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Fire Recruit (Paramedic)

City of Sacramento
2 days ago
Temporary
On-site
Sacramento, California, United States

THE POSITION

 THIS POSITION IS FOR FIRE RECRUIT (PARAMEDIC)

THIS JOB POSTING WILL AUTOMATICALLY CLOSE UPON THE RECEIPT OF 250 APPLICATIONS

OR

AT THE FINAL FILING DEADLINE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.

This recruitment is only open to candidates who reside in California.

To be considered eligible for this challenging and rewarding career opportunity, you MUST be on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List (SEL) as of July 20, 2026. Sacramento Fire Department is hiring directly off the FCTC SEL. PLEASE ENSURE YOUR FCTC PROFILE IS UP TO DATE. For questions regarding the FCTC SEL, please visit www.fctconline.org or call 1-877-648-2728.
 
YOU MUST UPLOAD COPIES OF THESE CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES TO YOUR FCTC PROFILE. The City of Sacramento will be receiving FCTC's Statewide Eligibility List, which will have confirmation of the following candidate information:

  • Age- Must be 21 or older by the completion of Academy (See Recruitment Timeline)
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Possession of a valid Driver License
  • Possession of a valid CPAT Certificate, issued within the past twelve months from July 20, 2026
  • Received a passing score (70% or above) on the FCTC Written test within the past twelve months from July 20, 2026
  • Possession of a valid California or National Registry Paramedic License

The California Fire Foundation, in partnership with the FCTC, awards financial hardship grants to qualified applicants to cover all FCTC/CPAT testing fees. For more info, please visit https://www.fctconline.org/financialaid/

Please Note: 
-A candidate must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check, fingerprinting, psychological test, credit check, and a drug use history, to be considered for this position.

-Candidates hired as a Fire Recruit must successfully complete the Sacramento Fire Department’s (SFD) Fire Academy. Upon satisfactory graduation from the SFD Fire Academy, a Fire Recruit meeting the requirements of the Firefighter classification shall be advanced to the career classification of Firefighter. For more information regarding the Firefighter classification, salary, and benefits please visit the following links:

 

Firefighter Classification Specification & Salary: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/saccity/classspecs/33479

 

L522 Benefits Summary

https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/Divisions/Benefits/benefitsummaries/benefitsummary_522.pdf


Fire Recruit is a training-level classification that exists solely for those who are completing their initial Sacramento Fire Department Training in the Sacramento Regional Fire Academy. Fire Recruits undergo a formal training program that meets the California State Firefighter 1 curriculum standard. Academy instruction includes basic training in firefighting methods, equipment operations, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and physical fitness. Successful completion of this Academy is required, even if similar training has been achieved elsewhere. Failure to complete the Academy successfully will be cause for release from City employment. Upon completing the training requirements and graduation from the Academy, a Fire Recruit is eligible for probationary appointment to Firefighter (EMT or Paramedic).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Fire Recruit is a non-career developmental classification used to recruit and prepare qualified candidates for advancement to the journey-level classification of Firefighter (EMT or Paramedic). Incumbents in this class undergo a formal training program in the Sacramento Regional Fire Academy, where they receive their California Firefighter 1 certification upon completion. Under close supervision, the Fire Recruit must gain an understanding of lifesaving and firefighting methods through intensive academic instruction and specialized training. Classroom academics, hands-on training, and daily physical fitness training will be required.

Upon satisfactory completion of the training and graduation from the Academy, a Fire Recruit is eligible for a 12-month probationary appointment to the career classification of Firefighter (EMT or Paramedic).
 
Fire Recruit is distinguished from the Firefighter (EMT or Paramedic) in that the former is a recruiting and training level classification, and incumbents do not perform emergency duties outside of closely supervised training drills. Firefighter (EMT or Paramedic) is a journey-level classification, and incumbents are expected to perform the full range of responsibilities of a Firefighter (EMT or Paramedic).

