Nature of Position
ORAL BOARD INTERVIEWS PARAMEDIC ASSESSMENTS AND CHIEFS INTERVIEWS ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED BETWEEN JANUARY 12 - JANUARY 23 2026 AND MUST BE ATTENDED IN PERSON.
FIREFIGHTER (EMT & PARAMEDIC) - LATERAL
ANNUAL SALARY (includes additional pays listed below) :
Salary Range : $113206.90 - $143876.90
Salary upon graduation for Paramedics : Step 3 $126441.90
Salary upon graduation for EMTs : Step 3 $118589.50
Lateral Academy Length : 8 Weeks tentatively scheduled to begin : APRIL 2026
LATERAL SALARY RANGE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL PAYS UPON ACADEMY GRADUATION :
Paramedics : $13235.00 - $16821.00 annually (12.5% differential when assigned & working as a Paramedic)
EMTs : $5382.60 annually (differential equal to 4% of the top step firefighter salary for EMTs)
Holiday-in-Lieu pay : $7326.90 - $9311.90 annually
Uniform Allowance : $2120 annually
Additional Eligible Pays
7.5% of top step Firefighter base when assigned to an ambulance
4% - 14% incentive pay depending on EMT or EMT-P accreditation and certifications (Career Development Incentive Program
To view the IAFF Salary Schedule Click HERE.
OTHER BENEFITS OF EMPLOYMENT :
Retirement :
CalPERS Classic Members 3% @ 50 or New Members 2.7% @ 57
Retiree Medical and Dental after 10 years of service
Medical :
CalPERS plans HMO and PPO available selection based on county of residence
City contribution up to $2978.82 / mo dependent on coverage (single two party or family)
Dental & Vision
City paid dental for employee and all eligible dependents
Vision coverage 50% paid by City (employee pays $3.90 - $12 per month for coverage)
To view details on all benefits to City of Alameda Employees click HERE.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The City of Alameda Fire Department is seeking career-minded individuals whose performance is reflective of a very high level of dedication and commitment to public service. Alameda firefighters are trained professionals who provide a wide range of services to include : fire suppression fire prevention ambulance transport and emergency services to protect the lives and property of a diverse community of over 79000. The Fire Departments goal is to develop staffing that reflects the rich make-up of the diverse population residing within the City of Alameda. The ideal candidate will possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills be committed to fostering respect dignity and fairness and is driven by a strong commitment to providing quality service.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Under general supervision the Firefighter performs duties to prevent or limit loss of life and property in emergency situations; maintains related equipment and records and performs other related work as required.
Distinguishing Features
Possession of the employment standards does not guarantee advancement to the interview and assessment placement on the eligible list or advancement in the hiring process. This is a competitive examination where a candidates performance in the examination will be evaluated in comparison with the core competencies required of the job.
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS EXAMINATION YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING STANDARDS :
Employment
Status : have been
continuously employed as a firefighter full-time
for the 12 months preceding November 30 2025 (December 1 2024 - November 30 2025); AND
Age & Education : possess a high school diploma or equivalent and be at least 18 years of age by the application deadline (November 30 2025); AND
Firefighter I Certificate : possess a valid State of California Firefighter I Certificate; AND
EMT-1 (or higher) OR Paramedic License : must possess either a valid State of California Emergency Medical Technician Certificate or a valid State of California
Paramedic License to be eligible for final job offer
(National Registry will be accepted while in the process to obtain California License must have California certification / license upon conditional job offer); AND
Drivers License : possess a valid State of California Drivers License and satisfactory driving record as a condition of employment at the time of appointment; AND
Physical & Mental Health Standards : possess the physical and mental standards required to perform duties of this position. Typically this includes : demonstrating a state of physical and mental health consistent with the ability to perform assigned duties; normal hearing or hearing corrected to normal levels; normal vision or vision corrected to 20 / 20 in each eye; and color vision sufficient to identify color coded lights placards signs maps hydrant caps sprinklers etc. plus smoke and flame colors used in identifying combustibles their location and potential.
Additional Certifications : Upon a conditional job offer the following documentation will be required :
iiii. A current Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) card or a current International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) card (Paramedics only).
For a full listing of standards skills and abilities required by the position please visit : of Duties
For a complete listing of all essential functions of the position knowledge and abilities required for the position example of duties and employment standards required of the Firefighter position please review the job description by clicking HERE .
Employment Standards
APPLICATION SELECTION & HIRING PROCESS
A pplication
: Complete and submit the application and supplemental questionnaire including attaching required documentation (Firefighter I certificate EMT-1 (or higher) OR Paramedic License and Drivers License). Your application questionnaire responses and required documentation
will be reviewed
and if you receive a passing evaluation you will be invited to an exam consisting of an oral board interview and paramedic assessment (if applicable).
