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Form of workSalary: See Position Description
Location : El Cajon, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 24-04
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 01/26/2024
Closing Date: 2/25/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Overview
HEARTLAND FIRE AND RESCUE IS LOOKING FOR LATERAL OR ENTRY LEVEL PARAMEDIC FIREFIGHTERS
Hourly Salary Range
City of El Cajon: $30.71 - $37.33
City of La Mesa: $30.63 - $38.16
City of Lemon Grove: $27.88 - $41.18
Lateral entry salary will be offered to current Paramedic Firefighters from outside agencies and will be based on prior years of paid Paramedic Firefighter work experience.
Educational Incentive Pay may be available depending on the City.
Please refer to each Cities MOU for Educational Incentive Pay eligibility guidelines.
THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
The Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove will be conducting the application and examination process jointly. Separate eligibility lists will be established by each agency for their respective vacancies. Candidates may be placed on more than one agency's eligibility list.
Interested applicants must submit and complete an online application and supplemental questionnaire. The City of El Cajon's online application process will be used for all agencies.
Examination Process will Include:
HEARTLAND FIRE AND RESCUE:
As of January 1, 2010, the Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove have a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for organizational management of fire protection, fire prevention services, emergency medical services, and community emergency preparedness. This cooperative sharing agreement created an organization that is recognized as Heartland Fire & Rescue, an ISO Class 1 fire department.
The Heartland Fire & Rescue management team includes a Fire Chief, a Deputy Fire Chief, two Division Chiefs, six Battalion Chiefs, a Fire Marshal, a Deputy Fire Marshal, Fire Inspectors, an Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, and four Administrative Support staff. The cost of this single management team is shared by the three member cities. This unique cooperative fire services agreement ensures cost containment while maintaining local control. This combined management of the three neighboring member cities allows for a high level of fire and emergency medical services delivery, and maximizes resource utilization by eliminating management redundancies that would be experienced as separate organizations.
Heartland Fire & Rescue manages a total of eight fire stations in the three cities. Staffed daily are nine Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder engine companies, with one being a certified Medium Rescue team and two ALS First Responder truck companies, and one ALS Squad. Much of the ambulance transport system is contracted out to private ambulance services. Heartland Fire & Rescue serves a regional population of over 186,000 and responds to approximately 30,000 calls for emergency services each year. 125 proud, professional, dedicated men and women make up this award-winning organization.
For more details about Heartland Fire & Rescue, please go to
Typical Duties
Please refer to each agency's class specification for Typical Duties.
To obtain each agency's Paramedic/Firefighter class specification, please click on the following links:
Qualification Guidelines
Please refer to each agency's class specification for Education and Experience Guidelines. Minimum qualifications vary amongst the three agencies.
To obtain each agency's Paramedic/Firefighter class specification, please click on the following links:
Experience: One year of full time experience as a regular Paramedic Firefighter (non-probationary). Active, seasonal time will count towards experience. Reserve time is not qualifying.
Additional Information
The 2023-2024 County of San Diego EMS protocols will be used during the Appraisal Interview and Paramedic Skills Assessment. For reference, you may click on the following link to access the County of San Diego protocols website:
Candidates must be successful in every component of the examination process to be placed on the eligibility list for employment consideration for all three agencies. Candidates who move forward in the pre-employment process may go through a thorough background investigation, including a polygraph examination, psychological exam and a pre-employment medical evaluation.
For benefit information, please contact each agency's Human Resources office.
01
You must complete this supplemental questionnaire as part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?
02
I understand the Appraisal Interview and the Paramedic Skills Assessment will be based on the 2023-2024 County of San Diego EMS protocols. Failure to follow these protocols during the testing components can result in a critical fail during the recruitment process. Information on the 2023-2024 County of San Diego EMS Protocols can be found in the job announcement.
03
I acknowledge the test dates for this Paramedic Firefighter recruitment are listed below: 3/12/24 - Physical Abilities Test (PAT)3/13/24 and/or 3/14/24 - Appraisal Interview and Paramedic Skills Assessment Scenario
04
Do you possess a valid Class "C" California Driver License or equivalent?
05
Each agency requires State of California Paramedic license at the time of appointment. Do you possess a valid State of California Paramedic license? If you answered "Yes" please attach a copy of your license to your electronic application.
06
If you do not have your State of California Paramedic license, when do you anticipate on receiving it? If you already have your license, please write "N/A".
07
Each agency requires the County of San Diego Paramedic Accreditation at the time of appointment. Do you currently possess a County of San Diego Paramedic Accreditation? If you answered "Yes" please attach a copy of your accreditation to your electronic application.
08
Have you successfully completed a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy or equivalent?
09
If you answered "Yes" to question 7, please attach a copy of your certificate to your electronic application. In addition, please type the school name and completion date in the text box below. If you have not attended a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy, please type "N/A".
10
Please indicate the years of experience you have working as a Firefighter in the State of California (include both reserve/volunteer and full-time/paid experience).
11
Please indicate the years of experience you have working as a full-time/paid Paramedic in the State of California.
12
Please indicate the years of experience you have working as a Paramedic Firefighter in the State of California (include only full-time/paid experience).
13
Which agency are you interested in applying for? You may select more than one.
Required Question
Location : El Cajon, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 24-04
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 01/26/2024
Closing Date: 2/25/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Overview
HEARTLAND FIRE AND RESCUE IS LOOKING FOR LATERAL OR ENTRY LEVEL PARAMEDIC FIREFIGHTERS
Hourly Salary Range
City of El Cajon: $30.71 - $37.33
City of La Mesa: $30.63 - $38.16
City of Lemon Grove: $27.88 - $41.18
Lateral entry salary will be offered to current Paramedic Firefighters from outside agencies and will be based on prior years of paid Paramedic Firefighter work experience.
