- Salary
- $67k – $113k/yr
- Location
- Sierra Madre, CA, CA, US
- Department
- Healthcare
- Education
- High School
- Source
- GovernmentJobs
Description
SIERRA MADRE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS HIRING
FIREFIGHTER • FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC
Entry-Level and Lateral Candidates Encouraged to Apply
Centrally located between Pasadena and Arcadia, the City of Sierra Madre is three square miles of serene neighborhoods, green space, and a charming downtown shopping district home to approximately 11,000 residents. The Sierra Madre Fire Department (SMFD) is committed to protecting life, property, and our environment through compassionate service, operating as a progressive, cost-effective, and innovative department dedicated to a safe and inclusive community.
SMFD is seeking dedicated, physically fit, and service-minded individuals to join our team. We are hiring for four classifications: Firefighter (Entry-Level), Firefighter (Lateral), Firefighter/Paramedic (Entry-Level), and Firefighter/Paramedic (Lateral).
WHY JOIN SMFD?
- Minimal force hires — only 8 force hires in 2025 for the Firefighter/Paramedic rank
- Single Resource assignment opportunities
- Strike Team deployment opportunities
- USAR (Urban Search & Rescue) Task Force assignment opportunities
- Arson Investigation assignment opportunities
- Small department feel — infrequent big city/county/state politics
- A genuine, healthy work/life balance
- Active mentorship culture for members at every rank
SALARY — SMPFA SALARY SCHEDULE (FY 2025–26)
Rank | Step 1 | Step 3 | Step 5 (Top Step) |
Firefighter (Single-Function) | $71,308 / yr ($24.42/hr) | $78,609 / yr ($26.92/hr) | $86,668 / yr ($29.68/hr) |
Firefighter/Paramedic | $98,407 / yr ($33.70/hr) | $108,510 / yr ($37.16/hr) | $119,606 / yr ($40.96/hr) |
Step placement for Lateral candidates may be considered based on verified years of experience, consistent with the current SMPFA Memorandum of Understanding. Full range (Steps 1–5) available upon request.
SMPFA has negotiated a 2% base salary increase for July 2027 and an additional 2% for July 2028 (Pending City Council approval)
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Performs and records daily checks of Sierra Madre Fire Department emergency vehicles to ascertain readiness in accordance with Sierra Madre Fire Department, County of Los Angeles, State of California, and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- Responds to emergency incidents and performs Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support functions that are within their scope of practice.
- Maintain all EMS equipment on or in support of the Department Rescue Ambulances and Paramedic Assessment Engine companies.
- Perform daily cleanup of the buildings and grounds of the Sierra Madre Fire Department.
- Perform computer data entry for incident responses including all required EMS and patient care reports; inspection documentation; daily electronic logs; training reports; and any items deemed to require documentation
- Inspects assigned building and development projects for conformance with applicable laws, codes and regulations relating to fire protection and life safety; conducts special inspections and investigations of existing structures as they relate to fire code to insure compliance with Title 19 and 24, and NFPA Standards 10, 13, 17A, 22, 24, 25, 70, 72 and 101.
- Conducts weed and brush abatement inspections.
- Assists in fire prevention preplanning, Determines the size, shape, and layout associated with buildings and areas.
- Assists in the medical training of the Sierra Madre Fire Department.
- Performs First Aid and CPR Training, including use of an AED to the community.
- Conduct station tours.
- Performs other related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
FIREFIGHTER — Entry-Level
- High school diploma or GED
- Graduation from a Firefighter I Academy accredited by the California State Fire Marshal (CSFM). Academies accredited only through DOD or IFSAC/Pro Board will NOT be accepted.
- Current State of California EMT certification
- Current American Heart Association BLS CPR certification
- Valid Class “C” California Driver’s License at time of appointment (out-of-state license accepted at time of application)
- Minimum age 18 by date of appointment
FIREFIGHTER — Lateral
- All Entry-Level Firefighter requirements listed above
- Minimum of four (4) years of full-time, continuous experience as a firefighter with a California-recognized fire department
- Must be currently employed or recently separated in good standing from a California-recognized fire agency
FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC — Entry-Level
- All Entry-Level Firefighter requirements listed above
- Current State of California Paramedic license (National Registry alone will not be accepted in lieu of state licensure)
FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC — Lateral
- All Lateral Firefighter requirements listed above
- Current State of California Paramedic license (National Registry alone will not be accepted in lieu of state licensure)
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
We're seeking individuals who embody the following:
- Courage — willing to lead within your rank and advocate for positive change
- Teamwork — collaborates toward the shared mission
- Integrity & Ethics — honest, and takes ownership of your actions
- Attention to Detail — takes pride in consistent, quality work
- Safety — prioritizes the safety of citizens and personnel above all else
- Physical Fitness — maintains readiness for demanding situations
- Sound Decision-Making — well-informed judgment under pressure
PHYSICAL AGILITY REQUIREMENT
Entry-Level candidates must have a passing CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) or Los Angeles County Fire Chief’s Biddle Physical Agility Test by the time of application submission.
Lateral candidates: the physical agility test is waived.RECRUITMENT TIMELINE
September 15, 2026-October 2nd, 2026 | Application period open |
October 19, 2026 | Written Exam and Skills Exam |
October 26th, 2026 | Oral Interviews |
[TBD] | Background investigation, medical examination, and psychological evaluation |
[TBD] | Anticipated academy start / appointment date (Entry-Level Trainees) |
Dates are tentative and subject to change. Candidates will be notified of any updates via the email address listed on their application.
SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process includes, but is not limited to: application and qualifications review, written and skills examination, oral interview(s), background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, and a pre-employment medical examination including drug/alcohol screening. Applicants are encouraged to review their own history for potential disqualifying factors prior to applying. Contact SMFD Human Resources for a full list of automatic and reviewable disqualifiers.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a one-year probationary period, a loyalty oath, and meeting all medical standards of the position. All City of Sierra Madre employees are designated Disaster Service Workers under California Government Code Section 3100–3109 and are required to complete related training and respond as ordered during a declared emergency.
If you require a disability accommodation during the selection process, please notify SMFD Human Resources in writing at the time you submit your application.
The City of Sierra Madre is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.