Firefighter/Paramedic (Lateral/Entry Level) at City of Sierra Madre, CA

About the Department

APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 31, 2025

Panel Interviews and Tool/Equipment Identification: Week of November 10, 2025

Chief’s Interview (Selection): Week of November 17, 2025

The City of Sierra Madre is a picturesque foothill community located in the San Gabriel Valley, nestled between Pasadena, Arcadia, and just minutes from Los Angeles. Covering three square miles, Sierra Madre offers a distinctive small-town atmosphere surrounded by scenic open space, hiking trails, and mountain views.

With a population of approximately 11,000 residents, the community is known for its friendly neighborhoods, strong civic pride, and engaged citizenry. Sierra Madre’s historic downtown serves as the heart of the City, featuring local shops, restaurants, and gathering spaces where residents and visitors come together for events, festivals, and daily life.

Sierra Madre is a community that values safety, service, and tradition, while also embracing progress and innovation. The City is proud of its close-knit character, volunteer spirit, and reputation as a welcoming place to live, work, and visit.

Why Join Sierra Madre Fire Department?

• Minimal force hires
• Limited exposure to large-scale “big city” issues
• Healthy work-life balance

Whether you are just starting your career or bringing years of experience with you, the Sierra Madre Fire Department is a place to grow, contribute, and thrive. New firefighters will find strong mentorship and hands-on training to build a solid foundation, while lateral firefighters will discover opportunities to apply their skills in a supportive, community-focused environment. Here, you will be part of a close-knit team that values your success, supports your goals, and ensures you have the balance to enjoy life beyond the firehouse. Join us and make a difference in a community that truly values its firefighters.

Our Expectations

At Sierra Madre Fire Department, we set high standards and tackle today’s challenges with determination, always pushing for progress and excellence. If you’re driven, service-minded, and ready to make a real difference, now is the time — apply today and take the next step in your fire service career.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking individuals who bring integrity, respect, and compassion to their work and to the community they serve. The right candidate communicates well under pressure, thinks critically, and works effectively as part of a team. Most importantly, we are looking for people who view service not just as a job, but as meaningful work — and who want to be part of a team that trusts and depends on one another.

Department Traits 

1. Courage: Willing to step up, lead within your role, and advocate for positive change.
2. Teamwork: Committed to collaboration and mission success guided by shared values.
3. Listening: Prioritize understanding and learning before speaking.
4. Learning: Seek continuous growth and apply knowledge to improve performance.
5. Integrity & Ethics: Always demonstrate honesty and accountability.
6. Attention to Detail: Take pride in delivering quality in every task.
7. Safety: Ensure the well-being of citizens and personnel above all else.
8. Physical Fitness: Maintain readiness for the physical demands of the job.
9. Decision-Making: Apply sound judgment in all situations.
10. Light-heartedness: Recognize the challenges of the profession and embrace moments of positivity at the right times

Position Duties

Under general supervision, the Firefighter/Paramedic responds to fire and medical emergencies, maintains medical records and correspondences, maintains department equipment, and assists with basic fire prevention activities. The following duties are normal for this position and are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive as other duties may be required and assigned.

• Performs and records daily checks of Sierra Madre Fire Department emergency vehicles to ascertain readiness in accordance with Sierra Madre Fire Department, County of Los Angeles, State of California, and the U.S. Department of Transportation
• Responds to emergency incidents and performs Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support functions that are within their scope of practice
• Maintain all EMS equipment on or in support of the Department Rescue Ambulances and Paramedic Assessment Engine companies
• Perform daily cleanup of the buildings and grounds of the Sierra Madre Fire Department
• Perform computer data entry for incident responses including all required EMS and patient care reports; inspection documentation; daily electronic logs; training reports; and any items deemed to require documentation
• Inspects assigned building and development projects for conformance with applicable laws, codes and regulations relating to fire protection and life safety; conducts special inspections and investigations of existing structures as they relate to fire code to insure compliance with Title 19 and 24, and NFPA Standards 10, 13, 17A, 22, 24, 25, 70, 72 and 101
• Conducts weed and brush abatement inspections
• Assists in fire prevention preplanning, Determines the size, shape, and layout associated with buildings and areas
• Assists in the medical training of the Sierra Madre Fire Department
• Performs First Aid and CPR Training, including use of an AED to the community
• Conduct station tours
• Performs other related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• 18 years of age or older
• Possession of valid California Driver's License, with a good driving record
• Possession of valid CPR Certification issued by the American Red Cross, or the American Heart Association
• Possession of valid California State Paramedic License (EMT-P), with local accreditation at time of appointment
• Certificate of completion from a State of California Accredited Fire Academy
• Successful completion of the Los Angeles County Fire Chief’s Physical Agility Test (Biddle), or Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) within six (6) months prior to date of application submission. Lateral applicants will have physical abilities test waived

• Lateral Consideration: Must possess 3 years of continuous employment with an established fire department performing suppression duties in a recognized fire agency in California.

Other Qualifications

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION AT TIME OF ONLINE APPLICATION SUBMISSION

• Valid California State Paramedic License (EMT-P), with local accreditation Certificate of completion from a State of California Accredited Fire Academy
• Successful completion of the Los Angeles County Fire Chief’s Physical Agility Test (Biddle), or Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) within six (6) months prior to date of application submission.  Lateral applicants will have physical abilities test waived
• Valid CPR Certification issued by the American Red Cross, or the American Heart Association
• Valid California Driver's License, with a good driving record

Special Requirements

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, and lift 125 lbs.; exposure to cold, fire, heat, smoke, noise, outdoors, vibration, confining work space, chemicals, communicable diseases, biohazard materials, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards; ability to travel to different sites and locations; availability for shift work, on-call, and stand-by.

Application

A fully completed online application is required to be submitted.  Incomplete, late, emailed, faxed and hard copy applications are not accepted.  Resumes are not considered in lieu of the required online employment application.  All certificates, resumes, cover letters, and other documents requested by the City for the position advertised, must be uploaded with your online application.

The Selection Process

All applications will be reviewed and evaluated.  Those candidates who are determined to be best qualified based upon the information presented on the application materials will be invited to continue in the selection process which may include a qualifying written or performance evaluation and will include an interview weighted 100%.  The City reserves the right to limit the number of interviews conducted.  Candidates will be notified via e-mail or telephone if they qualify to move to the next step in the selection process.  The interview score will determine ranking on the eligibility list and will remain in effect for one year.

Employment Standards

Employment with the City of Sierra Madre is contingent upon meeting the medical standards of the position. An employee must pass a pre-employment physical examination, psychological evaluation, reference and background check, loyalty oath, and complete a probationary period of one year. 

Please Note:  If you have a disability that may require an accommodation in the selection process, please notify Human Resources in writing when you submit your application.

Disaster Service Workers:

All City of Sierra Madre employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The City of Sierra Madre is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Sierra Madre will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.