Firefighter Trainee (Paramedic)
San Bernardino CountyThe Job
- **This recruitment is for current PARAMEDICS!**
Auto-Promote to Firefighter Paramedic Upon Successful Completion of Tower with
Up to $117,108 annually (Includes Paramedic Stipend: $710/month)Advanced Step Placement Consideration: Starting step/rate of pay dependent upon relevant commensurate experience.
Effective 1/10/26, up to $120,369.92 annually (Includes Paramedic Stipend: $710/month)The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District is an all-risk/full-service fire department committed to providing the highest level of service in the most efficient and cost effective manner to the citizens and communities that we serve. Firefighter Trainee is the entry-level class in the Firefighter series, paid at $30.69/hr for a 40-hour workweek while attending the San Bernardino County Fire Tower (Academy). Trainees in the Tower learn and practice fire prevention and suppression; equipment and apparatus care, usage, safety, and maintenance; fire terminology, codes, policies, procedures and operations; and state and local laws.EXCELLENT BENEFITSTo review job-specific Benefits refer to:San Bernardino County Fire Protection District offers a wide variety of experience and career opportunities!
Get a glimpse of what it's like to work for SBCoFD!CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENTProbationary Period: Successful completion of the San Bernardino County Fire Tower (Academy) is required, and includes completion of the Firefighter I Certification through the California State Fire Service Training and Education System and obtaining ICEMA Paramedic Accreditation in San Bernardino County (candidate is responsible for obtaining CA Paramedic License and ICEMA Paramedic Accreditation prior to Tower completion). Upon successful completion of the above Tower, incumbents will be appointed to a Firefighter - Paramedic position, and will serve a one-year probationary period. Successful completion of this probationary period will include completion of the Firefighter II Certification through the California State Fire Service Training and Education System.
Certifications: Firefighter Paramedics must possess and maintain all job-required certifications, including CA Paramedic License and ICEMA Paramedic Accreditation, as well as CPR & ACLS.
Physical Requirements: Must be able to perform during high stress situations. Must be able to hear in the normal audio range, without correction. Must possess the strength and stamina sufficient to lift and carry equipment and individuals, and be able to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus. Vision must be correctable to 20/20. May be required to pass a color perception test. Must be able to work in a variety of environmental conditions.
Other Requirements: Applicants will be fingerprinted and must pass a thorough background investigation which may include, but is not limited to, the following: fingerprinting for a Department of Justice criminal background check, polygraph, pre-employment psychological evaluation, DMV driving record check, military record check, reference checks, and review of prior employment history check. An applicant may be automatically disqualified for misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in the screening/selection/background check process. Job offers are made contingent upon passing a medical examination and meeting the medical requirements of NFPA 1582 (Standard Medical Requirements for Firefighter). Applicant must successfully pass a pre-employment drug test. Failure to meet medical standards may result in the withdrawal of employment offer. All employees must adhere to the provisions of the County Fire and Special Districts Dress Code, which prohibits all visible tattoos.
Health and Physical Condition: Persons seeking appointment to this class must meet the safety health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper for performance of the duties established by the San Bernardino County Fire District.
Dress: Candidates, applicants, and employees are expected to dress appropriately for all phases of testing, interviews, background, and on the job; dress should be business-casual at a minimum, unless instructed otherwise.
Sponsorship: Please note San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future.
Physical Assessment: Candidates will be required to successfully complete a job-related physical assessment prior to receiving a final job offer. The physical assessment will include, but is not limited to, the beep (multi-stage shuttle run) test, pull-ups, push-ups, and sit-ups. This assessment is designed to evaluate a candidate’s ability to safely perform the essential physical functions of a Firefighter position.- Beep Test- The beep test (multi-stage shuttle run) is a cardiovascular fitness assessment that requires candidates to run continuously between two markers set 20 meters apart in time with audio beeps. The pace increases at each level, and the test continues until the candidate can no longer maintain the required speed. The test measures aerobic endurance and stamina necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
- Pull-Ups- Complete a minimum number of pull-ups within a time limit.
- Push-Ups- Complete a minimum number of push-ups within a time limit.
- Sit-Ups- Complete a minimum number of sit-ups within a time limit.
Minimum Requirements
- All candidates must be on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List (SEL). All FCTC testing must be completed and active at the close of the recruitment, Friday 1/23/26. FCTC will validate your possession of all requirements and confirm to San Bernardino County for further processing of your application.
FCTC SEL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Possess a valid Cal-JAC CPAT Card – (CPAT results are uploaded automatically by FCTC)
- Receive a passing score on the FCTC Written Test – Written test score expires 12 months from date taken
- SBCFPD only accepts FCTC scores of 80% or higher
--AND-- License: - A valid California Paramedic License OR Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP) Certification is required at the time of application and must be attached to your application.
- California Paramedic Licenses and NRP Certifications must be current and in good standing.
--AND-- Certifications: - Current ACLS & CPR/BLS certifications (copies must be attached to your application).
If you have any questions regarding your placement on the FCTC SEL, please visit www.FCTConline.org. It is your responsibility to ensure all items are current, valid and up-to-date, and on file as indicated. Desired Qualifications
- The ideal candidate will possess three (3) years' experience as a Paramedic, possess an ICEMA Paramedic accreditation and a Firefighter 1 Certification.
Selection Process
- FCTC Written ExamApplicants verified through FCTC will have their FCTC Written Test score transferred, and will be invited to participate in the remainder of the exam process.NREMT AssessmentA NREMT based Medical Skills Assessment will be administered to evaluate candidate's knowledge and skills in the following areas:
- Trauma Assessment
- Medical Assessment
Candidates must be successful with a passing score of 80% or higher.
Assessments are tentatively scheduled for the week of February 9, 2026. Qualified candidates will be notified approximately two weeks prior to the assessment dates. Note: if you tested within the last six (6) months, your prior test score will be transferred and applied as your score for the Medical Skills Assessment. You will not be required to retest.Candidates must appear on the FCTC Statewide Eligible List and be successful in the Medical Skills Assessment in order to be placed on the eligible list. The top candidates on the eligible list will be invited to participate in the selection interview process.Application Procedure: To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire by the stated deadline. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire.
To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the closing of this recruitment. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note, if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application we have not received your application.If you require technical assistance, please review the Government Jobs online application guide or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by the internet connection, computer or browser used to submit the application.
All communications regarding the selection process will be via email. Applicants are encouraged to check their e-mails frequently to obtain any correspondence associated with this recruitment. Please be sure the email provided on this application is always current; it is your responsibility to update your personal information. Update your Spam, Junk, Bulk and Firewall settings as needed to ensure that you receive all information pertaining to this recruitment.Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants.
ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and require accommodations in the testing process, submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form (PDF) within one week of a recruitment filing deadline.
Veterans’ Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans' Preference points. For details and instructions on how to request these points, please refer to the Veterans' Preference Policy.
For more important details, review the Applicant Information and County Employment Process.