Firefighter (Lateral)

Salary : $85,127.64 - $103,473.76 Annually
Location : Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Classified
Job Number: 2025-028-3404-FD-MW
Department: Fire
Division: Fire - Administration
Opening Date: 02/17/2025
Closing Date: 2/28/2025 5:30 PM Pacific

DESCRIPTION
ABOUT US
At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. The work that you do has a tangible impact on our community. We are about more than the bottom line; our work ensures the health and safety of residents and visitors, protects and preserves our heritage and the natural environment, and enriches lives.

As City employees, we are the stewards of this beautiful place. Our job is to help the elected officials serve everyone in our community and ensure Santa Barbara continues to be a special place for future generations. It is important work that you can be proud to perform.

THE POSITION
The City of Santa Barbara Fire Department is seeking experienced academy-complete Firefighters. Under general supervision, Firefighters suppresses fires, responds to medical emergencies and hazardous conditions and other types of emergency and public service incidents; performs fire safety inspections; and performs related work as required.

Work Schedule: Suppression employees shall be regularly scheduled to work a 48/96 schedule.

Distinguishing Characteristics
Positions in this class are primarily responsible for the operations of a fire hose and related equipment when engaged in fire suppression and the administration of first aid when engaged in medical calls.

BENEFITS:
To view our benefits page click here.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of:

• How to use and maintain personal safety gear.
• Basic building construction standards, materials, and techniques.
• Basic life support emergency medical procedures.
• Advanced life support emergency medical procedures.
• Vehicle, building, and rough terrain rescue/extrication procedures and hazards.
• Basic firefighting tactics and strategies.
• Fire behavior and control in buildings, grass lands, and wild land.
• First responder requirements at hazardous materials incidents; fire behavior control involving chemicals and hazardous materials.
• Search and rescue techniques.
• Tools and equipment (e.g. appliances, hoses, ladders, apparatus, etc.)
• Apparatus types, uses, and operating procedures; readiness and maintenance requirements for apparatus, equipment, and tools (e.g., knowledge of how to prepare for emergency responses).
• What information must be passed on to others on the fire crew.
• Transportation procedures for EMS victims.
• Department standards for training and drill requirements.
• Personal records maintenance procedures; department standards for training and drill requirements.
• Incident Command System (ICS).
• Departmental policy and procedures regarding personnel management (employee conduct, complaints, assignments, performance, training, scheduling, etc.).
• Operation of a computer using common applications such as MS Teams / MS Office

Ability to:

• Verbally communicate with other members of a fire crew; follow verbal instructions.
• Read and understand materials or instructions in order to apply this information during emergency conditions (e.g., IFSTA Manuals, etc.); learn technical information in a classroom setting and transfer this knowledge to actions.
• Learn by doing and acquire more skill through practice and feedback.
• Work with others on a team, contributing to an overall effort; work closely with other people; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the public.
• Apply mechanical principles (e.g., how pulleys, gears, levers, etc. work).
• Visualize spatial arrangements and 3-dimensional characteristics of structure (e.g., visualize entry and exits to structures in smoke-filled rooms).
• Analyze simple cause and effect principles with regard to the physical environment (e.g., if this happens, it will lead to ...).
• Requires a willingness to work in unpleasant, hazardous, and stressful conditions; perform undesirable, routine, or monotonous duties; work irregular hours; wear protective clothing and equipment; work effectively in confined areas; tolerate offensive sights and smells.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities
• Communicate over a radio system; speak in front of groups or business people for basic demonstrations, tours, inspections, etc.; complete written documentation of personal activities, schedules, etc.; and develop written statements of observations.
• Read and interpret basic maps in order to apply this information during emergency activities (e.g., finding most direct route).
• Read and understand simply technical or mechanical diagrams, blueprints of structures, building plans, floor plans, etc. in order to apply this information during emergency and non-emergency activities (e.g., pre-fire planning, location of victims in structures, etc.)
• Read and understand reference materials such as Building Codes as needed for pre-fire planning, inspections, etc.
• Perform basic mathematical calculations to compute pump requirements, hose and hydrant requirements, etc. (e.g., volume, flow, capacity, etc.) and to compute the size of a building or room or determine the distance from one location to another (e.g., area, square footage, distance, size).
• Inductively solve basic problems (i.e., to induce means to infer general principles from specific or particular points, such as knowledge of fire behavior applied to a specific fire).
• Deductively solve basic problems ( i.e., deduce means to infer specific or particular points from a general principle; such as observation of water hammer to actions being taken at the hydrant or pump).
• Estimate size, quantity, distance and slope (e.g., estimate size and spread of a fire).
• React in an emotionally appropriate manner during routine and emergency situations.
• Operate and use department Records Managements Systems.
• Work extra shifts when needed including overtime, mandates, and emergency callbacks. Commit to working on out-of-town assignments on an engine or as overhead for as many as 14 days on short notice for planned or immediate need requests through the mutual aid system.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:

