Chief Engineer

Monthly salary range: $15,263.00 - $17,336.00. New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable. This position is subject to the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025, which temporarily reduces monthly base pay by 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary range shown does not reflect this reduction.

About the Department

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California’s fire department and resource management agency, comprised of nearly 14,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California. CAL FIRE offers well-paying careers, opportunities for advancement, and a collaborative work environment where employees build trust and teamwork while responding to emergencies and challenging situations.

Responsibilities

Detailed duties for this position are available in the Duty Statement provided in the additional documents section of the posting.

Requirements

• Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If using education to meet Minimum Qualifications, unofficial transcripts/diploma must be submitted for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment.
• All job applicants must provide their employment history on the State Application (STD 678) rather than attaching a resume to the form. Applications missing this information may be considered incomplete.
• Do NOT include confidential information (e.g., Social Security Number, birthdate, student ID, driver’s license number unless required, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, or age) on any submitted documents.
• If it is determined a candidate does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, they will be withheld from the eligibility list and may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Who May Apply

• Individuals currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, reinstatement, or with list/LEAP eligibility.
• Those in the process of obtaining list eligibility or with SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (priority given to SROA/Surplus candidates).
• Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the PRINCIPAL TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER classification specifications.

Application Process

• Completed applications and required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date: 8/13/2026.
• Applications may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account or via hard copy.
• Required documents:
  • State Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) or electronic equivalent.
  • Resume (required and must be included).
  • Unofficial transcripts/diploma if using education to meet Minimum Qualifications.
• Reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process may be requested at the time of scheduling.