Firefighter Paramedic Recruit

Introduction

THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

COMPENSATION **: UPON GRADUATION FROM THE OCEANSIDE FIRE ACADEMY

Firefighter Paramedic (56 Hour): $7,503 - $9,578 per month**

$90,036 - $114,936 per year

3% Base salary increase effective July 2026 3% Base salary increase effective July 2027

Educational Incentive Pay: All Firefighter/Paramedics holding certifications or completed task books for three eligible classes shall receive 5% of the employee’s base hourly rate of pay as Education Incentive Pay.  See page 35 of the OFA MOU for a list of classes.  Education Incentive Pay is available after successful completion of probation.

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WHILE IN THE OCEANSIDE FIRE ACADEMY Firefighter Paramedic Recruit (40 Hour): $5,847 per month

The City of Oceanside is accepting applications on a continuous basis to establish a list to fill current and future vacancies for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit. There will be several waves of hiring from this continuous recruitment. Below are tentative examination and start dates.

Hiring Wave 1

Examination Date: June 15-16, 2026 Tentative Start Date: August 17, 2026

Hiring Wave 2

Examination Date: September 2026

Tentative Start Date: December 2026

Hiring Wave 3 (if still needed)

Examination Date: December 2026

Tentative Start Date: February 2027

** Exam dates may be subject to change and may be updated as needed.

Examples of Duties

Firefighter/Paramedics provide basic and advanced life support to victims of injury or sudden illness; perform firefighting, rescue and fire prevention activities; drive and operate all types of fire apparatus and equipment; perform station, equipment and apparatus maintenance; participate in training activities; and perform related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education : Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Graduation from a California State Accredited Fire Academy. Associates and/or Bachelor's degree is highly desirable.   Licenses/Certificates : - Valid California Driver's license with a satisfactory driving record. (Out of State candidates selected for hire who do not possess a California driver's license, must obtain it prior to completion of the Oceanside Fire Academy). - Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider or an American Red Cross CPR card. - State of California EMT-P license or National Registry EMT-P certificate. - Attainment of San Diego County EMT-P accreditation.

**Oceanside Emergency Medical Technician experience is highly desirable.

Note: In addition to completing the online application, you must attach copies of the required certifications listed below, to the application.  If you do not, your application will not be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed applications, but may be attached. - Valid California EMT-P license OR valid National Registry EMT-P certificate, OR verification of current enrollment in clinical or field internship with an Accredited Paramedic Program with an anticipated completion date of July 31, 2026 or December 31, 2026 - Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider OR American Red Cross CPR card. - Current County of San Diego EMT-P accreditation. (Candidates selected for hire must obtain this accreditation prior to completion of the Oceanside Fire Academy.) - California Firefighter I Certification or California State Accredited Fire Academy certification, or verification of current enrollment in a California State Accredited Fire Academy with an anticipated graduation date of July 31, 2026 or December 31, 2026 - Successful PAT completion within the past 12 months.  Acceptable PAT are Fire Academy PAT, CPAT, and Biddle PAT.

Note: Applicants currently enrolled in a California accredited fire academy, who are enrolled in an academy, must submit a letter from the academy stating that they are in good standing and are expected to graduate. Please include the expected date of graduation. Applicants currently enrolled must possess a California State Accredited Fire Academy certificate at time of appointment.

Note: Applicants currently enrolled in an Accredited Paramedic Program, who are in their clinical or field internship, must submit a letter from the school stating that they are in good standing and expected to complete the program. Please include the expected date of graduation. Applicants currently enrolled must possess a National Registry Paramedic Licensure at time of appointment and a California Paramedic Licensure prior to the completion of the Oceanside Fire Academy.

Physical Demands : Must have the physical agility to perform the full range of Firefighter/Paramedic duties.   Work Schedule : All positions require the ability to work shifts of up to 24 hours, including evenings, holidays and weekends. Work schedules may occasionally require more than a 24-hour shift to ensure adequate shift coverage. Firefighter/Paramedics rotate between shifts and staff assignments at the discretion of the Fire Chief.

Working Conditions and Selection Process

All properly completed applications will be reviewed and appropriately qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the examination process.

The Examination Process : The examination process may consist of a Physical Abilities Test, Firefighter skills and knowledge test, Oral Board interview and a practical EMS Skills test. 

Physical Abilities Test (PAT): Applicants must provide proof of successful PAT completion within the past 12 months from the date of application.  Acceptable PAT are Fire Academy PAT, CPAT, and Biddle PAT.

Skills/Knowledge Test & Oral Board Examination : 

Candidates who successfully complete all portions of the examination process will be placed on the eligibility list according to their final score and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.

