Paramedic Firefighter (Lateral and Entry Level) (Hiring Immediately)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : El Cajon, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-13
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 04/09/2026
Closing Date: 4/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Overview
CITIES OF EL CAJON, LA MESA, AND LEMON GROVE ARE LOOKING FOR LATERAL OR ENTRY LEVEL PARAMEDIC FIREFIGHTERS.
Hourly Salary Range
City of El Cajon: $32.58 - $39.60
City of La Mesa: $33.45 - $44.83
City of Lemon Grove: $29.57 - $43.69

Lateral entry salary will be offered to current Paramedic Firefighters from outside agencies and will be based on prior years of paid Paramedic Firefighter work experience.
Please refer to each city's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for eligibility guidelines regarding Educational Incentive Pay.
THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
The Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove will be conducting the application and examination process jointly. Separate eligibility lists will be established by each agency for their respective vacancies. Candidates may be placed on more than one City's eligibility list and will potentially be hired directly by either El Cajon, La Mesa, or Lemon Grove.

Interested applicants must submit and complete an online application and supplemental questionnaire. The City of El Cajon's online application process will be used for all agencies.

Examination Process will Include:

• All candidates MUST possess a Cal-JAC Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certificate dated within last 6 months of the application close: 10/9/2025 - 4/30/2026.

  Use this link to get more information on the CPAT:

• 5/13/2026 or 5/14/2026 - Appraisal Interview and Paramedic Skills Assessment Scenario

HEARTLAND FIRE AND RESCUE:

Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove are a part of a cost-sharing agreement known as HEARTLAND FIRE AND RESCUE. Combined, the three Cities serve a regional population of nearly 200,000 and receives approximately 34,000 annual calls for service across their eight stations. All units provide advanced life support service in conjunction with a contracted ambulance provider. Additionally, the Cities have deployable OES engines and are active on the regional US&R task force. For more details about the Heartland Fire & Rescue cost-sharing agreement, please go to
Typical Duties

To obtain each agency's Paramedic/Firefighter class specification, please click on the following links and visit each city's website for additional information on benefits.

To obtain each agency's Paramedic/Firefighter class specification, please click on the following links:

• City of El Cajon -
• City of La Mesa -
• City of Lemon Grove -

Qualification Guidelines

Please refer to each agency's class specification for Education and Experience Guidelines. Minimum qualifications vary amongst the three agencies.

To obtain each agency's Paramedic/Firefighter class specification, please click on the following links:

• City of El Cajon -
• City of La Mesa -
• City of Lemon Grove -

In addition to the requirements in the classification specifications above, lateral candidates must have the following:

Experience: One year of full time experience as a regular Paramedic Firefighter (non-probationary). Active, seasonal time will count towards experience. Reserve time is not qualifying.
Additional Information

The 2025-2026 County of San Diego EMS protocols will be used during the Appraisal Interview and Paramedic Skills Assessment. For reference, you may click on the following link to access the County of San Diego protocols website:

Candidates must be successful in every component of the examination process to be placed on the eligibility list for employment consideration for all three agencies. Candidates who move forward in the pre-employment process may go through a thorough background investigation, including a polygraph examination, psychological exam and a pre-employment medical evaluation.
For benefits information, please contact each agency's Human Resources office or click on the following links:

• City of El Cajon Human Resources: 619-441-1736 or City of El Cajon's
• City of La Mesa Human Resources: 619-667-1175 or City of La Mesa's
• City of Lemon Grove Human Resources: 619-825-3800 or City of Lemon Grove's

01

You must complete this supplemental questionnaire as part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02

I understand the Appraisal Interview and the Paramedic Skills Assessment will be based on the 2025-2026 County of San Diego EMS protocols. Failure to follow these protocols during the testing components can result in a critical fail during the recruitment process. Information on the 2025-2026 County of San Diego EMS Protocols can be found in the job announcement.

• Yes
• No

03

I acknowledge that all candidates must possess a Cal-JAC Candidate Physical Ability Test - CPAT - certificate dated within last 6 months of the close of the application (10/9/26-4/30/26). I have attached my CPAT certificate to my application.

• YES - I have attached my CPAT certificate within last 6 months to my application.
• NO - I do not possess a CPAT certificate.

04

I acknowledge the interview dates for this Paramedic Firefighter recruitment are listed below:5/13/2026 and 05/14/2026 - Appraisal Interview and Paramedic Skills Assessment Scenario

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess a valid Class C California Driver License or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

06

Each agency requires State of California Paramedic license at the time of appointment. Do you possess a valid State of California Paramedic license? If you answered Yes please attach a copy of your license to your electronic application.

• Yes
• No

07

If you do not have your State of California Paramedic license, when do you anticipate on receiving it? If you already have your license, please write N/A.
08

Each agency requires the County of San Diego Paramedic Accreditation at the time of appointment. Do you currently possess a County of San Diego Paramedic Accreditation? If you answered Yes please attach a copy of your accreditation to your electronic application.

• Yes
• No

09

Have you successfully completed a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

10

If you answered Yes to question 9, please attach a copy of your certificate to your electronic application. In addition, please type the school name and completion date in the text box below. If you have not attended a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy, please type N/A.
11

Please indicate the years of experience you have working as a Firefighter in the State of California (include both reserve/volunteer and full-time/paid experience).

• No Experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 3 years
• Over 3 years

12

Please indicate the years of experience you have working as a full-time/paid Paramedic in the State of California.

• No Experience
• Less than one year
• 1 to 3 years
• Over 3 years

13

Please indicate the years of experience you have working as a Paramedic Firefighter in the State of California (include only full-time/paid experience).

• No Experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 3 years
• Over 3 years

14

Which agency are you interested in applying for? You may select more than one.

• City of La Mesa
• City of El Cajon
• City of Lemon Grove

Required Question