Firefighter Trainee & Firefighter Trainee/Paramedic Certified

Full Job Description

Requirements

Suppression and control of building and other fires by operating firefighting equipment in hazardous areas, confined spaces, and high places such as ladders.

Suppresses grass and brush fires using fire hose and equipment and wildland firefighting hand tools. Conduct rescue operations from smoke-filled or confined areas that have been compromised by fire.

Cleans up debris and does salvage work during and after firefighting.

Performs emergency medical treatment to the minimum EMT – 1 level on ill and injured persons while in training.

For paramedics only: Following completion of firefighting training, and upon recertification as a Paramedic, will be assigned to an advanced life support apparatus to perform paramedic duties for a period of at least three (3) years.

Qualifications

• Be at least 21 years of age on or before 01/30/2026.
• Be a high school graduate or possess a GED certificate.
• Possess and maintain a valid Class C driver license.
• Current and valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.

The Firefighter Trainee's work environment varies.

During an emergency incident, the Firefighter may be outside for an extended period of time exposed to both extreme hot, cold, and/or wet weather conditions.

Firefighter Trainees must have the ability to climb ladders, climb stairs, and work in high places and in closely confined spaces; must be able to utilize a wide range of motion from pushing, pulling, carrying, and lifting heavy objects to inspecting objects above shoulder level and overhead; and must be able to lift, push/pull and carry more than 100 lbs.

• Bilingual.
• Current and valid California Paramedic License from the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA).
• Completion of a California State Fire Marshal Firefighter I academy or equivalent.
• Experience as a Fire Control Worker with the Ventura County Fire Department.

• Successful completion of the Ventura County Physical Ability Test, certified and validated by Fire & Police Selection, Inc. (commonly referred to as the “Biddle” test).
• Current and valid California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification OR

• Current and valid California Paramedic License from the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA).
• A valid, unrestricted California Class C driver license.

• Current and valid Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification

• Within 12 months of hire, obtain the Firefighter Endorsement through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), regardless of driver license class (A, B, or C).
• Successfully complete all aspects of, and thereby graduate from, the Ventura County Fire Protection District Academy.

Additional Information

FINAL FILING DATE: Applications must be received by the Ventura County Human Resources Division no later than January 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Online applications are preferred.

To apply online, refer to the website: www.venturacounty.gov/jobs.

If utilizing a paper application form, please call (805) 389-9710 for application materials or go to Ventura County Human Resources - address: 800 S. Victoria Ave., Loc. # 1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

We do not accept resumes in lieu of our application form, nor do we accept any application materials via email.

Note to Applicants: Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications to determine eligibility.

A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of completing the application.SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – Qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing.

This questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position.APPLICATION EVALUATION – Qualifying: All applications and supplemental questions will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met.

Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to participate in the examinations outlined below.ONLINE WRITTEN EXAMINATION – Pass/Fail: A proctored, online, internet-based job-related written examination will be administered to test candidates' knowledge of reading ability, math, map reading, writing ability, spatial skills, problem solving, analysis, decision making, and mechanical aptitude for successful performance on the job.

Examinees must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to advance in the recruitment process.RECORDED ORAL EXAMINATION – 100%: An online, unproctored, job-related oral examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating examinees' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job.

Examinees must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a minimum of 6 months.

The eligible list established for this position may be used to fill existing and future regular, temporary, fixed-term, intermittent and extra-help positions within the Fire Protection District and/or Fire Academies through 2028.

PRACTICAL EXAMINATION (VCPAT) – Pass/Fail: The Ventura County Physical Ability Test (VCPAT) is a job-related physical agility examination and will be administered by department personnel.BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONA thorough pre-employment background investigation will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment and will include review of the Personal History Statement (PHS).

The investigation may also include inquiries into past employment, education, criminal history, and driving record.MEDICAL EVALUATIONThe medical standards to become a Firefighter Trainee/Firefighter have been developed over many years and are consistent with standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Some of the most common reasons individuals are unable to pass are listed below.

These are minimum and maximum standards and are significantly different from what may be considered ideal or average health.Hearing LossHearing must meet NFPA standards as verified through an audiogram, with no hearing loss greater than 40 decibels in the better ear at required frequencies.Color Vision DeficiencyApplicants must pass a color vision test as verified through medical evaluation; monochromatic vision is disqualifying.Poor Vision (in either eye)Visual acuity must be 20/40 or better in each eye, with or without corrective lenses, as verified through medical evaluation.Cardiovascular or Blood Pressure ConditionsUncontrolled high blood pressure, abnormal cardiac testing, or insufficient cardiovascular fitness may prevent an applicant from meeting medical standards; Stage II hypertension (160/100 or higher) is incompatible with Firefighter job performance unless controlled with medication.Weight and Body CompositionApplicants must be in excellent physical condition, with weight proportionate to height, as determined by overall health indicators, metabolic risk factors, and evaluation by the examining medical provider; ideal body fat targets are approximately 20% for males and 30% for females.DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTINGEmployment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.

Applicants must be free from the use of illegal drugs and the misuse of controlled substances.

Failure to pass or refusal to comply with testing requirements may result in disqualification from the selection process.UNSATISFACTORY RESULTS IN ANY ASPECT OF THE FOREGOING PROCESS, INCLUDING BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION FINDINGS, MAY RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE ELIGIBLE LIST.

For further information about this recruitment, please email Ventura County Fire Human Resources at JoinVCFD@venturacounty.gov.EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYThe County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.EmployerCounty of Ventura

Address
800 S. Victoria Avenue
LOC. #1970
Ventura, California, 93009

Phone
(805) 654-5129

Website
https://hr.venturacounty.gov/