Firefighter/Paramedic (Entry-Level) at City of Albany (CA) – Albany, California

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Possession of a High School diploma or GED equivalency

• Possession of a Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) that is valid (within one year) at the time of application

• Be a current full-time firefighter/paramedic with at least six months of experience working as a paramedic in a 911 transporting agency is required at time of application

• Possession of a California State Fire Marshal Firefighter I Certificate is preferred

• Other candidates with a certificate of completion from a Firefighter I Academy from an accredited California State Fire Training may be considered

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of a valid California Paramedic License

• Possession of a valid ACLS certification

• Possession of a valid PALS or PEPP certification

• Possession of a valid PHTLS or ITLS certification

• Possession of a valid BLS for Healthcare Provider certification

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License with a DMV Firefighter Endorsement

Other Requirements

• Positions in this classification must be free of felony convictions and successfully pass a department pre-employment screening process which include, psychological evaluation, medical examination, and full background investigation.
• Positions in this classification must work nights, weekends, holidays, and on a various shift configuration that will include 48-hour tours of duty.
• Positions are subject to mandatory call back at any time.

All completed applications will be reviewed. Based on the information in the application documents, the most qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.

1. Application

• California State Fire Marshal Firefighter I certification is preferred OR

• Firefighter I academy certificate accredited by California State Fire Training

• California Paramedic License

• ACLS certification

• PALS or PEPP certification

• PHTLS or ITLS certification

• BLS for Healthcare Provider certification

• Valid California Driver's License with DMV Firefighter Endorsement

Salary

• $120,286 - $161,229 (including 11.5% Paramedic Pay)*
• Salary is effective July 2026.

Holiday Pay: In lieu of having time off for holidays, employees receive additional special compensation at a rate of seven [7] hours of straight-time pay each pay period for 13 observed holidays.

Longevity Pay: 2.5% - 10% of base pay. Eligibility for Longevity Pay starts at 9 years of City service time.

In addition to salary, Albany offers an attractive benefits package, including:

Retirement: The City participates in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) with a 3% at 55 formula, three-year average final compensation, with employees contributing 13% for Classic members, and 2.7% at 57 formula, three-year average final compensation, with employee contributing 14.75% for new PEPRA members.

Deferred Compensation: Voluntary 457 Pre-Tax & After Tax plans available for employees.

Retiree Health Savings Plan: Employee only contributions based on years of service.

Medical Plan: The City offers a choice of HMO, PPO, or EPO plans, along with a generous premium contribution of up to $3,039.04 for family coverage. The city pays 100% of the Kaiser plan.

In-Lieu Medical Alternative Benefit: With proof of insurance, eligible Employees will be credited with Elected Paid Leave. Unused accrued hours will be cashed out quarterly up to $3,506.58.

Dental: City paid. In addition, City will reimburse 60% of Ortho-related medical expenses up to $1,500 per qualifying dependent per lifetime.

Vision: City offers plans with employee premium rates ranging from $12.88 for Employee Only to $36.34 for Family coverage.

Medicare: Employee contributes 1.45% with employer match.

Leaves

• Vacation Leave: 5.54 hours per pay period increasing with years of service.
• Sick Leave:6.92 hours per pay period. Up to 2,000 hours of unused sick leave can be converted to PERS service credit upon retirement.
• Bereavement Leave: Up to 7 calendar days with pay.

Life Insurance: City pays the premium for a $50,000 term policy. Supplemental voluntary life insurance is available at the employee’s cost.

Flexible Spending Plan: Set aside pre-tax funds for dependent care and out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.

Education Reimbursement: Up to $2,000 per fiscal year.

Uniform Allowance: $38.46 per pay period. In addition, City will reimburse employees for the cost of repairs to uniforms damaged in the line of duty

For more information, visit our salary & benefits or bargaining unit agreements page.