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Job Description
Position Information
RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT: FIREFIGHTER
Anticipated Hire Date: Late December 2025
In-House Academy Start Date: January 5, 2026
This recruitment will be limited t o 500 applications and will close prior to the end date if the maximum number of candidates is met.
TESTING:
The City of Chico has partnered with the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) and will be utilizing the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List to satisfy the testing requirements of this position. Applicants MUST be on the Statewide Eligibility List by 08/31/2025 to be considered for this recruitment. Candidates who have not completed the FCTC testing process (CPAT, written, and other required items) should visit the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List page to view information on FCTC requirements and to sign up for tests. Please click here if you need help finding upcoming FCTC tests and location information.
APPLICATION SCREENING:
Following the closing date, applications will be screened against the criteria outlined in this announcement. Applications submitted without the required certifications/licenses and/or those candidates not on the FCTC Statewide List/scheduled to test will be considered incomplete and will not be placed in the pool of qualified candidates.
Questions 1 - 8 of the supplemental questionnaire will be used to review candidates on a pass/fail rating for required certifications and application parameters. The remaining supplemental questions, items 9 through 18, will be utilized as a desired qualification screening. Answers to each question are assigned a value point which will create a high to low ranking of all candidates. Candidate answers will be reviewed and compared to the submitted application and/or certification documents to confirm accuracy of the candidate's self-rating. Final candidate rank may be reduced or amended based on confirmation or disqualification of candidate of self-rating.
Union: This position is covered by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).
QUESTIONS? P lease call Human Resources Technician, Gloria Caves-Brown at (530) 879-7907 or reach out via email to jobs@chicoca.gov.
Job Description
Definition:
Under general supervision, to engage in firefighting, emergency medical services, rescue, hazardous materials response, and fire prevention activities in order to protect life and property; to operate and maintain firefighting equipment and apparatus; to provide emergency medical services; to maintain fire facilities; to perform related work as required.
Typical Duties:Respond to all fire alarms with designated equipment;*Connect and appropriately place fire hose lines;*Enter burning buildings with hose lines;*Operate nozzles to direct the stream of water on fire surfaces;*Raise, lower and climb ladders;*Assist in overall salvage operations;*Carry and operate chemical fire extinguishers;*Render emergency medical treatment;*Maintain fire apparatus;Clean and test equipment;Perform basic maintenance of vehicles;*Operate radio-telephone equipment as required;*Clean and maintain station facilities and quarters;Study Fire Department rules, regulations and procedures;* Explain fire hazards, firefighting techniques, fire codes and related subjects;*Conduct fire prevention inspections and programs;*Participate in fire drills and training exercises;*May be required to act as Fire Apparatus Engineer, if authorized, in identifying hazardous materials and mitigating such emergencies;*Subject to emergency recall during non-duty hours;*Operate fire station computers;Performs related duties as necessary. *Essential Function
Duties recorded above are representative of the duties of the class and are not intended to cover all the duties performed by incumbent(s) of any particular position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class; such assignments shall fall under the category of "other duties, as assigned."
Tools and Equipment Used:
Various fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting, hazardous materials response and rescue equipment, ladders, emergency medical equipment, personal protective equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, phone.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl on uneven surfaces and in confined spaces; and taste or smell.
The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 75 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 175 pounds or larger with assistance. 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:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions that range from below freezing to in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of : Basic principles, practices and purposes of fire, rescue, hazardous materials, and emergency medical services to a basic life support level at the emergency medical technician level.
Ability to : Understand and act in accordance with Fire Department rules and instructions; demonstrate physical endurance, agility and strength in accordance with established standards; endure extremely high emotional and physical stress; perform in emergency and potentially dangerous situations; demonstrate a high degree of mechanical aptitude in the operation and maintenance of firefighting equipment; learn firefighting techniques and the operation of fire apparatus; learn emergency medical and rescue techniques; maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Medical Technician certification; learn layout of City streets, buildings, hydrants and fire hazards; analyze fire and driving situations and employ effective courses of action; think and act quickly and appropriately in emergency situations; apply emergency medical treatment; operate fire equipment as necessary; understand and follow oral and written instructions; deal effectively and courteously with the general public; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Experience : Any experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities.
Education : High school graduation or equivalent and successful completion of course work required for Firefighter I certification are required. Firefighter I coursework must be certified by the California State Fire Training (SFT).
*Lateral Candidates: Candidates with at least two years of full-time paid experience, performing duties similar to those performed by a City of Chico Firefighter, and certified by the California State Board of Fire Services as a Firefighter I, will be considered a "Lateral" candidate, and may be placed at a higher starting salary.
Required Qualifications (MUST BE ATTACHED TO APPLICATION):
Licenses/Certifications :- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) card
- Hazardous Materials First Responder-Operational Certification
- Healthcare Provider Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automatic External Heart Defibrillator (AED) Certification
- Valid Class C California Driver License (Firefighter Endorsement is desirable)
- Successful completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) within previous 12 months
Education: A college degree in Fire Science or other applicable field is desirable.
The City of Chico offers a wide range of employee benefits. Benefits are subject to negotiations with employee organizations and may vary with individual bargaining units. For a summary of benefits, please visit the City of Chico website at: City of Chico - Employee Benefits
Closing Date/Time: 9/7/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Chico
Show moreThe City of Chico, situated in beautiful Northern California, lies on the northeast edge of the Sacramento Valley, in the midst of lush agricultural land. Founded in 1860 by General John Bidwell, and incorporated in 1872, the City’s ideal locale provides convenient access to large metropolitan areas, such as the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sacramento region, while offering a lower cost of living. Chico’s population, just over 93,000, makes it one of the largest cities north of Sacramento. Large local agencies, such as California State University – Chico, Sierra Nevada Brewery, Enloe Hospital, and the City of Chico have been a significant influence on the City and region, providing key employment and economic opportunities.
Home to Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipally owned parks in the nation, as well as a vibrant Downtown and City Plaza, Chico prides itself on a large variety of recreational and community opportunities throughout the year. Locals and out of town visitors are quick to remark on the sense of community and lively spirit that seems to permeate all of Chico, especially at the local famers’ markets or free concerts in the plaza that occur all summer long.
The City of Chico is a charter city with a City Council consisting of seven councilmembers. The City is a Council – Manager form of government, with the City Manager directly appointed by the Council. City Management has focused on building a strong team of individuals dedicated to serving the community at-large, while also focusing on economic development and emphasizing community involvement.
The mission statement of the City Manager’s Department clearly emphasizes the City’s continued commitment to expanding services and community efforts that enhance the City:
The mission of the City Manager’s Department is to provide professional leadership in the administration and execution of policies and objectives formulated by City Council; to develop and recommend alternative solutions to community problems for Council consideration; to plan and develop new programs to meet future needs of the City; to prepare the annual budget; and foster community pride in city government through excellent customer service and effective and efficient operations.
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