FIREFIGHTER TRAINEE / EMT

DEFINITION

The City of Stockton is partnering with the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) to select the best qualified candidates for the position of

FIREFIGHTER TRAINEE / EMT

• limited to first 250 qualified applicants

• APPLICATION FILING PERIOD JULY 1, 2026

  (12:00 a.m.) PST
• JULY 31, 2026 (5:00 p.m.) PST
• or until the maximum number of applications are received
• The City of Stockton Fire Department is seeking career-minded individuals whose performance is reflective of a very high level of dedication and commitment to public service.

Stockton firefighters are trained professionals who provide a wide range of services to include: fire suppression, fire prevention, and emergency services to protect the lives and property of a diverse community. The Fire Department's goal is to develop staffing that reflects the rich make-up of the diverse population residing within the City of Stockton. The ideal candidate will possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, be committed to fostering respect, dignity, and fairness, and is driven by a strong commitment to providing quality service. SALARY During the Fire Academy, Trainees receive the annual salary below. After successful completion of the Fire Academy, trainees achieve the sworn status of Firefighter and the salary steps are reflected below:

FIREFIGHTER TRAINEE

$69,281.58 annually (while attending the academy)

CURRENT BIWEEKLY SALARY STEPS

: (after successful completion of the academy) Step 2: $72,844.89 annually after successful completion of the academy Step 3: $76,593.27 annually after six (6) months at step 2 Step 4: $80,526.23 annually after six (6) months at step 3 Step 5: $84,677.54 annually after one (1) year at step 4 Step 6: $89,030.82 annually after one (1) year at step 5 Step 7: $93,602.71 annually after one (1) year at step 6 Step 8: $98,409.36 annually after one (1) year at step 7 Step 9 (Top Step): $103,469.13 annually after six (6) months at step 8 Longevity Pay

• Additional Pay Opportunity for 2% for 5 years of service Opportunity for 4% for 10 years of service Opportunity for 6% for 15 years of service Opportunity for 8% for 20 years of service Paramedic Certification
• Additional Pay 12% of top step Firefighter Engineer added to their base pay ($547.04 per bi-weekly pay period) HAZ/MAT Assignment
• Additional Pay The City shall pay 5% of the top step of rank for sworn Fire Unit employees actively assigned to the HAZ/MAT response team Education Incentive
• Additional Pay Employees that satisfy the educational and service requirements shall receive: Intermediate Education Certification r eceives 3% above the top step of rank for sworn Fire Unit employees Advanced Education Certification receives 5% above top step of rank for sworn Fire Unit employees Continuing Education for Paramedics .

Upon prior approval of the Fire Chief the City will compensate members of the Fire Unit at their straight time rate for time spent, in an off-duty status, in continuing education necessary to maintain their certification, up to twenty-four (24) hours or less in a two (2) year certification period.

BENEFITS

Vacation

• 120 hours per year Holidays
• 13 fixed and 1 floating per year Sick Leave
• 12 hours per month of service Health Benefits
• Choice of plans for medical and hospitalization, dental and orthodontia, vision, and prescription coverage for employees and dependents Life Insurance
• $50,000 policy value Retirement
• California Public Employees' Retirement Systems (CalPERS) = 2.7% at 57 Section 125 (Flexible Spending Account)
• available at employee's option Education Assistance Program
• up to $1,500 per fiscal year Uniform allowance
• $950.

00 yearly allowance

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The City of Stockton Human Resources Department and the Stockton Fire Department have partnered with the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) to select the best individuals suited to become Firefighter Trainees. Read the following information carefully. Submit an online employment application.

