THE CITY OF ATASCADERO
IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF
FIREFIGHTER
Filing Deadline: 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Salary Range: Firefighter $6728-77-$8669.61/mo. Firefighter / Paramedic $7536.22-$9487.47/mo.Empty heading
Lateral Candidates Eligibility requirements include two (2) years’ experience as a full-time
Firefighter with a municipal fire department EMT or Paramedic Certified
Entry level candidates must be EMT or Paramedic certified.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applications may be obtained from the City of Atascadero website at www.atascadero.org; by the final filing deadline stated above, A résumé of three pages or less may supplement the application but
may not be substituted for it.
PLEASE DO NOT include any training or other job-related certifications at this time. All statements made on the application are subject to verification; false statements will be cause for disqualification or discharge.
Please note: Once the recruitment has been announced and posted for ten (10) calendar days, the City reserves the right to stop accepting applications prior to the initially posted deadline if a sufficient number of well-qualified applications have been received. Therefore, to ensure application consideration, all prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Please note: Once the recruitment has been announced and posted for ten (10) calendar days, the City reserves the right to stop accepting applications prior to the initially posted deadline, if a sufficient number of well-qualified applications have been received. Therefore, to ensure application consideration, all prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
All City application forms received by the final filing date will be reviewed for accuracy, completion, neatness, work experience and job-related qualifications. A limited number of the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the examination process, which may include, but is not limited to, the initial paper screening, a supplemental questionnaire, an oral interview, a written examination, a practical examination and a Chief’s interview. Once an offer of employment has been made, finalists must successfully pass a comprehensive medical examination, which may include a pre-employment drug screening administered by the City medical consultant, a psychological examination, and a thorough reference inquiry including fingerprints. Appointment is contingent upon successfully passing the examinations and background/reference checks. Following appointment to the position there is a 12-month probationary period, which is the final phase of the selection process.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services Department serves the City of Atascadero, which is a small, beautiful California central coast community located in San Luis Obispo County. We have a population of 30,000 residing in an area just under 27 square miles. Our community is a great place to live, work and raise a family! We are situated along Highway 101, halfway between the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco. The community is located in the Paso Robles wine region and is a short 20-minute drive to the beach and Highway 1. We are within a three-hour drive to Yosemite National Park and two hours to Monterey or Carmel. For those that enjoy the outdoors, we are close to four local lakes, a national forest and endless hiking and biking trails. Become a member of an organization consisting of hardworking individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact through public service. The organizational environment encourages collaboration and productivity and is fostered by engaged management, all working for the betterment of the community. City offices are located in the beautiful and historic City Hall Administration Building near the picturesque Sunken Gardens Park, located in the heart of downtown Atascadero.
GENERAL PURPOSE
Under general supervision, fights fires; performs emergency medical and rescue work; participates in fire prevention, station maintenance, and training activities; may perform duties of a Paramedic: performs related duties as required.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Responds to fire calls and participates in fire extinguishment, ventilation, salvage, rescue, scene security and other operations; operates various firefighting/control equipment such as vehicles, pumps, hoses, ladders, extinguishers, and extrication tools; locates hydrants, operates pumps at proper pressures; evaluates adequacy of water system and available water supply; lays hose lines and directs water streams into fire.
- Provides emergency medical aid to individuals in need of such care; depending on qualifications, provides care consistent with standards and permitted procedures established for EMT, or Paramedic patient care.
- Under the direction of a Fire Engineer or as the Fire Equipment Operator (FEO) inspects, cleans, and services various firefighting vehicles, equipment and apparatus; performs routine and preventive maintenance on equipment, as necessary to ensure operational efficiency.
- Attends and participates in special drills and other training activities; may perform duties of a Fire Engineer in a training or relief capacity.
- Participates in inspections of public and commercial buildings for fire prevention and target hazard identification and review; evaluates water system capabilities.
- Assists with programs such as weed abatement, arson investigation, pre-fire planning, and maintaining pertinent City maps.
- Under the direction of a Fire Engineer or as the FEO maintains records on vehicles and equipment; assists in maintaining clean and order conditions in and around the fire station(s).
- May function as a station commander on a relief basis, or in the absence of a higher-ranking officer.
- Prepares a variety of documents in draft and final form; proofreads materials for correct grammar, spelling and punctuation; performs data entry and word processing.
Education And Experience
- Graduation from a standard senior high school or GED equivalent, and
- Experience as a part-time or full-time firefighter
- Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for satisfactory job performance.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Considerable knowledge of basic fire prevention and suppression techniques and practices.
- Working knowledge of the operation and maintenance of pumping engines and ladder trucks; practical/applied hydraulics
- Familiarity with location of hydrants and water mains in the City, traffic regulations and City geography.
- Ability to learn and apply firefighting principles and techniques; think and act quickly and effectively in emergency situations; understand and apply mechanical and physical principles related to fire suppression; learn and apply fire code provisions and arson/fire investigation techniques.
- Understanding of principles and practices observed in rendering emergency medical services.
- Ability to drive and operate firefighting equipment skillfully under a variety of conditions; calculate engine and nozzle pressures.
- Skill in the operation of the listed equipment.
- Meet appropriate physical standards established by the City.
- Work effectively and cooperatively with others.
- Understand and follow verbal and written directions.
Special Requirements
- Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Class B California driver's license or equivalent.
- CPR certified
- EMT or Paramedic certified
- Current California Physical Ability Test (CPAT), certification required prior to appointment.
- Entry level candidates must have a Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) score issued within the last 12 months. FCTC scores must be above 70% and proof of completion submitted prior to appointment.
- Ability to obtain California State Fire Marshal Firefighter I.
- Disaster Service Worker Designation: Pursuant to California Labor Code Section 3211.9, service is essential in times of extreme emergency or disaster. For this reason, State law designates public employees as “Disaster Service Workers”. Even when off-duty, this position may be required to return to duty in case of extreme emergency or disaster.
- Tattoos: Employee shall follow department policy.
- Tobacco Use: Employee shall agree to refrain from using any tobacco products while employed with the City of Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Emergency medical equipment, extrication and rescue equipment, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, ladders, , radio, pager, telephone, calculator, and other standard firefighting equipment. Knowledge of personal computer including word processing software.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools listed above; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions and responds to emergency scenes, disasters or critical incidents; the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, smoke, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. There is the potential for exposure to infectious diseases.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; extensive background investigation, psychological assessment and medical exam, including drug testing; job related tests might be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