Experience

• Must be 18 years of age at time of application.
• Currently employed as a full-time Firefighter within the public sector with a minimum of one (1) year of consecutive full-time "all risk" public sector firefighting experience AND completion of a probationary period. Experience in "all risk" firefighting includes structural firefighting, EMS Response, HazMat response, Fire Prevention, and Wildland response.

Education

• High school diploma or G.E.D.

License and/or Training Requirements: Please attach to your application and clearly label

• A valid CA EMT certification OR valid CA Paramedic License
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid CA Class A, B or C Driver's License.
• American Heart Association or approved accredited certification in CPR- Heath Care Provider level
• S-190 Introduction to Fire Behavior certificate
• Diploma of Accredited California Firefighter 1 Academy OR California Firefighter I Certificate OR IFSAC Pro Board equivalent to include completion of the following testing:
  • Fire Fighter 1A: Structure
  • Fire Fighter 1B: HazMat FRA/FRO
  • Fire Fighter 1C: Wildland
• A valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) or Biddle certification is required as part of the application process. Candidates must provide a passing certificate obtained within the past 12 months with their application OR at the time of the interview. CPAT schedule

In Additional to the above, our Ideal Candidates Qualifications will include:

• CA Class C or greater Driver's License with Firefighter endorsement (required within 1 year of employment)
• HazMat FRO certificate
• USAR courses, including but not limited to:
  • LARRO
  • Rescue Systems 1- certificate or equivalent training
  • Rescue Systems 2- certificate or equivalent training
  • Confined Space Rescue- certificate or equivalent training
  • Trench Rescue- certificate or equivalent training
  • Swiftwater Rescue- certificate or equivalent training
• S-215 Urban Interface in the Fire Operations certificate
• Ability to speak Spanish

Physical: Meet and maintain NFPA medical standards; maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities that may include the following: frequently lift/carry a variety of fire equipment and occasionally move injured persons; prolonged, rigorous physical activity during emergency situations; climb and balance on ladder; stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl; reach and handle tools and equipment; feel objects for temperature, shape and other characteristics; use fingers to make minute adjustments, tie knots, etc.; listen for specific sounds during emergency; demonstrate normal vision and color recognition.

SELECTION PROCESS
It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule:

• Oral Interviews: Week of 3/17/2025
• Interview with Fire Chief: Week of 3/24/2025
• Background Process: 4/1/2025-5/9/2025
  
  • Background Investigation / Live Scan Fingerprinting
  • Psychological Evaluation
  • Polygraph
  • Medical Examination and Controlled Substances Screening
• Start Date: 6/1/2025, four (4) week in-service academy

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2025.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.
THE SALARY RANGE consists of five steps, each representing an increase of approximately five percent.? STEP INCREASES, through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews.? Employees receive annual performance reviews.

THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to collective bargaining: Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.

