Description

SIERRA MADRE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS HIRING

FIREFIGHTER

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC

Entry-Level and Lateral Candidates Encouraged to Apply

Centrally located between Pasadena and Arcadia, the City of Sierra Madre is three square miles of serene neighborhoods, green space, and a charming downtown shopping district home to approximately 11,000 residents. The Sierra Madre Fire Department (SMFD) is committed to protecting life, property, and our environment through compassionate service, operating as a progressive, cost-effective, and innovative department dedicated to a safe and inclusive community.

SMFD is seeking dedicated, physically fit, and service-minded individuals to join our team. We are hiring for four classifications: Firefighter (Entry-Level), Firefighter (Lateral), Firefighter/Paramedic (Entry-Level), and Firefighter/Paramedic (Lateral).

WHY JOIN SMFD?

Minimal force hires — only 8 force hires in 2025 for the Firefighter/Paramedic rank
Single Resource assignment opportunities
Strike Team deployment opportunities
USAR (Urban Search & Rescue) Task Force assignment opportunities
Arson Investigation assignment opportunities
Small department feel — infrequent big city/county/state politics
A genuine, healthy work/life balance
Active mentorship culture for members at every rank

SALARY — SMPFA SALARY SCHEDULE (FY 2025–26)

Rank

Step 1

Step 3

Step 5 (Top Step)

Firefighter (Single-Function)

$71,308 / yr ($24.42/hr)

$78,609 / yr ($26.92/hr)

$86,668 / yr ($29.68/hr)

Firefighter/Paramedic

$98,407 / yr ($33.70/hr)

$108,510 / yr ($37.16/hr)

$119,606 / yr ($40.96/hr)

Step placement for Lateral candidates may be considered based on verified years of experience, consistent with the current SMPFA Memorandum of Understanding. Full range (Steps 1–5) available upon request.

SMPFA has negotiated a 2% base salary increase for July 2027 and an additional 2% for July 2028 (Pending City Council approval)

Examples of Duties

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Performs and records daily checks of Sierra Madre Fire Department emergency vehicles to ascertain readiness in accordance with Sierra Madre Fire Department, County of Los Angeles, State of California, and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Responds to emergency incidents and performs Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support functions that are within their scope of practice.
Maintain all EMS equipment on or in support of the Department Rescue Ambulances and Paramedic Assessment Engine companies.
Perform daily cleanup of the buildings and grounds of the Sierra Madre Fire Department.
Perform computer data entry for incident responses including all required EMS and patient care reports; inspection documentation; daily electronic logs; training reports; and any items deemed to require documentation
Inspects assigned building and development projects for conformance with applicable laws, codes and regulations relating to fire protection and life safety; conducts special inspections and investigations of existing structures as they relate to fire code to insure compliance with Title 19 and 24, and NFPA Standards 10, 13, 17A, 22, 24, 25, 70, 72 and 101.
Conducts weed and brush abatement inspections.
Assists in fire prevention preplanning, Determines the size, shape, and layout associated with buildings and areas.
Assists in the medical training of the Sierra Madre Fire Department.
Performs First Aid and CPR Training, including use of an AED to the community.
Conduct station tours.
Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

FIREFIGHTER — Entry-Level

High school diploma or GED
Graduation from a Firefighter I Academy accredited by the California State Fire Marshal (CSFM). Academies accredited only through DOD or IFSAC/Pro Board will NOT be accepted.
Current State of California EMT certification
Current American Heart Association BLS CPR certification
Valid Class “C” California Driver’s License at time of appointment (out-of-state license accepted at time of application)
Minimum age 18 by date of appointment

FIREFIGHTER — Lateral

All Entry-Level Firefighter requirements listed above
Minimum of four (4) years of full-time, continuous experience as a firefighter with a California-recognized fire department
Must be currently employed or recently separated in good standing from a California-recognized fire agency

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC — Entry-Level

All Entry-Level Firefighter requirements listed above
Current State of California Paramedic license (National Registry alone will not be accepted in lieu of state licensure)

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC — Lateral

All Lateral Firefighter requirements listed above
Current State of California Paramedic license (National Registry alone will not be accepted in lieu of state licensure)

What We Look For

We're seeking individuals who embody the following:

Courage — willing to lead within your rank and advocate for positive change
Teamwork — collaborates toward the shared mission
Integrity & Ethics — honest, and takes ownership of your actions
Attention to Detail — takes pride in consistent, quality work
Safety — prioritizes the safety of citizens and personnel above all else
Physical Fitness — maintains readiness for demanding situations
Sound Decision-Making — well-informed judgment under pressure

PHYSICAL AGILITY REQUIREMENT

Entry-Level candidates must have a passing CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) or Los Angeles County Fire Chief’s Biddle Physical Agility Test by the time of application submission.

