FIREFIGHTER TRAINEE / PARAMEDIC

FIREFIGHTER TRAINEE / PARAMEDIC

Salary

$69,281.68 Annually

Location

City of Stockton, CA

Job Type

Full-Time (Regular)

Job Number

0626-PARAMEDIC

Department

Fire

Opening Date

07/01/2026

Closing Date

7/31/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

DEFINITION

The City of Stockton is partnering with the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) to select the best qualified candidates for the position of

FIREFIGHTER TRAINEE / PARAMEDIC

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS A VALID PARAMEDIC LICENSE ISSUED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA OR NATIONAL REGISTRY AT TIME OF APPLICATION

AND

BE ACTIVE ON THE FCTC STATEWIDE ELIGIBILITY LIST (SEL) ON 7/31/2026.

Click here to see the Stockton Regional Fire Academy 23-1

The City of Stockton Fire Department is seeking career-minded individuals whose performance is reflective of a very high level of dedication and commitment to public service. Stockton firefighters are trained professionals who provide a wide range of services to include: fire suppression, fire prevention, and emergency services to protect the lives and property of a diverse community. The Fire Department's goal is to develop staffing that reflects the rich make-up of the diverse population residing within the City of Stockton. 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.

SALARY

During the Fire Academy, Trainees receive the annual salary below. After successful completion of the Fire Academy, trainees achieve the sworn status of Firefighter and the salary steps are reflected below:

FIREFIGHTER TRAINEE

$69,281.58 annually(while attending the academy)

CURRENT ANNUAL SALARY STEPS :(after successful completion of the academy)

Step 2: $72,844.89 annually after successful completion of the academy

Step 3: $76,593.27 annually after six (6) months at step 2

Step 4: $80,526.23 annually after six (6) months at step 3

Step 5: $84,677.54 annually after one (1) year at step 4

Step 6: $89,030.82 annually after one (1) year at step 5

Step 7: $93,602.71 annually after one (1) year at step 6

Step 8: $98,409.36 annually after one (1) year at step 7

Step 9 (Top Step): $103,469.13 annually after six (6) months at step 8

Longevity Pay - Additional Pay

Opportunity for 2% for 5 years of service

Opportunity for 4% for 10 years of service

Opportunity for 6% for 15 years of service

Opportunity for 8% for 20 years of service

Paramedic Certification - Additional Pay

12% of top step Firefighter Engineer added to their base pay ($547.04 per bi-weekly pay period)

HAZ/MAT Assignment - Additional Pay

The City shall pay 5% of the top step of rank for sworn Fire Unit employees actively assigned to the HAZ/MAT response team

Education Incentive - Additional Pay

Employees that satisfy the educational and service requirements shall receive:

Intermediate Education Certification receives 3% above the top step of rank for sworn Fire Unit employees

Advanced Education Certification receives 5% above top step of rank for sworn Fire Unit employees

Continuing Education for Paramedics.

Upon prior approval of the Fire Chief the City will compensate members of the Fire Unit at their straight time rate for time spent, in an off-duty status, in continuing education necessary to maintain their certification, up to twenty-four (24) hours or less in a two (2) year certification period.

BENEFITS

• Vacation - 120 hours per year
• Holidays - 13 fixed and 1 floating per year
• Sick Leave - 12 hours per month of service
• Health Benefits - Choice of plans for medical and hospitalization, dental and orthodontia, vision, and prescription coverage for employees and dependents
• Life Insurance - $50,000 policy value
• Retirement - California Public Employees Retirement Systems (CalPERS) = 2.7% at 57
• Section 125 (Flexible Spending Account) - available at employees option
• Education Assistance Program - up to $1,500 per fiscal year
• Uniform allowance - $950.00 yearly allowance

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

Veterans Preference:

Pending approval by the Civil Service Commission, this position is eligible to receive five (5) Veterans Preference Points for entrance into the Civil Service. Veterans Preference Points will not be granted on the promotional list. If you believe you may qualify for Veterans Preference Points, please attach a DD-214 Member-4 copy indicating at least 181 consecutive days of service with honorable discharge with your application (see supplemental questions for details).

