SAFER Firefighter

The Cambria Community Services District is accepting applications for three SAFER Firefighter Paramedic or SAFER Firefighter EMT-1 positions. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

About the Position

Under the supervision of a Firefighter, the SAFER Firefighter performs skilled work in fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue, and fire prevention. The role keeps apparatus, equipment, and facilities in a constant state of readiness and participates in ongoing training and physical fitness. In a coastal WUI community, firefighters also respond to ocean and surf emergencies. Firefighters support community risk reduction and public education. The position typically serves as part of a three or four-person engine company when staffing permits.

About the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Award

Under the direction of the General Manager, Fire Department staff submitted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 SAFER Grant application, which was approved on September 20, 2025, awarding up to $569,973.90 to fund three firefighter positions over a three-year period, with the program scheduled to begin within six months of grant acceptance. On October 9, 2025, the CCSD Board of Directors accepted the funding. The SAFER Grant Program provides direct funding to fire departments to increase the number of firefighters, meet industry minimum standards, and achieve 24-hour staffing to protect communities from fire and related hazards better, while fulfilling the traditional mission of fire departments.

This grant provides funding for three firefighter positions over a three-year period, enabling the Department to add one firefighter to its daily staffing and operate a four-person engine company each day. This will improve daily staffing levels, reduce reliance on overtime, and enhance response times. Increased staffing will also ensure the Department can immediately enter Immediate Danger to Life and Health atmospheres in compliance with the OSHA “2-in/2-out” requirement, perform rescue operations with greater efficiency, and provide sufficient personnel to launch and operate our ocean rescue boats safely.

The addition of a fourth on-duty firefighter will further enhance firefighter safety, allow for more effective incident command and accountability at emergencies, increase the ability to conduct simultaneous fireground tasks such as fire attack and search/rescue, provide better coverage during medical calls, and strengthen overall operational readiness for both structure and wildland fires representing an essential step toward enhancing public safety and emergency response capabilities within the CCSD service area. The staffing model includes a full-time Captain, a full-time Engineer, a full-time Firefighter, and a full-time SAFER-funded Firefighter.

Unless additional funding becomes available at the conclusion of the three years, the SAFER-funded firefighter positions will end, and the engine will revert to three-person staffing. 

Shift Schedule

Firefighters work a 48/96 shift schedule. Shifts include nights, weekends, and holidays. Participation in training events is required. All personnel are responsible for 100% of the material covered at training drills and will be held accountable for that information, including new policies, procedures, and standard operating guidelines. Personnel must be available for out-of-county and mutual-aid assignments when deployed.

Employment Status/Union

Firefighters are full-time employees of the Cambria CSD Fire Department and will be IAFF Cambria Local 4635 union members and covered by the IAFF Cambria Local 4635 M.O.U.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Emergency Response (Fire/Rescue): Advance hose lines, operate nozzles, perform search, ventilation, forcible entry, salvage, and overhaul. Conduct wildland/WUI operations and special rescues (ocean/surf, low and high-angle, helicopter operations, vehicle extrication) in IDLH conditions with full PPE and SCBA, using the ICS system.
• Emergency Medical Care: Provide BLS (EMT) or ALS (Paramedic) within certification and SLO EMSA protocols. Complete PCRs and assist with patient movement and transport.
• Coastal/Ocean Rescue: Conduct swimmer rescues, watercraft incidents, and shoreline medical calls. Coordinate with air/hoist or marine resources when trained and assigned.
• Hazard Mitigation & HazMat: Identify and mitigate hazards such as gas leaks, downed lines, and spills. Operate at the HazMat First Responder Operational level and support specialized teams.
• Apparatus/Equipment/Station Readiness: Perform daily and weekly checks. Clean and service tools, hose, SCBA, and medical kits. Assist with routine apparatus maintenance and maintain station and grounds in clean, mission-ready condition.
• Documentation & Communication: Complete incident reports, PCRs, training records, inspection and pre-plan forms, and exposure records. Provide accurate pass-downs.
• Training & Fitness: Participate in drills (fire, EMS, rescue, driver training). Complete monthly training and probationary task-book items. Study and apply SOGs, policies, and updates. Maintain duty fitness.
• Prevention & Risk Reduction: Assist with inspections, hydrant checks as needed, pre-incident plans, and vegetation management/defensible-space education.
• Public Education & Outreach: Support station tours, school and business presentations, and community events.
• Professionalism & Customer Service: Serve residents and visitors with courtesy and integrity. Work effectively as part of a small team.
• Other Duties: Contribute to station projects and committees. Serve as a relief driver/engineer or in limited acting roles when qualified and authorized. Other duties as needed.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Graduate or equivalent.
• United States citizen or legal right to remain in the United States.
• Possession of a valid San Luis Obispo County Paramedic Accreditation or Nationally Registered Paramedic certification (County Accreditation required within 6 months of appointment); OR possession of a valid Nationally Registered EMT or California Certified EMT certification. Current Health Care Provider CPR or equivalent.
• Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational certified.
• Valid California driver license and proof of insurance (Applicants who do not possess the required DMV license, or CPR certification may be admitted to the testing process but must possess the required license or certification prior to being appointed.)
• Must possess California State Fire Marshal Firefighter I certification. 

Some minimum requirements may be waived upon substantial demonstration and documentation of substitute fulfillment.

Benefits Overview

Annual Salary: $65,594 to $79,730
Paramedic Pay: Additional $600 per month (paramedics only)

Overtime

• Employees on a 56-hour average workweek are eligible for overtime pay.
• Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate, in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Retirement (CalPERS)

• Classic Members (hired before January 1, 2013):
  • 3% @ 55 formula
  • Based on the highest 36 consecutive months of compensation
• New Members (hired on or after January 1, 2013):
  • 2.7% @ 57 formula
  • Based on the highest 36 consecutive months of compensation

Health & Dental Insurance

• The District pays 85% of premiums for employees and dependents under the lowest-cost PERS health plan.
• The District also pays 85% of dental premiums for employees and dependents under the lowest-cost dental plan.
• Employees who choose higher-cost plans pay the difference.

Health Care Reimbursement

• After completing probation, employees receive a $1,300 Health Care Reimbursement credit each year on January 1.

Life Insurance

• Provided at no cost to employees:
  • $25,000 coverage for each employee
  • $1,000 coverage for spouse
  • $1,000 coverage for each dependent under age 21

Leave Benefits

Vacation Leave (56-hour schedule):

• Accrue 4.31 hours biweekly (112 hours per year) for the first 60 months of service

Sick Leave (56-hour schedule):

• Accrue 6.4 hours per 14-day pay period (120 hours per year)

Holiday Leave (56-hour schedule):

• Accrue 6.07 hours per 14-day pay period (168 hours per year)

Uniform Allowance

• $250 annual boot or safety shoe allowance, paid each July.

Application Process

Electronic submittals are strongly preferred and should be directed to administration@cambriacsd.org and include the following: completed application, cover letter, resume, and proof of minimum requirements. All applicants will be reviewed, and only those candidates determined to be most qualified for the position on the basis of experience, training, and education as submitted will move forward in the hiring process. The candidate who has completed all prior phases of the hiring process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.