Firefighter Trainee

Summary

Firefighter Trainee

Applications will be accepted until 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be utilized to fill future Firefighter Trainee vacancies. Candidates who successfully pass the pre-employment process along with theFire Department Drill Tower Academy which runs up to eight (8) weeks will transition to Firefighter at the salary range of $94,495.33 - $120,977.28.

To participate in a non-sworn capacity in the in-house Brea Fire Department Firefighter Trainee Academy in preparation of becoming a "sworn" full-time Firefighter. During training, incumbents will not have the same responsibilities or perform the exact same duties as sworn Firefighters, but are subject to the rules and regulations of the Brea Fire Department.

This is the non-sworn Trainee position designed to give incumbents first-hand experience and exposure to regular firefighter duties and responsibilities. Incumbents in this classification attend the in-house Brea Fire Department Firefighter Trainee Academy attending classes and receiving training while working under very close supervision to perform structured, routine firefighter duties requiring limited independent judgment and in accordance with explicit instructions and well defined procedures. Employees in this classification are observed during the training period to determine if their progress will qualify them to become sworn Firefighters. Incumbents are miscellaneous non-sworn employees as it relates to retirement and workers' compensation purposes.

General supervision is received from a Fire Captain. Technical supervision is received from a Firefighter and/or Fire Engineer regarding the operation and maintenance of vehicles, equipment, and apparatus.

Examples of Duties

Essential job functions include, but are not limited to, the following: (These functions may not be present in all positions in this classification. When a position is to be filled, the essential functions will be noted in the announcement of position availability. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.)

Attend and successfully complete the in-house Brea Fire Department Firefighter Trainee Academy including all classes and required training necessary to become a sworn Brea Firefighter.

Typical Qualifications

Experience and Education

To qualify for this classification, an individual must possess any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge and abilities and enable the individual to successfully perform the essential job functions of the position. A typical combination is:

Experience

Some directly related experience is desirable.

Education

Graduation from high school or equivalent. Certificate of completion from a California State Fire Marshal accredited Basic Fire Academy program. Proof of certification from an Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP) or Accredited Local Academy (ALA) OR California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Fire Fighter 1 certification.

Licenses and Certification

Possession of a valid Class C Driver's License issued from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Possession of a valid Class C Driver's License with a Firefighter Endorsement issued from the California Department of Motor Vehicles is highly desirable upon appointment. Possession of a current State of California E.M.T. or Paramedic certificate from an accredited organization. Possession of a current CPR certificate from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.

Supplemental Information

If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please visit to submit a City of Brea electronic employment application. Electronic applications will be accepted until 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City of Brea employment application. The City of Brea cannot accept responsibility for notifying candidates of incomplete applications. It is the candidate's responsibility to make sure the application is properly submitted.

The selection process shall consist of three phases: (If you should need assistance in completing the employment application or in participating in the selection process, please notify Human Resources prior to the filing deadline or as soon as possible). Phase One - Application Review: The first phase of the selection process shall be a detailed review and appraisal of each candidate's application and attachments. Applicants MUST include electronic copies of ALL required documents as outlined below.

Documents to be Provided - Requirement of Documents - Please name and upload required documents as follows:

Certificate of completion from an Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP) or Accredited Local Academy (ALA) OR CA OSFM Fire Fighter 1 - Must be a certificate from a ARTP, ALA or CA OSFM Fire Fighter 1 - Academy Cert - For Accredited Regional Training Programs, please clickhere. For Accredited Local Academies, please clickhere.

Current State of California E.M.T or Paramedic certification - Valid Card or Certification must show an expiration date - EMT Card - Sample of Required Documents can be found on Appendix "A" ofFAQ

Current CPR card - From the American Red Cross or American Heart Association - CPR Card - Sample of Required Documents can be found on Appendix "A" ofFAQ

Proof of Physical Ability Test (CPAT) or Biddle Physical Ability Test (PAT) - Must be completed within the last six (6) months;4/21/2026 - 11/2/2026 - PAT - Sample of Required Documents can be found on Appendix "A" ofFAQ

Class C Driver's License issued from the California Department of Motor Vehicles - Valid Class C CA Driver's License Card - DL Card

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a City of Brea employment application. Faxes, emails, postmarks hand deliveries will not be accepted. FAILURE TO UPLOAD THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AS LISTED ABOVE MAY CAUSE DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE PROCESS. SUBMISSION OF ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS NOT LISTED MAY ALSO CAUSE DISQUALIFICTION FROM THE PROCESS.

