Fire Lieutenant

Fire Lieutenant

Salary

$75,023.31 - $91,433.31 Annually

Location

Multiple locations throughout Tulare County, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

27-093400

Department

Fire

Opening Date

07/18/2026

Closing Date

8/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Fire Department. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancies are with the Tulare County Fire Department located in multiple locations throughout Tulare County. The anticipated life of the list is six months.

Typical Duties

• Respond to fire, medical, and other emergency alarms by driving assigned equipment to appropriate locations.
• Operate equipment and assist in the suppression of fires, medical emergencies, and in the protection of life, property, and the environment.
• Drive assigned firefighting apparatus to and from fires, operate pumps, ladders, and other mechanical equipment as required.
• Perform tactical incident management and direct the activities of firefighters until relieved by a senior officer.
• Assist in conducting residential and commercial inspections to discover and eliminate potential fire hazards.

For a full list of duties for this position, please click Fire Lieutenant.

Essential job duties may be assigned that are not listed above but are relative to this job classification. (Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.)

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12) grade.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of full-time fire suppression and prevention experience, including one (1) year at the driver/operator level.
• Completion of the TCFD Acting Company Officer Position Task Book (for internal applicants only).

Knowledge of:

• Fire prevention and suppression methods, including use of the Incident Command System.
• Operation, use and maintenance of firefighting apparatus and equipment.
• Basic principles of fire prevention including building construction, fire safety inspections, and fire department pre-plans.
• Mechanical principles involved in operating fire apparatus and allied equipment.

See the full list in link.

Skill/Ability to:

• Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers.
• Prioritize, plan and schedule daily shift activities.
• Plan, direct, and organize fire suppression and support activities during emergencies.
• Effectively apply fire suppression and prevention methods and techniques.

See the full list in link.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of an Emergency Medical Technician I certificate.
• Possession of a Professional Rescuer CPR/AED certificate.
• Possession of a valid California Class A or B commercial or Class C driver's license with Firefighter Endorsement.
• Possession of Hazardous Materials Incident Commander certification.

Note: Copies of all required certificates must be turned in prior to the closure of the recruitment.

Certificates will not be accepted after August 01, 2026 (for external applicants only).

CPAT Requirement:

• Possession of a valid CPAT Certificate at time of first interview (this requirement is waived for current, full-time Tulare County Fire personnel). In addition, the CPAT certification must have been issued within 12 months at time of first interview. For information on how to obtain a CPAT Card of Completion, call 1-877-648-CPAT.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Education:

• Associate degree or higher in Fire Technology or Public Administration.

License or Certificate:

• SFM Company Officer Certification.

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment:

Candidates selected may be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act:

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan service or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bargaining Unit 23

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Employees who waive County health, dental and vision insurance will receive $1,000 per year, pro-rated on a per pay period basis. Effective January 1, 2022, all employees who waive the Countys health insurance coverage will receive zero ($0.00) for cash-in-lieu of medical benefits. This applies to all new waivers beginning with Health Plan year 2022.

Safety Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Holiday Pay: Employees receive 104 hours pay at straight time in lieu of any holiday time off.

Vacation Accrual:

2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)

3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)

4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)

5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)

Limit: 420 Hours

Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation.

Career Incentive Pay

Employees who have completed five (5) or more Years of Service with Tulare County and meet the eligibility criteria described in Administrative Regulation - 52, earn additional pay according to the schedule below.

Years of Service

% Increase

Total

5

3%

3%

10

2%

5%

15

3%

8%

20

2%

10%

Certification Pay: Employees who possess a Fire Officer Certification will receive an additional $40 per pay period ($1,040 annually). Proof of certification must be submitted in accordance with department policy.

Group Term Life Insurance: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.

To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare Countys benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site. https://tularecounty.ca.gov/hrd/benefits-wellness/health-plans-active-employees/

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.

01

The supplemental application form is an EXAMINATION. All candidates are required to complete the questions at the end of the application. The supplemental application questions will be used to select the most highly qualified candidates who will then advance to the next step in the selection process. The questions that follow will be used to evaluate the extent to which a candidate has demonstrated and applied the knowledge, skills and abilities critical to successful performance for this position. You must respond to all required questions to be considered for this position. You must submit copies of any certificate(s) indicated. You may mail: 2500 W Burrel Ave. Visalia, CA 93291; email: JDelgado@tularecounty.ca.gov; or drop off the copies of the certifications to Human Resources & Development.

• I have read the above statement.

02

For External Applicants: Do you possess a valid CPAT issued in the last 12 months?

• Yes
• No

03

For External Applicants: If you do not possess a valid CPAT what date are you scheduled to take the exam (A valid CPAT must be provided at the first interview or you may be disqualified from the recruitment process).

04

Indicate below with a checkmark the required license/certificates you possess and attach copies of your certificates. FAILURE TO ATTACH CERTIFICATES MAY CAUSE YOU TO BE DISQUALIFIED:

• EMT-B license
• Professional Rescuer CPR/AED certificate
• Valid California Class A or B commercial or Class C Drivers License with Firefighter endorsement
• Hazardous Materials Incident Commander certification
• CPAT issued in the last 12 months

05

Describe your fire suppression and prevention experience, including experience as a driver/operator. Indicate specific functions performed, the length of experience, and whether it was in a full-time, part-time, seasonal, or volunteer capacity.

06

Describe a past experience where you had to make a decision in a stressful, time compressed situation or environment.

07

List any additional training, education, or experience you have which will assist you in performing the functions of a Fire Lieutenant.

08

Cite any experience relative to employment in a career/paid on call combination Fire department.

Required Question

Employer County of Tulare

Address 2500 W Burrel Avenue

Visalia, California, 93291

Phone (559) 636-4900

Website http://www.tularecounty.ca.gov