Firefighter
Salary
$99,240.00 - $120,672.00 Annually
Location
City of Monterey, CA
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
26-0703
Department
FIRE
Division
FIRE-OPERATIONS
Opening Date
05/19/2026
Closing Date
6/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit
MFFA
Description
ABOUT THE POSITION:
The City of Monterey Fire Department is currently recruiting Firefighters. There is a particular departmental need for Paramedics; therefore, possession of an active Paramedic License valid in California is highly desirable. Successful candidates will be required to complete training with the City of Monterey. Training will be tailored to experience. Lateral candidates may progress through certain components more quickly depending on demonstrated proficiency. Successful Paramedic candidates must also pass paramedic accreditation in Monterey County with the Monterey Fire Department and maintain that status for a period of at least five (5) years.
The Fire Department is recruiting to fill five (5) vacancies at this time. Candidates who successfully complete all phases of this recruitment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list is active for 12 months and may be extended for an additional 12 months to be used in filling additional vacancies as they occur.
Incentives for eligible employees include:
Paramedic Pay (10% of Firefighter Step 5 pay)
Education pay (up to 7.5%)
Bilingual pay (5%)
Company Officer Certification pay (2.5%)
Consideration for a higher starting step based on experience (Laterals only)
Effective July 1, 2026, there will be a 4% salary increase
For planning purposes, first-round interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of June 29, 2026. Final interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of July 13, 2026.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: The Monterey Fire Department serves the City of Monterey, City of Pacific Grove, City of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Sand City as well as the Naval Postgraduate School, La Mesa Village and the Monterey Regional Airport. The department operates out of six stations strategically located to achieve the shortest response time to emergency calls. The Monterey Fire Department prides itself as being a customer service organization by providing excellent emergency services as well as additional public safety support through Fire Prevention, Public Education and Special Operations (Urban Search and Rescue, Marine Safety, and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting).
Highly Desirable Qualifications
ABOUT THE CITY OF MONTEREY: Nestled along Californias Central Coast, the City of Monterey is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, hospitality, and sense of community. The City of Monterey is a full-service charter city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City of Monterey is a full-service city that provides police, fire, public works, planning, recreation, and parks services and operates its conference center, sports center, parking, and marina facilities.
WHY WORK FOR US? The City of Monterey offers a competitive benefits package to full-time employees. Some of these benefits include a Health Spending Fund, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Vacation Accruals, Sick Leave, Education Incentive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement Programs, CalPERS Retirement, and more!
Application Process
A limited number of applicants who clearly show that they most closely meet the needs of this position in terms of training, experience, education, and other job-related characteristics will be accepted to participate in the selection process. This process will include evaluation and initial screening of the standard on-line City application to determine which candidates progress to the next phase of the recruitment process. The subsequent selection process may include a written test/written exercise, performance exercise, panel interview, and a final departmental interview. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to make changes to components of the examination process.
As a condition of employment, the selected candidate will be required to successfully pass a Live Scan fingerprint background check and reference check. Depending on the position, as a condition of employment, the selected candidate may also be required to pass a physical exam including a drug screen and a federal background check to gain access to military and police facilities and systems. Positions that require work on a military installation will involve job duties performed on-site and therefore require passing a background check conducted by the Department of Defense (DoD).
Please note that ride-alongs and station visits will be permitted during the recruitment process on a limited basis. Candidates who are interested in scheduling are asked to contact the station ahead of time. Please refer to the website for station phone numbers: https://monterey.gov/your_city_hall/departments/fire/fire_stations.php
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
The City of Monterey provides outstanding services to the public and is deeply committed to a community and workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including underrepresented minorities that contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. The City of Monterey does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group of class protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
SUMMARY: Under direction, prevent emergency situations or reduce their potential impact to cause property damage, life loss and environmental damage; respond to and conduct emergency work, such as firefighting, rescue, identification and control of hazardous material incidents, emergency medical services; conduct non-emergency work, such as facility, apparatus and equipment maintenance, hazard inspection, public education, training, repair, research and subsequent writing of reports for management analysis; conduct related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is the journey-level Firefighter class. Incumbents are expected to perform all of the class's essential duties and responsibilities. This class is distinguished from Fire Engineer in that the latter is fully qualified to operate any of the department's vehicles and apparatus in addition to performing all of the normal emergency response duties.
Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Typical Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Graduation from high school or GED equivalent. Additional education in Fire Science or related fields is desirable.
Experience: No prior experience required.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:
Supplemental Info
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of:
Skill in:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Physical Demands
Environmental Elements
Firefighters perform work in any building, structure or any place an emergency occurs within the service area. Employees are exposed to inclement weather, noise, dust, grease, fumes, gasses and potentially hazardous materials. Employees may work in very hot, very cold or wet environments. Employees must be able to respond physically to alarms and/or calls for help and be in a full sprint from a standstill or sleep, in a matter of seconds. Balance is required working in slippery wet conditions, maneuvering on beams and other structural parts of building, hillsides, and fences. Employees must have the mental acuity to act under stress in life threatening situations, and to maintain calm efficient judgment. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, and holidays and the ability to be available for work on an emergency basis. The position may be required to work overtime as assigned.
DISASTER SERICE WORKERS
All City of Monterey employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
This is a summary of benefits for employees holding classification in the Monterey Firefighters' Association ("MFFA") bargaining unit. This summary is for information purposes only. More specific details regarding these benefits can be found in the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and MFFA.
