Firefighter - Lateral (112 Hr)

Salary : $91,029.12 - $116,159.68 Annually
Location : Modesto, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: FF Lateral 2026
Department: Modesto Fire Department
Opening Date: 07/15/2026
Closing Date: 7/29/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: MCFFA

The Position
THE CITY OF MODESTO IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM CANDIDATES WHO ARE CURRENTLY FIREFIGHTERS WITH OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES OR WHO HAVE AT LEAST ONE YEAR OF EXPERIENCE.

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR LATERAL APPLICANTS ONLY, NOT TRAINEE APPLICANTS.
Fire fighters are responsible to respond to fire alarms, medical emergencies, and other calls to protect life and property; and to participate in fire prevention, training, and station and equipment maintenance activities.
Application Process

Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Due to the volume of applications received, resumes will not be screened for the purpose of determining who is most qualified to compete in the testing process. It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of their application with complete information and adequate detail. Do not substitute any part of the application form with the words "SEE RESUME." The following information is provided for you to use as a reference and as a planning tool. Human Resources is unable to schedule make-up examinations.

Only applicants who meet minimum qualifications as a LATERAL Firefighter with at least one year of paid experience with a Fire department or district will be considered for the position and will move forward in the process which may include a panel selection interview.
If you do not meet the requirements of a Lateral Firefighter but are interested in the Firefighter Trainee position and are currently on the FCTC list, please apply for the "Firefighter - FCT List" position.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please reach out to Evie Mendoza, emendoza@modestogov.com.
The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. A City application is required, including Supplemental Questionnaire. The City of Modesto does not sponsor H-1B Visas. Salary offered depends on candidate's experience.

Essential and Marginal Function Statements
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential Functions:
Respond to fire alarms with assigned company; lay and connect hose; maintain pumping apparatus; hold nozzles and direct water streams; raise and climb ladders.
Operate all types of portable fire extinguishers, pike poles, hand lines, smoke ejectors, salvage covers, forcible entry tools, aerial ladder equipment, emergency medical equipment, and other rescue equipment.
Provide basic life support while responding to emergency medical incidents, analyzing and initiating patient care until relieved by proper medical personnel.
Administer first aid; assist paramedics at medical emergencies; apply techniques for the control of bleeding; utilize immobilization techniques to stabilize patient.
Respond to hazardous materials incidents.
Participate in fire inspection activities and other fire prevention and public education activities as assigned; ensure that businesses are operating in compliance with the fire code; maintain appropriate records and files.
Monitor appropriate air traffic control frequencies and visually monitor the airfield during times that the FAA tower is closed, but commercial flights are scheduled to either arrive or depart.
Inspect aircraft ramp and refueling operations at the airport.
Perform the airfield and runway inspections on weekends and holidays, as required.
Participate in the Fire Prevention program, providing various public relations services, including facility tours, High School Career Day, Neighborhood Watch programs, and public education seminars.
Participate in fire drills; serve as drill instructor as assigned; attend training sessions, including firefighting techniques, emergency medical care, and the proper use of all equipment and related tools.
Clean apparatus and equipment and perform general custodial duties as required.
Assist in maintaining pre-fire plans; update maps as required.
Respond to public complaints regarding weed abatement and fire and safety hazards.
Issue bicycle licenses.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.
Marginal Functions:
Perform related duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
In addition to the qualifications for the Firefighter Trainee:
Knowledge of:
Principles, practices, and procedures of modern firefighting.
Fire apparatus, equipment, tools, devices, facilities, and their proper use.
Basic principles of hydraulics relating to fire equipment.
Safe driving practices.
Advanced first aid, CPR, and other medical assistance techniques.
Ability to:
Analyze fire and emergency situations and adopt effective courses of action.
Maintain and test fire sprinkler systems and fire hydrants.
Operate and maintain voice radio equipment.
Safely remove victims from buildings and automobiles.
Shall pass all required oral, manipulative, and written exams for Firefighter.
Experience and Training Guidelines:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Successful completion of the City of Modesto Firefighter program.
Training:
High School diploma or GED equivalency.
License or Certificate:
Possession of a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate for the Health Care Professional.
Possession of a current California Emergency Medical Technician I (EMT) Certificate. A course completion certificate is NOT adequate.
Possession of a California State Fire Marshal's Office Firefighter I certificate, or graduation from a California State Fire Marshal's accredited Firefighter I academy, or completion of 15 semester units of college course work in fire science or a related field.
Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license.
Additional Requirements:
Must be a minimum of age 20 by final filing date of recruitment and 21 years of age by date of appointment.

