Firefighter Recruit

THE ALAMEDA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT (ACFD) provides all-risk emergency services to the unincorporated areas of Alameda County (excluding Fairview), the cities of San Leandro, Dublin, Newark, Union City and Emeryville, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. With 4 Battalions, 30 Fire Stations, 26 Engine Companies, 7 Ladder Truck Companies and 1 Heavy Rescue serving a population of 394,000, the ACFD serves densely populated urban areas, waterways, industrialized centers, extensive urban interface, agricultural and wildland regions. Over 450 personnel and 100 Reserve Firefighters provide a wide variety of services to an ever expanding, dynamic and diverse community of roughly 508 square miles. These services include:

• Advanced Life Support Rescue
• Fire Suppression
• Hazardous Materials Response
• Urban Search & Rescue
• Water Rescue
• Community Outreach & Education
• Disaster Preparedness
• Fire Prevention and Code Compliance
• Regional Dispatch

ACFD is also responsible for the administration and operation of the Alameda County Regional Emergency Communications Center (ACRECC). The dispatch center provides dispatch and communication center services for the ACFD, the Alameda County Emergency Medical Services Agency, Camp Parks RFTA, and the cities of Alameda, Fremont, Livermore and Pleasanton.

ALAMEDA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT'S MISSION:  To provide the highest level of service to our communities by valuing our members, promoting positive leadership, and dedicating ourselves to excellence.  For more information about the Alameda County Fire Department, please visit their website at www.acgov.org\fire. 

 

Click here to view the ACFD 2014 Firefighter Recruit informational announcement:

ACFD Firefighter Recruit 2014 Announcement

_________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 The Last Day for Filing (LDF) is:

 Monday, September 1, 2014, 5:00 p.m. 

NOTE:

- Only the application and supplemental questionnaire are required by the last day for filing.  Additional documentation WILL NOT be accepted with your initial application. 

- Only those candidates who pass the written test will be required to submit verification of their possession of the required certification and licensure.  Submission instructions/invitation will follow after the written test has been administered.

 

 ON-LINE APPLICATION and SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE ONLY

 To apply visit - www.jobaps.com\alameda

 

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION:  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE:  A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.  Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resources Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification. Applications will only be accepted on-line.

Alameda County Fire Department's Firefighter Recruit is the entry-level fire suppression, prevention and emergency response position for Alameda County. This classification exists solely for those who are completing their initial Fire Department Training in the Alameda County Fire Department Training Academy.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES:

The Firefighter Recruit classification is characterized by assignment to the Recruit Fire Academy and subsequent training assignments prior to appointment to a line position. Under close supervision during this Academy, the Recruit must gain understanding of lifesaving and firefighting methods through intensive academic instruction and specialized training. This class is distinguished from the classification of Firefighter in that incumbents are in training to effectively function in the position of Firefighter upon promotion. Upon successful completion of the training requirements, it is expected that incumbents promote to the class of Firefighter.

The Alameda County Fire Department Recruit Academy is scheduled to begin on February 1, 2015.

 

NOTE:   The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Attends the assigned Alameda County Fire Recruit Training Program by participating in classroom training and manipulative exercises and drills;
2. Undergoes classroom training and manipulative exercises and drills to develop an awareness of the functions and responsibilities of Firefighter and how they relate to firefighting operations;
3. Studies and completes homework assignments;
4. Successfully completes periodic quizzes and examinations;
5. Satisfactorily completes other training as assigned by the Fire Department prior to being promoted to a line Firefighter, such as maintaining the fire station and equipment and participating in drills and training classes to assure proper state of emergency readiness.

EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency certificate, such as the General Educational Development Certificate (State of California)

- AND

Successful completion of a California State Fire Marshal approved Firefighter I course by last day for filing.

- OR

A current member, with twenty-four (24) months of experience, in the Alameda County Fire Department Reserve program.

 

LICENSE:

- Valid California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-1 or EMT-FS) Certificate or paramedic license (EMT-P); National registry is acceptable;  Required certification or licensure must be valid as of the last day for filing of the application, 9/1/2014.   

- Possession of a valid California State Motor Vehicle Operator’s License
 
- Possession of a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certificate issued within the last  twelve months from the last day of filing.  (Issued between 9/1/2013 and 9/1/2014).  (CFFJAC Website Link - > http://www.cffjac.org/go/jac/cpat/)

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

- Minimum, 18 years of age.

- Able to successfully pass a thorough background investigation, medical examination (NFPA 1582) and psychological examination.

- Must be eligible to obtain a Department of Energy security clearance.

- Those hired as firefighter-paramedics must be able to successfully obtain Alameda County Paramedic accreditation (EMSA Policy 2000).

 

DESIRABLE EDUCATION AND SKILLS:

- AA/AS/BA/BS fire science or fire technology
- Fire Science or technology certificate
- Bilingual:   Cantonese, Farsi, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian, Tagalog, or Vietnamese
- Valid CA Class A or B driver’s license with firefighter endorsement

 

NOTE:   The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

The ideal candidates will demonstrate the ability to:

• Comprehend, remember, interpret and apply written materials which may be of a complex and technical nature.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
• Work and deal effectively and cooperatively with the public and to work as a member of an organized team.
• Use good judgment in emergency or critical situations.
• Remain calm and work effectively in stressful situations.
• Adapt to changes in work assignments and duties.
• Perform physical tasks that require coordination, strength, dexterity and stamina.
• Work at various heights, confined areas and low visibility conditions.
• Climb ladders and fences.
• Learn the use of specialized tools and equipment.

The examination will consist of the following steps:

1. A review of the applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire to determine qualification for participation in the next step in the examination process; 

2. A written test, weighted as pass/fail. 

3.  Those candidates who pass the written test will be required to submit verification of their possession of the required certification and licensure.  Those who submit and possess valid, current certification and licensure will be invited to participate in the last step of the examination process;

4. An oral panel interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

 

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS.

 

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work. To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Applicants will be informed via e-mail with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

 

 

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:

 

Deadline for Filing:	Monday, September 1, 2014
Review of Minimum Qualifications:	September 5, 2014
Written Test:	Week of September 15, 2014
Civil Service Oral Panel Interviews:	Week of November 3, 2014
ALCO Fire Chief’s Interviews:	Week of December 1, 2014
ALCO Fire Recruit Academy Begins:	February 1, 2015

 

 

 *WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN*

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statues.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing.  Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statues.

 

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

 

 

*** For benefit information, please contact the Alameda County Fire Department Administration - (925) 833-3473.

 

 

 

 

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer