Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Firefighter Recruit-Paramedic

Recruitment #26-8129-01

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Introduction

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year but can be extended.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.


APPLICATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ONLINE.

STOP

>>PLEASE READ THIS JOB BULLETIN IN ITS ENTIRETY AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW<<

DO NOT upload copies of the below certifications/licenses with your Alameda County application. 

YOU MUST UPLOAD COPIES OF THESE CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES TO YOUR FIREFIGHTER CANDIDATE TESTING CENTER (FCTC) PROFILE ONLY. 

Alameda County will request and receive FCTC’s Statewide Eligibility List which will have confirmation of the following candidate information:

  • Has a high school diploma, GED or a higher level degree;
  • Applicant must be 18 years old by the last day for filing of the application;
  • Possess a valid California driver’s license;
  • Possess a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certificate issued within the last twelve months from the last day for filing;
  • Receive a passing score of 70% or above on the FCTC Written Test; 
    • (Both written examination and CPAT certificate date must be between November 13, 2025, through November 13, 2026)
  • California Paramedic License or National Registry Paramedic (NRP); or
    • If you possess a California paramedic license you MUST upload to your FCTC profile
  • Candidate MUST be active on the FCTC State Eligibility List by the last day for filing.

For questions regarding the FCTC Statewide eligibility list, please call 1-877-648-2728

To upload your required documents for this recruitment and for more information regarding test dates and times for FCTC exams, please visit www.fctconline.org.

DESCRIPTION

Alameda County Fire Department Logo


ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

THE ALAMEDA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT (ACFD) provides all-risk emergency services to the unincorporated areas of Alameda County (excluding Fairview), the cities of San Leandro, Dublin, Newark, Union City and Emeryville, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. With 28 fire stations and 34 companies serving a population of 394,000, the ACFD serves densely populated urban areas, waterways, industrialized centers, extensive urban interface, agricultural and wildland regions. Over 400 personnel and 100 Reserve Firefighters provide a wide variety of services to an ever expanding, dynamic and diverse community of roughly 508 square miles. These services include:

  • Advanced Life Support
  • Fire Suppression
  • Hazardous Materials Response
  • Urban Search & Rescue
  • Water Rescue
  • Community Outreach & Education
  • Disaster Preparedness
  • Fire Prevention and Code Compliance
  • Regional Dispatch

The Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) was formed on July 1, 1993, as a dependent special district with the Alameda County Board of Supervisors as its governing body. This consolidation brought together into a single jurisdiction the Castro Valley Fire Department, Eden Consolidated Fire Protection District and County Fire Patrol. Subsequently, the following communities have contracted with the ACFD:

  • July 1, 1995 City of San Leandro
  • July 1, 1997 City of Dublin
  • August 1, 2002 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
  • October 1, 2007 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
  • May 1, 2010 City of Newark
  • July 1, 2010 City of Union City
  • July 1, 2012 City of Emeryville

On January 20, 2008, the ACFD became responsible for the administration and operation of the Alameda County Regional Emergency Communications Center (ACRECC). The dispatch center provides dispatch and regional communication center services for the ACFD, the Alameda County Emergency Medical Services Agency, Camp Parks Combat Support Training Center, and the cities of Alameda, Fremont, Livermore and Pleasanton. ACRECC is also the Dispatch/System Status Management Center for Falck ambulance service.

For more information about the agency, please visit:  Alameda County Fire Department.


THE POSITION

Firefighter Recruit - Paramedic is the entry-level fire suppression, prevention and emergency response paramedic position for the Alameda County Fire Department. This classification exists solely for those paramedics who are completing their initial fire department training in the Alameda County Fire Department Training Academy.

Upon successful completion of the training requirements and obtainment of Alameda County Paramedic accreditation, it is expected that incumbents promote to the class of Firefighter. Incumbents will serve a combined probationary period of eighteen (18) months in the Firefighter Recruit Paramedic and the Firefighter classifications; by the completion of that combined probationary period, it is expected that incumbents be recognized as an Advanced Paramedic (Policy 2000) with Alameda County.

For more detailed information about the position, please review the job specification: Firefighter Recruit - Paramedic (#8129).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
Graduation from high school, possession of an acceptable equivalency certificate, such as the General Educational Development Certificate (State of California), or any higher level degree from an accredited college or university. 

AND 

Active placement on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) State Eligibility List on or before the last day for filing of the application. For more information, please visit: www.fctconline.org. 

