Berkeley, CA

[Surtur]

The Berkeley Fire Department is accepting applications from Feb 19 to Mar 31, 2008. Annual salary ranges from $85 - $107 K.

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=4278

[SCSmith]

Wow, not much time left for this one!

[LightsAndSirens]

The salary paid by Berkeley's fire department really shows how much higher the cost of living is in California. I mean, to make over $100,000/year just as a firefighter is unheard of in the area where I live. You'd be pretty rich here if you made that kind of money.

[dmleblanc]

$85-107K? Wow, that's pretty good. Of course, the downside is you have to live and work in Berkeley, CA....:rolleyes:

[SCSmith]

Pray tell, dmleblanc, what's wrong with living & working in Berkley? It's a small city (just over 100,000) with a reputation for having a lot to do and being a nice place to raise a family. It's also a college town, which might not be everyone's cup of tea, but that's not a big deal in my opinion.

[JLam77]

Pray tell, dmleblanc, what's wrong with living & working in Berkley? It's a small city (just over 100,000) with a reputation for having a lot to do and being a nice place to raise a family. It's also a college town, which might not be everyone's cup of tea, but that's not a big deal in my opinion.I think someone hates those dirty Berkley liberals. ;)

[dmleblanc]

I'm sure it's a very nice town, but it's also got a reputation for being a haven of liberalism run amok. Thanks but no thanks, I've got all the political correctness I can stand right now....

May I cite an example?

BERKELEY, Calif. — Local officials in this liberal city say it's time for the U.S. Marines to move out.

The City Council has voted to tell the Marines their downtown recruiting station is not welcome and "if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome guests."

The measure passed this week by a vote of 8-1.

The council also voted to explore enforcing a city anti-discrimination law, focusing on the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

In a separate item, the council voted, also 8-1, to give protest group Code Pink a parking space in front of the recruiting office once a week for six months and a free sound permit for protesting once a week.

Marine Capt. