Firefighter-EMT or Firefighter/Paramedic

Job Description

Job Description

FIREFIGHTER-EMT - $79,731 - $96,940/annual

FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC - $87,680 - $106,608/annual

With a 6% Increase on 7/1/26

This is a 12-month probationary assignment.

ABOUT THE CITY

Incorporated in 1964, Morro Bay is a general law City located on California's Central Coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on Scenic Highway 1. With a population of 10,700 and an additional 1 million visitors a year, the City has a City Council/Manager form of government. Morro Bay enjoys a temperate year-round climate, which makes it an ideal location for a variety of recreational activities. The atmosphere offers residents the peaceful tranquility of a coastal fishing village within close proximity to metropolitan areas.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Department is a small, dynamic agency composed of 13 full-time suppression Personnel, a Fire Chief, one Division Chief/ Fire Marshall, and one Administrative Technician. Staffing is augmented with a small pool of seasonal employees. The Department operates a fleet of two Type 1 engines, a 75' aerial, a Type 3 engine and a REMS Type 3 UTV. The Department responds to an average of over 2,200 calls per year, operating out of two stations: one staffed, and one housing equipment only. As a non-transporting paramedic fire department, it handles a large number of medical emergencies. It also responds to a variety of fire, hazardous material, technical rescue, vehicle, and ocean related incidents, and participates in the State-wide Fire Mutual Aid System. Suppression personnel work closely with the community enforcing fire codes and ordinances, teaching community outreach programs, and providing a variety of related services. Personnel partner with Harbor Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard for ocean related responses.

THE POSITION

This recruitment is to fill one current vacancy, as well as establish an eligibility list for up to one year for any future vacancies. The successful candidate will be hired into a full-time benefitted 56-hour week position. Under supervision, the successful candidate will participate in firefighting and fire prevention activities in protecting life, the environment, and property; respond to medical, rescue, and ocean-related emergencies; respond to hazardous material incidents; respond to automatic and mutual aid incidents; assist in the maintenance and repair of fire stations, fire-fighting apparatus and equipment; participate in related training and manipulative drills; and perform related duties as required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of basic firefighting functions and techniques. The ability to learn technical firefighting principles and techniques, and locations of major target hazards; learn to drive fire apparatus safely, and in accordance with traffic laws and ordinances. The ability to keep records and prepare reports; ability to calculate drug dosages and hydraulic equations, use computers and related software; understand and carry out verbal and written directions; think and act quickly and safely in emergency situations; and maintain cooperative work and public relationships. HazMat First Responder-Operational (FRO), Confined Space Operations, LARRO and Rescue Systems I certifications are also desired.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must submit a City employment application and copies of required certifications by the deadline.
• Must be current on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List (SEL) on 2/12/2026. It is highly recommended that candidates confirm their active status on the SEL at time of application because expired documents can lead to being removed from the list.
• Cal-JAC CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) card must be dated between 2/12/2025 and 2/12/2026.
• A passing score on the FCTC Written Test must be dated between 2/12/2025 and 2/12/2026.
• Must possess a valid California EMT-P license and the ability to obtain accreditation in San Luis Obispo County. Applicants that are certified at the EMT level will be required to complete Paramedic certification at their expense. Probation may be extended to a total of 4 years to allow for completion of Paramedic licensure.

Please visit www.FCTConline.org for information on how to be placed on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List, how to register for upcoming California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship (Cal-JAC) Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and written tests, information and study materials, and available financial hardship grants and testing fees.

• Equivalent to graduation from high school.
• Firefighter I Academy certificate of completion or CSFM Firefighter I certification at time of appointment
• Current EMT-Paramedic certification at time of appointment, with the ability to obtain and maintain San Luis Obispo County Paramedic Accreditation within 60 days of appointment (pursuant to Resolution 62-15, a recruit Firefighter that has an Emergency Medical Technician certificate is eligible for hire by the Morro Bay Fire Department without Paramedic certification; however, they must attain paramedic certification, without financial support from the City, within a 4 year period and remain on probation until this requirement is met.)
• Must possess Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) and be able to maintain established standards of physical conditioning, including the ability to swim.
• Employees in this classification are required to be clean-shaven, with the exception of a mustache, and cannot use tobacco on or off duty. A drug test will be administered prior to appointment.
• Morro Bay Firefighters are required to reside within 1-hour's driving time of the Morro Bay city limits.

BENEFITS

• Retirement: California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Public Employees Retirement System 2.7% at 57; average of 3 highest years; Classic PERS Members: 3% @ 55 employees; average of 3 highest years.
• Insurance: The City has a cafeteria-style health benefits program through CalPERS with a contribution equal to 100% of the Employee only premium, 90% of the Employee+ 1 premium, and 89% of the Employee+ 2 or more premium for the
  lowest cost PPO plan offered through CalPERS. City contribution of 100% of the dental and vision premiums for Employees and their dependents. City pays for a $50,000 life insurance policy.
• Sick Leave: 5.60 shifts per year, balance applied to service time at retirement.
• Vacation Leave: 10.79 shifts per year, increased based on length of service.
• Paid Holidays
• Comp time: Employees may accrue compensatory time off in lieu of paid overtime for training up to a maximum of 140 hours.
• Deferred Compensation: City contributes up to $1200 a year on a 2:1 basis.
• Education Incentive: Bachelor's degree $1000 per year, Master's degree $2000 per year.
• Bilingual Incentive: Up to $150 per month (Spanish only).
• Longevity Incentive Pay: 1% - 3% of base salary dependent on years of service

APPLICATION PROCESS

Individuals can apply through the City website at https://www.morrobayca.gov/832/Employment-Opportunities

SELECTION GUIDELINES

All applications received will be reviewed for completeness and job-related qualifications with those possessing the minimum qualifications being invited to participate in the testing process.

ASSESSMENT CENTER TEST DATE: Oral interviews and assessment tentatively scheduled for February 12, 2026.

FIRE CHIEFS INTERVIEW: Top candidates will be notified of the exact date and time by invitation.

Please contact the Human Resources Office by the final filing date if you need special accommodation due to a physical or mental disability to participate in this selection process.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 30, 2026 at 5:00pm

ALL INDIVIDUALS HIRED FOR APPOINTMENT MUST BE U.S. CITIZENS OR ALIENS AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES. THE CITY OF MORRO BAY WILL REQUIRE VERIFICATION OF THE SELECTED CANDIDATE'S IDENTITY AND EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION AT THE TIME THE EMPLOYMENT OFFER IS MADE. CITY OF MORRO BAY IS A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the City's policy to ensure equal employment opportunity for all persons seeking employment or promotion to assure equal employment opportunity based upon ability and fitness to all persons regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, childbirth, breast-feeding, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, genetic characteristics or information, military or veteran's status, and/or any other category protected by federal and/or state law.