FIRE CAPTAIN

Nationally Recognized, Locally Dedicated:
Join Cathedral City's Accredited Fire Service

Cathedral City Fire and EMS stands among the elite fire service agencies with our newly earned CPSE accreditation. This distinction reflects our department's dedication to continuous improvement, data‑driven decision making, and exceptional service delivery. Join our team and build your career with a department recognized for excellence!

December 18 2025 – January 15 2026. Human Resources reserves the right to modify the recruitment timeline, including extending the application period, accelerating the selection process, or adjusting any deadlines.

Plans, coordinates, assigns, and supervises the emergency and non‑emergency activities of a fire station during an assigned shift to protect life and property. This class is the first level supervisor, supervising and participating in fire suppression and emergency medical response, fire prevention and related departmental functions. Incumbents supervise station staff directly and typically serve as a station administrator. This class is distinguished from Fire Battalion Chief which has overall supervisory authority for all activities related to assigned division(s).

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent supplemented by courses in Fire Science or a related field.
• Five (5) years of paid municipal, county, tribal or special district fire experience in fire suppression and prevention.
• Successful completion of California State Fire Training Apparatus Driver/Operator IA and IB.
• Valid California Class B driver license, or a California Class C driver license with firefighter endorsement and a satisfactory driving record.
• Certification as a Firefighter I and Firefighter II required.
• Valid CPR certificate.
• Valid State of California Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic certification/licensure with eligibility to work under Riverside County.
• Completion of Intermediate (ICS‑300 and ICS‑400) training by end of probationary period.
• California State Fire Marshal Fire Officer I Certificate or completion of required coursework, with final certification by end of probation period.
• Completion of the assigned Task‑book by end of probation.
• Advanced management leadership training from a recognized industry desirable.
• AA or BA degree with major coursework in fire science or a closely related field desirable.

Must possess strength and stamina sufficient to lift and carry equipment and patients exceeding 150 pounds and be able to wear self‑contained breathing apparatus.

Must live within 150 miles of the city limits by the end of their probationary period. The calculation of the 150 miles shall be made using Google Maps driving directions.

To be considered, candidates must attach all required certifications listed in the Training and Experience section. Based on the information presented on the applications, a limited number of candidates who possess the most pertinent qualifications will be invited to participate in the selection process.

• Application period:
  December 18 2025 – January 15 2026 at noon.
• Written Exam:
  February 10 2026.
• Practical Exam & Panel Interview:
  February 11 2026.
• Fire Chief Interview:
  February 12 2026.

Candidates passing the written examination will be invited to participate in a practical exam and oral interview. The written exam is pass/fail. The Fire Captain written exam is divided into the following content areas:

• FIREGROUND OPERATIONS – 30 questions.
• FIRE INSPECTION – 20 questions.
• INCIDENT COMMAND – 20 questions.
• SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT – 20 questions.
• WRITTEN COMMUNICATION AND REPORTS – 10 questions.

Sources for this test include:
Miller, Leslie

A. and Fortney, Jeff (Ed.). (2019). Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer, 6th Edition. IFSTA;
Murnane, Lynne (Ed.). (2016). Fire Inspection and Code Enforcement, 8th Edition. IFSTA;
Hess, Karen M., Wrobleski, Henry M., and Lahera, Laz. (2019). For the Record:
Report Writing for Fire Services, 3rd Edition. Innovative Systems;
National Incident…