Physical and Mental Requirements
Mobility: pulling and pushing objects, sitting, standing, walking on uneven or slippery surfaces, kneeling, bending, twisting, turning, stooping, squatting, stooping, climbing and working from ladders. Lifting: perform tasks requiring strength and stamina, such as heavy lifting and moving equipment and objects weighing over 100 pounds. Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading of gauges, documents and street maps, color and depth vision. Dexterity: frequent grasping, holding and reaching, manual dexterity to use tools, assemble fittings and perform hose and ladder placement evolutions. Hearing/Talking: verbal communication including projecting a voice that can be heard in a noisy environment, hearing and distinguishing various sounds, such as alarms, voices of coworkers and warning horns or sirens in both quiet and noisy environments. Emotional/Psychological: frequent concentration and decision making, frequent public and coworker contact, ability to maintain high level cognitive, interpretive and judgment skills. Environmental: willing to work in adverse conditions and life-threatening emergencies; subject to odors, dust, pollen, chemicals, skin irritants, fumes and solvents.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environment on a year-round basis and is subject to seasonal climate and weather conditions wearing protective clothing. Positions require 24-hour shift assignments and overtime work.
Modesto City Fire Fighters Association (MCFFA)

Employee benefits are subject to change and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect please see the Memoranda of Understanding.

CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM: CalPERS enrollment in either the 3% @ 55 or the 2.7% @ 57 formula is dependent on eligibility, as per AB 340. Employee pays the full member contribution plus an additional 3% Cost-Share. Retirement benefit is based on the employee's three-year final compensation average. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the required 1.45% Medicare contribution by both the City and the employee (applies to employees hired after 4-1-86).

MEDICAL INSURANCE: Health, dental and vision coverage is provided. The City provides a cafeteria allowance of:
$ 2,004.00 Employee + Family
$ 1,539.00 Employee + 1 Dependent
$ 769.00 Employee Only
$ 550.00 Opt Out
The employee pays the balance. An employee who opts out of health coverage receives the amount noted above on their paycheck and treated as taxable income. Dental and vision coverage continuation is available upon retirement.

PAID LEAVE: Leaves are based on a 24 shift (56 hour per week) schedule. Employees working a 40-hour workweek receive proportional accruals.

HOLIDAYS: Employees working a 56-hour average workweek receive 5 1/2 shifts (132 hours) per year of holiday time.

VACATION: Accrual normally begins at a rate of six shifts (144 hours) per year, with incremental increases to fifteen shifts (360 hours) per year at 21 years of service. Employees may accumulate up to two times their annual accrual.

SICK LEAVE: Accumulated at 5.5 hours per pay period, 144 hours per year. Employees can accumulate up to 3000 hours.

LIFE INSURANCE: Provided in the amount of $10,000 by the City. Supplemental coverage is available at employee cost.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Employees may enroll on a voluntary basis.

RETIREE HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (RHS): $2,400 initial deposit provided upon completion of a two (2) year vesting period, after initial contribution is made, the City shall contribute $100 per month

PHYSICAL EXAM: Provided once per year, at City's expense.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Available to employees and dependents. Plan provides up to 3 counseling visits per incident, at City expense.

UNIFORM ALLOWANCE: $100.00 per month.

SPECIAL PAYS: include 5% EMT Pay, 10% Paramedic Pay (includes the 5% for EMT), 5% HazMat Pay, 5% Relief Engineer Pay and Special Assignment Pay at various rates. Educational Incentive pays from 1% to 3.5%, depending on certification/degree and years of service. Education incentives are not stackable or cumulative. Employee receives pay for highest certification or degree earned.

Certificate Incentive Pay: Employees who hold eligible certificates shall receive one percent (1%) for each qualifying certificate, for up to a maximum of four (4%) percent.

LONGEVITY PAY: include 1.5% for 10 years of service, 3% for 15 years of service and 4% for 20 years of service. Longevity incentives are not stackable or cumulative. Employees receive pay for highest years of service for which they qualify.

SECTION 125: Plan providing for pre-tax deductions for employee-paid health premium and dependent care costs.
01

I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete the following Supplemental Questions. I understand these responses must match the information I provide in the Work Experience and Education sections of my application. I certify that all information provided on this application and the Supplemental Questions is true to the best of my knowledge.

• Yes

02

Do you have at least one year of paid experience as a firefighter with a fire department or district?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess one of the following certifications/licenses?

• Valid State of California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) card
• Valid California State Paramedic License
• None of the above

04

Do you possess a high school diploma or GED equivalency?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate for the Health Care Professional?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you possess a valid California driver's license and a current DMV issued Ambulance Drivers Certification?

• Yes
• No

07

Have you completed one or more of the following:

• California State Fire Marshal's Office Firefighter I Certificate
• Graduation from a California State Fire Marshal's accredited Firefighter I academy Graduation from a California State Fire Marshal's accredited Firefighter I academy Graduation from a California State Fire Marshal's accredited Firefighter I academy
• Completion of 15 semester units of college coursework in Fire Science "major" courses
• None of the above

08

Are you currently age 21 or older or will you be 21 by time of appointment?

• Yes
• No

Required Question