Captain/Paramedic - Internal Recruitment

FIRE CAPTAIN (FIRE CAPTAIN/PARAMEDIC) INTERNAL RECRUITMENT

DATE OPENED - March 05, 2026 

FILING DEADLINE - March 19, 2026 @ 4:00pm

PRE-ASSIGNMENT DEADLINE - March 23, 2026 @ 4:00pm 

BASE SALARY - Refer to current Safety MOU

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Perrmanent Full - Time Employment

WORK LOCATION - Station to be determined  

TEST DATE: March 31, 2026 

POSITION:The North County Fire Protection District is accepting applications from qualified candidates for the position of Fire Captain/Paramedic. This exam is being conducted in coordination with the North Zone promotional testing process. Fire Captains are assigned to one of five district stations where during their assigned shift they are responsible for a crew generally consisting of a Fire Engineer/Paramedic, Firefighter/Paramedic, and Single Role Paramedics/EMTs.  At emergency incidents, a Captain is required to fill the role of Incident Commander and as a result can oversee multiple crews. Each Captain may be responsible to oversee one or more special program/project areas. There are seasonal variances in types of actions, with more structural fires and river/flood rescues during winter months, more wildland fires during summer months, and more vehicle accidents in wet weather, etc. Ideal candidates for this position are motivated and enthusiastic people who value public service.

HOURS OF WORK:

An average of eight, 24-hour shifts is worked in a 24-day work cycle equaling an average 56-hour work week. Regularly scheduled activities and emergency call responses are performed throughout the shift. Mandatory overtime hours are worked as needed. During "regular work hours," employees are provided two, paid 15-minute breaks and a paid 60-minute lunch break.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direction of a Shift Battalion Chief and Fire Operations Chief:

Understands and follows District Policy and Procedures;

Performs strenuous work under adverse conditions for sustained periods of time;

Reacts quickly and calmly and perform command functions in emergency situations;

Commands single and multiple-company responses to fire, medical aid, traffic accident, hazardous material, rescue or other emergency situations and functions as the incident commander;

Using the North Zone Emergency Operations Manual (EOM) as a guide, is responsible for situation assessment, tactic and strategy development, implementation and deployment of personnel, equipment and resources;

• 
  Supervises and coordinates operation and maintenance of Department apparatus and tools;


• Supervises, manages and plans day-to-day operations of the company;


• Supervises, directs, counsels and disciplines subordinates;


• Interprets and enforces laws, ordinances, statutes and other regulations;


• Inspects or supervises inspections for commercial or residential occupancies;


• Plans, coordinates, develops, schedules, implements and evaluates various training programs;


• Performs or supervises fire and arson investigations;


• Prepares and maintains department reports, records and budgets;


• Attends scheduled meetings, including management meetings, special committee meetings and acts as representative for District;


• Other assigned duties as directed by Fire Chief or designee 


• See the job description for this position for a complete listing of all duties, skills and essential job functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

1. 
   EXPERIENCE
   A minimum five (5) years full-time experience as a Safety Employee with the North County Fire Protection District; or five (5) years combined experience between the District and another full-time career Safety position with successful completion of probation.


2. 
   EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Must have completed prior to the filing deadline: 

One (1) year as an Acting Engineer or;

One (1) year in grade as Engineer or;

Combined time of one (1) full year as an Acting Engineer and time in grade as Engineer

Must have a California OSFM Fire Officer certification or have completed all the educational prerequisites for Company Officer as specified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. 

Must have completed the required training for the position of Engine Boss per current CICCS Qualification Guide or be Engine Boss Certified. 

Must have a Blue Card Incident Commander Certificate.

1. 
   LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Must be certified as a San Diego County Paramedic.


• California Class "B" Firefighter Restricted or “C” Firefighter Endorsed Driver's License (must remain insurable with District’s liability carrier)


• CSTI Hazardous Material Incident Commander or Fire Command 1B.

ADDITIONAL LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Within eighteen (18) months of promotion to the rank of Captain/Paramedic, apply for full OSFM certification as Company Officer. This is not applicable for candidates who have already achieved OSFM Fire Officer Certification.

DESIRABLE EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

• An Associate’s Degree in Fire Science, Business Management, Public Administration or related field.


• Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Public Administration or, related field. 