AND 

License: 
  1. Valid California Paramedic License or National Registry Paramedic (NRP); active and unrestricted by the last day for filing of the application. 
  2. Valid California Paramedic License active and unrestricted 90 days after receipt of the conditional job offer.
  3. Possession of a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certificate issued within the last twelve months from the last day of filing. 
  4. Possession of a valid California State Motor Vehicle Operator’s License. 
The following are desirable: 
  • Successful completion of a California State Fire Marshal approved Firefighter I course. 
  •  Current experience in the Alameda County Fire Department Reserve program or in a similar program sponsored by a municipal fire agency. 
Special Requirements: 
  1. Minimum, 18 years of age. 
  2. Being able to successfully pass a thorough background investigation, medical examination (NFPA 1582) and psychological examinations. 
  3. Must be eligible to obtain a Department of Energy security clearance (requires U.S. citizenship). 
  4.  Must be able to successfully obtain Alameda County Paramedic accreditation (EMSA Policy 2000). 
NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Ability to:
  • Comprehend, remember, interpret and apply written materials which may be of a complex and technical nature.
  • Follow oral and written instructions.
  • Communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
  • Work effectively and cooperatively with the public.
  • Work as a member of an organized team.
  • Use good judgment in emergency or critical situations.
  • Remain calm and work effectively in stressful situations.
  • Adapt to changes in work assignments and duties.
  • Perform physical tasks that require coordination, strength, dexterity and stamina.
  • Work at various heights, confined areas and low visibility conditions.
  • Climb ladders.
  • Learn the use of specialized tools and equipment.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

The examination will consist of the following steps:

1. A review and verification to determine if applicants meet the minimum qualifications for the class and move on to the next step in the examination process.
i. A review of the applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire;
ii. Verification from FCTC that the applicant has uploaded all of the required documents to their FCTC PROFILE; and
iii. A review of the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List for those who have a passing score.
2. A review of candidates' written examination scores from the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List to determine a passing point. Candidates scoring at or above the passing point will move on to the next step in the examination process.
3. An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidates' final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion of this recruitment.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

For more information on the Civil Service Selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, https://hrs.alamedacountyca.gov/.

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN

The County will inform applicants, via email and with reasonable notice in advance, of any examination process that will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on operational needs.

RECRUITMENT PLAN

 
Tentative FCTC Written Examination Dates:
(Refer to FCTC website - www.fctconline.org)		 Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Tentative FCTC CPAT Dates:
(Refer to FCTC website - www.fctconline.org)		 Saturday, September 26, 2026
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Thursday, November 12, 2026

Deadline for Filing:

5:00 p.m., Friday, November 13, 2026

Review of Applications for Minimum Qualifications:

By Monday, December 7, 2026
Review of FCTC Written Examination Scores: By Friday, December 18, 2026

Civil Service Oral Examination:

January 12 - 14, 19 - 21, 2027

Notification of Results:

By the week of February 1, 2027

SELECTION PLAN

 

Chief's Hiring Interviews:

Week of February 22, 2027
Table listing of examination components and their tentatively scheduled dates
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement no later than the recruitment filing deadline. If this is a continuous open recruitment without a filing deadline, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement within ten (10) business days of submitting your application. Unless your disability is readily apparent (for example, you use a wheelchair and need wheelchair-accessible spaces), Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, https://hrs.alamedacountyca.gov.

BENEFITS

The Alameda County Fire Department offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many employee discounts fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well-being. These benefits include but are not limited to*

For your Health & Well-Being:
  • Medical - HMO & PPO Plans and EPO Plans
  • Dental - PPO Plans
  • Vision Plus or Premium
  • Share the Savings
  • Basic Life Insurance
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
  • Cafeteria Plan
  • Flexible Spending Accounts – Health FSA, Dependent Care
  • Long - Term Disability Insurance Plan
  • Employee Assistance Program
For your Financial Future:
  • Retirement Plan (Defined Benefit Pension Plan) CalPERS pension.
  • Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)
  • 401A ER contribution
  • Reciprocity
For your Work/Life Balance:
  • 12 paid holidays
  • Vacation and sick leave accrual
  • Vacation sellback
  • Catastrophic Sick Leave
  • Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phones etc.)
  • Firefighters First Credit Union
*Offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org, @jobaps.com, NoReply@jobaps.com, and NoReplyAlamedaCountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.


Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.


NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email boxes Noreply@acgov.org and NoReplyAlamedaCountyHR@acgov.org are routed to unmonitored mailboxes. All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions, please go to our website at https://hrs.alamedacountyca.gov/. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.


Maria Tabora | Human Resources Analyst
Human Resource Services, County of Alameda
(510) 272-6463 | Maria.Tabora@acgov.org

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law.  Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect.  Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.


EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here.