Fire Captain (Internal Recruitment Only)

Promotional Opportunity
 

Title: Fire Captain 
Department: Fire Department – City of San Bruno, CA 
Annual Salary: $138,940– $170,496 (1)
Work Schedule: 56-Hour Schedule or as assigned by department 

Grow and Thrive 

Are you ready to help shape the future of the San Bruno Fire Department?  The City of San Bruno Fire Department is seeking energetic and dedicated leaders to promote to Fire Captains. Under the direction of the Battalion Chief, this promotional opportunity as Fire Captain will perform responsibilities for the fire station and operations on an assigned shift and supervises Firefighters, Firefighter Paramedics, and technical and administrative staff.  

About the Department 

The San Bruno Fire Department is dedicated to the protection of health, life and property, and has a long-standing tradition of service and excellence. The Fire Department provides a full range of services and places priority on the safety and emergency preparedness of our citizens through outreach programs in fire prevention, public education, advanced life support, hazardous material safety, and fire suppression activities.

About the Role 

Fire Captain is a journey-level supervisory management position with significant field and administrative responsibilities relating to the planning and delivery of program services. This responsible and dedicated leader will play a vital role in supporting and implementing the Department’s leadership expectations and professional standards.  

Essential duties include responding to fires and emergency rescues, designating a route to be taken to an emergency and ordering placement of equipment, directing fire control operations and personnel, as well as supervising the return and servicing of equipment after calls. Tasks may also include administrative duties such as performance evaluations, assisting in coordinating Fire Department activities with other departments or jurisdictions, attending conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field, representing the City Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in local, county, state, and other meetings. This position may work a 56-hour schedule or other work schedule as dictated by the needs of the Department. 
 

Qualifications 

Minimum qualifications for the position include a minimum of five years firefighting experience including completion of the probationary period as a Firefighter with the San Bruno Fire Department and certification as a Company Officer by the California Fire Service Training and Education System (CFSTES), or required classes and paperwork submitted to State Fire Marshal’s Office within one year of appointment.  Candidates may have up to two years to complete certification after appointment; however, probationary period will be extended until completed.  

Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree, or completion of 60 units of college credits including 24 units of courses related to fire science.  Special requirements include possession of and ability to maintain a valid California Class B driver’s license, or Class C driver’s license with Firefighter Endorsement, and possession of and ability to maintain a valid State of California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license or State of California Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic (EMT-P) license.  

 
How to Apply 

.  Applications must be submitted online at the City’s BambooHR page. Applications must be received by 7:30 am on March 2, 2026. If you are interested in applying, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible before the March 2, 2026 deadline. 

The City of San Bruno utilizes a merit-based selection system that is competitive and based on broad outreach efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to take part in a process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness, and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.   

Timeline 

Below are the key dates for this recruitment.   

• February 17, 2026: Attend Industrial Emergency Council recruitment orientation. 

• March 2, 2026: Deadline to submit online application. 

• March 17, 2026: Written test is administered. 

• April 14, 2026: Assessment center is administered. 

Reasonable Accommodations 

The City of San Bruno is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws in its employment actions, decisions, policies and practices.  

The City of San Bruno Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the selection process to accommodate disabled applicants. Individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation in the process must inform the Human Resources Department by the final filing date by emailing [email protected].   

Equal Opportunity Statement 
 

The City of San Bruno is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 

Benefits 

• CalPERS retirement formula of 3% @ 50 for classic members or 2.7% @ 57 for new members 

• Annual accruals of vacation days based on years of service, holidays and sick days 

• Opportunity for bilingual incentive pay up to 2.5% 

• Annual uniform allowance 

• Medical, dental and vision benefits provided with employee contribution 

• Life Insurance equal to one year’s annual salary provided at no cost 

• Long-term disability insurance provided at no cost 

• Home loan assistance program 

• Section 125 Flexible Benefit Plan 

• Tuition reimbursement 

(1) The Fire Unit has ratified a tentative agreement which includes a general wage and equity increase effective the first full pay period in January 2026, January 2027 and January 2028 pending City Council ratification on February 10, 2026.