Salary : $72,550.40 - $97,011.20 Annually
Location : City of Merced Fire Department, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 1425
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Closing Date: 9/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Fire Captain I:

Under direction, serve as a first-line supervisor of a fire company during an assigned shift; ensure proper responses to fire and emergency medical service incidents; to operate and maintain fire and emergency medical service equipment; perform firefighting and emergency response duties in protecting life and property; respond to fire and emergency service calls; direct, perform, and report fire inspection, fire prevention, and fire/emergency investigative functions; conduct and perform station and equipment maintenance work; conduct and participate in training drills; and do related work as required.

Fire Captain II:

Under direction, serve as a first-line supervisor of a fire company during an assigned shift; ensure proper responses to fire and emergency medical service incidents; to operate and maintain fire and emergency medical service equipment; respond to emergency medical calls and render advanced life support care in accordance with Merced County EMS Agency protocols; obtain and possess Merced County EMS Agency Paramedic accreditation; perform firefighting and emergency response duties in protecting life and property; respond to fire and emergency medical service calls; direct, perform, and report fire inspection, fire prevention, and fire/emergency investigative functions; conduct and perform station and equipment maintenance work; conduct and participate in training drills; and do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the first-line supervisor level in the firefighting class series. Incumbents are expected to be in-charge of other staff during an assigned shift, perform the more difficult firefighting and emergency response assignments, and drive and operate fire and emergency service equipment. Provides documentation of actions and findings and participates in the evaluation of personnel and equipment performance/operations.

REPORTS TO

Fire Battalion Chief or higher-ranking officer.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

Firefighter, Fire Engineer.
Examples of Duties
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Direct, coordinate, supervise, and review the work plan for assigned personnel and ensure proper coverage for Department services; assign work activities and projects; monitor work flow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures; and meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.
2. Train, motivate, maintain discipline, and evaluate assigned personnel; identify the fire training needs of company personnel; provide or coordinate staff training and drills in firefighting methods, techniques, and related subjects; work with employees to correct deficiencies; enforce departmental policies and procedures; and recommend disciplinary action, as necessary.
3. Participate in the selection and evaluation of assigned personnel; prepare performance evaluations and salary adjustment recommendations for personnel as assigned; serve as a mentor; and implement discipline and participate in the termination procedures.
4. Drive, operate and maintain all firefighting and suppression apparatus and equipment, including aerial trucks; prepare for pumping operations and operate pumps to maintain proper water flow and pressure during fire suppression; regulate water pressure; calculate and monitor hydraulic conditions; direct engine hook-up; operate aerial ladder trucks; and maneuver and extend retracting ladder.
5. Direct and respond to fire, emergency medical, rescue, and hazardous material alarms and emergency calls to protect life, property, and environment; perform tasks to suppress or control fires, limit damage, and reduce injury and death caused by fires, accidents, or other calamities; respond to non-emergency calls for service as necessary; ensure proper level of emergency medical services and that personnel are practicing EMS within the correct scope of practice; complete required reports and documentation; and ensure all applicable laws, regulations, and notifications are complied with.
6. Fight fire, using proper fire suppression techniques; lay and connect fire hoses; direct water and chemical agents onto fires; raise, position, and climb ladders; ventilate and enter burning structures to extinguish fires and rescue victims; and provide emergency medical service to trapped and/or injured persons as needed.
7. Respond to hazardous materials incidents; perform hazardous materials containment; and make required notifications and contact with other involved agencies.
8. Direct and perform salvage operations.
9. Conduct, assist, and direct fire investigations post incident; participate in physical scene examination, documentation, interviews, evidence preservation, depositions, and court testimony.
10. Direct, participate, and report on fire prevention and life safety inspections; supervise and participate in the routine inspections of commercial, industrial, residential, and other buildings; and identify fire and life safety hazards.
11. Supervise, present, and participate in public relations, fire/safety education activities, and fire prevention activities including station tours, fire safety/fire suppression education away from the station, school education programs, group activities, fire drills, courtesy walk through visits, and phone inquiries.
12. Ensure proper cleaning of station living quarters and grounds, ensuring they are in a clean and orderly condition; direct and participate in fire station buildings and grounds maintenance.
13. Ensure the proper condition of fire and emergency response equipment.
14. Serve as an incident commander until relieved by a higher-ranking officer.
15. Serve as an Acting Fire Battalion Chief, as required.
16. Perform related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

Appropriate safety precautions and procedures.