Lateral candidates: the physical agility test is waived.

Supplemental Information

RECRUITMENT TIMELINE

September 15, 2026-October 2nd, 2026

Application period open

October 19, 2026

Written Exam and Skills Exam

October 26th, 2026

Oral Interviews

[TBD]

Background investigation, medical examination, and psychological evaluation

[TBD]

Anticipated academy start / appointment date (Entry-Level Trainees)

Dates are tentative and subject to change. Candidates will be notified of any updates via the email address listed on their application.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process includes, but is not limited to: application and qualifications review, written and skills examination, oral interview(s), background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, and a pre-employment medical examination including drug/alcohol screening. Applicants are encouraged to review their own history for potential disqualifying factors prior to applying. Contact SMFD Human Resources for a full list of automatic and reviewable disqualifiers.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a one-year probationary period, a loyalty oath, and meeting all medical standards of the position. All City of Sierra Madre employees are designated Disaster Service Workers under California Government Code Section 3100–3109 and are required to complete related training and respond as ordered during a declared emergency.

If you require a disability accommodation during the selection process, please notify SMFD Human Resources in writing at the time you submit your application.

The City of Sierra Madre is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Summary Of Benefits Full-time Fire Employees

PERS Retirement

Classic Members
- 3% @ 55 formula
- EE pays 9% of employee share
- Final year single highest year
New Members
- 2.7% @ 57
- EE pay 50% of normal cost
- Final compensation determined by highest 36 consecutive month period
Level IV Survivor Benefit

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Effective December 1, 2023

PERS Medical Plans available (HMO/PPO)
The City offers different tiers for employee and their dependents
Employee Only $892.50
Employee +1 $1,102.50
Family (3 plus) $1,260
$325/month stipend for employees enrolled in alternate group insurance
Life & Accidental Death Insurance
$50,000 coverage for sworn employees

Sick Leave

Accruable at 127 hours per year

Vacation Leave

127 hours of accrual per year, with additional accrual for each year of service

Holiday Bank

104 hours of holiday granted on July 1
Leave cashed out June 30th if not taken

Tuition Reimbursement

Up to $10,000 for cost of tuition.

Good Driving Incentive

$350 year-end bonus if maintain a valid Class B License

Computer Loan Program

Up to $3,000 low interest loan

Deferred Compensation

Plans with ICMA

Flexible Spending Program

Childcare/parent care ($5,000 annually)

Employee Assistance Program

Health EAP
WorkLife Services
Confidential Advice

Ancillary Benefits

Accident Insurance
Additional Life Insurance
Cancer Insurance
Disability Insurance

01

Do you possess an OSFM Firefighter I Certificate? (Attach a clear scanned copy to your application.)

02

Have you completed a Fire Academy?

Yes
In Progress
No

03

If yes, provide the name of the Academy. If in progress at a Fire Academy, provide the name of Academy and when you will complete the program. If no, please type N/A.

04

Do you have a Fire Fighter 1 Certification?

05

Do you have three (3) verified full-time years or combined total of full-time paid and volunteer or part-time paid experience, equivalent to three years of full-time paid experience as a Firefighter performing suppression duties in a recognized fire agency in California? The equivalency ratio is set at 2:1 (e.g., two months of volunteer or part-time paid experience is equivalent to one month of full-time paid experience).

Yes - Fulltime
Yes - Combination
No

06

If yes, list dates of experience/employment (month/year)? If no, type N/A.

07

Do you have valid Class C Firefighter Endorsed or Commercial A or Commercial B driver's license per California Vehicle Code, Section 12804.11? (Attach a clear scanned copy to your application.)

Yes- Class C Endorsed
Yes- Commercial A
Yes- Commercial B
No

08

Do you possess an EMT Basic certificate or Paramedic License? (Attach a clear scanned copy to your application.)

Yes-Paramedic
Yes- EMT Basic
No

09

If yes, list the County/State that issued the EMT Certification. If no, please type N/A.

10

If yes, list the County/State that issued Paramedic License and the effective date (month/year). If in progress, when will you obtain your Paramedic License (month/year)? If no, please type N/A.

11

Do you have experience as an EMT?

12

If yes, list agency and dates of employment (month/year). If no, please type N/A.

13

If in progress, when will you complete the training? If checked yes/no, please type N/A.

14

Do you have experience as a paramedic?

15

If yes, list agency and dates of employment (month/year). If no, type N/A.

16

Do you possess a current PAT (CPAT or Biddle) certification? (Note: Certification must remain current throughout the entire examination and department hiring processes.)

17

If yes, provide date issued. If not, please type N/A.

18

Have you ever been fired or forced to resign from a position?

Yes
No
Required Question

City of Sierra Madre

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