• Flexwork/Telecommuting is available.
• Bilingual pay may be available at a rate of $51.20 / pay period.
• Vacation is accrued at 132 hours / year, increasing with City service.
• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 144 hours / year for shift personnel and 96 hours / year for 40-hour employees.
• Holidays: Holiday leave is accrued at the rate of 156 hours / year
• Retirement: PERS Fire Safety Formula: "Classic" members: 3% @ 50; employee contributes 10.5% of salary. "New" members: 2.7% @ 57; employee contributes 13.75% of salary. The City does not participate in Social Security.
• Insurance including medical, dental and vision benefits is available under a group plan. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: Fire Unit Rate Sheet.
• Cafeteria 125 Plan: Employees who opt-out of the group insurance coverage or who select employee-only coverage may be eligible for a cash pay-out of up to $232.84 / month.
• Life Insurance: City-paid term life insurance ($75,000) is provided.
• Employee Assistance Program: A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their households.
• Long-term Disability Insurance is available through the Firefighters' Association.
• Short-term Disability Insurance is available through the Firefighters' Association.
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
• A Uniform Allowance of $595 / year will be provided by the City.
• Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare. An equal amount is paid by the City.
• The City is also a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership, which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• The Santa Barbara City Firefighters' Association represents this classification.

01

I am 18 years if age or older at time of application.

• Yes
• No

02

I have graduated from high school or possess a GED.

• Yes
• No

03

I am currently employed as a firefighter in the public sector.

• Yes
• No

04

I possess a minimum of one (1) year of full-time consecutive public sector "all-risk" firefighting experience.

• Yes
• No

05

I have a valid CA EMT certification OR valid CA Paramedic License. (select the applicable certification you possess and attach it to your application)

• CA EMT certification
• CA Paramedic License
• None of the Above

06

I possess, or have the ability to obtain, a valid California Class A, B or C Driver's License at time of application. (select the applicable certification you possess and attach it to your application)

• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
• Class C, or greater, Driver's License with Firefighter endorsement

07

I have an American Heart Association or approved accredited certification in CPR- Heath Care Provider level. (select the applicable certification you possess and attach it to your application)

• American Heart Association Certification
• CPR- Heath Care Provider Level Certification

08

I have a Diploma of Accredited California Firefighter 1 Academy OR California Firefighter I Certificate OR IFSAC Pro Board equivalent to include completion of the following testing: Fire Fighter 1A: Structure, Fire Fighter 1B: HazMat FRA/FRO and Fire Fighter 1C: Wildland. (select the applicable certification/diploma you possess and attach it to your application)

• Diploma of Accredited California Firefighter 1 Academy
• California Firefighter I Certificate
• IFSAC Pro Board equivalent to include completion of the following testing: Fire Fighter 1A: Structure, Fire Fighter 1B: HazMat FRA/FRO and Fire Fighter 1C: Wildland

09

A valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) or Biddle certification is required as part of the application process. Candidates must provide a passing certificate obtained within the past 12 months with their application OR at the time of the interview.

• I have attached a valid CPAT or Biddle certification obtained within the past 12 months with my application.
• I will provide a valid CPAT or Biddle certification at time of interview.

10

I am fluent in speaking Spanish

• Yes
• No

11

Please select the USAR courses you have completed, if any. (select all that apply)

• LARRO
• Rescue Systems 1- certificate or equivalent training
• Rescue Systems 2- certificate or equivalent training
• Confined Space Rescue- certificate or equivalent training
• Trench Rescue- certificate or equivalent training
• Swiftwater Rescue- certificate or equivalent training
• None of the Above

12

I possess the following certification(s). (select all that apply and attach it to your application)

• S-190 Introduction to Fire Behavior certificate
• S-215 Urban Interface in the Fire Operations certificate
• S-270 Basic Air Operations
• S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior
• CA-219 Ignition Operations (S-219 or S-234 are equivalent)
• HazMat FRO
• HazMat Technician
• HazMat Specialist
• Company Officer certification
• Chief Officer certification
• None of the Above

13

What is your experience with completing a probationary period as an all-risk firefighter?

• I have successfully completed the probationary period as an all-risk firefighter in my current position.
• I am currently serving in a probationary period as an all-risk firefighter.
• I have not completed a probationary period as an all-risk firefighter.

Required Question