About Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County
Welcome to Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County, where the ocean meets the mountains! Our District covers 55 square miles and we proudly serve the communities of Aptos, Capitola, La Selva, Live Oak, Rio Del Mar and Soquel in sunny, California. The resident population is approximately 90,000, with a seasonal influx during the summer. The beach is our backyard! On average, we respond to 8,000 requests for service annually, ranging from ocean rescues to wildfire suppression. As an All-Hazard District, Advanced Life Support Paramedics are staffed at each station. We have specialty teams where members are trained in specific areas such as Aquatic Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Technical Rescue, and Fire Investigation. We operate seven Fire Stations, an Administrative Office, Community Risk Reduction Division, Training Division, and Fleet Services Facility.
The Central Fire District recognizes its employees as its most valuable asset. The District is committed to hire, retain, train, and professionally develop its personnel with a focus on their overall health and well-being. We plan, manage, accomplish and enjoy our work with dedication, respect, teamwork and accountability.
Location
Description
The position of Firefighter, under direction, respond to fires, emergency medical incidents, rescue problems, hazardous materials spills and other emergencies to protect life and property; perform assigned service and maintenance of apparatus, equipment and stations; perform fire prevention, public education and public relations duties; perform community services and other duties that fall within the guidelines of the mission and goals of the department.
Recruitment Open Date: 3/21/2025
Close Date: 5/23/2025
*Preference Points awarded to qualified Veterans and their dependents
Minimum Requirements:
- Minimum age of 18 years at the time of appointment.
- High school diploma or GED.
- Provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
- Possession of a valid California driver’s license; ability to attain any specialized license to drive departmental apparatus within 6 months of request by the Fire Chief; ability to maintain required driver’s license requirements as established by the Fire Chief and pass an “insurability” check by the District’s insurance carrier.
- Copy of current Driving Record issued by CA DMV- available online.
- Possession of a valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.
- Ability to meet and maintain standards of physical conditions as prescribed in NFPA 1582-1992.
- Upon completion of probation period, possession of Hazardous Materials First Responder (Operations) and ICS 200 Certification, and State Driver/Operator 1A and 1B Certifications.
- Passing score of the the CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) completed between 3/21/2024 - 05/23/2025. Visit the CPAT website for more information.
- Passing score of the written exam from FCTC, completed between 3/21/2024 - 05/23/2025. Visit the FCTC website for more information.
OUT OF STATE APPLICANTS: You may apply with the agreement that if you are selected to be hired, you will obtain a California Driver's license before your first day of employment. On the application, upload a copy of your current State DL and DMV Driving Record. You are still required to take the CPAT and FCTC written exam.
Typical Duties:
- Responds to fire, medical, and other emergencies.
- Perform fire, rescue and hazardous materials evolutions and operate equipment necessary to deal with the emergency situation within the District standards and within the Firefighter 1 certification.
- Provide emergency medical treatment as an Emergency Medical Technician I and assist paramedics as requested.
- Perform fire prevention, pre-fire planning, public education, public relations efforts, and hydrant maintenance.
- Drives and operates all fire apparatus and, if qualified, the Districts’ aerial in a safe manner and with due regard for the welfare of the public and the District.
- Maintains familiarity of streets, topography, physical conditions, and other matters affecting response in the District.
- Maintains familiarity with the District policies, procedures, and programs.
- Maintains proficiency in basic firefighting and rescue techniques and participates in District training programs.
- Perform routine apparatus, equipment and station maintenance and cleaning.
Deadline to apply is 11:59 PM PST on May 23, 2025. For questions regarding the recruitment process, email our HR Division.
Paper applications are available on request, please call our Administration office: (831) 479-6842.
Central Fire District is an equal opportunity employer.
Ideal Candidate
Knowledge of:
- Written English language in order to complete records and reports.
- Spoken English language in order to communicate effectively in emergency situations.
- Basic mathematics and mechanical principles that demonstrate the ability to learn technical concepts, procedures, and equipment operation.
- Basic Life Support pre-hospital emergency medical care techniques, principles, and practices.
Ability to:
- Ability to work 48-hour shifts and work planned and unplanned backfill.
- Work extended hours beyond routine assignment in the event of a local, county, state, and/or federally declared emergency, disaster, and/or catastrophe; or the activation of the California Master Mutual Aid system as directed by the Governor’s office/Office of Emergency Services.
- Ability to work within the chain of command system, accept constructive criticism, react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
- Ability to effectively communicate and maintain positive working relationships with peers, superiors and other public safety personnel and members of the public in a professional and appropriate manner.
- Requires standing, stooping, kneeling, sitting, crouching, and walking for extended periods of time. Requires agility, balance, and stamina in responding to emergency situations that includes climbing, crawling, and walking in steep, slippery, and confined spaces, or similar adverse environments. Requires the ability to lift, carry, push, pull, grasp, and lift different sized objects, equipment and apparatus weighing up to 100 pounds during both routine and emergency situations. Requires the ability to lift, carry, push, pull, grasp, and lift trapped, injured, or deceased persons. Requires the ability to operate fire suppression equipment such as ladders, axes, chain saws, hoses and general maintenance equipment. Requires the ability to drive and operate emergency response vehicles. Requires the ability to effectively and efficiently evaluate emergency situations and determine the appropriate response; implement the appropriate incident action plan; to remain calm and decisive in chaotic and confusing situations. Requires the ability to visually inspect fire equipment and apparatus; to function in atmospheres where vision is impaired; to differentiate between colors to assist in determining proper course of action to mitigate emergencies. Requires normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; corrected hearing and vision to normal range.
Benefits
Benefits for the Firefighter position include:
- Paid Sick leave
- Paid Vacation time off
- Paid Education time off
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- CalPERS Retirement benefits
Special Instructions
When submitting this application, applicants must attach/upload:
- Copy of valid CA Driver's License
- Copy of current Driving Record issued by CA DMV- available online.
- Copy of valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) card or certification.
- Copy of Resume.
If you fail to upload any of these required documents, your application may be excluded from consideration.