Phase Two - Written Exam: Weighted 30% of overall score. The written test is a video-based exam conducted by the National Testing Network (NTN). Candidates must schedule a FireTeamTM Firefighter Entry Level Test (FireTeam) at nationaltestingnetwork.com. Candidates are required to pay a $55 fee to NTN to take the FireTeam exam. Testing can be completed at any NTN location. Completion of written test scores must be submitted through NTN by assigning it to the City of Brea by Monday, November 2, 2026 at 11:30am. Please visit the NTN website for testing locations, eligibility, and instructions on how to forward your scores to the City of Brea. Screenshots of NTN scores attached to the application will not be accepted. Candidates who receive a passing score on the written examination as established by the City of Brea, may be invited to participate in the oral appraisal interview.

Phase Three - Oral Appraisal Interview: Weighted 70% of overall score. This phase of the selection process will consist of an oral appraisal interview. A minimum score of 70 must be obtained in this phase of the selection process. The tentative dates for the oral appraisal interviews are the week of January 4 - 8, 2027. Prospective candidates must successfully complete a thorough background review. Upon a contingent offer of employment, prospective candidates must successfully complete a medical and psychological examination and provide proof of legal work status. All new employees will be fingerprinted as a part of the employment process and a criminal history check will be conducted with the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation. In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, in the event of a disaster, City employees are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly. The City of Brea recruits, promotes, and hires without regard to race, color, religion, physical disability or condition, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, age or national origin, except in those specific instances whereby a bona fide occupational qualification demands otherwise. The City of Brea hires only United States citizens or lawfully authorized aliens. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Job Description

Firefighter Trainee

Applications will be accepted until 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be utilized to fill future Firefighter Trainee vacancies. Candidates who successfully pass the pre-employment process along with theFire Department Drill Tower Academy which runs up to eight (8) weeks will transition to Firefighter at the salary range of $94,495.33 - $120,977.28.

To participate in a non-sworn capacity in the in-house Brea Fire Department Firefighter Trainee Academy in preparation of becoming a "sworn" full-time Firefighter. During training, incumbents will not have the same responsibilities or perform the exact same duties as sworn Firefighters, but are subject to the rules and regulations of the Brea Fire Department.

This is the non-sworn Trainee position designed to give incumbents first-hand experience and exposure to regular firefighter duties and responsibilities. Incumbents in this classification attend the in-house Brea Fire Department Firefighter Trainee Academy attending classes and receiving training while working under very close supervision to perform structured, routine firefighter duties requiring limited independent judgment and in accordance with explicit instructions and well defined procedures. Employees in this classification are observed during the training period to determine if their progress will qualify them to become sworn Firefighters. Incumbents are miscellaneous non-sworn employees as it relates to retirement and workers' compensation purposes.

General supervision is received from a Fire Captain. Technical supervision is received from a Firefighter and/or Fire Engineer regarding the operation and maintenance of vehicles, equipment, and apparatus.

Examples of Duties

Essential job functions include, but are not limited to, the following: (These functions may not be present in all positions in this classification. When a position is to be filled, the essential functions will be noted in the announcement of position availability. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.)

Attend and successfully complete the in-house Brea Fire Department Firefighter Trainee Academy including all classes and required training necessary to become a sworn Brea Firefighter.

Typical Qualifications

Experience and Education

To qualify for this classification, an individual must possess any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge and abilities and enable the individual to successfully perform the essential job functions of the position. A typical combination is:

Experience

Some directly related experience is desirable.

Education

Graduation from high school or equivalent. Certificate of completion from a California State Fire Marshal accredited Basic Fire Academy program. Proof of certification from an Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP) or Accredited Local Academy (ALA) OR California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Fire Fighter 1 certification.

