Pilot of Fire Boats - Fire Department (H120)

Pilot Of Fire Boats

Established in 1866, the San Francisco Fire Department is rich in tradition and history. From the Great Earthquake and Fire of 1906 to the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989, the Department has grown to meet the many challenges along the way. Today, the San Francisco Fire Department serves an estimated 1.5 million people, providing fire suppression, fire prevention and emergency medical services to the residents, visitors and workers within San Francisco's 49 square miles.

Under general supervision is responsible for the safe piloting and navigation of a fire boat in response to fire alarms, emergency incidents, public service activities, training, and other activities requiring the support or services of the vessel; maintains the vessel's equipment in top operational condition; keeps up-to-date logs and other records in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations; ensures that personnel aboard the fire boat adhere to safety standards; and performs other related duties as required.

Distinguishing Features

An H120 Pilot of Fire Boats is distinguished from H110 Marine Engineer in that the H120 is responsible for piloting and navigating the fire boat, and the H110 is responsible for the mechanical and electrical systems, and engine room of the fire boat.

Supervision Exercised

Supervises boat crew.

Major, Important, and Essential Duties

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code / class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

• Operates the vessel's pilot house and bridge equipment while responding to an emergency or service, or in preparation to get underway.
• Takes the helm, gives engine orders, and operates propulsion controls, radar, compass, radio, and other communications and navigation equipment.
• Navigates the fire boat in all weather conditions and at all hours of the day in response to all calls requiring fire boat support and services.
• Participates in fire suppression duties as necessary and practicable.
• Maneuvers fire boats in position to enable crew members' maximum effectiveness to fight fires and protect life and property.
• Takes effective damage control measures to save personnel and equipment in case of casualty or emergency caused by collision, grounding, foundering, explosion, or fire.
• Inspects fire boats and equipment and performs or arranges for required maintenance of a variety of deck and navigation equipment.
• Participates in cleaning, scaling and painting duties, performs minor repairs and alterations to topside areas, holds, and deck equipment.
• Maintains up-to-date log books and other records in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Ensures all personnel aboard the fire boat adhere to safety standards.
• Participates in inspections of occupied and unoccupied buildings and other structures in the area of the San Francisco Bay for fire suppression planning purposes.

This selection process is open to individuals meeting all of the minimum qualifications listed below at the time of application filing.

Minimum Qualifications

Education : A high school diploma or an equivalency certificate (e.g., G.E.D., California High School Proficiency Certificate) Experience : 10 years verifiable experience as master aboard commercial vessels. One year of experience [2080 hours] within the last two years as master aboard commercial vessels.

License and Certification : Possession of a current license of 500 gross tons issued by the United States Coast Guard in any of the following categories : "Master's license valid for ocean, coastwise, or inland" "Master Freight and Tow" "Master (Operator), Un-inspected Towing Vessels" Above license must include radar endorsement. Pass federally mandated random drug screening.

Desirable Qualifications

Recent experience maintaining and operating vessels on the San Francisco Bay and in its tributaries. Recent experience operating tugboats and / or fireboats.

A completed application must be submitted by the final filing date. Applicants are encouraged to file immediately as this recruitment may close at any time, but no earlier than October 31, 2025.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of : navigation rules and regulations; safety procedures in hazardous conditions; seamanship; nautical terms; applicable piloting and navigation instructions and directives; operational and tactical maneuvering of fireboats during emergency response; aids and hazards of navigation in the Bay; depths of water in the Bay; characteristics of local waters, tides, currents, winds, weather, and general hydrographs; locations of all berths, anchorages, and other facilities in the area of the San Francisco Bay; local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the operation of vessels in the Bay, ocean, and inland waters; use and care of a fireboat navigation system; Fire Department communications system related to fire boat operations; fire boat command structure and how it relates to the Incident Command System; sources of information relating to laws, rules, and regulations affecting navigation of vessels in the Bay; objectives, principles, and practices of waterfront pre-fire planning; Fire Department organizational functions, rules, regulations, and procedures; and principles of supervision and training.

Ability or Skill to : Effectively operate and maneuver a fireboat in emergency situations in all types of weather and at all hours of the day; work effectively with others; properly and effectively use Fire Department equipment; think quickly and use good judgment in making decisions under stressful circumstances or under adverse situations; communicate effectively both orally and in writing to members of the department, the public, or representatives of other agencies; establish and maintain good working relations with employees and the general public; complete all necessary reports, correspondence, and documentation as required in the performance of assigned duties (e.g., journal entries, log books, etc.); navigate a fireboat using radar, radios, signal equipment, etc.

Verification : A copy of the current valid license issued by the United States Coast Guard must be received in by 4 : 00 PM on November 03, 2025. The verification must be submitted by email to DHR-publicsafety@sfgov.org (DHR_publicsafety@sfgov.org). Applicants who do not submit the verification by the deadline may be disqualified. Candidates who are listed on the eligible list, but do not yet have radar endorsement, will be placed under waiver on the list and will not be eligible for consideration for hire until such time as radar endorsement has been submitted.

Note : Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Selection Process

Note : Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed to advance through all of the steps in the selection process. Additional selection processes may be conducted by the hiring department prior to making final hiring decisions. Pending the availability of permanent positions, candidates may be offered the option of working a limited number of shifts on an as-needed basis.

Each qualified applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire may be reviewed by Subject Matter Experts with regard to how well the applicant's experience matches the requirements of the position. Those candidates whose experience is determined to most closely match the requirements of the position will be invited to participate in a performance exercise.

Possession of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement in the process, and the decision of the screening committee is final. Qualified applicants will be notified by mail of the exact date, time, and location of the performance exercise approximately 30 days in advanced prior to test administration. Candidates must successfully complete the performance exercise to receive a final score.

Performance Test (100%) : The performance exercise will be designed to measure knowledge areas and abilities including, but not limited to the following : knowledge of navigation rules and regulations; knowledge of safety procedures in hazardous conditions; knowledge of nautical terms; knowledge of applicable piloting and navigation instructions and directives; knowledge of the operation and tactical maneuvering of fireboats during emergency and non-emergency operations; knowledge of the aids and hazards to navigation in the Bay; knowledge of the depths of water in the Bay; knowledge of the characteristics of local waters, tides, currents, winds, weather, and general hydrographs; knowledge of the locations of all berths, anchorages, and other facilities in the area of the Bay; knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the operation of vessels in the Bay, the ocean, and inland waters; knowledge of compass errors; knowledge of the use and care of the fireboat navigation system; knowledge of sources of information relating to laws, rules, and regulations affecting the navigation of vessels in the Bay; knowledge of the principles of supervision and training; ability to effectively operate and maneuver fireboat in emergency situations in all types of weather and at all hours of the