Job Posting: Heavy Fire Equipment Operator

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

JC-486876
-
Heavy Fire Equipment Operator
HEAVY FIRE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

$6,078.00 - $7,506.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 8/12/2025

Job Description and Duties

For questions related to the duties of the position, please contact Battalion Chief Bret Swearengin by phone at (530) 708-2716.

This position is located in El Dorado, CA.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

The incumbent typically is required to perform psychologically stressful and/or physically demanding duties consistent with firefighting, disaster response, and emergency medical response, including working in isolated areas, walking or running on uneven, rough terrain, and remaining on duty 24 hours or longer without a break while performing these duties.

May be required to work nights, weekends or holidays.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-486876
Position #(s):
542-417-6387-503
Working Title:
Heavy Fire Equipment Operator
Classification:
HEAVY FIRE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
$6,078.00 - $7,506.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
El Dorado County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
Amador-El Dorado Unit

Special Requirements

  • The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.

The incumbent is required to wear respiratory protection equipment (including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The use of such equipment may place a physiological burden on the incumbent that varies with the type of equipment used, the job and workplace conditions in which the equipment is used, and the medical status of the incumbent. As such, Cal/OSHA requires that the incumbent be annually medically cleared to be fit-tested for respiratory protection equipment. This clearance process consists of a comprehensive medical evaluation including a review of the incumbent's medical history, a complete physical examination, and vision, hearing, spirometry, and exercise treadmill test.

  • Must complete Heavy Fire Equipment Operator training courses during the probationary period as a condition of employment.
  • Possession of the appropriate Driver’s License is required upon appointment.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 8/12/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring
Attn: AEU - HFEO
135 Ridgway Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring
Attn: AEU - HFEO
135 Ridgway Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is required and must be included.
  • Other - Authorization to Release Information Form (PO-299). This form may be found at:  https://www.fire.ca.gov/-/media/D817B8E27D8049C3BC35297686467FB9
  • Other - Copy of the front and back of your valid Driver's License of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Possession of a Class A or B Commercial Driver License with Tank (N) and Passenger (P) endorsements and no restriction for air brakes or standard transmission.


Must be able to operate and make emergency repairs to heavy equipment, operate equipment in mountainous areas under hazardous fire conditions, maintain cooperative relations with other organizations and agencies, keep detailed and accurate records, and follow directions.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

 

This classification is eligible for the following pay:

 

$6078 - $7506 Range A Base Salary (paid every month)

$6671 - $8240 Range B Base Salary (paid every month)

$2066 - $2551 Range A Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)

$2267 - $2801 Range B Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)

$99,794 – $123,235 Annual Compensation Range A

$109,523 – $135,293 Annual Compensation Range B

 

Note: Range B only applies to employees who meet Alternate Range Criteria 40 requirements.

 

In addition to the above pay items, employees are eligible for medical benefits (health, dental, vision) and may be eligible for other pay differentials.


Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Northern Region Hiring
(707) 576-2275

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
(916) 767-8359
ReasonableAccommodations@fire.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Bargaining Unit 08 Considerations

The Bargaining Unit 08 Memorandum of Understanding regarding Voluntary In-Class Reassignment Policy (Inter-Unit) (Section 9.2) will be followed. Reassignments may require a two-year commitment.

Additional Information

Please include position number 542-417-6387-503 on your STD 678.

 Candidate may be selected by resume review.

Applicants are highly encouraged to complete a Recruitment Questionnaire, located at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLYSH8V

How To Get A State Job

Individuals must pass an open examination before applying for most job vacancies with the State of California.  

Use the “exam/assessment search” function on the CalCareers website at www.jobs.ca.gov to search for the examination you are interested in applying for.  If the exam is currently being offered, you will need to follow the directions in the exam bulletin on how to apply for and take the exam.  Not all examinations are offered continuously or at the time a job vacancy occurs.

Successful examination candidates are placed on an eligibility list.  Candidates should refer to their examination results for specific list eligibility expiration dates and to re-take the exam when necessary.  Once list eligibility has been established, you can search and apply for current vacancies in the classification to which you have established eligibility.  

Candidates must also meet the minimum qualifications of the classification to be appointed into the classification they are applying for.  Minimum qualifications can be found in the class specifications listed on the exam bulletin or on the CalCareers website.  Application packages should include documentation and relevant experience that shows you have the required education and/or experience to meet the minimum qualifications.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job