Firefighter

The City of San Luis Obispo has multiple openings for Firefighters.

must be active on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List (SEL) with a score of 80 or higher by the Final date to receive applications, Friday, September 25, 2026.

do not need to be on the FCTC list but must be an active firefighter with a minimum of 1 year of full-time professional firefighting experience. Please note that if you are a lateral applicant, you are not required to possess and upload a current CPAT/BPAT certificate; however, if offered the position, you will be required to have a CPAT/BPAT certificate before February 1, 2027.

Please attach ALL certifications required for this position.

ATTACHMENT

NOTE:

Name the documents/files with the name of the certification followed by last, first name (e.g., Paramedic License
- Smith, John).

• Required:
  
  CA State Firefighter I Academy Certificate/Equivalent or Attestation
• Required:
  
  Current CPAT/BPAT dated on or after 9/1/2025
• Required:
  
  EMT Certification or Paramedic License

• Required:
  
  CA State Firefighter I Academy Certificate/Equivalent
• Required:
  
  EMT Certification or Paramedic License
• Optional:
  Current CPAT/BPAT dated on or after 9/1/2025 (will be required if offered the position)

• Friday, September 25, 2026 at 5:00 pm: Application Period Closes
• September 28 – October 9, 2026: Application Screening Window
• Week of October 12 – 16, 2026: Application Status Updates
  - All candidates will receive a status notification at the email address used to apply. Please monitor your inbox closely.
• Week of October 27 – 30, 2026: In-Person Oral Board Interviews (Held at a City of San Luis Obispo facility; details sent directly to top candidates).

• Statewide Eligibility List (SEL):
  Learn how to get placed on the SEL at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). /
• Testing Schedules:
  View upcoming Cal-JAC CPAT and FCTC Written Test dates at https:///
• Financial Assistance:
  Candidates experiencing financial hardship may apply for test fee assistance at https:///
• IMPORTANT:
  It is your sole responsibility to ensure your contact information in your FCTC profile matches what you are putting on this application to be accurately matched to the SEL. (FCTC #, Name, Email Address, Phone Number, etc.).

Under general supervision of a Fire Engineer or Fire Captain, the Firefighter serves citizens, visitors, business owners, and other City employees, while demonstrating competence and compassion in the areas of firefighting, rescue, emergency medical aid, and fire prevention activities in protecting life and property. Provides public education; as assigned, assists with training activities, mobile crisis unit and program management; operates and maintains fire apparatus and pumps and other firefighting equipment on a relief basis.

This class requires the application of highly specialized knowledge and skill in one or more areas in an emergency response environment. This class is distinguished from Fire Engineer in that the Fire Engineer carries the primary responsibility of operating and maintaining fire pumping engines and other firefighting equipment.

Works under the general supervision of Fire Captain or Fire Engineer. May provide work direction and/or instruction to less experienced Firefighters or interns.

• Provide exemplary customer service to all individuals by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair,…