Fire Captain Examination Announcement at City of Santa Cruz, CA

About the Department

The City of Santa Cruz invites qualified members of the Fire Department who are current regular City of Santa Cruz employees to participate in a promotional examination process for the position of Fire Captain. This examination will be used as a component of the examination process to establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur within the Fire Department

This is not an announcement of a current vacancy. Once a vacancy has been announced, the eligibility list created from this process is anticipated to remain in effect for twelve (12) months from the date of certification and may be extended or abolished earlier per Personnel Rule 4.4. 

FIRE CAPTAIN EXAM #26-031

EXAMINATION PROCESS: The examination plan may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director.

• Friday, 10/31/25 at 5 pm PST the examination announcement will close.  
  • Required: Members of the Fire Department who are current regular City of Santa Cruz employees interested in participating in the Fire Captain's Assessment must email Debbie Bailey at [email protected] by 5 pm PST on Friday, 10/31/2025.  There are a limited number of available spots which are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so early interest submission is highly suggested to reserve a spot.  You will be provided with a link to the Assessment Center Virtual Orientation with confirmation that your email has been received. 
• Monday, 11/03/25: Participants will receive notification with an invitation to take part in the Fire Captain's Assessment Center by the end of the business day on 11/03/2025.  
• Wednesday, 11/05/25: The Fire Captain's Assessment Center is scheduled for Wednesday, 11/05/25.  
  • The Fire Captain's Assessment Center is administered by a third party and will consist of three exercises: 1) A scenario-based simulation exercise, 2) a role-play exercise, and 3) background interview with external raters.  There will be no take-home assignments. 
• Participants with a passing score of 70% will be eligible to apply for the next announced vacant position.  
  

PLEASE READ REGARDING FUTURE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THIS EXAMINATION: As part of the process to establish the eligibility list, with the next announced vacancy, an application will be REQUIRED. This will be utilized to determine if Minimum Qualifications are met for the position of Fire Captain and must include all required licenses and certifications as well as proof of passing the 2025 Fire Captain's Assessment Center.  Qualified candidates will then be invited to an internal panel interview to determine their ranking on the eligibility list and subsequent invitation to a Chief's Interview.

Position Duties

Basic Function
Under direction, the Fire Captain commands a fire station and participates in, directs, and supervises firefighters in fire suppression, emergency medical care, fire prevention, rescue operations, public education, and maintenance activities; and performs related work as required.

If Assigned to Marine Safety Division:

Under general direction, plans, directs, and coordinates the activities of the Marine Rescue Services Division; recommends goals, implements policies, and establishes procedures related to this division; develops and manages the Marine Rescue Services budget; oversees all activities related to the division; performs related duties as required.

Typical Duties

• Responds to calls for fires, medical emergencies, rescues, fire alarms, hazardous materials, and other calls for service as needed. 
• Drives and operates department vehicles as needed.
• Supervises the application of extinguishing agents to fires using hoses, nozzles, hydrants, pumps, hand tools, and other firefighting equipment. 
• Supervises the entry into burning structures to effect rescues and to extinguish fires. Supervises the use of ladders, hand tools, protective breathing apparatus, and power tools in the process. 
• Performs rescues and removes people from burning buildings, cliffs, the ocean, bodies of water, and other hazardous conditions. 
• Performs technical rescue and extrication using rope, hydraulic tools, ladders, and other specialized equipment. 
• Supervises, trains and evaluates firefighters as assigned.
• Supervises pre-fire planning, inspection, public education and related fire prevention activities.
• Commands a fire station.
• Schedules daily activities and provides input to monthly training schedule; assigns personnel and oversees and participates in training programs and drills.
• Supervises and assigns the maintenance of the fire station grounds, apparatus, and equipment.
• Prepares reports on incidents or runs; maintains a daily journal of activities, unusual occurrences, training, fire prevention inspections, activities and reports as assigned.
• May be assigned specialized areas of responsibility, i.e. first aid and rescue; forms and reports; water distribution; apparatus and equipment; training and lesson plans; fire science coordinator with colleges and California Fire Academy; fire prevention; and administration.
• Assists in fire suppression, takes initial command of a fire situation and assists in related life and property protection.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

