Firefighter

ABOUT THE POSITION:
 

The City of Monterey Fire Department is currently recruiting Firefighters.  There is a particular departmental need for Paramedics; therefore, possession of an active Paramedic License valid in California  is highly desirable. Successful candidates will be required to complete training with the City of Monterey. Training will be tailored to experience. Lateral candidates may progress through certain components more quickly depending on demonstrated proficiency. Successful Paramedic candidates must also pass paramedic accreditation in Monterey County with the Monterey Fire Department and maintain that status for a period of at least five (5) years. 

The Fire Department is recruiting to fill five (5) vacancies at this time. Candidates who successfully complete all phases of this recruitment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list is active for 12 months and may be extended for an additional 12 months to be used in filling additional vacancies as they occur.

 

** Incentives for eligible employees include:

•  Paramedic Pay (10% of Firefighter Step 5 pay)
•  Education pay (up to 7.5%)
•  Bilingual pay (5%) 
• Company Officer Certification pay (2.5%)
• Consideration for a higher starting step based on experience (Laterals only)

**Effective July 1, 2026, there will be a 4% salary increase
For planning purposes, first-round interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of June 29, 2026. Final interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of July 13, 2026.

 

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: The Monterey Fire Department serves the City of Monterey, City of Pacific Grove, City of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Sand City as well as the Naval Postgraduate School, La Mesa Village and the Monterey Regional Airport. The department operates out of six stations strategically located to achieve the shortest response time to emergency calls. The Monterey Fire Department prides itself as being a customer service organization by providing excellent emergency services as well as additional public safety support through Fire Prevention, Public Education and Special Operations (Urban Search and Rescue, Marine Safety, and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting).

Highly Desirable Qualifications 

• Possession of an active paramedic license valid in California or National Registry EMT-P. The Paramedic License waives the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification requirement.
• Possession of a current Firefighter-I certificate or higher
• Successful completion of a Fire Academy through an accredited regional training program
• Lateral* Firefighter experience

*Lateral experience is defined as candidates with at least one continuous year (including probationary period) of full-time, paid experience within the last two years as a firefighter in any fire protection district, city, county, state or federal agency.

ABOUT THE CITY OF MONTEREY: Nestled along California's Central Coast, the City of Monterey is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, hospitality, and sense of community. The City of Monterey is a full-service charter city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City of Monterey is a full-service city that provides police, fire, public works, planning, recreation, and parks services and operates its conference center, sports center, parking, and marina facilities.

WHY WORK FOR US? The City of Monterey offers a competitive benefits package to full-time employees. Some of these benefits include a Health Spending Fund, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Vacation Accruals, Sick Leave,  Education Incentive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement Programs, CalPERS Retirement, and more!

Application Process
 

A limited number of applicants who clearly show that they most closely meet the needs of this position in terms of training, experience, education, and other job-related characteristics will be accepted to participate in the selection process. This process will include evaluation and initial screening of the standard on-line City application to determine which candidates progress to the next phase of the recruitment process. The subsequent selection process may include a written test/written exercise, performance exercise, panel interview, and a final departmental interview. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to make changes to components of the examination process.

As a condition of employment, the selected candidate will be required to successfully pass a Live Scan fingerprint background check and reference check. Depending on the position, as a condition of employment, the selected candidate may also be required to pass a physical exam including a drug screen and a federal background check to gain access to military and police facilities and systems. Positions that require work on a military installation will involve job duties performed on-site and therefore require passing a background check conducted by the Department of Defense (DoD).

Please note that ride-alongs and station visits will be permitted during the recruitment process on a limited basis. Candidates who are interested in scheduling are asked to contact the station ahead of time. Please refer to the website for station phone numbers: https://monterey.gov/your_city_hall/departments/fire/fire_stations.php

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: 
The City of Monterey provides outstanding services to the public and is deeply committed to a community and workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including underrepresented minorities that contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. The City of Monterey does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual’s status in any group of class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:  Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.  Additional education in Fire Science or related fields is desirable.
Experience: No prior experience required.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
 

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:

• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License upon time of appointment and be insurable with the City’s standard insurance rate, unless otherwise approved by appointing authority.
• Current Emergency Medical Technician certification valid in California is required.