Educational Incentive Pay may be available depending on the City.
Please refer to each Cities MOU for Educational Incentive Pay eligibility guidelines.
THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
The Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove will be conducting the application and examination process jointly. Separate eligibility lists will be established by each agency for their respective vacancies. Candidates may be placed on more than one agency's eligibility list.
Interested applicants must submit and complete an online application and supplemental questionnaire. The City of El Cajon's online application process will be used for all agencies.
Examination Process will Include:
- 3/12/2024 - Physical Abilities Test (PAT)
- 3/13/2024 and/or 3/14/2024 - Appraisal Interview and Paramedic Skills Assessment Scenario
HEARTLAND FIRE AND RESCUE:
As of January 1, 2010, the Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove have a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for organizational management of fire protection, fire prevention services, emergency medical services, and community emergency preparedness. This cooperative sharing agreement created an organization that is recognized as Heartland Fire & Rescue, an ISO Class 1 fire department.
The Heartland Fire & Rescue management team includes a Fire Chief, a Deputy Fire Chief, two Division Chiefs, six Battalion Chiefs, a Fire Marshal, a Deputy Fire Marshal, Fire Inspectors, an Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, and four Administrative Support staff. The cost of this single management team is shared by the three member cities. This unique cooperative fire services agreement ensures cost containment while maintaining local control. This combined management of the three neighboring member cities allows for a high level of fire and emergency medical services delivery, and maximizes resource utilization by eliminating management redundancies that would be experienced as separate organizations.
Heartland Fire & Rescue manages a total of eight fire stations in the three cities. Staffed daily are nine Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder engine companies, with one being a certified Medium Rescue team and two ALS First Responder truck companies, and one ALS Squad. Much of the ambulance transport system is contracted out to private ambulance services. Heartland Fire & Rescue serves a regional population of over 186,000 and responds to approximately 30,000 calls for emergency services each year. 125 proud, professional, dedicated men and women make up this award-winning organization.
For more details about Heartland Fire & Rescue, please go to
Typical Duties
Please refer to each agency's class specification for Typical Duties.
To obtain each agency's Paramedic/Firefighter class specification, please click on the following links:
- City of El Cajon -
- City of La Mesa -
- City of Lemon Grove -
Qualification Guidelines
Please refer to each agency's class specification for Education and Experience Guidelines. Minimum qualifications vary amongst the three agencies.
To obtain each agency's Paramedic/Firefighter class specification, please click on the following links:
- City of El Cajon -
- City of La Mesa -
- City of Lemon Grove -
Experience: One year of full time experience as a regular Paramedic Firefighter (non-probationary). Active, seasonal time will count towards experience. Reserve time is not qualifying.
Additional Information
The 2023-2024 County of San Diego EMS protocols will be used during the Appraisal Interview and Paramedic Skills Assessment. For reference, you may click on the following link to access the County of San Diego protocols website:
Candidates must be successful in every component of the examination process to be placed on the eligibility list for employment consideration for all three agencies. Candidates who move forward in the pre-employment process may go through a thorough background investigation, including a polygraph examination, psychological exam and a pre-employment medical evaluation.
For benefit information, please contact each agency's Human Resources office.
- City of El Cajon Human Resources: 619-441-1736 or City of El Cajon's
- City of La Mesa Human Resources: 619-667-1175 or City of La Mesa's
- City of Lemon Grove Human Resources: 619-825-3800 or City of Lemon Grove's
01
You must complete this supplemental questionnaire as part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?
- Yes
- No
02
I understand the Appraisal Interview and the Paramedic Skills Assessment will be based on the 2023-2024 County of San Diego EMS protocols. Failure to follow these protocols during the testing components can result in a critical fail during the recruitment process. Information on the 2023-2024 County of San Diego EMS Protocols can be found in the job announcement.
- Yes
- No
03
I acknowledge the test dates for this Paramedic Firefighter recruitment are listed below: 3/12/24 - Physical Abilities Test (PAT)3/13/24 and/or 3/14/24 - Appraisal Interview and Paramedic Skills Assessment Scenario
- Yes
- No
04
Do you possess a valid Class "C" California Driver License or equivalent?
- Yes
- No
05
Each agency requires State of California Paramedic license at the time of appointment. Do you possess a valid State of California Paramedic license? If you answered "Yes" please attach a copy of your license to your electronic application.
- Yes
- No
06
If you do not have your State of California Paramedic license, when do you anticipate on receiving it? If you already have your license, please write "N/A".
07
Each agency requires the County of San Diego Paramedic Accreditation at the time of appointment. Do you currently possess a County of San Diego Paramedic Accreditation? If you answered "Yes" please attach a copy of your accreditation to your electronic application.
- Yes
- No
08
Have you successfully completed a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy or equivalent?
- Yes
- No
09
If you answered "Yes" to question 7, please attach a copy of your certificate to your electronic application. In addition, please type the school name and completion date in the text box below. If you have not attended a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy, please type "N/A".
10
Please indicate the years of experience you have working as a Firefighter in the State of California (include both reserve/volunteer and full-time/paid experience).
- No Experience
- Less than 1 year
- 1 to 3 years
- Over 3 years
11
Please indicate the years of experience you have working as a full-time/paid Paramedic in the State of California.
- No Experience
- Less than one year
- 1 to 3 years
- Over 3 years
12
Please indicate the years of experience you have working as a Paramedic Firefighter in the State of California (include only full-time/paid experience).
- No Experience
- Less than 1 year
- 1 to 3 years
- Over 3 years
13
Which agency are you interested in applying for? You may select more than one.
- City of La Mesa
- City of El Cajon
- City of Lemon Grove
Required Question
