Title
Report regarding a resolution approving the first amendment to the fiscal year 2026-2027 wage salary schedule to add the job classification of Paramedic Firefighter Trainee (Leah Lockhart, Human Resources Director )
label
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Move to adopt a resolution approving the first amendment to the wage and salary schedule for fiscal year 2026-2027
Body
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On July 8, 2026, the City Council adopted Resolution 26-1987 approving the 2026-2027 wage and salary schedule (“salary schedule”) for all positions of employment for the City of South San Francisco. The salary schedule is updated at the beginning of each fiscal year and amended as needed to implement negotiated rate increases or other recommended changes to job classifications and pay rates. The attached resolution includes a proposed amendment to the salary schedule for fiscal year 2026-2027, reflecting the following changes:
Paramedic Firefighter Trainee
Under the current job classification structure, newly hired entry-level Paramedic Firefighters are required to complete the fire academy prior to beginning their field training program with the City. As the fire academy is only offered twice each year, the timing of onboarding new recruits is limited to the start date of the academy. In order to expedite the hiring process and retain qualified candidates, Human Resources staff have worked closely with the Fire Department on a solution to allow more flexibility in hiring entry-level Paramedic Firefighters.
Staff recommend the inclusion of a Paramedic Firefighter Trainee job classification on the wage and salary schedule to allow a new hire to complete the paramedic portion of field training program prior to attending the academy. This new job classification will be used exclusively for new hires that are recruited as Paramedic Firefighters and are scheduled to attend the fire academy to become fully qualified as a Paramedic Firefighter. This would allow the Fire Department to start the new recruit earlier, which would expedite the field training program and ensure retention of qualified candidates at the conclusion of the recruitment and selection process.
Staff met and conferred with representatives of International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1507 and reached tentative agreement on the pay rate for Paramedic Firefighter Trainee and reached agreement on the associated job description and terms for the new classification. The proposed pay rate is $40.72 per hour, which is approximately twenty percent (20%) below the rate of a fully qualified Paramedic Firefighter. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Paramedic the Firefighter Trainee would not be subject to the same exemptions that allow fire suppression personnel to work a greater number of scheduled hours without incurring overtime costs. Therefore, although a Paramedic Firefighter Trainee would work the same hours as a Paramedic Firefighter (equivalent to a 56-hour workweek), they would receive an overtime premium for hours worked in excess of a standard 40-hour workweek. With scheduled overtime factored in, the biweekly pay is approximately equal to that of a 40-hour Paramedic Firefighter Recruit while attending the fire academy, and approximately eight percent (8%) below that of a fully qualified Paramedic Firefighter.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the Paramedic Firefighter Trainee wage schedule will not result in an increase in salary and benefit costs, and no additional positions will be added to the Fire Department as a result of this action. Therefore, no budget adjustment is needed.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES ACTION PLAN
This action supports the Modern and Sustainable Organization major focus area by ensuring that the City maintains competitive compensation packages to recruit and retain qualified staff and provides flexibility in the timing of filling vacant positions within the Fire Department.
ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS
File 26-2359: Resolution
ATTACHMENTS
1. Job Description for Paramedic Firefighter Trainee