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This position is an apprentice-level, non-sworn position in the Fire Department. Incumbents are assigned to the Fire Academy and must satisfactorily pass all the requirements of the Academy before becoming candidates for the sworn position of Fire Fighter. Assignment to this classification is temporary. If incumbents do not successfully complete a fire academy, they will be terminated.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES (Illustrative Only)

For Firefighter Trainee full Job Description, click here.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

Possession of a high school diploma or GED. College-level fire science course work and/or previous experience fighting fires in a volunteer or paid capacity is desirable. (Note: For this specific recruitment, applicants are required to be active on the FCTC SEL on 7/31/2026.)

• To view upcoming Cal-JAC CPAT and FCTC Written Test dates, click here (https://www.fctconline.org/candidates/upcoming-test-schedule/).
• Candidates experiencing financial hardship may qualify for financial aid to pay for their FCTC testing fees. (https://www.fctconline.org/grants/)

Other Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license. If drivers license is not issued in the State of California, must be able to obtain prior to the completion of the Fire Academy as a condition of continued employment.
• Must possess a valid CAL-JAC Candidate Physical Ability Card (CPAT) issued by the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC). CPAT must be issued between 7/31/2025 - 7/31/2026.
• Must obtain a Firefighter endorsement from the California Department of Motor Vehicles within seventeen (17) months of appointment.
• Must meet the physical standards and successfully complete a background investigation, which shall include a polygraph and psychological examination, a medical examination, and obtain a California Department of Justice fingerprint clearance.
• Must possess a valid Paramedic license issued by the State of California or National Registry at the time of application. (Note: For this specific recruitment, applicants must possess a valid Paramedic license at time of application)
• Required licenses and certifications must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.

The Examination:

Applicants who qualify in terms of relevant work experience, license, education, and are active on the FCTC SEL on 7/31/2026, will be eligible to move forward in the hiring process.

The examination process will include

• The successful completion of a written exam administered by FCTC (this is a requirement in order to be active on the SEL.) Applicants that are active on the SEL and have obtained a written exam score of 75% or better will be invited to participate in the Oral Panel Interview.

• Oral panel interviews will be scheduled for the week of August 10, 2026 (tentative). Successful candidates must receive a minimum passing score of 70%, as determined by the relative performance of all candidates.

• Scores from the written exam will be combined with scores from the oral panel to create the overall score and establish the eligible list. In the event of identical ratings, candidates names will be arranged in order of application date/time, and, if the same, then arranged alphabetically.

Notes:

• After on-line submittal, immediate notification will appear on your screen indicating your application has been received. Please print this notice as proof of filing.
• Notices and correspondence will be sent via email only. No paper notices will be mailed to applicants. It is the applicants responsibility to ensure a correct email address is provided and that correspondence is received.
• NeoGov.com: You will receive correspondence via the e-mail address you placed on your application. Some e-mail accounts have been known to place these e-mails in the spam/junk file. Please check your e-mail folders or accept e-mails ending with neogov.com.

The City of Stockton requires employees in this position to reasonably respond to emergencies at all times. Employees will be required to maintain primary residence within 45 minutes of City Hall in order to timely respond to emergencies and meet the health, safety, and welfare needs of the City. New employees have up to three (3) months from date of hire to comply with the requirement. Any interested candidates must be willing to adhere to this requirement throughout the duration of employment.

Still have questions? Email: recruitment@stocktonca.gov

BARGAINING UNIT: FIRE LOCAL 456

NOTE: Employee Benefits are subject to change through the collective bargaining process and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect, click here to view a link to the "Stockton Firefighters Local 456 (Fire)" contract.

01

The Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination process; accordingly, it should be completed carefully. It must be submitted with your official employment application. Do not indicate "see resume" as an answer to any of these questions.

