Engineer/Paramedic

FIRE ENGINEER/PARAMEDIC 

INTERNAL RECRUITMENT

FILING DEADLINE: February 23, 2026 @ 4:00pm

BASE SALARY:
Refer to current Safety MOU

EMPLOYMENT TYPE:
Permanent Full-Time Employment

WORK LOCATION:
Station to be determined

TEST DATE:
March 2, 2026  

POSITION:

The North County Fire Protection District is accepting applications from qualified candidates for the position of Fire Engineer/Paramedic. This exam is being conducted in coordination with the North Zone promotional testing process. Fire Engineer/Paramedics are assigned to one of five district stations where during their assigned shift they work with a crew generally consisting of a Fire Captain, Firefighter-Paramedic, and Single Role Paramedics/EMT. Their primary functions are the driving, operation and maintenance of emergency response vehicles/apparatus, fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical response. 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, more vehicle accidents in wet weather, etc. Ideal candidates for this position are motivated and enthusiastic individuals 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, 15-minute breaks and a 60-minute lunch break.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

See the job description for this position for a complete listing of all essential job functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

1. EXPERIENCE: 

Applicant shall have two (2) years experience as a safety employee with the District. 

2. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• California State Firefighter I Certification


• Completion of Driver/Operator 1A and 1B prior to test date


• Within 1 year following successful passing of the probationary period, Employee shall apply for State Certified Apparatus Operator Pump Certification


•   An Associate’s Degree in Fire Science, Business Management, Public Administration or related field is desirable but not required


• A Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science, Business Management, Public Administration or related field is desirable but not required

3. LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

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


• State Certified as a Paramedic.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

THIS POSITION REQUIRES GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE WITH:

• Basic apparatus and equipment mechanics, maintenance and operations


• Emergency rescue procedures and practices


• Firefighting and hydraulics principles applied to fire suppression


• Fire prevention, suppression methods, fire behavior, and basic fire chemistry


• Basic and Advanced life support and principles of EMS deliver


• A working understanding of the Incident Command System (ICS) 


• District rules & regulations, policies, and procedures


• Hazardous materials


• Area terrain, geography, roadways, and relevant travel/transport characteristics

THE POSITION REQUIRES THE ABILITY TO:

•  Perform strenuous work under adverse conditions for sustained periods of time


• React quickly and calmly in emergency situations


• Perform and coordinate operation and maintenance of department apparatus and equipment


• Inspect or direct inspections of commercial or residential occupancies including reporting


• Prepare and maintain District apparatus and equipment records

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to 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 Engineer/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 and 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

·         Loud noise

·         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 the website: Safety MOU. 

A Complete Application Package consists of the following documents: 

•  Cover Letter


•  Resume


• California State Firefighter I Certification


• Driver/Operator 1A Certificate


• Driver/Operator 1B Certificate (if obtained, or proof of course registration) 

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

TEST PROCESS: 
COMPONENTS:

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

2.     Interview panel, pumping skills assessment, driving skills assessment, equipment skills, and mechanical aptitude. Test Dates: March 2, 2026. The testing materials will be derived from the NCFPD Policy & Procedure Manual, North Zone EOM and Training Manual, LARRO Instructor & Student Manual, IFSTA Pumping Apparatus/Driver Operator Handbook, 3rd Ed., California Commercial Driver Handbook.

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. 

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

North County Fire is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. It is the practice of North County Fire to provide equal employment opportunity to all staff and applicants for employment on the basis of merit and fitness and to prohibit discrimination in its personnel practices and policies dealing with selection, development, advancement, and treatment of employees.