Firefighter

Salary : $102,897.85 - $129,617.49 Annually

Location : Berkeley, CA

Job Type : Career

Job Number : 2025-01-8113

Department : Fire

Opening Date : 01 / 27 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 24 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Pacific

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BERKELEY

is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.

As an employer, the City of Berkeley offers all the benefits of a career in the public sector while fostering diversity, creativity, and innovation. Join a team of high-caliber, experienced staff with a shared mission of serving the Berkeley community and promoting an accessible, safe, healthy, environmentally-sound and culturally-rich city.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Firefighter in the Fire Department! In this role, you will have the opportunity to learn and perform all duties required to effectively respond to emergency fire suppression and basic life support medical situations. You will be assigned to a truck or engine, typically in a three or four-person crew, and will respond to fires, medical emergencies, and other emergency and non-emergency situations.

See the full job class specification here :

For more information, visit the Berkeley Fire Department recruitment website and Firefighter Recruitment .

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

FIREFIGHTER - AT TIME OF APPLICATION :

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
• Valid California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification, or National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) EMT Certification, or California Paramedic License, or NREMT Paramedic Certification.
• Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Card of Completion issued no earlier than one (1) year from the recruitment filing deadline.
• Successful Completion of the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) written exam completed no earlier than one (1) year from the recruitment filing deadline.
• Valid California Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record.

FIREFIGHTER - BY TIME OF APPOINTMENT :

FIREFIGHTER - BY COMPLETION OF PROBATION :

a. Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS-100), FEMA

b. National Incident Management Systems, An Introduction (IS-700.A), FEMA

4. Certificates of completion issued by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) or the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) for the following courses or equivalents / replacements as determined by the OSFM or NWCG :

a. FSTEP Low Angle Rope Rescue Operational

b. FSTEP Fire Fighter Survival

c. FSTEP Fire Control 3B

d. FSTEP Driver Operator 1A

e. FSTEP or NWCG S130

f. FSTEP or NWCG S131

g. FSTEP or NWCG S190

h. FSTEP Vehicle Extrication

i. CFSTES Firefighter I

j. CFSTES Firefighter II

FIREFIGHTER LATERAL - AT TIME OF APPLICATION :

FIREFIGHTER LATERAL - BY TIME OF APPOINTMENT

FIREFIGHTER LATERAL - BY COMPLETION OF PROBATION :

a. Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS-100), FEMA

b. National Incident Management Systems, An Introduction (IS-700.A), FEMA

4. Certificates of completion issued by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) or the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) for the following courses or equivalents / replacements as determined by the OSFM or NWCG :

a. FSTEP Low Angle Rope Rescue Operational

b. FSTEP Fire Fighter Survival

c. FSTEP Fire Control 3B

d. FSTEP Driver Operator 1A

e. FSTEP or NWCG S130

f. FSTEP or NWCG S131

g. FSTEP or NWCG S190

h. FSTEP Vehicle Extrication

i. CFSTES Firefighter II

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must be received by Monday, February 24, 2025 at 5 : 00 PM PST and must include a completed application, all required certifications and licenses attached as photos / scans, and responses to supplemental questions. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

EXAM PROCESS

The exam process will include, but may not be limited to :

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.

Reasonable Accommodations : The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to at the time of application.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background / reference check that may include, but is not limited to : employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, other credentials, credit check, criminal history check, and Live Scan fingerprinting.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER

The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency / disaster.

Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.

Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.

Retirement

CalPERS

City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2.7% at age 57 (PEPRA members) or 3% at age 50 (Classic members).

Deferred Compensation

The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.

Medical Plans

Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plus HMO. The City contributes up to the full family premium for the Kaiser plan, or up to 99% of the full family premium for the Sutter Health Plus plan. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Dental Plan

The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $3,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $3,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Life Insurance

The City provides employees with a $100,000 Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.

Sick Leave

Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.

Vacation

New employees accrue 144 hours of vacation annually, with an increase to 216 hours after 6 years of service.

Holidays

14 paid holidays annually

Uniform Allowance

1,400 annually

Premium Pay

Employees receive a pay differential of 5% for EMT certification, as well as differentials for certain assignments :

Hazardous Materials Response Team, Medical Specialist Team, Shift Fire Prevention Inspector, or special assignment (5%)

FRALS Paramedic (6.25%)

SWORN FIRE)

Please indicate if you are applying as an Entry Level or Lateral Firefighter.

Please confirm you have uploaded your high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate to your application.

Please confirm you have uploaded your current California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification, or National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) EMT Certification, or California Paramedic License, or NREMT Paramedic Certification.

Please confirm you have uploaded your Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) card of completion from within the last year.

Please confirm you have uploaded proof of successful completion of the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) written exam from within the last year.

Please upload your valid California Driver's License.

Where did you hear about this job opportunity? (Choose all that apply.)

Required Question

Salary : $102,898 - $129,617