Firefighter Recruit (Academy Graduate)
Overview
The Salinas Fire Department invites interested and qualified applicants to apply for the position of Firefighter Recruit (Academy Graduate). Successful applicants selected from this process will be required to complete an in-house Fire Academy program.
Upon successful completion and department approval, candidates from this recruitment will be placed in the Firefighter classification.
This recruitment will be used for current and future vacancies. The Fire Academy for this recruitment is anticipated for early 2027.
Applicants that wish to be considered for the Firefighter Recruit (non academy graduate) recruitment must submit a separate application.
Essential Job Functions
This classification, under supervision, responds to calls for fire, medical and/or hazardous material emergencies; and performs prevention and administrative shift duties as trained and assigned.
This is a training and entry level class in the firefighter series. Incumbents attend a fire academy and under direct supervision, incumbents learn and participate in various firefighting and emergency response activities. Incumbents remain in a probationary status for the duration of employment in this classification.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
An example of the education and experience that most likely demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties would be a high school diploma or GED. Additional education in fire science or a related field is desirable.
Minimum Firefighter Recruit (Academy Graduate) Requirements:
- 18 years of age
- High School Diploma/GED
- A valid California Driver’s License (If out-of-state, must have license upon start of the Academy).
- Current EMT-B or EMT-P License (Out-of-state EMT cards must be National Registry (NREMTB or NREMTP)).
- Valid CPR card. CPR card must be a valid American Heart Association or American Red Cross certified.
- Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) must be valid within 12 months at time of application. CPAT testing locations and dates, please call 1-877-648-2728 or visit the website at https://fctconline.org/cpat/.
- Firefighter I certificate issued by the State of California or proof of course completion.
Testing Process
Applications will be screened for minimum qualifications and thoroughness. Applicants moving forward will be invited to the oral board process.
All final selected candidates must complete and pass a thorough background investigation process, pre-employment medical examination, as well as a psychological exam.
The City reserves the right to use alternative testing dates (once announced), procedures, rating criteria as deemed necessary and invite/drop to lower bands for operational program needs.
Tentative Dates:
03/02/2026 = Recruitment Opens
03/31/2026 = Recruitment Closes
04/2026 = Written Exam
05/2026 = Oral Boards
06/2026 = Chief's Interviews
07/2026 - 12/2026 = Background/Medical/Psych
01/2027 = Fire Academy Begins
This Firefighter Recruit (working title Academy Graduate) classification has a probationary period of 18 months from the completion of the Fire Academy. For questions about the recruitment process, please contact Darlenne Birrueta, Human Resources Analyst, at (831) 758-7388 or darlenne.birrueta@salinas.gov OR Sylvia Enriquez, Senior Human Resources Manager at sylviae@ci.salinas.ca.us or (831) 758-7259.