Emergency Medical Technician I

Emergency Medical Technician I

Salary

$20.48 - $22.58 Hourly

Location

Vista City Hall - 200 Civic Center Drive Vista 92084, CA

Job Type

Part-Time

Job Number

26-48-O

Department

Fire - EMT

Opening Date

07/16/2026

Closing Date

7/30/2026 5:30 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

VFFA

Max Number of Applicants

200

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position

The Emergency Medical Technician* (EMT) responds to emergency medical calls and other emergencies and provides basic life support services to ill or injured persons in accordance with established policies and procedures.

The Vista Fire Rescue maintains three (3) EMT work schedules as follows:

• Full-time: These positions are benefitted and work a 56-hour a week rotating schedule.
• Part-time: These positions are benefitted and work a 24-hour a week rotating schedule.
• Part-time/Float: These positions are temporary, paid an hourly rate, and work as needed.

An individual may only serve 6,240 (the hourly equivalent of 36 months) in total in this classification. Paid leave hours count towards this total, but overtime hours do not.

EMTs are typically hired as Floats and promoted to regular positions as they become available.

Examples of Essential Functions

The Emergency Medical Technician I:

• Responds to medical emergencies.
• Renders aid to injured parties.
• Assists at non-medical emergency scenes with support related activities.
• Operates ambulances and other related medical equipment.
• Participates in station, equipment and apparatus maintenance.
• Attends training classes and drills.
• Assesses medical problems and performs first-aid and resuscitator functions.
• Other related duties as assigned.

This posting will close when 200 applications are received or on Tuesday July 28th, 2026, whichever comes first.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training, education and experience which demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position is qualifying.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Emergency Medical Technician I

A typical combination would include a high school diploma, or equivalent, and six (6) months of full-time field experience as an Emergency Medical Technician either driving an ambulance or employment as an EMT with a fire department is preferred. Completion of or enrollment in a Fire Academy, Paramedic School or a paramedic preparation class is highly desirable.

License/Certificate

Candidates must possess and maintain, as a condition of employment, the following:

• A current State of California Class C driver's license with an ambulance driver's endorsement
• A current EMT-I certification as defined by the State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA)
• Accreditation as an EMT in the County of San Diego
• A current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• First aid methods
• A basic understanding of fire-based Emergency Medical Services (EMS) delivery system
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• EMT scope of practice
• EMS procedures and equipment
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Principles and practices of customer service

Ability to:

• Perform EMT duties and maintain EMT certification
• Perform competently under extreme pressure and in stressful situations
• Understand and act in accordance with departmental polices, rules, instructions and written material
• Retain presence of mind in emergency situations
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Establish effective working relationships with staff and the general public
• Maintain physical endurance and agility
• Make accurate observations and rapid judgements
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community

Other Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Environmental Conditions:

Exposure to varying inside temperatures, correspondent with seasonal climate outside; exposure to the hazards of emergency medical services, to smoke and hazardous material fumes, to heat from fires, seasonal elements at emergency sites; exposure to communicable diseases (HIV, HBV, HCV, tuberculosis, meningococcal meningitis, various parasites, etc.)

Physical Conditions:

Essential and marginal functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for minimal to frequent bending, turning, reaching, grasping, kneeling, standing, sitting, and walking; and moderate to heavy pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying. Physical strength and agility to lift and carry heavy objects, such as a gurney while transporting patients; lift, pull and operate gurney; climb ladders and stairs; bend, stoop, kneel, and crawl in tight spaces.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

A City application form and supplemental questionnaire MUST be submitted and received by the closing date. Please apply online at www.vista.gov. All other employment inquiries can be directed to the City of Vista, Human Resources Office, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, CA 92084. Telephone: (760) 643-5376 or Fire Administration at (760) 643-5341.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Candidates must clearly demonstrate through their application materials that they meet the employment standards outlined above. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the position may consist of any combination of written, performance, and oral exams to evaluate the applicants skill, training, and experience for the position. Successful applicants will be placed on an eligibility list. The City may also merge lists. The selected candidate(s) must successfully complete pre-employment clearances which will include live scan fingerprinting and/or a background exam and a medical exam including a drug screen.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

We welcome and celebrate diversity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Recruitment Closes: Tuesday, July 30th, 2026 or 200 applications

Written Exam: Week of August 10th

Oral Board: Week of August 17th

Chiefs Interviews: Week of August 31st

Please note, all dates are subject to change.

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) will receive all benefits as outlined in the FFA MOU for non-safety employees and as follows:

HOURS OF WORK

• Full time EMT personnel shall work 24-hour shifts following the work schedule of shift employees and commencing at 8:00 am.
• Some EMT personnel may be hired to work a part-time schedule.