Federal, State and government agency laws and regulations pertaining to Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Service, and fire and life safety.

Fire codes, standards and investigation procedures, public education techniques, and building construction methods.

Methods and techniques of handling hazardous materials.

Geography and street layout of the City and surrounding area, and water systems.

Modern fire suppression and prevention principles, methods, practices and techniques.

Technical firefighting and emergency medical services principles and techniques.

Methods and techniques of handling hazardous materials.

Methods and techniques of public relations.

Mathematical concepts and principles.

Record keeping and basic report preparation principles and practices.

Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

Basic principles and practices of program development and administration.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Merced County EMS Agency advanced life support treatment protocols for Captain II position

Advanced life support treatment skills for Captain II position

Ability to:

Oversee and participate in services and activities of assigned engine company including fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical services, disaster preparedness, hazardous materials response, and associated services and activities.

Make sound decisions, set priorities, and direct fire personnel at the scene of an emergency incident.

Provide supervision, training, maintain discipline, and evaluate staff for assigned Fire Department staff during a work shift.

Provide guidance and assist with administration of City and Department rules and procedures.

Direct and conduct fire investigations and inspections and determine cause and origin of fires.

Skillfully use a variety of fire suppression and emergency medical methods and procedures.

Safely drive and operate a variety of apparatus and department vehicles in accordance with State traffic laws and departmental policies in emergency and non-emergency situations.

Understand and act in accordance with City and Department policy, rules, and regulations.

Perform as coordinator of assigned Department program.

Read, understand, and apply fire prevention ordinances and hazardous material related information.

Skillfully operate fire and emergency service equipment during emergency incidents.

Retain presence of mind and act quickly and calmly in emergency situations; analyze emergency situations and develop appropriate courses of action.

Demonstrate mechanical aptitude as required in the operation of firefighting equipment.

Deal tactfully and courteously with the public and other department/agency personnel.

Coordinate and conduct fire training programs and public education activities.

Complete and prepare a variety of forms and reports; prepare a variety of technical and operational reports.

Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and

database applications.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Perform Merced County EMS Agency advanced life support treatment protocols as Captain II position

Perform advanced life support treatment skills as Captain II position
Education and Experience Guidelines

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Fire Captain I:

Education/Training:

Completion of an Associate's degree with major course work in fire science, public administration, or a related field. Possession of a Bachelor's degree is highly desirable.

Experience:

Five years of professional firefighting experience, including two years full time experience as a Fire Engineer with a paid professional fire department.

Fire Captain II:

Education/Training:

Completion of an Associate's degree with major course work in fire science, public administration, or a related field. Possession of a Bachelor's degree is highly desirable.

Must have completed a paramedic program and possess a California Paramedic license

Experience:

Five years of professional firefighting experience, including two years full time experience as a Fire Engineer with a paid professional fire department. Must be a licensed paramedic in California, sponsored by Merced Fire Department to perform as a paramedic, and accredited with Merced County EMS Agency.
License or Certificate:

Fire Captain I:

Possession of an appropriate valid California Driver license for operating firefighting equipment.

Possession of a California Fire Officer Certificate, or completion of all six required classes and associated course work for the California Company Officer certification.

Possession of a California Emergency Medical Technician I (EMT-1) certification.

Fire Captain II:

Possession of an appropriate valid California Driver license for operating firefighting equipment.

Possession of a California Fire Officer Certificate, or completion of all six required classes and associated course work for the California Company Officer certification.
Possession of a California Paramedic License and Merced County EMS Agency Paramedic Accreditation.
Special Requirements

New job candidates must meet stringent medical and physical standards.

Completion of the City of Merced Fire Department Acting Captain Task Book.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.

Environment: Work is normally performed in a fire station environment and at reactive emergency, natural or man-made disaster, and routine fire prevention environments with frequent travel to different locations throughout the City; regularly work near moving mechanical parts and in areas of limited and restricted entry and exit; regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and constant moisture; occasionally works in high, precarious places; exposed to fumes or airborne particles, hazardous materials and chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration; above average exposure to life threatening situations; the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, the noise level is occasionally very loud when responding to emergency calls and when working at a fire or other emergency incident; and regular contact with other staff and the public.

Physical:Pri