Cal Fire Fire Captain and FAE hire for 2025

California & Hawaii Hotlist Questions and Discussion
#1

I’m just wondering if anyone has any insight on when offers might start going out for the Cal Fire Captain and Engineer positions. Does anyone know how long it typically takes to hear back after applying?

Hope everyone’s enjoying the spring and gearing up for what could be another busy season!

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#2

If you qualify for a captain job you get an offer. There are more vacancies than eligible applicants.

FAE offers have been being made all year, but I’d bet they ramp up after the beginning of the new fiscal year.

#3

I ranked in Band 2, but I haven’t received my OSFM STF Firefighter I certification yet. I’ll be completing the reciprocity process for the FF1C portion at Ben Clark in a few weeks.
Would not having the certification in hand yet be a reason to not get a call?

Thanks again for your responseI really appreciate it!

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#4

They are not issuing hard copies should be in your STF portal, they are probably backed up on getting them out reach out to them via email also email the the person o the exam and ask them they will have a exact answer.

#5

To get a phone call you need the correct license, CPAT, and meet the minimum qualifications for experience.

It does seem like they are kind of doing rounds of hiring open list captains. FAE’s usually get a promotional offer the week following their JAC completion as long as they are on the eligibility list.

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#6

The new FC list came out with over 1,000 on it between the 3 ranks. But some northern units need 30+ and “one” southern unit needs 60+😳

To get a call you have to make the list. Then the INTERNAL scoring occurs based 100% on your resume. I do not believe the current FAE hiring is yet occurring from the most recent test. The human SME’s have yet to gather in Sacramento to score resumes. To increase your chances of getting an offer, list all 21 units and all programs.

The FAE offers are still 100% made by Santa Rosa and are based on

  1. Your Resume Score
  2. Where you made your top 3 choices although you listed all 21 units,. You will increase your chances of an FAE offer listing more units you are willing to work.

Finally, Resume score is EVERYTHING if you don’t have it, or don’t list it, it doesn’t get added to your score. For those that all get the same resume score, a random number generator is used and those tie scores.

GOOD LUCK

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#7

I appreciate the reply , thank you again

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#8

To tag on to Hoss’s reply -
First things first:

  1. As mentioned in an earlier post MAKE SURE you have the correct license and current CPAT before you apply!
  2. If you list something on your app / resume you need to be prepared to back it up.

For FAE: Units advise hiring how many FAE positions they need, hiring provides names. Really no unit based scoring involved for FAE. It’s all handled at region.

For FC: After vetting and initial scoring by region, units will get apps & resumes for FC candidates that are interested in their respective units. These will be further vetted by the units - some with resume review, some with interviews, some with both.

IFSAC / Pro is not a requirement for the “open” FC process (unless something changed). But it sure does help get “butts in the seats” after the hiring process.
If you are an “open list” candidate and are offered a job, you will most likely be required to attend the FFA and COA. If you don’t have IFSAC / Pro then you will be sent there first. This becomes a LOOOONNG process sometimes, especially for units that don’t have instant access to those academies.

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