Fire Department · Combination
Lathrop-Manteca Fire District
Lathrop, CA · San Joaquin County
Lathrop-Manteca Fire District is an all-risk fire service special district serving the City of Lathrop and unincorporated communities surrounding Lathrop and Manteca in San Joaquin County. Its coverage area spans approximately 90 square miles of a fast-growing part of California's Central Valley.
The district provides a broad range of services beyond structure fire suppression, including emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, urban search and rescue, and dive rescue and recovery. Personnel are organized across both field operations and administrative divisions.
As a standalone special district, it operates independently from any single city government, funded and governed to serve a diverse and expanding population.
MissionProvide professional, progressive service delivered with sincerity, dignity, and respect to the growing diverse needs of our community
Entry-level firefighter recruitment runs through the statewide Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) consortium, and applicants apply through the district's GovernmentJobs portal. The district also maintains a continuous recruitment for volunteer/reserve firefighters.
Candidates should watch the GovernmentJobs careers page for open postings and can contact the district's Human Resources division for guidance on the process.
Benefits
Benefits include a defined-benefit pension through the San Joaquin County Employees' Retirement Association (SJCERA), employer-paid coverage at 100% of the PERS Platinum PPO Plan for employees and qualifying dependents, employer-paid Social Security contributions, and retiree health benefits via conversion of unused sick leave (216 hours accrued annually). Financial incentives include up to 17.5% for technical certifications and 5% for degree holders. Volunteer/reserve firefighters receive a $150-per-shift stipend.
How do I apply to become a firefighter here?
Entry-level firefighter recruitment runs through the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) consortium, and applications are submitted through the district's GovernmentJobs portal at governmentjobs.com/careers/lmfire.
Are volunteer or reserve firefighter positions available?
Yes. The district maintains a continuous recruitment for volunteer/reserve firefighters, who receive a $150-per-shift stipend.
What retirement and health benefits are offered?
Employees receive a defined-benefit pension through SJCERA, employer-paid coverage at 100% of the PERS Platinum PPO Plan for the employee and qualifying dependents, employer-paid Social Security, and retiree health benefits through conversion of unused sick leave.
Are there pay incentives beyond base salary?
Yes. The district offers financial incentives of up to 17.5% for technical certifications and 5% for degree holders, in addition to the published base pay schedule.
Who do I contact with human resources questions?
You can reach the HR division at Hailey Castañeda, hsalazar@lmfire.org or (209) 941-5107, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.