Final Filing Date: 12/6/2025.

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will not be accepted.

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Promotional Examination(s):

• BATTALION CHIEF - Promotional

In addition to meeting the Minimum Qualifications, competition is limited to individuals who meet at least one of the following filing criteria:

• 1. Have a permanent civil service appointment with a promotional testing department (see Testing Departments), or
• 2. Are current or former employees of the legislature for 2 or more years as defined in Government Code 18990, or
• 3. Are current or former non-elected exempt employees of the executive branch for 2 or more consecutive years as defined in Govt. Code 18992, or
• 4. Are persons retired from the United States military honorably discharged from active duty with a service disability or honorably discharged from active duty as defined in Government Code 18991. Applicants must provide a copy of discharge papers (DD 214) for verification purposes at the time of application.

Under certain circumstances other employees may be allowed to compete under provisions of Rules 234, 235 and 235.2. California Code of Regulations Rules 233, 234, 235.2 and 237 contain provisions regarding civil service status and eligibility for promotional examinations.

• Once you have participated in this examination, you may not test again for six (6) months.
• Applicants who have not passed probation in this classification are encouraged to apply.

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
  Examination Unit
  710 Riverpoint Ct.
  West Sacramento, CA 95605
  

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
  Examination Unit
  710 Riverpoint Ct.
  West Sacramento, CA 95605
  8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:

1. Various aspects related to wildland fire behavior (e.g., fuel, weather, topography) to suppress fires safely and effectively.
2. The Department’s chain of command to ensure effective operation within the Department.
3. Life hazard notification policies (e.g., Emergency Command Center notification, Three Stripes You’re Out, personnel accountability) to ensure scene safety.
4. The strategies (e.g., indirect, direct, combination) and tactics used to suppress various types of fires (e.g., vehicle, structure, wildland).
5. Strategies and tactics used to suppress various types of fires.
6. Downhill line construction guidelines, common denominators of near-miss, fatality incidents, Lookouts, Communication, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones, 10 Standard Firefighting Orders, and 18 Situations That Shout Watch Out to ensure wildland firefighter safety.
7. Wildland urban interface strategies and tactics to ensure structure defense.
8. The Department’s organizational structure to work effectively within the organization.
9. Fire protection organization standards (e.g., Incident Command System, National Incident Management System, FIRESCOPE, National Fire Protection Association) to ensure effective operations.
10. Structure fire tactics (e.g., Rescue, Exposure, Confinement, Extinguishment, Overhaul with Salvage, Ventilation) to effectively mitigate the incident.
11. Accepted command systems (e.g., Incident Command System, National Incident Management System, Standardized Emergency Management System) to ensure proper organization and structure.
12. The Department's mission, vision, and value statements to carry out the daily activities of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
13. Basic techniques and methods of team building and leadership to maintain a positive work environment.
14. The Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights, Peace Officer Procedural Bill of Rights Act, and Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) to ensure that employee rights are protected in accordance with State law.
15. Building construction types (e.g., bow truss, light weight, commercial) to ensure proper fire suppression tactics and firefighter safety.
16. Conflict resolution techniques to address and deal with conflicts and issues within the workplace.
17. Policies to correctly apply them to the given situation to support the Department’s objectives.
18. Tactics and strategies used in air support operations for fire suppression.
19. Resources for supervision (e.g., progressive discipline, Equal Employment Office guidelines) located on the Department’s Intranet for guidance and tools for managing employees.
20. Proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure to ensure that written materials are complete, concise, and error-free.
21. Helicopters and helitack capabilities for use in air support operation to aid in fire suppression and rescue.
22. Mobile communication devices (e.g., cell phones, two-way radios) to effectively communicate with staff, stakeholders, agencies, and public and private entities.
23. Characteristics of building materials under varying degrees of fire intensity and duration to mitigate and suppress fires.  
24. The Radio Call Plan to effectively utilize communication devices.
25. Rapid intervention crew tactics for firefighter safety and rescue.
26. Rescue and/or extrication (e.g., vehicle, building, trench) techniques to safely and effectively remove entrapped victims.  
27. Fire protection and prevention methods used to suppress and prevent various types of fires.
28. Cooperative agreements (e.g., Federal, State, local) to ensure effective operations.
29. The use, care, and inspection of Personal Protective Equipment to ensure employee’s health and wellbeing.   
30. Adverse personnel actions on employees as part of the Progressive Discipline process to manage employees.
31. Firing methods, techniques, and equipment (e.g., fusees, drip torches, helitorch, terra torch) for fuel modification, suppression, and mitigation.
32. Navigational aids (e.g., Global Positioning Systems, maps, compass) for assistance in navigation and mapmaking.
33. Extinguishing agents (e.g., water, foam, dry chemicals) to aid in fire suppression.
34. Interagency relationships to maintain effective cooperative relationships.
35. Adverse effects of emergency operations (e.g., environmental, political, economic) to mitigate damage and comply with Department policies and procedures.
36. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and procedures to ensure employees are protected from discrimination in the workplace.
37. The Department’s safety procedures and programs (e.g., Injury and Illness Prevention Program, Workers’ Compensation Program, Return to Work Program, Respiratory Protection Program) to ensure personnel safety and compliance with Federal and State law.
38. The appropriate use, care, and inspection of Personnel Protective Equipment to ensure firefighter safety and survival.
39. The proper use and maintenance of firefighting tools and equipment for fuels treatment, suppression, mitigation, and repair.
40. The emergency response guides (e.g., Incident Response Pocket Guide, Emergency Response Guidebook) to ensure firefighter safety.
41. The Department’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Program (e.g., Employee Support Services, Employee Assistance Program, Peer Counseling, Critical Incident Stress Management, Substance Abuse Assistance Program) to encourage health and wellbeing of staff in accordance with Department policies and procedures.
42. Department programs to maintain effective internal cooperative relationships.
43. Department issuance systems (e.g., Personnel Procedures Manual, training manual, finance manual, Command and Control Handbook) to ensure compliance with Department policies and procedures.   
44. Helicopters and helitack equipment for use in air support operations for fire suppression.
45. Patient assessment (e.g., vital signs, skin signs, level of consciousness) to identify proper patient care.
46. The inspection, maintenance, and safe operation of department mobile equipment (e.g., utility vehicles, fire apparatus, boats, chippers, pumps) to ensure operational readiness.  
47. The appropriate use and maintenance of firefighting power tools and equipment (e.g., saws, portable pumps) for fuels treatment, suppression, and mitigation.
48. Ropes and knots (e.g., family of 8’s, square, becket) to prepare victims, personnel, or equipment for movement and rescue.
49. Chainsaw operations (e.g., felling, brushing, limbing) for fire control and firefighter safety per National Wildfire Coordinating Group and Department policies and procedures.
50. Techniques used to decontaminate medical and Personal Protective Equipment following incidents to ensure employee and public safety.
51. Department computer programs (e.g., California Automated Travel Expense Reimbursement System, Mobile Equipment Collective Data, Crystal Reports, E-pay, eFC33, FI$CAL, Vector Solutions) for personnel reporting to ensure compliance with Department policies and procedures.
52. Tactics and strategies (e.g., split loads, tandem drops) used in air support operations for fire suppression.
53. Helicopter and helitack safety procedures to ensure crew safety during air operations.
54. Emergency Command Center operations for incident mitigation.
55. California Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies and regulations to ensure the health and welfare of employees.  
56. Agency responsibility (e.g., Federal, State, and local agreements) to ensure appropriate financial obligation.  
57. Computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Department specific programs) to maintain accurate records, communicate effectively, and contribute to the Department operations.  
58. Hazardous material incident operations (e.g., isolate and deny entry, turn off a valve, dike or dam the flow) to identify and recognize the appropriate response.  
59. Fire protection and prevention methods (e.g., inspections and preplans) used to suppress and prevent various types of fires.
60. Various codes and ordinances relating to land use, life hazard, fire hazard, and risk reduction to ensure compliance.
61. Various Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and ordinances (e.g., Public Resource Code, local land use and developmental codes) relating to land use, life hazard, fire hazard, and risk reduction to ensure compliance.
62. Basic human anatomy to aid in medical emergencies.
63. Project management techniques to ensure the progress and completion of work assignments and tasks conform to the overall project and organizational objectives.
64. Conservation camps, fire centers, and interactions with local government in cooperation with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Conservation Corps, and California National Guard to ensure safe and effective operations.  
65. Fire hazard reduction methods (e.g., fuels reduction, fuels management plans, pre-fire engineering) to mitigate and suppress fires.
66. Fire protection systems (e.g., sprinkler systems, fire department connections, standpipes) for preplanning and fire suppression.
67. Investigation techniques, methods, and practices (e.g., origin and cause, case report writing, interviews) to gather information for fire prevention and/or enforcing fire laws.
68. Department requisition and purchasing procedures to acquire materials and equipment for facilities, programs, or projects.
69. Mathematic calculations (e.g., addition, algebra, multiplication, geometry) for effective job performance.