Application filing period:

July 1, 2026 at 12:00a.m. PST to July 31, 2026 at 5:00p.m. PST or when the maximum number of applications is received (limited to 250 applications for EMT level) You must pass the FCTC written examination with a score of 75% or better and be active on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List (SEL) on July 31, 2026. Click here to visit the FCTC site to register for a test dates/times. You must possess a valid CAL-JAC Candidate Physical Ability Card (CPAT) issued between 7/31/2025 and 7/31/2026. Click here for more information about the CPAT and to register for a date. The Stockton Fire Department has deemed that a valid Paramedic license issued by the State of California or the National Registry is required for the Firefighter Trainee/Paramedic level. Candidates must submit proof of this license and any other required documents through the FCTC online registration process . The Stockton Fire Department has deemed that a valid EMT/Level I certificate issued by the State of California or the National Registry is required for the Firefighter Trainee/EMT level. Candidates must submit proof of this license and any other required documents through the FCTC online registration process . FCTC provides study materials, a test prep course, and financial hardship grants to qualified individuals. Still have questions?

Email:

recruitment@stocktonca.gov

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This position is an apprentice-level, non-sworn position in the Fire Department. Incumbents are assigned to the Fire Academy and must satisfactorily pass all the requirements of the Academy before becoming candidates for the sworn position of Fire Fighter. Assignment to this classification is temporary. If incumbents do not successfully complete a fire academy, they will be terminated.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

(Illustrative Only) For Firefighter Trainee full Job Description , click here.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

Possession of a high school diploma or GED. College-level fire science course work and/or previous experience fighting fires in a volunteer or paid capacity is desirable. (

Note:

For this specific recruitment, applicants are required to be active on the

FCTC SEL

on 7/31/2026.)

Other Requirements:

Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license. If driver's license is not issued in the State of California, must be able to obtain prior to the completion of the Fire Academy as a condition of continued employment. Must possess a valid CAL-JAC Candidate Physical Ability Card (CPAT) issued by the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC). CPAT must be issued between 7/31/2025

• 7/31/2026.

Must obtain a Firefighter endorsement from the California Department of Motor Vehicles within seventeen (17) months of appointment. Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain, within one (1) year of employment, current certification as an Emergency Medical Technician/Level I. Must meet the physical standards and successfully complete a background investigation, which shall include a polygraph and psychological examination, a medical examination, and obtain a California Department of Justice fingerprint clearance. Some positions may require a valid Emergency Medical Technician/Level I certificate issued by the State of California or National Registry at the time of application. (

Note:

For this specific recruitment, applicants must possess a valid EMT/Level I certification at time of application) Some positions may require a valid Paramedic license issued by the State of California or National Registry at the time of application. Required licenses and certifications must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.

The Examination :

Applicants who qualify in terms of relevant work experience, license, education, and are active on the

FCTC SEL

on 7/31/2026 , will be eligible to move forward in the hiring process. The examination process will include The successful completion of a written exam administered by FCTC (this is a requirement in order to be active on the SEL.) Applicants that are active on the SEL and have obtained a written exam score of 75% or better will be invited to participate in the Oral Panel Interview. Oral panel interviews will be scheduled for the week of August 10, 2026 (tentative). Successful candidates must receive a minimum passing score of 70%, as determined by the relative performance of all candidates. Scores from the written exam will be combined with scores from the oral panel to create the overall score and establish the eligible list. In the event of identical ratings, candidates' names will be arranged in order of application date/time, and, if the same, then arranged alphabetically.

Notes:

After on-line submittal, immediate notification will appear on your screen indicating your application has been received. Please print this notice as proof of filing. Notices and correspondence will be sent via email only. No paper notices will be mailed to applicants. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure a correct email address is provided and that correspondence is received. NeoGov.

com:

You will receive correspondence via the e-mail address you placed on your application. Some e-mail accounts have been known to place these e-mails in the spam/junk file. Please check your e-mail folders or accept e-mails ending with neogov.com. The City of Stockton requires employees in this position to reasonably respond to emergencies at all times. Employees will be required to maintain primary residence within 45 minutes of City Hall in order to timely respond to emergencies and meet the health, safety, and welfare needs of the City. New employees have up to three (3) months from date of hire to comply with the requirement. Any interested candidates must be willing to adhere to this requirement throughout the duration of employment. Still have questions?

Email:

recruitment@stocktonca.gov