IMPORTANT NOTICE : You MUST upload copies of your California Firefighter I Certificate California or National Registry Paramedic License and Drivers License to your application before submitting your application. If you do not attach these documents to your application you will not be considered.
Oral Board & Paramedic Assessment : qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an exam consisting of an oral board interview and if applicable a paramedic assessment. Exams are
tentatively
scheduled between
anuar
y 12 - January 23 2026
nd
must be attended in person .
Eligible List : applicants passing the oral board interview and paramedic assessment (if applicable) with a score of 70% or higher on each will be placed on the eligible list based on the final weighted score of each component of the exam. Two eligible lists will be established a Firefighter EMT List and a Firefighter Paramedic List. For Paramedics the oral board and paramedic assessment will each be worth 50% of the final score.
Chiefs Interview :
all applicants passing both the o ral board interview and a paramedic assessment (if applicable)
will immediately move to the Chiefs interview.
Chiefs Interviews are tentatively scheduled immediately following the oral board and paramedic assessment between
anuar
y 12 - January 23 2026
Background Psych & Medical Evaluation : applicants passing the Chiefs interview process and selected to continue in the hiring process will be provided a conditional offer of employment and will be required to successfully complete a background investigation psychological evaluation and medical evaluation.
Final Offer of Employment :
applicants passing the background psychological evaluation and medical evaluation will receive a final offer of employment approximately two weeks before the start of the Academy.
Swim Test :
hose provided a conditional job offer will be required to complete a 250 yard swim test. Employment requires sworn staff be able to swim 250 yards without aid and without touching the bottom of the pool; there is no time requirement for this test.
All applications will be reviewed to confirm candidates meet the employment standards listed in the announcement and class specification. Those meeting the employment standards may be invited to the structured oral interview and paramedic assessment (if applicable). The examination process may test for but is not limited to the essential knowledge and abilities listed in the class specification and announcement and will be designed to provide a comprehensive review of each candidates technical knowledge and overall suitability for the position. To review the class specification click
HERE
Qualified applicants will be notified of the exact date time and location of their interview.
The Structured Oral Interview Paramedic Assessment and Chiefs Interview are
tentatively
scheduled for January 12 - January 23 2026.
If applicants have not received written notice by 6 : 00 PM on December 18 2025 they should contact the City of Alameda Human Resources Department at
Candidates passing the oral board and paramedic assessment (if applicable) with a score of 70% or higher on each will be placed on the City of Alameda Eligible List. Two eligible lists will be established an EMT List and a Paramedic List. For Paramedics the oral board and paramedic assessment will each be worth 50% of the final score. A list of names is certified to the department having vacancies based on the type of examination conducted pursuant to the provision of the Citys Civil Service Rules. Final selection will be made from the Eligible List by the Department Head subject to approval by the City Manager. The Department Head may utilize additional selection procedures to make a final hiring decision. Placement on an Eligible List does not guarantee employment. Prior to appointment a thorough reference check and background investigation which includes a thorough investigation of personal history not limited to work history education military arrest record driving record etc. will be conducted on applicants being considered for hire. Pre-employment testing will also include city-paid medical and psychological evaluations which will include a drug test. The selection process may be evaluated and revised based on the number of qualified applicants. Federal law requires that prior to employment you must furnish proof of your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States as required the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
VETERANS PREFERENCE CREDIT : A job applicant qualifies as a veteran if honorably discharged from active military reservist or National Guard duty of at least 18 consecutive months within the past five (5) years of the date of case of discharge attributable to service-connected injuries or illnesses the 18 months active duty requirement need not be fulfilled. An applicant claiming veterans preference credit must attach to their application a legible copy of their DD-214 verifying the type of discharge and date(s) of active service. NO OTHER DOCUMENTATION WILL BE ACCEPTED.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER : The In compliance with local state and federal laws and regulations the City of Alameda will employ and promote qualified individuals without regard to disability. The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must do so no later than the final filing date for receipt of applications otherwise it may not be possible to arrange accommodations for the selection process. Such requests should be addressed to the Human Resources Department 1- 2263 Santa Clara Avenue Rm. 290 Alameda 94501. Requests can be made via email phone or in writing via U.S. mail.
The information contained herein is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
Employment Type : Full-Time
Experience : years
Vacancy : 1
Yearly Salary Salary : 92525 - 134565
Firefighter Paramedic • Alameda, California, USA