CITIES OF EL CAJON, LA MESA, AND LEMON GROVE ARE LOOKING FOR LATERAL OR ENTRY LEVEL PARAMEDIC FIREFIGHTERS.
Hourly Salary RangeCity of El Cajon:$32.58 - $39.60City of La Mesa: $33.45 - $44.83City of Lemon Grove:$29.57 - $43.69Lateral entry salary will be offered to current Paramedic Firefighters from outside agencies and will be based on prior years of paid Paramedic Firefighter work experience.Please refer to each city’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for eligibility guidelines regarding Educational Incentive Pay.THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS:The Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove will be conducting the application and examination process jointly. Separate eligibility lists will be established by each agency for their respective vacancies. Candidates may be placed on more than one City's eligibility list and will potentially be hired directly by either El Cajon, La Mesa, or Lemon Grove.
Interested applicants must submit and complete an online application and supplemental questionnaire.
The City of El Cajon's online application process will be used for all agencies. Examination Process will Include:- All candidates MUST possess a Cal-JAC Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certificate dated within last 6 months of the application close: 10/9/2025 - 4/30/2026. Use this link to get more information on the CPAT: https://www.fctconline.org/cpat/
- 5/13/2026 or 5/14/2026 - Appraisal Interview and Paramedic Skills Assessment Scenario
HEARTLAND FIRE AND RESCUE:Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove are a part of a cost-sharing agreement known as HEARTLAND FIRE AND RESCUE. Combined, the three Cities serve a regional population of nearly 200,000 and receives approximately 34,000 annual calls for service across their eight stations. All units provide advanced life support service in conjunction with a contracted ambulance provider. Additionally, the Cities have deployable OES engines and are active on the regional US&R task force. For more details about the Heartland Fire & Rescue cost-sharing agreement, please go to www.heartlandfire.org.
To obtain each agency’s Paramedic/Firefighter class specification, please click on the following links and visit each city’s website for additional information on benefits.
To obtain each agency's Paramedic/Firefighter class specification, please click on the following links:
Please refer to each agency's class specification for Education and Experience Guidelines. Minimum qualifications vary amongst the three agencies.
To obtain each agency's Paramedic/Firefighter class specification, please click on the following links:
In addition to the requirements in the classification specifications above,
lateral candidates must have the following:
Experience:One year of full time experience as a regular Paramedic Firefighter (non-probationary). Active, seasonal time will count towards experience. Reserve time is not qualifying.The 2025-2026 County of San Diego EMS protocols will be used during the Appraisal Interview and Paramedic Skills Assessment. For reference, you may click on the following link to access the County of San Diego protocols website: Emergency Medical Services Treatment Protocols/PoliciesCandidates must be successful in every component of the examination process to be placed on the eligibility list for employment consideration for all three agencies. Candidates who move forward in the pre-employment process may go through a thorough background investigation, including a polygraph examination, psychological exam and a pre-employment medical evaluation.
