Fire Captain
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: BZ45
Class Code: 1095
Established: 08/30/1983
Revised: 11/07/2001
Title Changed: --
Definition
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; or (6) serve as an instructor at the Fire Academy and other training assignments; and to do other related work.
Job Characteristics
Certain positions in this classification require peace officer status as a condition of appointment and continued employment.
Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles is a condition of continued employment.
Typical Tasks
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; 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.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. (Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment.) and Either I Experience: Thirty-six months of full-time experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Fire Apparatus Engineer or Fire Apparatus Engineer (Paramedic) and successful completion of the corresponding California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee Program. (Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement will be admitted to the examination but must successfully complete the apprenticeship program before appointment.). or
Experience: Thirty-six months of full-time experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Fire Apparatus Engineer with an appointment to the class prior to the initiation of the California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee Program on July 1, 1983. or
Experience: Applicants who gained employment with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection by Board Resolution may compete if they have thirty-six months of full-time experience as a Fire Apparatus Engineer or Fire Apparatus Engineer (Paramedic) but must successfully complete the apprenticeship program before appointment or receive SubJAC certification of journey level status. [Experience with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection may be combined with prior Fire Apparatus Engineer or Fire Apparatus Engineer (Paramedic) experience to meet this requirement.] (Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement will be admitted to the examination but must successfully complete the apprenticeship program before appointment or receive SubJAC certification of journey level status.)
Or II
Experience: Forty-eight months of full-time experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Fire Apparatus Engineer or Fire Apparatus Engineer (Paramedic). (Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement will be admitted to the examination but must complete the experience requirement prior to appointment.)
Or III
Experience: Twenty-four months of experience as a full-time paid Company Officer leading an engine company (or equivalent) at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Fire Captain. (Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement will be admitted to the examination but must complete the experience requirement prior to appointment.)
Or IV
Experience: Forty-eight months of experience as a full-time paid employee of a fire department supervising or leading a hand crew, such as an Incident Command System Type I or II Crew, at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Fire Captain. (Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement will be admitted to the examination but must complete the experience requirement prior to appointment.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Forest and fire laws; types, causes, character, and behavior of fires; fire protection and prevention methods, equipment, and terminology; department's incident command system, vehicle extrication methods, methods for responding to hazardous materials incidents, and other emergency incidents; principles of effective supervision and training and directing a crew in fire protection, other emergency, and conservation work; maintenance and safe operation of fire and automotive equipment; methods, materials, and equipment used in minor construction and maintenance of fire stations, roads, trails, bridges, water developments, and similar structures; fundamental forest improvement and conservation practices; forest pest control procedures and safety practices; a supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
Ability to: Communicate effectively; locate and determine origin and fire cause; operate fire and automotive equipment safely; operate power tools; train, advise, instruct, and direct a crew of personnel in fire suppression and general maintenance work; read maps; supervise a fire suppression crew; maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in all work; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; meet and inform the public; follow oral and written directions; keep records and prepare reports; administer cardiovascular pulmonary respiration and first aid; participate in the department's physical fitness program; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
Individuals assigned to specialist duties may be required to develop additional knowledge and special abilities.
Special Personal Characteristics
Demonstrated good judgment in emergency situations; willingness to live and work in isolated areas away from population centers and to work on weekends and holidays; willingness to remain on duty 24 hours a day as required; emotional stability; demonstrated leadership ability; high standards of morals and speech; satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen; sympathetic understanding of inmate rehabilitation programs; distant visual acuity (Snellen) of not less than 20/100 without corrective lenses in each eye, separately corrected to not less than 20/40 in one eye with corrective lenses; distant binocular acuity (Snellen) of at least 20/40 in both eyes with or without corrective lenses; color vision adequate to successfully perform the job as measured by the Ishihara Psuedo- Chromatic Plate Test, or for persons failing the Ishihara, the Farnsworth D-15 Arrangement Test; normal hearing; normal use of both hands and both feet; physical strength and agility; and no more than mildly susceptible to poison oak.
Felony Disqualification
Existing law provides that persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers. Such persons are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in this class. This felony disqualification applies only to those positions designated as peace officers within this class.
Citizenship Requirement
Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031 (a), in order to be a peace officer, a person must be either a U.S. Citizen or be a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for U.S. Citizenship. Any permanent resident alien who is employed as a peace officer shall be disqualified from holding that position if his/her application for citizenship is denied.
Additional Desirable Qualification
Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
