California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)

Fire Captain

Job Description

Posted on: 
October 21, 2026


Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

JC-531988

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Fire CaptainFIRE CAPTAIN

$5,934.00 - $8,483.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

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Responsibilities

This is a new job advertisement for the Fire Captain 2026-2027 Process. If you have previously applied to the Fire Captain job advertisement, you will need to reapply to be considered.

Under direction, to supervise the work of an engine company(s) and hand crews, with other Fire Captains share in the management of a fire station including the maintenance of emergency apparatus and equipment, or to perform full-time duties in one of the following specialty assignments: (1) peace officer/fire prevention duties within a unit, (2) serve as a dispatcher, (3) serve as an assistant air attack program coordinator, (4) serve as a helitack captain, (5) supervise crews in conservation camps and fire centers and operate crew-carrying vehicles and fire apparatus, (6) serve as an instructor at the Fire Academy and other training assignments, or (7) supervise fuels reduction crews, and to do other related work.

Plans and assigns work, gives instructions, maintains discipline, and makes decisions relating to the supervision of engine companies and hand crews engaged in fighting wildland, structural, or other fires, flood control, hazardous materials incidents, emergency responses, vehicle extrication incidents, and other emergency activities, may occasionally perform minor maintenance on buildings and fire stations/camps, supervises projects related to resource management, fuels reduction projects using prescribed fire and equipment, trains a company to fight fire and operate tools, supervises and performs the construction and maintenance of fire defense improvements, inspects, supervises the use of, and performs preventive and minor maintenance on assigned equipment, transports a crew over mountainous roads, operates fire apparatus, power tools (e.g., chain saws), and heavy equipment during emergency incidents and nonemergency project work, assists in the preparation and maintenance of a fire prevention plan, applies and enforces fire prevention laws, conducts fire prevention education programs, installs and supervises exhibits and displays, issues citations and makes investigations and reports on the cause and origin of fires, collects and preserves evidence, makes inspections for enforcement of Titles 19 and 25 of the California Administrative Code, performs dispatching of resources, performs as fire information officer, supervises the air attack base crew, serves as controller in airport operations, leads a helitack crew, conducts classroom and field training including the preparation of lesson plans and the evaluation of student performance, evaluates work of assigned employees, reads and uses maps, may assist others in performing accounting, budgeting, personnel, and material management tasks, keeps records, writes and submits reports as required, and does other related work.Note: Fuels Reduction Crews positions exist within the units. Duties include: implementation of approved prescribed fire and fuels reductions project utilizing assigned personnel,  maintain fuel reduction records, review and assessment of burn plan for implementation for units, administer orientation and training to assigned personnel.

Job Requirements

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

  • FIRE CAPTAIN
  • Special Requirements
    • The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
    - For those positions which require peace officer status, you must obtain and maintain current peace officer requirements as a condition of employment.- Possession of a valid driver's license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles is a condition of continued employment.- Applicants must pass medical clearances under the Respiratory Protection Program.- The Bargaining Unit 8 Memorandum of Understanding regarding Voluntary In-Class Reassignment Policy (Inter-Unit) (Section 9.2) will be followed. Reassignments may require a two-year commitment.

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