Paramedic Firefighter (Entry/Lateral)

REQUIRED: Successful completion of the FCTC testing and eligible status on the Stateside Eligibility list as of July 20, 2025.

Eligible candidates must be an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) with the State of California. California State Fire Marshal Firefighter I certificate or equivalent or completion of a California State Fire Marshal accredited fire academy or equivalent is required.

The City of Carlsbad is ideally situated in north San Diego County with an approximate population of 115,000. It offers a great climate, beautiful beaches, lagoons, and abundant natural open space. World-class resorts, family attractions, well-planned neighborhoods, a diverse business sector, and a charming village atmosphere combine to create the ideal California experience.

The Fire Department's mission is to enhance the quality of life in our community by delivering exceptional services in safeguarding lives, property, and our environment. Opportunities within the Carlsbad Fire Department include operations on truck, engine and ambulance companies, wildland firefighting, urban search and rescue and rescue task force assignment, SWAT medics, Ocean Lifeguard programs and more.

You Belong in Carlsbad
The City of Carlsbad embraces and recognizes the vital relationship of an inclusive, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. An equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.

The Ideal Candidate:
State of California Certified Paramedic. Completion of a California State Fire Marshal accredited Firefighter I academy is highly preferred. High school diploma or equivalent. Completion of college-level courses or equivalent in Fire Science in compliance with departmental policies.

Under supervision, the Paramedic Firefighter will provide basic and advanced life support services to ill or injured persons in accordance with the policies established by the Department of Emergency Medical Services of San Diego County; fight fires and participate in fire prevention activities for the protection of life and property; operate and maintain vehicles, apparatus, equipment, stations and communication systems; teach fire safety to the public; and perform other duties as required.

This is an entry-level into the professional fire service series. The paramedic/firefighter is a uniformed member of the public safety/fire suppression/EMS division of the department. This position supports dual responsibilities as a paramedic and as a firefighter and is utilized in both types of assignments as needed.

Selection Process:
Please submit your application online by 5 p.m. on July 7, 2025 This is a competitive process. Those applicants considered most qualified will be invited to continue further in the selection process, which consists of paramedic skills testing and a panel interview.

Assessment Center and Panel Interviews:
Week of July 21, 2025; dates to be determined

Internal Fire Academy:
Anticipated start date in late September, 2025

Responds to medical emergencies.

Conducts or assists in the extrication of trapped persons.

Performs primary and secondary physical assessment of ill or injured persons.

Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Maintains an effective airway for patients with compromised breathing.

Immobilizes injured limbs and spinal vertebra where injury is suspected.

Controls bleeding of external injuries.

Assists with emergency childbirth.

Provides emotional support to distressed persons.

Administers oxygen to support respiratory functions.

Utilizes adjunctive ventilation devices, such as endotracheal tubes.

Analyzes electrocardiograms and recognizes cardiac arrhythmias.

Administers medications by intravenous, intramuscular or topical means.

Performs electrical defibrillation.

Operates radio-telephone equipment and communicates medical information to base hospital medical personnel and others.

Serves as a preceptor for paramedic and emergency medical technician trainees.

Compiles necessary reports and records; drives an ambulance vehicle.

Responds to and performs skilled tasks at the scenes of emergency calls including: fire, medical assistance, rescues, hazards identification, hazardous materials identification and spills, public assistance and service.

Safely drives and operates vehicles, apparatus and equipment.

Teaches fire safety, CPR and other classes and participates in public education demonstrations and activities.

Conducts inspections and school exit drills.

Writes reports and maintains records; maintains, inspects, and repairs fire stations and fire grounds, emergency and support vehicles, apparatus, equipment, fire hydrants, radios, and alarm systems.

Participates in department physical fitness program.

Performs emergency medical procedures.

Participates in proficiency training to develop and maintain emergency skills.

Uses computers in performing required duties, performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Basic and advanced life support principles and procedures.
• San Diego County Emergency Medical System (EMS) regulations, protocols and procedures.
• Fire-based operations, such as rescue, firefighting, radio communications, Incident Command System (ICS), fire protection equipment and systems, fire behavior, hazardous materials and water systems.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations and standards.
• Maintenance and repair of vehicles, apparatus, equipment and fire hydrants.
• Local geographical response factors.
• Correct English grammar, spelling, punctuation.
• Basic mathematics, chemistry, and physics of fire behavior and hazardous materials.
• Safety practices and procedures.
• Personal computer operating systems and software applications.
• Requirements and standards as defined in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1002 preferred.

• React quickly and calmly to fight fires and perform emergency medical techniques and procedures.
• Perform rescues.
• Operate, maintain, inspect and repair vehicles, apparatus, equipment, communication systems and fire hydrants.
• Clean and maintain fire station and grounds.
• Conduct fire inspections and school exit drills.
• Teach classes and participate in public education demonstrations and activities.
• Write comprehensive reports and maintain accurate records.
• Relate effectively to those contacted in the course of work.
• Learn local conditions, locations and regulations.
• Operate computers, understand and follow oral and written directions promptly and accurately.

A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be any combination equivalent to the education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying.

LATERAL - To be considered a "lateral", 1 year of full-time paid municipal firefighting experience is required.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

Licensed as an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) with the State of California. Must be county accredited prior to the 10 shift EMS evaluation portion of the academy. Firefighter I certification.

Within one year from date of hire, employee must possess appropriate, valid California class B Firefighter Driver's License, to include a water tank and air brake endorsement/or Class C California Driver's License with Firefighter Endorsement, and when required, a valid Medical Examiner's Card must be maintained.

EDUCATION INCENTIVE:

Level 1 - Compensation: Satisfactory fulfillment of the below requirements shall be compensated at 4.5% of the top step Paramedic Firefighter biweekly base salary.

Evidence of the award of each of the following certificates issued by the California State Board of Fire Services: 1. Fire Fighter I, 2. Fire Fighter II, 3. Driver Operator 1A, 4. Driver Operator 1B and Instructor 1A 6. Or State Fire Marshal certificate of course of completion for Fire Inspector 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D. Proof of certification from a California State Fire Marshal course that is deemed equivalent to one of the courses listed above by the Fire Chief or his/her designee shall also meet the requirement.
Or
An Associate degree

Level 2 - Compensation: Satisfactory fulfillment of the below requirements shall be compensated at 6.9% of the top step Paramedic Firefighter biweekly base salary.

Evidence of the award of the Fire Officer taskbook issued by the California State Board of Fire Services or State Fire Marshal certificates of course completion for Fire Inspector 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D.

Or
A Baccalaureate degree