VACATION

Vacation credit shall be earned as follows:

• Zero through five years service: One hour for every 20.22 hours worked (equivalent of 6 shifts);
• Beginning of six through completion of ten years service: One hour for every 15.16 hours worked (equivalent of 8 shifts);
• Beginning of eleven through completion of fifteen years service: One hour for every 13.48 hours worked (equivalent of 9 shifts);
• Beginning of sixteen through completion of twenty years service: One hour for every 12.13 hour worked (equivalent of 10 shifts).
• After twenty-years of service have been completed, One hour for every 11.03 hours worked (equivalent of 11 shifts).

SICK LEAVE

Sick leave is earned at the rate of 1 hour per every 21.66 hours worked, with unlimited accrual.

HOLIDAYS

• Full Time EMTs shall be compensated for eleven (11) recognized holidays at the rate of twelve (12) hours per holiday.
• Part-time EMT personnel shall be compensated for eleven (11) recognized holidays at the rate of six (6) hours per holiday.
• The City shall provide holiday-in-lieu pay in the pay period in which the holiday falls.

INSURANCE

Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance programs. A portion of the employees and dependents premiums are paid by the City.

EDUCATION INCENTIVE PAY

EMT personnel are not eligible for Education Incentive Pay.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

EMT personnel are not eligible for tuition reimbursement. However, after one year of satisfactory employment, EMT personnel who are attending an accredited firefighter or paramedic academy and maintaining a 3.0 grade average, will be eligible for scholarship funding. The scholarship amount shall not exceed $5,500 dollars. In the first two years of the program, the Department will fund up to two candidates enrolled in either a firefighter or paramedic program.

WELLNESS PROGRAMMING

The City offers comprehensive wellness programming to its employees including onsite wellness facilities, and onsite wellness sessions.

RETIREMENT

The City participates in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS).

OTHER

A deferred compensation plan and flexible spending accounts are available.

• This is a summary of available benefits. It is not intended to provide full details of all programs. The appropriate Memorandum of Understanding, Letter of Agreement, and/or Benefit Plan Documents will govern any discrepancies and provide program specifics. Part-time employee benefits may be prorated.

01

ATTENTION APPLICANTS: Copying and pasting duplicate answers and stating "See resume" and/or "see previous answer" are not acceptable to the questions below. By completing this supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate and understand that the statements made in this supplemental questionnaire will be considered part of and subject to the terms of my employment application for this position. Please acknowledge your understanding by selecting "Yes".

• Yes
• No

02

Please check the type of position you are willing to accept:

• Full-time
• Part-time
• Float
• Any available position

03

How much full-time experience do you currently have working as an EMT?

• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years or more

04

Of your time as an EMT, how much experience do you have driving an ambulance?

• 3-6 months
• 6 months to a year
• 1 to 3 years
• More than 3 years

05

Are you currently enrolled in Paramedic School or do you plan to enroll in the near future (3-6 months).

• Yes, I am currently enrolled in Paramedic School.
• No, I am not currently enrolled in Paramedic School and do not plan to be in the next 3-6 months.
• I am not in Paramedic School right now, but plan to enroll in the near future (within 3-6 months).
• I have no plan to enroll in Paramedic School.

06

Do you possess a valid California Class "C" Drivers License with am ambulance drivers endorsement and a satisfactory driving record or do you have the ability to obtain one by the time you are hired?

• Yes
• Yes, but not in the State of California
• No

07

Do you possess a Health Care Provider CPR certification from the American Heart Association or similar organization? (If Yes, you must submit a copy of your license with your application. If not, your application will be considered incomplete.)

• Yes
• No

08

Do you have a State of California certification as a Firefighter I or have you graduated from a Firefighter I Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP)? OR Do you plan on attending a Fire Academy in the next 3 - 6 months? (If Yes, you must submit a copy of your certification or proof of graduation with your application.)

• Yes, my certification/proof is attached
• Yes, I am currently in progress in Fire Academy and will submit my certification/proof as soon as it is completed.
• No, I have not completed a Fire Academy program and do not plan to attend in the next 3 - 6 months.
• I am not currently enrolled but plan to do so in the next 3 - 6 months.
• I have no plans to enroll in a Fire Academy.

09

Do you hold a San Diego County EMT accreditation? (If Yes, please submit a copy of your county certification with your application.)

• Yes
• No
• Not yet, but I will before I am hired

10

Do you possess a current State of California EMT-I certification or EMT-P license as defined by the State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA)? (If Yes, you must submit a copy of your certification or proof of graduation with your application.)

• Yes, I have an EMT certification
• Yes, I have an EMT-P license
• No I do not have an EMT certification or EMT-P license

Required Question

Employer City of Vista

Address 200 Civic Center Drive

Vista, California, 92084

Phone 760-639-6145

Website https://www.vista.gov/