Licenses and Certification

Possession of a valid Class C Driver's License issued from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Possession of a valid Class C Driver's License with a Firefighter Endorsement issued from the California Department of Motor Vehicles is highly desirable upon appointment. Possession of a current State of California E.M.T. or Paramedic certificate from an accredited organization. Possession of a current CPR certificate from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.

Supplemental Information

If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please visit to submit a City of Brea electronic employment application. Electronic applications will be accepted until 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City of Brea employment application. The City of Brea cannot accept responsibility for notifying candidates of incomplete applications. It is the candidate's responsibility to make sure the application is properly submitted.

The selection process shall consist of three phases: (If you should need assistance in completing the employment application or in participating in the selection process, please notify Human Resources prior to the filing deadline or as soon as possible). Phase One - Application Review: The first phase of the selection process shall be a detailed review and appraisal of each candidate's application and attachments. Applicants MUST include electronic copies of ALL required documents as outlined below.

Documents to be Provided - Requirement of Documents - Please name and upload required documents as follows:

Certificate of completion from an Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP) or Accredited Local Academy (ALA) OR CA OSFM Fire Fighter 1 - Must be a certificate from a ARTP, ALA or CA OSFM Fire Fighter 1 - Academy Cert - For Accredited Regional Training Programs, please clickhere. For Accredited Local Academies, please clickhere.

Current State of California E.M.T or Paramedic certification - Valid Card or Certification must show an expiration date - EMT Card - Sample of Required Documents can be found on Appendix "A" ofFAQ

Current CPR card - From the American Red Cross or American Heart Association - CPR Card - Sample of Required Documents can be found on Appendix "A" ofFAQ

Proof of Physical Ability Test (CPAT) or Biddle Physical Ability Test (PAT) - Must be completed within the last six (6) months;4/21/2026 - 11/2/2026 - PAT - Sample of Required Documents can be found on Appendix "A" ofFAQ

Class C Driver's License issued from the California Department of Motor Vehicles - Valid Class C CA Driver's License Card - DL Card

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a City of Brea employment application. Faxes, emails, postmarks hand deliveries will not be accepted. FAILURE TO UPLOAD THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AS LISTED ABOVE MAY CAUSE DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE PROCESS. SUBMISSION OF ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS NOT LISTED MAY ALSO CAUSE DISQUALIFICTION FROM THE PROCESS.

Phase Two - Written Exam: Weighted 30% of overall score. The written test is a video-based exam conducted by the National Testing Network (NTN). Candidates must schedule a FireTeamTM Firefighter Entry Level Test (FireTeam) at nationaltestingnetwork.com. Candidates are required to pay a $55 fee to NTN to take the FireTeam exam. Testing can be completed at any NTN location. Completion of written test scores must be submitted through NTN by assigning it to the City of Brea by Monday, November 2, 2026 at 11:30am. Please visit the NTN website for testing locations, eligibility, and instructions on how to forward your scores to the City of Brea. Screenshots of NTN scores attached to the application will not be accepted. Candidates who receive a passing score on the written examination as established by the City of Brea, may be invited to participate in the oral appraisal interview.

Phase Three - Oral Appraisal Interview: Weighted 70% of overall score. This phase of the selection process will consist of an oral appraisal interview. A minimum score of 70 must be obtained in this phase of the selection process. The tentative dates for the oral appraisal interviews are the week of January 4 - 8, 2027. Prospective candidates must successfully complete a thorough background review. Upon a contingent offer of employment, prospective candidates must successfully complete a medical and psychological examination and provide proof of legal work status. All new employees will be fingerprinted as a part of the employment process and a criminal history check will be conducted with the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation. In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, in the event of a disaster, City employees are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly. The City of Brea recruits, promotes, and hires without regard to race, color, religion, physical disability or condition, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, age or national origin, except in those specific instances whereby a bona fide occupational qualification demands otherwise. The City of Brea hires only United States citizens or lawfully authorized aliens. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.