Firefighter/Paramedic - Internal Recruitment

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC

INTERNAL RECRUITMENT

DATE OPENED: January 7, 2026 

FILING DEADLINE: January 23, 2026 at 4:00pm

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time, 56 hours per week  

WORK LOCATION: Fallbrook, CA 

TEST DATE: February 5, 2026

POSITION:

The North County Fire Protection District is accepting applications from qualified candidates for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic. This is an internal recruitment, only current NCFPD employees are eligible to apply. 

HOURS OF WORK:

Firefighter/Paramedics are assigned to a 56-hour workweek on a 3 platoon, 24-hour shift basis, 48/96 work schedule.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responds to emergency and non-emergency type calls for service to protect life, property and the environment


• Provides basic and advanced life support


• Participates in all fire suppression, prevention and public education activities


• Performs station, equipment and apparatus maintenance


• Drives and operates various types of emergency apparatus and equipment


• Participates in training activities


• Other related duties as required

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

 EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or GED Certificate


• Currently enrolled in or have completed a CSFM accredited Firefighter I Academy  


• A minimum of six months full-time EMT-P field experience is highly desirable

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Applicants must possess and maintain the following licenses and certifications throughout employment and are not subject to waiver:

At time of Application:

• California Class “C” Driver’s License (must maintain insurability by the District’s liability carrier)


• Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational (FRO) Certificate


• Current ACLS Card

By Date of Appointment, Must Possess:

• San Diego County accreditation as an EMT-Paramedic


• Completion of FF I Academy  


• Proof of completion of firefighter physical agility test issued no earlier than one year from the recruitment filing deadline. Acceptable physical agility tests include CPAT or Biddle

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 involving fire, chemical and other threats


• Firefighting principles, techniques and principles of hydraulics applied to fire suppression


• Paramedic skills and abilities


• Regulations regarding fire prevention, safety, fire codes and rescue methods including state laws, municipal codes and ordinances related to fire prevention and inspection work


• Hazardous, toxic and/or explosive materials


• Area terrain, geography and roadways and other relevant characteristics

THE POSITION REQUIRES THE ABILITY TO:

• Perform strenuous work under adverse conditions of extended periods of time


• React quickly and calmly in emergency situations


• Learn and retain information on procedures, protocols and practices related to medical, fire and other emergency responses


• Candidates must have the ability to pass psychiatric, medical and physical agility examinations

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates must have the ability to successfully complete the NCFPD physical fitness exam and maintain physical condition, endurance, and agility appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities. See Firefighter/Paramedic job description for a complete list of requirements.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Candidates may be subject to a background check


• Candidates must have the ability to pass a medical and psychological examination


• District employees are required to abstain from tobacco use throughout employment and are required to sign an agreement to that effect


• Employees are required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period.

BENEFITS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Additional specific information regarding retirement and other available benefits can be obtained from the Safety Employee Memorandum of Understanding available on the District’s website. Paper copies are also available – please contact Human Resources at 760-723-2039.

RETIREMENT:  Full-time employees will be added to the CalPERS system upon assignment. Employees are responsible for paying the full “employee rate” for their membership class.

Retirement benefits provided by the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) for either “CLASSIC” employees or “NEW” employees, as defined by the California Pension Act of 2013.

• CLASSIC employees with 3% at age 55 formula for Safety employees. Employees with this classification are responsible for their 9% contribution.

• A “NEW” employee is defined as: A new hire who becomes a CalPERS members for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any other California Public retirement system, or who is not reciprocal with another California public retirement system; A new hire who is brought into the CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who is not eligible for reciprocity with another California public retirement system; or An established member prior to January 1, 2013, who is hired by a different CalPERS employer after January 1, 2013, after a break in service greater than six months. The District provides retirement benefits described in California Government Code, Section 7522.25, known commonly as 2.7% at 57. Final compensation will be based on the highest annual average compensation earnable during the three consecutive years of employment immediately preceding the effective date of their retirement.

A “NEW” employee shall pay the higher of nine percent (9%) or one-half the total normal cost [up to a maximum of twelve percent (12%)] as determined by CalPERS, as their employee retirement contribution.

HEALTH INSURANCE: Cafeteria-style benefit plan including health, dental, vision, life insurance, 

long term disability plan (LTD), and AD&D. The District pays an amount equal to 90% of the current Blue Shield HMO premium for the Employee’s designated coverage. Employees may waive District sponsored healthcare and receive an incentive of 50% of the of the current premium for the employee’s applicable benefit tier if they can provide evidence of healthcare coverage. All monies will be contributed on the employee’s behalf to the Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Trust. There will be no cash option for this incentive.

SICK LEAVE: 144 hours per year, accrual in excess of 540 hours after 5 years of service is paid into an individual account in the post-retirement medical benefit trust June 30th each year.

ANNUAL LEAVE: Accrual in excess of 480 hours is paid at straight time July 1st, each year into the employee’s Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Trust.

NUMBER OF MONTHS HOURS OF ANNUAL LEAVE

0-36 months of service = 120 hours per year

37-120 months of service = 180 hours per year

121+ months of service = 240 hours per year

HOLIDAYS: The District compensates employees assigned to a 56-hour workweek for 144 hours of holiday in-lieu pay each year, divided among biweekly paychecks. 

UNIFORMS: The District provides all required uniforms as all required safety clothing and gear for new employees.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: The District will reimburse employees for approved career path and formal education classes as defined in the current Safety MOU.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM: District employees may elect to contribute by payroll deduction into available Deferred Compensation Programs.

LONG TERM DISABILITY: The District offers an LTD plan to each employee; District employees are responsible for plan contributions.

POST RETIREMENT HEALTH BENEFIT: Participation in the employee held Post-Retirement Medical Trust is mandatory.

HOW TO APPLY:

Complete application packages must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on January 23, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

The following components are necessary for a complete application package:

• NCFPD Application for Employment (completed online)


• Resume (uploaded with your application)


• Copies of all required licenses and certificates uploaded with your application)
  
  
  
  • California Class “C” Driver’s License
  
  
  • Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational (FRO) Certificate
  
  
  • Current ACLS Card
  
  
  • Fire Academy Proof of Completion (or letter certifying enrollment). 
    
  
  
  
  

For questions regarding the application process or the position, contact the Human Resources Division at [email protected] or 760-723-2039.

TEST PROCESS:

COMPONENTS:

• Review of credentials/application materials. Candidates determined as best qualified will proceed to the next stage in the selection procedure.


• The testing process may consist of a written exam, an oral panel interview, skills testing, and an interview with executive Chief Officers. 

Test Date: February 5, 2026

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. NCFPD defines a passing score as 70% or greater for each component. 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. Candidates who successfully pass will be put on an eligibility list for six months, with the option of an extension to one year as determined by the Fire Chief. 

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.

The North County Fire Protection District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, political or religious affiliation, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, or other functional limitation as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act except where a bona fide occupational qualification(s) so dictates.

DISCLAIMER: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content. The District may, without notice, change or eliminate any particular assessment component

or combination of components as needs dictate.