• OSFM Instructor 1 Certification 


• ICS 400


• L-280

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

THIS POSITION REQUIRES GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE WITH:

• Principles and practices of effective employee supervision, training, work evaluation and discipline;


• Administrative practices including planning and budget needs;


• Time management and leadership principles;


• Monitoring relevant expenditures and compliance with purchase and requisition processes;


• Principles, techniques, strategy, materials and equipment used in fire suppression, investigation and prevention, rescue and related emergency responses, Hazardous material and chemical spill responses.

THE POSITION REQUIRES THE ABILITY TO:

• Comprehend and follow specific instructions, policies and procedures;


• Perform simple and repetitive tasks, or short cycle work;


• Maintain a work pace appropriate to a given work load;


• Relate to other people beyond giving and receiving instructions;


• Influence people;


• Perform complex or varied tasks;


• Make generalizations, evaluations or decisions without immediate supervision;


• Accept and carry out responsibility for direction, control and planning.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands  or finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools and controls; reach with hands and arms; push, pull, climb or balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch or walk, twist, turn, sit and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move equipment and/or persons.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of Fire Captain/Paramedic, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills, read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning, observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; and interact with District staff, other organizations, departments and the public.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

This position requires the employee to work both inside (approximately 20-80%) and outside (approximately 0% to 50%) of the time. They may be exposed to:

• Weather, including extreme heat and cold and wet and/or humid conditions;


• Vibration;


• Moving Parts;


• Explosives;


• Electrical Shock;


• High/Exposed places;


• Radiation;


• Toxic/Caustic Chemicals & Gases;


• Dust;


• Smoke, fumes, vehicle exhaust;


• Hazardous materials;


• Burning plastics and other materials;


• Bodily fluids, communicable and infectious bodily fluids; and/or


• Traffic and other conditions.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The detailed compensation and benefits plan is described in the MOU between the NCFPD and the Safety Labor Group and is available on th e website: Safety MOU.

HOW TO APPLY:

Complete application packages must be submitted to Human Resources no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 5th 2024 . Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The following constitutes a complete application packet:

• Cover Letter


• Resume
  


• Blue Card Incident Commander Certificate


• OFSM FF I Certificate


• OSFM FF II Certificate (if applicable) 


• CSTI Hazardous Materials Incident Commander or Fire Command 1B


• OSFM Fire Officer Certification or the following:
  
  
  
  • Company Officer 2A
  
  
  • Company Officer 2B
  
  
  • Company Officer 2C
  
  
  • Company Officer 2D
  
  
  • Company Officer 2E
  
  
  • Instructor 1
  
  
  
  


• CICCS Engine Boss Certification or the following:
  
  
  
  • Fire Operations in the Wildland Urban Interface (S-215) or equivalent 
  
  
  • Crew Boss (S-230)
  
  
  • Engine Boss (S-231)
  
  
  • Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290)
  
  
  
  

For questions regarding the application process or the position, contact Nancy Goss at [email protected]

TESTING PROCESS:  

COMPONENTS:

1. Review of credentials/application materials. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements will move on to the next step in the examination process.
   


2. North Zone Captain’s Exam – March 31, 2026
   
   

1. The 2026 North Zone Regional Fire Captain’s Assessment Center will include: simulations, personnel/time management, oral interview and presentation skills. A pre-assignment will be sent out the week of March 9, 2026 and will be due by the 23rd at 4:00pm. 


2. In order to successfully pass the evaluation process, a candidate must successfully pass each component of the exam; a combined total score that comprises a passing grade is unacceptable if any portion of the exam was not successfully passed. Regardless of the classification/category of the employee, there will be no retesting of any portion of the examination for which a passing grade is not received. Current actors will lose status for being unsuccessful or choosing not to participate in the exam. 

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Should there be an insufficient number of qualified applicants, the District reserves the right to extend the final filing deadline and/or modify application requirements. The provisions of this announcement do not constitute, express or imply a contract. Any of the provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

All material received in this application and testing process will remain confidential until a conditional offer of employment is made to the successful candidate.

The North County Fire Protection District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, basis of gender, gender identity and gender expression, other non-job related physical or mental disability or other functional limitation as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act, except where a bona fide occupational qualification(s) so dictates.

NORTH COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.