• I certify that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification may cancel any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.

02

Eligible candidates must be on the FCTC SEL on 7/31/2026. Candidates that do not meet this requirement will not be eligible to move forward for this recruitment. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

03

What is your current status on the FCTC SEL?

• I have completed all requirements and have verified that I am currently active on the FCTC SEL.
• I am in the process of completing all of FCTCs requirements to become active on the FCTC SEL and understand I must be active by 7/31/2026 in order to move forward in the process.
• I am not currently active on the FCTC SEL and will not be able to complete all of FCTCs requirements to become active by the 7/31/2026 deadline.

04

For this recruitment, the Stockton Fire Department is requiring a FCTC written exam score of 75 or higher issued between the dates of 7/31/2025 and 7/31/2026. Do you understand and meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

05

For this recruitment, the Stockton Fire Department is requiring a valid CPAT card issued between the dates of 7/31/2025 and 7/31/2026. Do you understand and meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

06

A valid Paramedic license issued by the State of California is or the National Registry is required to be eligible for this recruitment. Do you understand and possess this required license?

• Yes
• No

07

Proof of Paramedic License Proof of your current, valid Paramedic license must be electronically uploaded to your FCTC profile for verification prior to applying with the City of Stockton. Do you understand and agree to this requirement?

• Yes
• No

08

This position requires you possess high school diploma or GED. (Note: a No response will result in the rejection of your application.) Do you understand and meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

09

This position requires you possess a valid Class C drivers license. Select the response that represents the current drivers license you possess.

• Current, unexpired California Class C or greater drivers license
• Expired California Class C or greater drivers license
• Current, unexpired drivers license from another state
• Expired drivers license from another state
• None of the above

10

Provide your current, valid drivers license number in the box below. If none, type N/A.

11

Provide the state which your current, valid drivers license was issued in the box below. If none, type N/A.

12

Candidates must submit to and successfully pass the following if selected to move forward in the process: Background Investigation California DOJ and FBI fingerprint Psychological Examination Medical Examination Do you understand and agree to these requirements?

• Yes
• No

13

As part of the hiring process, the Stockton Fire Department anticipates holding oral panel interviews with candidates the week of August 10, 2026. Do you understand and will be available should you be contacted for an interview?

• Yes
• No

14

The Stockton Fire Department anticipates an February 2027 start date for the Academy. Do you understand and will be available to start the Academy should you be offered employment?

• Yes
• No

15

Veterans Preference:

Applicants who pass the examination process and have served on active duty in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard and the United States Coast Guard, for at least 181 consecutive days and have been honorably discharged, may receive five (5) Veterans Preference Points for original entrance into the civil service.

Veterans Preference Points will not be granted on the promotional list.

Do you wish to apply for Veterans Preference Points?

• Yes
• No

16

You may submit your DD-214, member 4 form, by one of the following methods:

1. Scan and attach to the online application (preferred method); or

2. Email a copy of your form to recruitment@stocktonca.gov no later than the final filing date (use "FF Trainee/Paramedic" in the subject line of the email); or

• I qualify for Veterans Preference Points and understand that I must comply with this requirement to be considered for Veterans Preference Points.
• I do not qualify for Veterans Preference Points.

17

The City of Stockton requires employees in this position to reasonably respond to emergencies at all times. Employees will be required to maintain primary residence within 45 minutes of City Hall in order to timely respond to emergencies and meet the health, safety and welfare needs of the City. New employees have up to three (3) months from date of hire to comply with the requirement. Any interested candidates must be willing to adhere to this requirement throughout the duration of employment.

• I understand and will comply with this requirement.
• I do not agree with this requirement

Required Question

Employer City of Stockton

Address 501 W Weber Ave.

Building 1

Stockton, California, 95203

Phone (209) 937-8233

(209) 937-8234

Website http://www.stocktonca.gov/