About the Department

The City of Chico is holding a recruitment to fill 6-9 positions for an academy with a start date of in mid-to-late September and create an eligibility list for future positions.

Definition / Distinguishing Characteristics

Under general supervision, to engage in firefighting, emergency medical services, rescue, hazardous materials response, and fire prevention activities in order to protect life and property; to operate and maintain firefighting equipment and apparatus; to provide emergency medical services; to maintain fire facilities; to perform related work as required.

· Must be current on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List (SEL) on 07/12/2026. (For more information on how to be placed on the FCTC SEL, visit https://www.fctconline.org/sel /)
· Cal-JAC CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) Card must be dated to expire between 07/12/2026-07/12/2027.
· A passing score on the FCTC Written Test must be dated to expire between 07/12/2026 and 07/12/2027.
· To view upcoming Cal-JAC CPAT and FCTC Written Test dates, click here (https://www.fctconline.org/testingschedules/).
· Candidates experiencing financial hardship may qualify for financial aid to pay for their FCTC testing fees. (https://www.fctconline.org/financialaid/)
**IMPORTANT: It is your sole responsibility to ensure your contact information in your FCTC profile matches what you are putting on this application to be accurately matched to the SEL. (FCTC ID#, Name, Email Address, Phone Number, etc.)*

First interviews will be held July 20th-24th. Chief's interviews will be held July 27th-29th.

Position Duties

Examples of Typical Job Functions (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Respond to all fire alarms with designated equipment.
Connect and appropriately place fire hose lines.
Enter burning buildings with hose lines.
Operate nozzles to direct the stream of water on fire surfaces.
Raise, lower and climb ladders.
Assist in overall salvage operations.
Carry and operate chemical fire extinguishers.
Render emergency medical treatment.
Maintain fire apparatus.
Clean and test equipment.
Perform basic maintenance of vehicles.
Operate radio-telephone equipment as required.
Clean and maintain station facilities and quarters.
Study Fire Department rules, regulations and procedure.
Explain fire hazards, firefighting techniques, fire codes and related subjects.
Conduct fire prevention inspections and programs.
Participate in fire drills and training exercises.
May be required to act as Fire Apparatus Engineer, if authorized, in identifying hazardous materials and mitigating such emergencies.
Subject to emergency recall during non-duty hours.
Operate fire station computers.
Performs related duties as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:
Basic principles, practices and purposes of fire, rescue, hazardous materials, and emergency medical services to a basic life support level at the emergency medical technician level.

Ability to:

Understand and act in accordance with Fire Department rules and instructions;
Demonstrate physical endurance, agility and strength in accordance with established standards;
Endure extremely high emotional and physical stress;
Perform in emergency and potentially dangerous situations;
Demonstrate a high degree of mechanical aptitude in the operation and maintenance of firefighting equipment;
Learn firefighting techniques and the operation of fire apparatus;
Learn emergency medical and rescue techniques;
Maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Medical Technician certification;
Learn layout of City streets, buildings, hydrants and fire hazards;
Analyze fire and driving situations and employ effective courses of action;
Think and act quickly and appropriately in emergency situations;
Apply emergency medical treatment;
Operate fire equipment as necessary;
Understand and follow oral and written instructions;
Deal effectively and courteously with the general public;
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Experience: Any experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities.

Education: High school graduation or equivalent and successful completion of course work required for Firefighter I certification required. Firefighter I coursework must be certified by the California State Board of Fire Services.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) card
Hazardous Materials First Responder-Operational Certification
Healthcare Provider Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automatic External Heart Defibrillator (AED) Certification
Valid Class C California Driver License (Firefighter Endorsement is desirable)
Successful completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) within previous 12 months.
Firefighter I certification. Firefighter I coursework must be certified by the California State Board of Fire Services.

Other Qualifications

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl on uneven surfaces and in confined spaces; and taste or smell.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 75 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 175 pounds or larger with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Use of Various fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting, hazardous materials response and rescue equipment, ladders, emergency medical equipment, personal protective equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, phone.

Environmental Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions that range from below freezing to in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud.

Benefits

: The City of Chico offers a wide range of employee benefits. Benefits are subject to negotiations with employee organizations and may vary with individual bargaining units. For a summary of benefits, please visit the City of Chico website at: City of Chico - Employee Benefits

Supplemental Questions

Have you attached a resume?

Have you graduated high school or received an equivalency certificate?

Have you attached a valid EMT card?

Have you attached a valid Hazardous Materials First Responder-Operational Certification?

Have you attached a valid Healthcare Provider Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification?

Have you attached a valid Automatic External Heart Defibrillator (AED) Certification?

Have you attached proof of completion of Firefighter 1 coursework? (Must be certified by the CA State Board of Fire Services.)

Do you possess a California State Firefighter 1 certification? Must attach your California State Firefighter 1 Certificate

Have you attached a valid Class C California Driver License?

How many years of full-time active duty military service (any branch), or part-time/reserve service have you completed? A DD214 showing honorable or general discharge, or letter from Commanding Officer on official letterhead , must be submitted.

No military service
1.5-3 years
More than 3 but less than 5 years
More than 5 years

Have you completed an accredited fire academy? Must attach a certificate of completion from an accredited fire academy.

What is your level of college education? Submit transcripts or diploma

No college units
30-59 Units, no degree conferred
60 or more semester units - Associate's or no degree conferred
120 or more semester units - Bachelor's or no degree conferred

Have you been a Chico Fire Volunteer?

No
1 month to 6 months
More than 6 months but less than 1 year
1 or more years

How much Volunteer/Reserve/Intern Firefighter experience do you have? Please provide a letter from the Fire Cheif/Human Resources on official letterhead, affirming time served and current status.

None to less than 1.5 years
More than 1.5 but less than 3 years
More than 3 but less than 5 years
5 or more years

How much paid seasonal (career/combination department) Firefighting experience do you have? To standardize: 12 months of full-time seasonal time equals 1 year of full-time career service (CalFire, BLM, USFS). Paid on-call, reserves, or internships do not count toward any service credit. This must be clearly reflected on your application, or candidates can submit a letter from Human Resources/ Fire Chief with the applicable information.

None to 1.5 years
More than 1.5 but less than 3 years
More than 3 but less than 5 years
5 or more years

How many years of paid full-time (career/combination department) Firefighting experience do you have? To standardize: Fire service experience must have been full-time paid career wildland and /or structural Firefighter in a career or combination department. This must be clearly reflected on your application, or candidates can submit a letter from Human Resources/Fire Chief with the applicable information.

None to 1.5 years
More than 1.5 but less than 3 years
More than 3 but less 5 years
5 or more years

Do you have formal training or experience in a trade? Please submit a copy of your diploma, certification, transcripts, or license as applicable.

In which county do you reside?

Butte County
Plumas, Tehama, Glenn, Sutter, Yuba
Other

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer: City of Chico
Address: 411 Main Street

PO Box 3420

Chico, California, 95927
Phone: (530) 879-7900

(530) 879-7901
Website: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/chico