Fire Department · Career
Ventura County Fire Protection District
Newbury Park, CA · Ventura County
“Committed to Excellence…Delivered with Pride”
The Ventura County Fire Protection District is an all-hazard, full-service agency serving the unincorporated areas of the county plus seven cities: Ojai, Port Hueneme, Moorpark, Camarillo, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, and Thousand Oaks. It has operated as a special district since 1987.
The department fields roughly 658 firefighters and support staff across 34 strategically positioned stations, covering about 848 square miles and a population of around 840,000. In 2025 it answered 56,910 calls, averaging 155 responses a day, the large majority of them medical.
Beyond fire suppression and medical aid, VCFD provides rescue, hazardous materials response, a dedicated Aviation and Wildland program, and a Special Operations division, along with extensive fire prevention, code enforcement, and community education work.
MissionAnticipate and respond to the dynamic public safety needs of our community.
Entry-level hiring is through the Firefighter Trainee classification. Applicants must be at least 21, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, carry a current EMT certificate, and possess a valid driver's license. Applications are submitted online at venturacounty.gov/jobs.
The selection process is a multi-stage sequence: online application, a proctored written exam, an oral exam that places candidates into scored eligibility bands, an interview with chiefs, a background investigation, medical and drug/alcohol screening, the VCPAT physical ability test (provided free after a conditional offer), and finally academy selection. Recruitment questions go to joinvcfd@venturacounty.gov.
Requirements
- At least 21 years of age at the time of application
- High school diploma, GED certificate, or equivalency
- Current and valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate at the time of application
- Valid driver's license (California driver's license required if hired)
Hiring process
- Submit online application via venturacounty.gov/jobs
- Written exam (online proctored: human relations, mechanical reasoning, reading comprehension, math)
- Oral exam, scored into eligibility bands
- Interview with chiefs
- Background investigation (up to 6 months)
- Medical evaluation and drug & alcohol screening
- VCPAT physical ability test (free of charge, after conditional offer)
- Academy selection
Candidates who clear all steps receive a final invitation to join the department and attend the fire academy.
What are the minimum requirements to become a Firefighter Trainee?
You must be at least 21 years old at the time of application, have a high school diploma or GED, hold a current and valid EMT certificate at the time of application, and possess a valid driver's license.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted online at venturacounty.gov/jobs. Questions can be directed to joinvcfd@venturacounty.gov or 805-389-9710.
What does the hiring process involve?
After the online application, candidates go through a written exam, an oral exam scored into eligibility bands, an interview with chiefs, a background investigation (up to 6 months), medical and drug/alcohol screening, the VCPAT physical ability test, and finally academy selection.
Do I have to pay for the physical ability test?
No. The VCPAT physical ability test is administered free of charge after you receive an official conditional offer.
Is an EMT certificate required before applying?
Yes. A current and valid EMT certificate is required at the time of application, not just at hire.