Firefighter / Paramedic (2026-1)

*Application requires proof of certifications to be uploaded at time of submission or letter confirming the anticipated date of completion*

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM

POSITION:
Under direct supervision will perform a myriad of firefighting and EMS skills including responding to structure fires, wildland fires, vehicle accidents and medical emergencies. May be assigned to an ALS ambulance. Participates in all fire suppression, prevention, and public education activities; performs station, equipment and apparatus maintenance; participates in training activities and other related duties as required.

SCHEDULE: 56-hour work week (Kelly); during recruit academy schedule is a 40-hour work week.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
•18 years of age or older at time of hire
•Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
•Possess a CA Class C driver license
•CA Paramedic licensure with San Diego County accreditation Paramedic Accreditation (SD County) or
currently participating in the paramedic clinical or field internship portion
of a paramedic training program (accreditation is required at time of hire)
•Possess the physical abilities to perform the duties identified in the NFPA
1001: Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualification
•Must have CPAT or Biddle certification (at time of application or time of first interview)

HIGHLY DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
•CA State Fire Marshal FireFighter I Certificate or completion of an
accredited academy (Not required, but highly desirable)
•Associate degree in Fire Science (Not required, but highly desirable)

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - 2026
*Subject to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Local 4488*
•FLSA Premium Pay - Range from approximately $3,000 to $3,500 annually
•Education Incentive – Up to a maximum of 5%
•Continuing Licensure Incentive - $2,000 annually
•Holiday Pay - Range from approximately $3,500 to $4,000 annually
•Paid Leave (Sick, Vacation, Bereavement and Parental)
•Retirement – Eligibility through CalPERS
•Insurance Benefit amount of $2,156.84 per month, effective January 1, 2026
•Long-term Disability Insurance – Portion of premium paid by employer
•Deferred Compensation (457 Plan) – Employee funded

TESTING PROCESS
The applications submitted will be screened and the most qualified applicants will be invited to our testing process which may include the following components:
•Written test (including San Diego protocols)
•Oral interview
•Skills assessment, including patient assessment (using San Diego protocols)

TENTATIVE SELECTION SCHEDULE AND PROCEDURE
1. Application Deadline – Wednesday, April 1 at 12:00 PM
2. Testing & Oral Interview (1st Round): Wednesday, April 8th and Thursday, April 9th
3. Chiefs Interview: Tuesday, April 14th and Thursday, April 16th
5. Job Offers Extended and Background Process Begins: Week of April 20th
6. Anticipated Hire Date: June 2026
7. Prior to employment, the successful candidate will be required to complete and pass all areas of a conditional offer which may include drug screening, physical, backgrounds, psychological evaluation, and fingerprinting.
*Interview schedule may be subject to change

Essential Job Functions

The following are the typical duties performed by employees in this classification. However, this job specification is intended to identify essential functions and requirements of the job and should not be considered all-inclusive.

• Responds to emergency medical situations and convalescent (non-emergency) medical situations in a wide variety of settings ranging from apartments to wild land fires
• Responds to both ALS, advanced life support, and BLS or basic life support
• As needed, extricates persons from vehicles, buildings or other structures, transfers persons on a gurney to the ambulance, may also transport patients to the hospitals
• Responsible for transporting patients in a helicopter on occasion
• Restrains uncooperative patients using soft and leather restraints
• Restocks the unit with medical supplies such as IV’s, Oxygen, medications, linen, etc.
• Performs firefighting activities
• Controls and extinguishes structural and wild land fires to protect lives and property.
• Responds to the fire alarm by donning protective clothing and driving the paramedic unit to the emergency site
• As needed, dons additional gear at the site such as a breathing apparatus, etc.
• Selects the appropriate hose and assists to hook up hoses to the hydrant or pump on the apparatus.
• Monitors and controls water flow on hoses throughout a fire
• Assists to extend hose lines to the site as needed
• As needed, handles hazardous materials at sites by identifying materials, evacuating individuals from the area, and isolating the materials
• After the fire is resolved, assists to roll up hoses and drives the ambulance or other vehicle back to the station
• Assists to wash and hand up the fire hoses to dry on the hose tower at the station
• Cleans the firefighting gear at the station after a fire ambulance
• Responds to miscellaneous public service calls such as handling transients, vacuuming water from residences, etc.
• Notifies and waits for the arrival of law enforcement personnel if a weapon is involved at the scene
• Performs maintenance of the apparatus
• Performs vehicle inspection by checking motor, engine, lights, oil, and water levels, etc.
• Ensures that the apparatus is always in complete readiness for emergencies
• Performs minor repairs to apparatus such as replacing light bulbs, etc.
• Maintains and performs minor repairs on firefighting equipment
• Reports detected repair needs to the mechanic
• Assists mechanic in all repairs to apparatus as time allows
• Participates in scheduled station and outside ground maintenance
• Cleans inside areas of the fire station
• Performs outside ground maintenance such as mowing the lawn, weeding, raking leaves, trimming shrubs and trees, etc.
• As needed performs painting, roof repairs, window replacement, structural repairs, etc.
• Performs commercial building inspections to inform businesses of fire codes and fire hazards and become acclimated to the physical layout of the building
• Recommends corrective measures for fire hazards.
• Performs hydrant maintenance by checking valves and seals, checking to ensure that water flows properly, etc.
• Participates in training drills and evaluations a minimum of 2 hours daily
• Participates in public education activities such as: conducting station tours, participating in Fire Awareness week in October; and performing other public education activities as requested
• Participates in voluntary physical training to maintain physical fitness. Two hours per shift is allowed for this training.
• Attends scheduled meetings and in services.
• As required, if on the eligibility list, assumes the role as captain in the event of the captain’s absence.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Proper methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in firefighting principles of fire suppression and prevention
• Appropriate safety precautions and procedures
• Laws, ordinances, and codes governing Paramedics
• Diagnostic signs and treatments for injury and illness as described in the State and County Scope and Practice guidelines
• Medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and prescription drugs

Skills and Abilities to:

• Read, understand, and apply technical firefighting materials and concepts
• Respond quickly to changing situations under emergency pressures
• Perform routine administrative functions
• Perform Basic Life Support/Advanced Life Support functions in accordance with established procedure
• Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Read, write and speak the English Language
• Basic math skills
• Basic mechanical relationships
• Simple record keeping methods
• Lead, assign, train, and review the work of others
• Deal effectively with officials and representatives of other agencies, jurisdictions, and the public
  

All material received in this application and testing process will remain confidential.

The Lakeside Fire Protection District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, political or religious affiliation, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, or other functional limitation as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act except where a bona fide occupational qualification(s) so dictates.

DISCLAIMER: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content. The District may, without notice, change or eliminate any particular assessment component or combination of components as needs dictate.