Retirement: The City provides CalPERS 3.0 % @ 50 with highest year formula for "classic members", as defined by CalPERS, which includes current City of Monterey sworn employees hired prior to January 1, 2013 or new employees who are currently active or have been active within six months of the date of hire in the CalPERS or reciprocal retirement system. These Classic employees are responsible for paying the full 9.0% member contribution rate in addition to cost-sharing 5.0% of the employer contribution resulting in a total employee contribution of 14.0%, which is deducted on a pre-tax basis.
The City provides CalPERS 2.7% @ 57 with highest three year formula for "new members" as defined by CalPERS, which includes new sworn employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have not been previously employed by the City of Monterey or who were employed by a reciprocal agency but had a break in service greater than six months. New employees are responsible for contributing fifty percent (50%) of the total "normal cost" rate. The "normal cost" rate is subject to change on a fiscal year basis as determined by CalPERS.
The City participates in the Medicare portion of Social Security.
Retirement Health Savings Plan: City contribution of $50.00 per month per eligible employee.
Flexible Benefit Plan: For plan year 2026, the City shall make a non-elective employer contribution to the flexible benefits plan on behalf of each active employee in this unit for use for health insurance, dependent dental insurance, and additional life insurance, in the following amounts:
Employee Only = $1,086.89
Employee + 1 = $2,223.60
Employee + 2= $2,872.83
Cash in lieu of benefits = $300.00
Dental: Fully paid employee premium by the City.
Vision: Fully paid premium for employee and eligible dependents by the City.
Life Insurance: $10,000 policy paid by the City, with an option to purchase additional coverage in $10,000 increments, up to $350,000 or five times annual salary (whichever is less).
Deferred Compensation: City will match employee paid contributions to a maximum of $150.00 per month. Participants may contribute up to the maximum annual limit as specified by IRS guidelines.
Education Incentive Premium Pay: If you have a college degree, you may qualify for 5% premium pay on base salary (for a Baccalaureate degree) or 7.5% premium pay (for a Masters degree) upon completion of probation.
Longevity Pay: Employees hired prior to May 16, 2017 shall be eligible for an additional 5% longevity pay upon completion of 20, 25, and 30 years of service.
Flexible Spending Account:The Section 125 Plan provides for an employee to set pre-tax dollars aside, through a payroll deduction, for reimbursement of health care and dependent care expenses.
Group Legal: Subject to provider limitations, the City will continue to provide a Group Legal Services Plan for employees represented by MFFA through an employee-paid premium. Participation in the program shall be voluntary and consistent with the providers requirements that the potential pool of participants must include a minimum of 200 employees.
Tuition Reimbursement: Allowance of $2,000 per year, per employee. The program shall include reimbursement for seminars, conferences and other accredited courses that are job related and for course textbooks.
Fitness Pass: Fitness Pass Program available to use the City of Monterey Sports Center.
Bilingual Pay: Employees shall have the opportunity to demonstrate foreign or sign language proficiency and subsequently be bilingual certified. An employee who receives such certification shall be eligible to receive compensation equal to 5% of his/her base monthly salary.
California State Company Officer Certification Pay: Employees who possess a California State Company Officer Certification shall receive two and a half (2.5%) premium pay on base salary.
City Recreation Program Fees: Resident Rates for City Recreation classes and programs for employees and immediate family household members.
Employee Assistance Program: Fully paid confidential counseling and referral service for employee and eligible dependents.
Uniform Allowance: $90.00/month.
Holidays: 14 paid days annually plus 1 floating holiday. Firefighters may elect to either receive compensatory time off or pay for the holidays.
Sick Leave: 12 days per year.
Vacation: 1-5 years/10 days; 6-10 years/15 days; 11-15 years/ 17 days; 15+ years/20 days; 20+ years/23 days per year
01
Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Your responses to the questions will be reviewed and scored in a Qualifications Appraisal evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as this information will be critical in the competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your responses to the supplemental questions as incomplete. Please limit your response to 250 words or less. The text boxes below does NOT provide the word count. Note: All application materials submitted will be reviewed along with your supplemental questions and City of Monterey application. I have read and understand the supplemental questions instructions.
02
Please indicate your highest level of education
03
Do you possess a valid California Drivers License? If so, please attach a copy to your application. If you have a current out-of-state license, please select yes and attach a copy.
04
Are you a lateral applicant with at least one continuous year (including a probationary period) of full-time, paid experience within the last two years as a firefighter in any fire protection district, city, county, state or federal agency?
05
If you are a lateral applicant, how many years of experience do you possess?
06
Do you possess a current Emergency Medical Technician certificate valid in the state of California? If so, please attach a copy to your application.
07
Do you possess an active Paramedic License valid in California or a current National Registry EMT-P certification? If so, please attach a copy to your application
08
If you possess an active Paramedic License valid in California or a current National Registry EMT-P certification, how many years of experience do you have working as a Paramedic for an ALS Fire Agency or ALS Ambulance provider? Select N/A if you do not possess an active Paramedic License valid in CA or a current National Registry EMT-P certification.
09
If you do not possess an active Paramedic License, are you currently enrolled in a paramedic program? If so, please attach proof of enrollment to your application.
10
Do you possess a Firefighter I certificate or higher? If yes, please attach a copy of your certificate to your application.
11
Have you successfully completed a Fire Academy through an accredited regional training program? If yes, please attach proof of completion to your application.
12
Please ONLY attach documents that provide proof and verification of the items listed in the Eligibility Requirements section and responses to the supplemental questions. Please do NOT attach any other documents including cover letter, resume, and additional certifications and/or licenses. By clicking yes, you acknowledge and agree to the above stated information.
Required Question
Employer City of Monterey
Address 735 Pacific Street; Suite B
Monterey, California, 93940
Phone 831-646-3765
831-646-3765
Website http://www.monterey.gov