Skill to:

1. Multi-task during emergency and non-emergency situations to meet operational effectiveness.
2. Speak to others in English to effectively convey information (e.g., incident, safety, education) at the high school graduate level.
3. Communicate effectively with the public to receive and convey information at the level equivalent to a high school graduate level.
4. Read and comprehend information (e.g., fire, medical, policies and procedures) at the high school graduate level to effectively interpret information.  
5. Produce written correspondence in English at the high school graduate level (e.g., email, letters, forms) to effectively convey information.
6. Safely drive and operate emergency equipment (e.g., utility vehicles, fire apparatus, Emergency Crew Transport) through adverse conditions (e.g., mountainous/rough terrain, heavy traffic, long drives, inclement weather) to perform official duties.  
7. Use communication equipment (e.g., radio, telephone, Mobile Data Computer) for effective communication in emergency and non-emergency situations.
8. Don appropriate fire and safety gear (e.g., Nomex, turnouts, vests) to provide for firefighter safety according to Department policies and procedures.
9. Operate Self Contained Breathing Apparatus equipment for effective operation and use.
10. Use navigation tools (e.g., Global Positioning Systems, maps, compass) for assistance in navigation and mapmaking.
11. Operate firefighting equipment (e.g., hoses, extinguishers, ladders) for safe and effective use during fire suppression and training.
12. Operate various fire pumps (e.g., vehicle, portable, auxiliary) for safe and effective use during fire suppression and training.  

A Departmental Promotional eligible list for the BATTALION CHIEF Classification will be established for:

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

The list(s) will be abolished 24 months after being established, unless the needs of the State and conditions of the list(s) warrant a change in this period.

Veterans' Preference is not granted for promotional examinations.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

CAL FIRE Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 767-8359
ReasonableAccommodations@fire.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.