 

If Assigned to Marine Safety Division:

• Plans, directs, and coordinates a variety of activities designed to safeguard the public by ensuring adequate Lifeguard coverage of City beaches, providing accident preventative measures, aquatic safety education, municipal code enforcement and emergency response.
• Analyzes operational and service demands and develops comprehensive plans to satisfy needs for Marine Rescue Services; confers with legal advisors, citizens, and city officials on lifeguard services; develops and implements marine safety policies and procedures.
• Prepares and manages the budget for the Marine Rescue Services Division; originates and implements organizational and staffing patterns to effectively address operational needs, prepares work schedules, initiates all purchase orders and payment requisitions, and manages payrolls for Marine Rescue Services Division.
• Advises and otherwise assists the Fire Department Chief, City Manager and City Council in understanding and developing policies governing City responses to marine safety issues; develops and recommends changes or additions to the Municipal Codes; assigns and conducts special projects; assigns and prepares statistical reports.
• Assists in coordination of hiring process for Marine Rescue Services Division employees; plans and organizes work; develops and establishes work methods and standards; reviews and evaluates employee performance; investigates complaints against division employees; executes disciplinary action; maintains personnel records.
• Coordinates staff training and development to ensure staff currency in marine safety, rescue operations, first aid and CPR knowledge and skills; directs the preparation of training manuals and instructional materials.
• Represents the City, or delegates such authority, in relations with the community, advisory committees, other local, state, and federal agencies, and professional organizations; responds to inquiries from the media and prepares press releases.
• Coordinates marine safety activities with those of other agencies.
• Assumes command and/or participates in difficult emergency situations; administers first aid and performs CPR and (if qualified) initiates and/or assists with the provisions of advanced life support care; coordinates the posting of appropriate warning signs when dangerous ocean conditions exist; investigates complaints and accidents; monitors and conducts safety checks of city beaches.
• Monitors division daily activities and operations and directs same through subordinate supervisors; conducts field inspections of marine safety operations; prepares special reports on marine safety issues and various other written communications; coordinates the maintenance of related facilities, equipment and vehicles.
• Participates in the preparation and organization of special events; beach construction projects, civic group functions and special aquatic activities.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking and running on level, rough, rocky, uneven, steep, and slippery surfaces, balancing, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties.  The position also requires both near and far vision when assessing emergency situations, performing inspections and reading documents.  This position requires the ability to effectively communicate orally and acute hearing to hear pager, radio communications, human voice, sirens, alarms and other auditory warning devices clearly in both emergency and non-emergency situations.   This position requires the ability to smell in order to detect odors, such as smoke, gases and other odors that could indicate harmful or dangerous environments.  The need to lift, carry, drag and push tools, equipment, supplies, victims and patients weighing up to 165 pounds is also required.   Additionally, the incumbent in this position may be exposed to a variety of working conditions, including wet, extreme heat and cold and may be exposed smoke and products of combustion, explosions, electrical hazards, toxic or caustic chemicals, structurally compromised buildings/facilities, and biological/radiological hazards.  This position may be exposed to loud noises such as helicopters, fire engines and chainsaws.  The nature of the work may require the incumbent to climb ladders, work in confined spaces and wear a breathing apparatus.  The incumbent may be required to respond to after hour emergency calls.   Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation. 

 

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

 

Education and Experience:

 

• High school graduation or tested equivalent; and
• Five years of experience as a paid full-time firefighter OR four years of experience as a paid full-time firefighter and 36 units of college courses in fire science or a related field.

