Paramedic Firefighter (Lateral and Entry Level)

Salary : See Position Description

Location : El Cajon, CA

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : 25-01

Department : Fire

Opening Date : 01 / 06 / 2025

Closing Date : 1 / 20 / 2025 11 : 59 AM Pacific

Job Overview

HEARTLAND FIRE AND RESCUE IS LOOKING FOR LATERAL OR ENTRY LEVEL PARAMEDIC FIREFIGHTERS. FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS : January 20, 2025

Hourly Salary Range

City of El Cajon : $31.63 - $38.45

City of La Mesa : $32.16 - $40.46

City of Lemon Grove : $28.71 - $42.42

Lateral entry salary will be offered to current Paramedic Firefighters from outside agencies and will be based on prior years of paid Paramedic Firefighter work experience.

Educational Incentive Pay may be available depending on the City.

Please refer to each Cities MOU for Educational Incentive Pay eligibility guidelines.

THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS :

The Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove will be conducting the application and examination process jointly. Separate eligibility lists will be established by each agency for their respective vacancies. Candidates may be placed on more than one agency's eligibility list.

Interested applicants must submit and complete an online application and supplemental questionnaire. The City of El Cajon's online application process will be used for all agencies.

Examination Process will Include :

• 2 / 4 / 2025 - Physical Abilities Test (PAT)
• 2 / 5 / 2025 and / or 2 / 6 / 2025 - Appraisal Interview and Paramedic Skills Assessment Scenario

HEARTLAND FIRE AND RESCUE : HEARTLAND FIRE AND RESCUE (HFR) was formed via a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) to oversee fire and rescue services for the Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove. HFR is an ISO Class 1 fire department that serves a regional population of nearly 200,000 and receives approximately 34,000 annual calls for service across its eight stations.

125 proud, professional, and dedicated men and women make up this award-winning organization that prides itself on providing exceptional professional service. Staffed daily are nine engine companies, a Type II Urban Search & Rescue unit, two truck companies, and one squad. All HFR units provide advanced life support service in conjunction with a contracted ambulance provider. Additionally, HFR has a SWAT paramedic program, deployable OES engines, and is active on the regional US&R task force.

For more details about Heartland Fire & Rescue, please go to

Typical Duties

Please refer to each agency's class specification for Typical Duties.

To obtain each agency's Paramedic / Firefighter class specification, please click on the following links :

Qualification Guidelines

Please refer to each agency's class specification for Education and Experience Guidelines. Minimum qualifications vary amongst the three agencies.

To obtain each agency's Paramedic / Firefighter class specification, please click on the following links :

In addition to the requirements in the classification specifications above, lateral candidates must have the following :

Experience : One year of full time experience as a regular Paramedic Firefighter (non-probationary). Active, seasonal time will count towards experience. Reserve time is not qualifying.

Additional Information

The 2024-2025 County of San Diego EMS protocols will be used during the Appraisal Interview and Paramedic Skills Assessment. For reference, you may click on the following link to access the County of San Diego protocols website :

Candidates must be successful in every component of the examination process to be placed on the eligibility list for employment consideration for all three agencies. Candidates who move forward in the pre-employment process may go through a thorough background investigation, including a polygraph examination, psychological exam and a pre-employment medical evaluation.

For benefit information, please contact each agency's Human Resources office.

You must complete this supplemental questionnaire as part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

I understand the Appraisal Interview and the Paramedic Skills Assessment will be based on the 2024-2025 County of San Diego EMS protocols. Failure to follow these protocols during the testing components can result in a critical fail during the recruitment process. Information on the 2024-2025 County of San Diego EMS Protocols can be found in the job announcement.

I acknowledge the test dates for this Paramedic Firefighter recruitment are listed below : 2 / 4 / 2025 - Physical Abilities Test (PAT)2 / 5 / 2025 and / or 2 / 6 / 2025 - Appraisal Interview and Paramedic Skills Assessment Scenario

Do you possess a valid Class "C" California Driver License or equivalent?

Each agency requires State of California Paramedic license at the time of appointment. Do you possess a valid State of California Paramedic license? If you answered "Yes" please attach a copy of your license to your electronic application.

If you do not have your State of California Paramedic license, when do you anticipate on receiving it? If you already have your license, please write "N / A".

Each agency requires the County of San Diego Paramedic Accreditation at the time of appointment. Do you currently possess a County of San Diego Paramedic Accreditation? If you answered "Yes" please attach a copy of your accreditation to your electronic application.

Have you successfully completed a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy or equivalent?

If you answered "Yes" to question 8, please attach a copy of your certificate to your electronic application. In addition, please type the school name and completion date in the text box below. If you have not attended a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy, please type "N / A".

Please indicate the years of experience you have working as a Firefighter in the State of California (include both reserve / volunteer and full-time / paid experience).

Please indicate the years of experience you have working as a full-time / paid Paramedic in the State of California.

Please indicate the years of experience you have working as a Paramedic Firefighter in the State of California (include only full-time / paid experience).

Which agency are you interested in applying for? You may select more than one.

Required Question

Salary : $29 - $42