Fire Department · Career
San Marcos Fire Department
San Marcos, CA · San Diego County
The San Marcos Fire Department (SMFD) serves the City of San Marcos and the San Marcos Fire Protection District, an area of roughly 33 square miles and a population of about 95,000 in North San Diego County. It operates four fire stations plus a regional emergency services training facility.
The department runs a mix of structure engines, a truck company, and multiple brush/wildland engines, along with paramedic ambulances, reflecting the wildland-urban interface character of North County. Crews cross-staff three wildland engines and a state Cal OES wildland engine for regional mutual aid.
SMFD dispatches through the North County Dispatch Joint Powers Authority ("North Comm"), a regional communications center in Rancho Santa Fe that coordinates 15 fire agencies across North San Diego County. What began in 1936 as an all-volunteer company in the then-unincorporated area has grown into a career department serving one of the region's fast-growing communities.
SMFD hires primarily at the Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit level and considers internal promotional, lateral, and open-competitive candidates in the same recruitments. Because it is a California fire agency in San Diego County, applicants must already hold a State Fire Marshal-accredited Firefighter I Academy certificate and California EMT/Paramedic licensure, and must be on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List with passing written and CPAT scores within 12 months of the filing deadline.
Recruitments are posted on the City of San Marcos careers portal (GovernmentJobs). Selected recruits complete an orientation and training period before transitioning to full Firefighter/Paramedic status. New hires must live within 275 miles of San Marcos within one year of appointment and remain nonsmokers throughout employment.
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age
- High school diploma or GED (education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade)
- California State Fire Marshal / State Fire Training-accredited Firefighter I Academy certificate (240-hour) or equivalent as determined by the Fire Chief
- California EMT/Paramedic licensure meeting County of San Diego EMS Office requirements, including passing the San Diego County protocol examination
- On the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List (SEL) with a passing FCTC written score and CPAT within 12 months of the application deadline
- Current CPR (BLS-C minimum) and ACLS certification
- Valid driver's license
- Must live within 275 miles of San Marcos within one year of appointment and remain a nonsmoker throughout employment
Hiring process
- Apply through the City of San Marcos careers portal during an open recruitment
- FCTC written exam and CPAT (must appear on the Statewide Eligibility List)
- Skills test and interviews
- Conditional offer and appointment as Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit
- Complete orientation, classroom training, drills, and probation before transitioning to Firefighter/Paramedic
Benefits
CalPERS retirement (3% at 55 for classic members). The City pays the full employee medical premium and 90% of dependent premiums. Leave includes roughly 156 hours of vacation per year (scaling with service to 312 hours at 21+ years) and 144 hours of sick leave per year (600-hour maximum). One-time longevity stipends are paid at service anniversaries from 5 to 30 years.
Applicants must already hold a State Fire Marshal-accredited Firefighter I Academy certificate; recruits complete an orientation/training and probationary period after hire.
What are the minimum requirements to become a San Marcos firefighter?
Candidates must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or GED, hold a California State Fire Marshal-accredited Firefighter I Academy certificate and California EMT/Paramedic licensure meeting San Diego County EMS requirements, and be on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List with a passing written score and CPAT within 12 months of the deadline.
How much does a San Marcos Firefighter/Paramedic earn?
The Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit position has an annual salary range of roughly $89,847 to $124,332.
Does San Marcos accept lateral firefighters?
Yes. Recruitments consider lateral candidates (generally those with two or more years of paid firefighter/paramedic experience) alongside internal promotional and open-competitive applicants.
How do I apply?
Applications are accepted through the City of San Marcos careers portal on GovernmentJobs when a recruitment is open. There is no standing continuous filing; watch for posted recruitments.
Do I need to be a paramedic to be hired?
Yes. The entry role is Firefighter/Paramedic, so California EMT/Paramedic licensure meeting County of San Diego EMS Office requirements (including the county protocol exam) is required.
Are there residency requirements?
New hires must live within 275 miles of San Marcos within one year of appointment and must remain nonsmokers throughout their employment.