Location
Description
Please review the minimum qualifications carefully prior to submitting your application to ensure you are applying to the appropriate recruitment. Applications submitted to the wrong job posting may not move forward in the selection process. *Apply to this position if you currently have 2 or more years of full-time experience as a firefighter and hold a paramedic license.
The Firefighter Candidate Testing Center’s (FCTC) Written Exam and Statewide Eligibility List (SEL) and will be used to screen applications. If you are not already on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List (SEL), please arrange to be on the list at www.fctconline.org/written-testing/. There is a $50 fee for the test. Candidates experiencing financial hardship may qualify for financial aid to pay for their FCTC testing fees at https://www.fctconline.org/financialaid/.
Interested in learning more about the Redwood City Fire Department: Attend the Open House on June 13, 2026, between 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Station 9, located at 755 Marshall St, Redwood City, CA 94063
Oral Board Interviews will take place in-person during the week of July 13th.
Paramedic Assessment will take place in person, the week of July 20th.
Chief Final Interviews will take place in person, the week August 10th
*These dates are confirmed
The Role:
The City of Redwood City is seeking Firefighter/Engineers who are licensed paramedics. Under direction of the Fire Captain, the Firefighter/Engineer will perform firefighting and fire prevention duties aimed at protecting life and property, operate and maintain firefighting equipment, and provide basic medical assistance. Firefighter/Engineers also provide Advanced Life Support first responder pre-hospital emergency medical care and emergency medical assistance, perform minor station maintenance, and participate in training to maintain skills. Please see the Firefighter/Engineer Paramedic job description for more details.
Required Qualifications:
Experience and Training Guidelines:
A typical way to demonstrate the applicant possesses the required knowledge and ability may be obtained through the following ways:
- Two years (2) of full-time firefighting service.
- Possession of a California State Fire Training Firefighter I certificate is required.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license.
- Must have a valid Paramedic License from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and will need to obtain San Mateo County Paramedic accreditation prior to completing probationary period.
Required Certification and License:
- Provide proof of a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certificate prior to appointment to the classification of Firefighter/Engineer. CPAT must be valid and completed within the last 12 months.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license. Driving record will be reviewed and any infractions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Benefits
Perks and Benefits:
- Pension membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) – New members join 2.7% at age 57; current members join 3% at age 55.
- Health Insurance for you and your family – Choose from a range of HMO, PPO and EPO options. The City pays up 90% of the Bay Area Kaiser family rate, $2,589.34
- Dental and Vision Insurance – The City pays 90% of the premiums for eligible employees and dependents.
- Employee Assistance Program – Obtain a range of supportive services, including free counseling.
- Generous Paid Time-Off (Based on a 56-Hour Week)
- Vacation leave – 120 to 280 hours per year, depending on years of service with the City; Lateral hires may qualify for vacation accrual rate equitable to years of service
- Sick leave – 288 hours per year; Lateral hires may qualify for sick leave transfer of up to 200 hours
- Total paid time off (categories above combined) – 408 to 568 hours
- Holiday In-Lieu Compensation – Employees receive 8.65% of base pay in lieu of any holiday benefits.
- Bereavement Leave – Eligible after 1 year of service for up to 2 scheduled shifts.
- Free Fitness Center Access at City Facilities
- Flexible Spending Account (Section 125) – Use pre-tax dollars to pay for health insurance premiums, dependent care, medical expenses and commuter expenses.
- Free Employee Parking
- Education Reimbursement Program of $750/fiscal year. $750 may be used for courses taken as a part of a degree program. Up to $750 may be used for job-related professional development classes outside of a degree program.
- Education Incentive Program – Employees who meet the requirements can receive up to 5% of their base pay.
- Life Insurance – The City pays the full cost of the Basic Life Insurance. Policies available equal to one and one-half times the employee’s annual salary, at a 60/40 premium split between the City and employee respectively.
- Long Term Disability Insurance – The City reimburses each employee $29.50/month for Long Term Disability Coverage.
- Uniform Allowance – $900/fiscal year.
- Retirement Health Savings Plan – Mandatory pre-tax contributions upon retirement funded by accrued sick leave, vacation, and non-FLSA compensatory leave payout.
- Learning and Development Program – The City fully supports professional development and offers a variety of classes and seminars for our team to continue to learn and grow.
- For more information regarding benefits, please refer to the MOU.
Special Instructions
Special Requirements - Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment:
- Must be eighteen (18) years of age;
- Vision Standards: Must pass a pre-employment medical exam according to the standards set by The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and freedom from color blindness;
- Hearing Standards: Must pass a pre-employment medical exam according to NFPA;
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, squat, stoop, reach, crawl, twist, climb, lift and carry in excess of 100 lbs.; pull and/or drag 175 lbs.; work in the following environments: cold, extreme heat, extreme noise, outdoors, confining work spaces, elevated areas; work with electrical hazards, vibration, chemicals, dust, toxic waste, mechanical hazards, and explosive materials; availability for shift work.
- This position shall serve a probationary period of eighteen (18) months.
- As a condition of employment, employees shall comply with mandated medical monitoring.
Please note:
- Updates about process details and application status will be provided via CalOpps as they become available. Individual status updates will not be provided; please do not inquire. Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation. Candidates with a Paramedic License are highly desirable and encouraged to apply.
- All certifications, licenses, training, and other relevant information must be clearly stated within the appropriate area(s) of the CalOpps application and added as attachments.
- For candidates who are IFSAC or PROBOARD certified, you may apply for California Firefighter 1 Certificate via reciprocity with the California State Fire Marshall. To learn more about the process, visit the website of the California Fire Marshall, or review the reciprocity application here.
- For Firefighter / Paramedic, incumbent must have a valid State of California Paramedic Certification / License and will need to obtain San Mateo County Paramedic accreditation prior to completing probationary period.
The Fine Print
• Applications will be reviewed and those who best meet the qualifications for the position may be invited to continue in the selection process. • Prior to appointment, candidates will be required to pass a background check (at no cost to the candidate) including criminal, DMV, DOJ fingerprinting, psychological evaluation, drug screening, and physical pre-employment. • Candidates with a disability which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or selection process should advise Human Resources prior to or upon submittal of application by contacting calopps@redwoodcity.org • Questions? Read hiring process FAQs, or reach out via email to calopps@redwoodcity.org • Provisions in this document may be modified or revoked without notice. • Redwood City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.