Note: Prospective employees will undergo and must successfully pass a background investigation which includes fingerprinting; and a medical examination which will include drug screening.     RÉSUMÉS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.   CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.   THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.

CITY OF OCEANSIDE

Unrepresented Supervisory, Technical & Confidential

Benefit Summary

The following is a highlight of benefits

Retirement

Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)

• Employees hired after January 1, 2013 are subject to the State laws of the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) in regard to retirement benefits. Each individual's benefits may differ.  Consult with Employee Benefits for further details.
• Third Level 1959 Survivor Credit
• Survivor Continuation option

Additional Retirement Credit Purchase Options

• Buy additional Service Retirement Credit prior to membership
• Service Credit for unused Sick Leave
• Buy additional Military Service Credit

Health Insurance

Medical:

• Kaiser HMO
• Blue Shield HMO
• Blue Shield PPO

Dental:

• Delta Preferred Option (DPO)
• Delta Care USA (DHMO)

Vision:

• Vision Service Plan (VSP)

Pre-Tax Benefits

Health benefits are offered on a pre-tax basis and employees cannot add or delete coverage or benefits unless a qualifying event has occurred.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Anthem EAP is paid for by the City.

• Available to all members of your household
• 6 free confidential counseling visits per incident
• Self-service support online or by phone

Disability and Life Insurances

The STD/LTD/LIFE and AD&D Financial Financial premiums are paid for by City.

Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance:

• First 90 days - benefits paid at 55% of weekly salary to a maximum weekly benefit of $700 for non-work related disability only
• Seven day waiting period unless hospitalized
• All sick leave must be exhausted before STD is used

Long-Term Disability Insurance:

• After 90 days - benefits paid at 66.7% of monthly salary to a maximum monthly benefit of $6,000 for any disability

Life and AD&D Insurance:

• 1 times annual base salary; minimum of $30,000 and maximum of $200,000 of Basic Life & AD&D

Voluntary Benefits

Benefits are employee paid.

Supplemental Life Insurance through Lincoln:

• Premiums are determined by age
• Purchased up to a maximum $500,000 for employees
• Spousal coverage up to the employee amount
• Dependent coverage up to $10,000

Flexible Spending Accounts through BCC:

• Utilizes a debit card as a form of payment
• Health Care Spending Account – maximum annual deferral is $3,400
• Dependent Care Spending Account – maximum annual deferral is $7,500

Deferred Compensation - 457 through Empower :

• 457 - Maximum annual pre/post-taxed amount is $24,500 for 2026; over age 50 may contribute an additional $8,000

Metlife Legal - Telephone and office consultations are available for an unlimited number for personal legal matters with an attorney of your choice.

GotZoom Student Loan Relief

• Provides a no-obligation benefit analysis for federal student loans to identify, maximize and enroll employees into Federal Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs.

ScholarShare 529

• An easy to manage plan that helps make the most of your or a designated beneficiary’s college savings with tax benefits.

Leave Benefits

Vacation:  All accruals are based on 80 hours in a paid status

1 - 5 years:      3.58 hours

6 - 10 years:     5.12 hours

11 - 15 years:   6.65 hours

16 + years:       8.19 hours

Maximum accrual:

• 360 hours for those hired before 7/1/95
• 300 hours for those hired 7/1/95 or after

Holidays:

• New Years' Day
• Martin Luther King Jr Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• 48 hours Floating Holidays per fiscal year
• Supervisory exempt employees receive 50 hours of Executive leave per fiscal year

Sick Leave:

• 12 days per year

Max accrual:  Unlimited

Annual Sick Leave Pay Off:

Each calendar year an employee may elect to receive a 50% payment in lieu of sick leave provided such employee has used 32 hours or less of sick leave during the calendar year.

Sick Leave Pay Off at Separation:

• Sick leave paid out depends on years of service and whether an employee retires or terminates

Bereavement Leave:

• Three days for death of employee's immediate family member
• Two additional days may be charged to sick leave upon approval

Tuition Reimbursement

Up to $2,000 per fiscal year.

Bilingual and Notary Pay

• Bilingual: $1.73 per hour for eligible employees
• Notary: $.58 per hour for eligible employees

Safety Shoes The City will provide reimbursement up to $150 towards the purchase price of safety shoes to employees who are required to wear such shoes on the job.

Term of Compensation Plan

Approved July 1, 2024

This is a summary of available benefits. It is not intended to provide full details of all programs. The appropriate Memorandum of Understanding, Compensation Plan and/or Benefit Plan Documents will govern any discrepancies and provide program specifics.