Heavy Fire Equipment Operator Job at California Department of Forestry and Fire

Base Pay Range

$6,230.00 - $8,446.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug‑free workplace. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-497065
Position #(s): 542-419-6387-XXX
Working Title: Heavy Fire Equipment Operator
Classification: HEAVY FIRE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
Salary Range: $6,230.00 - $8,446.00
# of Positions: 1
Work Location: San Benito County
Telework: In Office
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
Facility: San Benito‑Monterey Unit

Department Information: The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California's fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 12,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.
When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co‑workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunities. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!

Job Description and Duties

Contact Assistant Chief John Byrne at 831‑601‑9385 or john.byrne@fire.ca.gov for questions related to this position.
Candidate may be selected by resume review. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Special Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years at the time of appointment.
Possession of the type of driver license required by law applicable to the types of heavy motorized vehicles operated on the job. One year of highway experience operating Class 8 transport vehicles with multi‑speed manual shift transmissions, with a gross vehicle weight of at least 60,000 pounds or greater; and one year of experience operating D6 or D7 bulldozers or equivalent size bulldozers produced by other manufacturers. Qualifying bulldozer experience must include at least 500 hours of operation of the specified bulldozers in rugged terrain; and education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered.
Final Filing Date: 11/6/2025

Who May Apply:
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply:
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.calcareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below.

Address for Mailing Application Packages
Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
CAL FIRE Southern Region Hiring
Attn: 542‑419‑6387‑XXX
1234 East Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93710

Address for Drop‑Off Application Packages
Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
CAL FIRE Southern Region Hiring
542‑419‑6387‑XXX
1234 East Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93710
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.calcareers.ca.gov. All experience and education relating to the minimum qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other – Authorization to Release Information Form (PO‑299): https://www.fire.ca.gov/-/media/D817B8E27D8049C3BC35297686467FB9
• Other – Copy of the front and back of a valid driver’s license of the appropriate class by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.