal candidate exemplifies a team-oriented approach, manages challenges with composure, and actively engages in and values community involvement.

Responds to fire, medical, rescue, and hazardous materials incidents to protect life, property, and the environment; suppresses and controls emergencies to limit damage and reduce injury or loss of life and responds to non-emergency service calls as needed.

Assists in all phases of fire suppression by deploying hoses, setting ladders, ventilating and entering structures to extinguish fires and rescue victims, and operating pneumatic and auxiliary equipment such as generators and pumps.

Assists with the inspection of vehicles, equipment, and apparatus to ensure proper operation; assists with annual testing; performs routine and minor maintenance and repairs; identifies needs for major repairs; maintains maintenance records; and cleans and reloads equipment, tools, and apparatus following fire or emergency responses.

Participates in public relations, fire and safety education, and fire prevention activities, including station tours, school programs, group events, fire drills, courtesy visits, and responding to phone inquiries.

Assists in the investigation of fire scenes to determine causes; preserves evidence and provides observations to investigators.

Maintains relevant skills, certifications, and familiarity with equipment and procedures through drills, training, and classes in fire suppression, prevention, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, technical rescue, extrication, physical fitness, and related areas.

Performs general maintenance of fire station facilities and equipment, including installation, upkeep, and repair of electrical, electronic, and communication systems, and maintains clean living quarters, and other station areas.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a High School diploma or GED equivalency
• Possession of a Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) that is valid (within one year) at the time of application
• Be a current full-time firefighter/paramedic with at least six months of experience working as a paramedic in a 911 transporting agency is required at time of application
• Possession of a California State Fire Marshal Firefighter I Certificate is preferred
• Other candidates with a certificate of completion from a Firefighter I Academy from an accredited California State Fire Training may be considered

• Possession of a valid California Paramedic license
• Possession of a valid ACLS certification
• Possession of a valid PALS or PEPP certification
• Possession of a valid PHTLS or ITLS certification
• Possession of a valid BLS for Healthcare Provider certification
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License with a DMV Firefighter Endorsement

• Positions in this classification must be free of felony convictions and successfully pass a department pre-employment screening process which include, psychological evaluation, medical examination, and full background investigation.
• Positions in this classification must work nights, weekends, holidays, and on a various shift configuration that will include 48-hour tours of duty.
• Positions are subject to mandatory call back at any time.

Selection Process

All completed applications will be reviewed. Based on the information in the application documents, the most qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.

1. Application

• California State Fire Marshal Firefighter I certification is preferred OR
• Firefighter I academy certificate accredited by California State Fire Training
• California Paramedic license
• ACLS certification
• PALS or PEPP certification
• PHTLS or ITLS certification
• BLS for Healthcare Provider certification
• Valid California Driver's License with DMV Firefighter Endorsement

Salary

• $120,286 - $161,229 (including 11.5% Paramedic Pay)*
• Salary is effective July 2026.

Holiday Pay: In lieu of having time off for holidays, employees receive additional special compensation at a rate of seven [7] hours of straight-time pay each pay period for 13 observed holidays.

Longevity Pay: 2.5% - 10% of base pay. Eligibility for Longevity Pay starts at 9 years of City service time.

In addition to salary, Albany offers an attractive benefits package, including:

Retirement: The City participates in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) with a 3% at 55 formula, three-year average final compensation, with employees contributing 13% for Classic members, and 2.7% at 57 formula, three-year average final compensation, with employee contributing 14.75% for new PEPRA members.

Deferred Compensation: Voluntary 457 Pre-Tax & After Tax plans available for employees.

Retiree Health Savings Plan: Employee only contributions based on years of service.

Medical Plan: The City offers a choice of HMO, PPO, or EPO plans, along with a generous premium contribution of up to $3,039.04 for family coverage. The city pays 100% of the Kaiser plan.

In-Lieu Medical Alternative Benefit: With proof of insurance, eligible Employees will be credited with Elected Paid Leave. Unused accrued hours will be cashed out quarterly up to $3,506.58.

Dental: City paid. In addition, City will reimburse 60% of Ortho-related medical expenses up to $1,500 per qualifying dependent per lifetime.

Vision: City offers plans with employee premium rates ranging from $12.88 for Employee Only to $36.34 for Family coverage.

Medicare: Employee contributes 1.45% with employer match.

Leaves

• Vacation Leave: 5.54 hours per pay period increasing with years of service.
• Sick Leave:6.92 hours per pay period. Up to 2,000 hours of unused sick leave can be converted to PERS service credit upon retirement.
• Bereavement Leave: Up to 7 calendar days with pay.

Life Insurance: City pays the premium for a $50,000 term policy. Supplemental voluntary life insurance is available at the employee’s cost.

Flexible Spending Plan: Set aside pre-tax funds for dependent care and out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.

Education Reimbursement: Up to $2,000 per fiscal year.

Uniform Allowance: $38.46 per pay period. In addition, City will reimburse employees for the cost of repairs to uniforms damaged in the line of duty

For more information, visit our salary & benefits or bargaining unit agreements page.