NOW HIRING:
Firefighter (EMT & Paramedic) - Entry Level
Firefighter (EMT & Paramedic) - Lateral
Interest Card
Click here to fill out an interest form if you are seeking a career with the Alameda Fire Department.
Recruitment
The City of Alameda Fire Department is seeking career-minded individuals whose performance is reflective of a very high level of dedication and commitment to public service. Alameda firefighters are trained professionals who provide a wide range of services to include: fire suppression, fire prevention, ambulance transport and emergency services to protect the lives and property of a diverse community of over 79,000. The Fire Department’s goal is to develop staffing that reflects the rich make-up of the diverse population residing within the City of Alameda. 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.
Application, Selection, and Hiring Process
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Application: Complete and submit the application and supplemental questionnaire. Confirm your name appears on the FCTC statewide eligible list and that they have all required documentation. Your application, questionnaire responses, and the FCTC statewide eligibility list will be reviewed and if you receive a passing evaluation you may be invited to an exam consisting of an oral board interview and paramedic assessment (if applicable).
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Oral Board & Paramedic Assessment: qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an exam consisting of an oral board interview and if applicable, a paramedic assessment. Exams are tentatively scheduled between January 12 - January 23, 2026 and must be attended in person.
- Depending on the number of qualifying applicants, invites to the Oral Board & Paramedic Assessment (if applicable) may also be based on the FCTC written test score.
- Eligible List: applicants passing the oral board interview and paramedic assessment (if applicable) with a score of 70% or higher on each will be placed on the eligible list based on the final weighted score of each component of the exam. Two eligible lists will be established, a Firefighter EMT List and a Firefighter Paramedic List. For Paramedics, the oral board and paramedic assessment will each be worth 50% of the final score.
- Chief's Interview: all applicants passing both the oral board interview and a paramedic assessment (if applicable) will immediately move to the Chief's interview. Chief's Interviews will be scheduled immediately following the oral board and paramedic assessment tentatively scheduled between January 12 - January 23, 2026.
- Background, Psych & Medical Evaluation: applicants passing the Chief's interview process and selected to continue in the hiring process will be provided a conditional offer of employment and will be required to successfully complete a background investigation, psychological evaluation, and medical evaluation.
- Final Offer of Employment: applicants passing the background, psychological evaluation and medical evaluation will receive a final offer of employment approximately two weeks before the start of the Academy.
- Swim Test: Those provided with a conditional job offer will be required to complete a 250 yard swim test. Employment requires sworn staff be able to swim 250 yards without aid and without touching the bottom of the pool; there is no time requirement for this test.
All applications will be reviewed to confirm candidates meet the employment standards listed in the announcement and class specification. Those meeting the employment standards may be invited to the structured oral interview and a paramedic assessment (if applicable).
Depending on the number of qualifying applicants, invites to the Oral Board & Paramedic Assessment (if applicable) may also be based on the FCTC written test score.The examination process may test for, but is not limited to, the essential knowledge and abilities listed in the class specification and announcement and will be designed to provide a comprehensive review of each candidate's technical knowledge and overall suitability for the position. To review the class specification click
HERE. Qualified applicants will be notified of the exact date, time, and location of their interview. The Structured Oral Interview, a Paramedic Assessment (if applicable), and Chief's interview are tentatively scheduled for January 12 - January 23, 2026. If applicants have not received written notice by 6:00 PM on December 18, 2025, they should contact the City of Alameda Human Resources Department at hr@alamedaca.gov.
Candidates passing the oral board and paramedic assessment (if applicable) with a score of 70% or higher on each will be placed on the City of Alameda Eligible List. Two eligible lists will be established, an EMT List and a Paramedic List. For Paramedics, the oral board and paramedic assessment will each be worth 50% of the final score. A list of names is certified to the department having vacancies based on the type of examination conducted pursuant to the provision of the City's Civil Service Rules. Final selection will be made from the Eligible List by the Department Head subject to approval by the City Manager. The Department Head may utilize additional selection procedures to make a final hiring decision. Placement on an Eligible List does not guarantee employment. Prior to appointment, a thorough reference check and background investigation which includes a thorough investigation of personal history not limited to work history, education, military, arrest record, driving record, etc. will be conducted on applicants being considered for hire. Pre-employment testing will also include city-paid medical and psychological evaluations which will include a drug test. The selection process may be evaluated and revised based on the number of qualified applicants. Federal law requires that prior to employment, you must furnish proof of your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States, as required the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE CREDIT: A job applicant qualifies as a veteran if honorably discharged from active military, reservist, or National Guard duty of at least 18 consecutive months within the past five (5) years of the date of application. In case of discharge attributable to service-connected injuries or illnesses, the 18 months active duty requirement need not be fulfilled. An applicant claiming veteran's preference credit must attach to their application, a legible copy of their DD-214 verifying the type of discharge and date(s) of active service. NO OTHER DOCUMENTATION WILL BE ACCEPTED.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The City of Alameda encourages minorities, women and the disabled to apply. It is the City's policy that all aspects of employment and promotion shall be without regard to sex, marital status or disability (except where dictated by requirements of the position), race, sexual orientation, political affiliation, religious creed, color, national origin or age. Qualified disabled persons must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. No individual may pose a direct threat to the health or safety of himself/herself or other individuals in the workplace. Barring undue hardship, reasonable accommodations can be made in the application and examination process for disabled individuals or for religious reasons. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be made in advance to the Human Resources Department. Hearing Impaired TDD (510) 522-7538.
The information contained herein is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.