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Immediate supervision is provided by higher level Fire and Civilian personnel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
 

  • Attend assigned training sessions for both classroom training and manipulative exercises and drills.
  • Learn concepts of fire science and firefighting methods, including safety practices.
  • Studies and completes homework assignments.
  • Takes periodic quizzes, tests, examinations, and evaluations.
  • Learn basic defensive driving techniques and emergency vehicle operations of fire apparatus.
  • Learn equipment operation and maintenance procedures and practices.
  • Learn to operate fire extinguishers, hose lines, nozzles, and similar equipment used in extinguishing fires.
  • Learn to raise, lower, and climb ladders.
  • Learn salvage and overhaul operations.
  • Learn basic emergency medical procedures.
  • Learn the organization, chain of command, polices & procedures, and the rules and regulations of the Sacramento Fire Department.
  • Successfully participate in and practice physical fitness training.
  • Learn other related courses or programs as required.
  • Other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION 
 
High school diploma or GED equivalent 
 
EXPERIENCE 
None
The following are desirable: 

  • Possession of California State Fire Marshal approved Firefighter I Certification.
  • Current service in the Sacramento Fire Department Reserve program.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
 
Active Status on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) State Eligibility List
For more information, please visit: www.fctconline.org

FCTC Written Test: 
Passing score must be obtained within the past twelve months from the final filing date.
 
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Certificate: 
Possession of a CPAT Certificate issued within the past twelve months from the final filing date.
 
Age:
Must be at least 21 years of age by completion of the Academy.
 
Driver License:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Loss of license is cause for discipline. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Successful completion of Phase I Emergency Vehicle Operation Course (EVOC) training is required by the completion of the Academy. (Phase I EVOC training for a firefighter endorsement is provided during the Academy.)

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification/Paramedic License:
Possession of a valid California or National Registry EMT Certificate is required for EMT assignments; EMT certification must have Sacramento County Emergency Medical Service Agency (SCEMSA) endorsement by completion of the Academy.
 
Possession of a valid California or National Registry Paramedic License is required for paramedic assignments; Paramedic Licenses must have SCEMSA accreditation by the completion of the academy. 
 
For more information, please visit: https://dhs.saccounty.net/PRI/EMS/Pages/EMS-Home.aspx 
Assistance with SCEMSA endorsement or accreditation sponsorship is provided by the Sacramento Fire Department.

Medical Examination / Drug Test:
If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a medical examination and a drug test.
 
Employment Eligibility:
Documentation verifying the candidate's eligibility for employment in the United States will be required and shall be presented upon hire. This includes citizens and noncitizens.

Background:
If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, psychological test, credit check, and drug use history.
 
Respiratory Protective Equipment:
Work in this classification requires wearing respiratory equipment at times. When assigned to such work, facial hair must be shaven when it interferes with the safe fitting of respiratory protective equipment.
  
Other Requirements:
Successful candidates must adhere to the established City of Sacramento Smoke-Free Workplace policy.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT TIMELINE

The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.


Fire Recruit Application Process Opens:
July 6, 2026
Deadline for Filing:
July 20, 2026
Review of Minimum Qualifications:
July 27, 2026
Interview:
Week of August 17, 2026
Conditional Job Offer/Background Process Begins:
Week of September 14, 2026
Background Process Completed:
Week of December 14, 2026
Fire Recruit Academy Start Date
January 4, 2027
Fire Recruit Academy Graduation Date
May 27, 2027


Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.
 
1. Application: (Pass/Fail) – All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline of July 20, 2026 or upon the receipt of 250 applications; whichever occurs first.

  • Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
  • Applicants must be on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center Statewide Eligibility List (FCTC SEL) as of the final filing deadline of July 20, 2026 or upon the receipt of 250 applications; whichever occurs first. 
 2. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail)– Human Resources will be receiving the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center Statewide Eligibility List (FCTC SEL) to confirm applicants meet the minimum qualifications stated on the job announcement. Minimum qualifications include:
  • Age- Must be 21 or older by the completion of Academy (See Recruitment Timeline)
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Possession of a valid Driver License
  • Possession of a valid CPAT Certificate, issued within the past twelve months from July 20, 2026
  • Received a passing score (70% or above) on the FCTC Written test within the past twelve months from July 20, 2026
  • Possession of a valid California or National Registry Paramedic License

3. Interview: Those candidates determined to be the MOST QUALIFIED will be invited to participate in an interview process coordinated by the hiring department. There will be no eligible list established. A hiring interview is not guaranteed. 

4. Background Process & Medical Exam/Drug Test: If considered for appointment, candidates must complete and pass a background investigation, which includes but is not limited to, personal history, work history, reference checks, Live Scan/fingerprinting, and psychological test. Candidates must also pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance, and alcohol test.

 QUESTIONS:
 If you have specific questions regarding the Fire Recruit position, hiring process, Sacramento Regional Fire Academy, etc.:

For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process: