Graduation from high school or GED equivalent

Valid California Paramedic License, National Registry Paramedic Certification Card, or actively participating in a Paramedic Field Internship Program.

Valid California Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record

Current American Heart Association CPR for the Healthcare Provider, ACLS, PALS, PHTLS/ITLS (or equivalents as determined by the Fire Chief) cards

Proof of vaccination to include: TDaP, TB, MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella (Chicken Pox), and Influenza. Titers demonstrating immunity may be substituted for the proof of vaccination.

When the recruitment cycle is open, submit your resume and application here on the City’s official Government Jobs website.

Check out this short video to see exactly what the Physical Assessment Test is like!

The maximum allowable time to complete this examination is five minutes and thirty seconds.

Station 1

Ambulance Exit: Candidates begin while sitting in an ambulance drivers’ seat with their seatbelts fastened and the door closed. When the signal is given to begin, the candidate releases the seatbelt, exits the ambulance, and walks to the stretcher behind the ambulance to pick up the first in bag and monitor.

Station 2

Stair Climb/Carry: The candidate will complete two rounds of walking 35 feet carrying the monitor and the first-in bag climbing the stairs to the second floor and back down.

Station 3

Mannequin Drag: Candidate will drag a 165-pound manikin on a transfer tarp 25 feet.

Station 4

CPR: The applicant will kneel on the ground next to a CPR manikin, place hands in the appropriate position on a rate and depth feedback device, and will perform CPR for two (2) minutes at a rate of 100 compressions per minute and a depth of two (2) inches. Failure to perform a rate of 100 compressions to a depth of 2 inches for more than a total of 20 seconds will constitute a failure.

Station 5

Patient Stair Chair Carry: The candidate will pick up and carry two 35 pound kettlebells up one flight of stairs. At the midpoint, the candidate turns around and walks backwards up the remaining stairs.

End

Candidate will return to the ambulance, climb into the driver’s seat and close the door. Time stops when the door is closed.

We run a consolidated interview and skills day so you participate in both your interviews and the EMS skills examination in one day!

EMS Skills Examination

When you arrive, you will begin by completing the last piece of our minimum qualifications process, the EMS Skills Examination. You are not required to be knowledgeable of Alameda County EMS protocols. Please use your County’s EMS protocols in your decision making process. Be prepared to run two emergency scenarios and answer questions from the raters.

The applicants that are successful will be placed on the eligibility list and continue to the entry level interview and the Chief's interview.

Interviews

You will be provided with the interview questions and be given time to review and make notes. You may bring your notes with you and reference them during the interviews.

The purpose of the interviews are for us to get to know you and the experiences that have prepared you for a career with the City of Berkeley Fire Department. We are NOT looking for candidates to explain how many fire stations there are, how diverse the community is, or other basic information that can be found online.

Successful candidates will receive a conditional job offer. The next step takes approximately 45-days and include a background investigation, LiveScan, medical examination and psych assessment. The information obtained will be used to determine eligibility for employment.

Background Investigation: Includes completing a personal history questionnaire and an interview with a background investigator. The most important factor in this process is that you are honest and address any potentially problematic life experiences with a clear explanation of what happened and how you have grown and demonstrated a change in behavior.

Medical Examination: You will complete a medical history questionnaire and medical examination which includes a drug screen.

Psych Assessment: Includes a standard battery of personality assessments and an interview with a psychologist.

Valid California Paramedic License.

Core courses required to be an Alameda County Accredited Paramedic.

California Ambulance Certificate (AMB), issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Successful completion of background investigation including Live Scan fingerprinting.

Successful completion of physical ability exam according to the specifications of the fire department.

Applicants that are successful will be offered a job with the department. Academies usually start several weeks following the final job offer and last eight weeks.