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Entry Level Firefighter/Paramedic

City of San Rafael • Full-time • San Rafael, CA, US • 2m ago

DescriptionFIREFIGHTER-PARAMEDIC (ENTRY LEVEL)

Salary: $132,685 - $158,181 Annually*

Plus excellent benefits

(*up to an additional 7.5% incentive pay plus $250/month bi-lingual pay)

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The San Rafael Fire Department is an all-risk fire agency that includes 69 operational firefighters trained in the areas of firefighting, Advanced Life Support (ALS) response, ambulance transport, technical rescue, hazardous material response, disaster response, fire prevention, and community preparedness. We constantly strive to provide the highest level and most capable emergency service delivery possible to our community; a service that is professional, compassionate, predictable, consistent, and sustainable.

THE CITY is focused on enhancing our community members' quality of life through well-designed services and a positive workplace culture. San Rafael is the economic and cultural heart of Marin County, and its high-quality of life is centered on its commercial districts, engaged neighborhoods, active lifestyle, and natural environment. San Rafael, with a population of approximately 60,000, is a full-service city with a City Council/City Manager form of government with 12 departments, more than 400 employees, and a fiscal year 2026-2027 annual budget of approximately $208 million. The City's vision is to be a vibrant economic and cultural center reflective of its diversity. The City Council is engaged and seeks to strengthen the urban and commercial areas as well as sustain the beautiful natural environment.

San Rafael's Organizational culture framework is an initiative called "Together San Rafael". City employees are our greatest asset, and we seek talented individuals with diverse backgrounds who are creative, curious, and excited about a challenge. We are a results-driven team focused on the needs of community members. The Together San Rafael initiative is focused on modernizing City services and increasing the engagement of employees. This initiative recognizes the interconnectedness of the customer and employee experience.

To schedule a phone or video call with an active-duty personnel, email us at fire.department@cityofsanrafael.org and provide your name and a contact phone number.

Come join our extraordinary team!

Please review the Firefighter-Paramedic job description for more information.

The Firefighter-Paramedic protects life, property, and the environment by performing firefighting activities, emergency medical aid, hazardous materials response, and fire prevention duties. The position is also responsible for maintaining fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities.

The Department seeks an individual whose values aligns with our departmental commitment to respect, integrity, compassion, equality, and fairness. Our six San Rafael neighborhood fire stations deliver exceptionally courteous, compassionate, and professional public service. Our firefighters are committed to helping their community and their fellow firefighters. Our workforce is diverse and continuously strives to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Our members work closely with multiple service agencies to ensure we are meeting the unique needs of the multicultural community of San Rafael.

Our department supports a behavioral health program consisting of IAFF trained Peer Support members, as well as members trained in critical incident stress management. The culture established by our personnel is cited as a key contributor to what makes the San Rafael Fire Department a great place to work. With over half of our line personnel having been hired within the past decade, there is a major focus on physical fitness, training, health and wellness, and an overall excitement about learning the art and trades of firefighting and emergency medicine.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

CA STATE FIREFIGHTER 1or completion of CA STATE BOARD OF FIRE SERVICES FIREFIGHTER 1 curriculum (or equivalent); or ability to obtain prior to appointment
VALID CALIFORNIA PARAMEDIC LICENSE (or equivalent); or ability to obtain prior to appointment
Must be current on the Firefighter-Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List (SEL) on 8/17/2026.
Cal-JAC CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) Card must be dated between 8/18/2024 and 8/17/2026
Candidates experiencing financial hardship may qualify for financial aid to pay for their FCTC testing fees (https://www.fctconline.org/financialaid/)

BENEFITS:

The City of San Rafael offers an attractive compensation and benefits program, including participation in the Marin County Employees’ Retirement (MCERA) pension program, tiered contributions towards CalPERS health insurance, matching Retiree Health Savings (RHS) contributions, fully paid Dental coverage and Uniform Allowance.

Please review our benefits summary and the San Rafael Firefighters’ Association MOU for more information.

Job PDF:

SRFD_Entry Level Flyer_July_2026v2.pdf

Benefits

The City of San Rafael offers an attractive compensation and benefits program. The salary range for this position is $132,685 - $158,181 annually, DOQ/DOE and a competitive benefits program including:

Retirement: The City is a part of the Marin County Employee Retirement Association (MCERA) plan, which offers reciprocity between agencies in CalPERS (this is part of the 37 Act County System):
Classic Employees (Tier 2 – hired on or after 7/1/2011) - 3% @ at 55 formula, average of three years highest compensation.
PEPRA employees – (hired after 1/1/13 or with 6-month break in service) are eligible for a 2.7% at 57 formula, average of three highest years of compensation.
Health Insurance: Full flex cafeteria plan which can be applied to a health plan or converted to cash (Employee Only - $998/month; Employee+1 - $1,995/month; Employee +Family - $2,520/month; Waive Coverage $300/month)
Retiree Health Savings Plan: City contribution of 2% top step Firefighter-Paramedic salary (employee required match).
Life Insurance/Accidental Death & Dismemberment: $5,000 each
Dental Insurance: Fully paid premiums for employee and eligible dependents
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Available to employee and family members
457 Deferred Comp: Participation is voluntary
125 Plan: Participation is voluntary
Annual Leave: 5 shifts of vacation per year (based on years of service max accrual is 12.5 shifts/year), 6 shifts of sick leave/year, Bereavement Leave, 13 holidays.
Gym Reimbursement: Up to $16.50 per month
Uniform Allowance: $1,135 per year. Class B uniforms provided annually. $160 station boot allowance every two years.
Incentive Pay: Pays up to 7.5% above base salary.
Bi-Lingual Pay: Pays up to $250 per month if eligible.
Social Security: The City of San Rafael does not contribute to social security