Are you ready to begin a rewarding and challenging career where every day brings the chance to make a difference? The City of Lincoln is now accepting applications for the Firefighter classification!
We welcome both experienced firefighters and entry-level candidates eager to serve and protect our community. As a Firefighter, you’ll join a dedicated team that responds to emergencies, provides life-saving assistance, and ensures the safety of Lincoln’s residents. If you have a passion for service, teamwork, and making a real impact, now is the time to apply!
Firefighters are expected to uphold the City and Department’s mission, values, and goals while performing skilled emergency service work. This includes responding to emergency and non-emergency calls, fire suppression, emergency medical care, hazardous materials response, public assistance, as well as participating in station, apparatus, and equipment maintenance, training, and other related duties.
This classification is represented by the Lincoln Professional Firefighters Association, Local 522, and carries an 18-month probationary period.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The ability to work effectively under supervision and within a team structure is a significant element of the position. Effective communication skills are needed work safely and be successful in the position. The Firefighter should be self-motivated, able to complete work assigned in an effective, efficient, and safe manner, and be able to exercise independent judgment. The capability of performing duties during various emergency operations is essential. Firefighters must be able work for extended periods of time at emergency incidents that may involve physical exertion often under adverse environmental conditions.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Supervision is received from a Fire Captain. Work is inspected in process and upon completion. A Firefighter is responsible for their personal actions and conduct. Evaluations are provided on a regular schedule and are based on individual performance as well as their interactions with other Company and Department members.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Include but are not limited to the following:
- Be an advocate for the mission statement, core values, and goals of the City of Lincoln and the Lincoln Fire Department.
- Communicates and establishes positive working relationships with the general public in order to deliver service of all types including emergency response, business inspections, participating in school programs, answering questions, and assessing customer needs.
- Completes tasks as assigned.
- Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service as a member of a fire company.
- Assisting in the fire suppression activities including operating electric generators, ventilation fans, deploying and connecting hose lines; holding nozzles and directing water streams; raising and climbing ladders; using portable fire extinguishers, axes, bars, hooks, ropes, power-driven tools, and other equipment; use of salvage covers to prevent water damage; overhauling and cleaning up after a fire.
- Operate fire department vehicles and apparatus.
- Donning and working in personal protective equipment including self contained breathing apparatus.
- Upon return to the fire station, clean, service, and ensures apparatus and equipment are available for emergency response.
- Administer first aid and operate various emergency medical devices.
- Perform rescue operations of persons in life and non-life threatening situations.
- Proper use of fire department communication equipment.
- Cleans and maintains station quarters and grounds; performs first-line preventive maintenance on apparatus; cleans, maintains and tests equipment.
- Participates in fire drills and training exercises.
- Become familiar with City streets, fire hydrants, building occupancies and contents.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Position requires: sitting, twisting and reaching for equipment; perform various tasks that require standing, walking, bending, stooping, squatting, climbing, kneeling, simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; wear appropriate personal protective equipment; perform physical activities of a strenuous nature; see and hear with sufficient acuity; may lift heavy objects, especially when responding to or operating at emergency situations or incidents.
The work environments described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Positions requires: working indoors and outdoors; traveling in a vehicle to emergency situations or other calls for service at anytime of day; may be exposed to atmospheres that may be immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) including dust, noise, smoke, fumes, gases, oil, grease, constant equipment vibration, machinery with moving parts, moving objects and other vehicles, wet and slippery surfaces; working unusual and prolonged schedules during emergencies in all weather conditions including extreme temperatures.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The following are minimal qualifications necessary for entry into the classification:
Age
- Must be at least 18 years of age
Education
- High School Diploma or equivalent. Fire Science Certificate from a regionally accredited college or university is highly desirable.
Experience
- The knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for a Firefighter can be obtained by any combination of the following: successful work experience history involving significant public contact with customer service responsibilities, course work in fire science, experience as a paid or volunteer Firefighter, or successful completion of a Fire Training Academy.
License/Certificate
- If no prior firefighting experience is possessed, applicants must be current on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List (SEL) as of 09/26/2025.
- A passing score on the FCTC Written Test must be dated between 09/26/2024 and 09/26/2025.
- Cal-JAC CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) Card must be dated within 24 months of date of hire.
- Possession of a current Emergency Medical Technician I (EMT-I) Certificate.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C operator’s license with Firefighter Endorsement.
- Within 18 months from date of hire, must obtain a Firefighter I & II certificate recognized by the California State Fire Marshal's Office.
- Possession of a current Paramedic Certificate or current enrollment in a Paramedic program is highly desirable.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES
The following are a representative sample of the KSAs necessary to perform essential duties of the position:
Knowledge of: Modern firefighting methods and fire prevention practices; operation and care of fire apparatus; use and care of fire equipment, tools, devices, and facilities; emergency medical aid procedures; and the Uniform Fire Code and the procedures involved in fire prevention inspections.
Ability to: Administer medical aid; work in confined spaces; work at heights greater than ten feet; work independently and as part of a team; observe safety principles and work in a safe manner; learn the operation of motorized firefighting equipment; learn a variety of methods and tasks related to firefighting and fire prevention; function effectively at emergency incidents; engage in moderate to strenuous physical activity and work long hours during emergency situations; participate in training drills; maintain physical fitness; learn the street system and physical layout of Lincoln; understand and follow oral and written instructions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, coworkers, supervisors, and the general public; operate communications equipment; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Skill to: Safely operate fire apparatus; safely operate fire equipment and tools; operate an office computer and a variety of word processing and software applications; demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
The process may include a Firefighter Assessment, individual interview(s), panel interview(s) and/or other related components. Only those candidates who have the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will continue in the selection process. The candidate selected for the position will be required to complete a full background check, fingerprint check, medical exam, drug-screening and/or other related components.
** Please Note: Assessments/Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of October 27, 2025. **
Human Resources will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources of any special needs a minimum of five days in advance of the selection process exam by calling (916) 434-3229 or emailing hr@lincolnca.gov. The City of Lincoln is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The information contained herein is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