Knowledge:

 

• Supervisory techniques;
• Report writing and form procedure;
• Modern principles and practices of fire department administration, fire-fighting procedures, techniques and equipment;
• Local, state and national safety codes, ordinances and laws, including OSHA regulations;
• Principles of combustion and extinguishment;
• High quality customer service methodology and principles;
• Hazards and generally accepted safety standards;
• City ordinances and administrative rules and regulations affecting departmental operations and personnel matters;
• General City operations;
• Departmental policies, procedures and practices;
• Fire enforcement codes and firefighting and fire prevention techniques;
• Building materials and construction.

 

Abilities:

 

• Supervise, train, motivate, lead and evaluate others;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public;
• Maintain physical health, strength, stature and ability to meet the physical demands of fire work;
• Learn technical concepts, procedures, and the operation of equipment utilized in firefighting, fire prevention and education;
• Use manual and/or power tools safely and effectively to perform essential duties;
• Assess situations quickly and adopt effective courses of action;
• Work effectively as a member of a team at the strategic, tactical, and task level;
• Follow both verbal and written instructions;
• Read, comprehend, retain, and apply a large number of technical procedures, policies, codes and orders;
• Work under physically demanding conditions and in potentially hazardous or stressful situations;
• Tactfully and effectively interact with all people regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, age, or economic status;
• Maintain a level of performance consistent with the standards of the department;
• Work a 24-hour continuous shift and to be subject to recall during emergencies.

In addition to the above Knowledge and Abilities, if assigned to Marine Safety Division:

 

Knowledge: 

 

• Marine safety principles, practices, and techniques;
• Ocean rescue safety procedures;
• Ocean shoreline currents and conditions;
• Beach and coastal erosion;
• Related municipal codes;
• Boat rescue procedures; first aid and CPR;
• Maintenance of safety equipment and facilities;
• EMS protocols and procedures;
• Marine safety organization, administration and management; physical layout and composition of the City including special marine safety problems.

Licenses and Certificates

Possession at time of application of the following (must be maintained throughout employment): 

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class B commercial driver's license or a Class C driver's license with a Firefighter Endorsement certificate and safe driving record.
• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate or State of California Paramedic license.
• California State Fire Marshal Fire Command 1A, 1B and 1C; or Company Officer 2D and 2E certificates.
• California State Fire Marshal Fire Instructor 1A and 1B; or Training Instructor 1A, 1B, and 1C; or Instructor 1; or Training Instructor certificate.
• S-231: Engine Boss and S-290: Intermediate Fire Behavior (classroom or on-line version) certificates. 
  • Course equivalencies for required courses are acceptable from recognized training organizations like, but not limited to, California State Fire Marshal, CalFire, National Fire Academy, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Management Institute, US Forest Service, California Specialized Training Institute, National Wildfire Coordinating Group, and the International Association of Fire Fighters.

(If assigned to Marine Safety Division) Certificates:

• United States Lifesaving Association certification in “Aquatic Rescue Response Team.” (ARRT)
• Certified Personal Water Craft Operator
• 1021 (Fire Officer I)

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• AA/AS degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Completion of  Santa Cruz Fire Department Acting Captain program or equivalent from another organization that meets the standards of NFPA 1021 (Fire Officer I).
• Completion of  Santa Cruz Fire Department Acting Engineer program or equivalent from another organization that meets the standards of NFPA 1002
• California State Fire Marshal “Fire Officer” certification 
• Completion of California State Fire Marshal courses for “Fire Officer” or “Company Officer” certification
• P.C. 832 certificate
• Hazardous Materials On Scene Commander certificate
• CICCS ENGB qualification or open Task Book
• Completion of California State Fire Marshal courses for “Chief Officer” or “Chief Fire Officer” certification.
• If assigned to Marine Safety Division, possession of California State Paramedic License with local accreditation for Santa Cruz County

Other Qualifications

• Fire Chief
• Fire Division Chief
• Fire Battalion Chief
• Fire Captain/Deputy Fire Marshal
• Fire Engineer
• Firefighter/Fire Prevention Inspector II
• Fire Prevention Inspector I

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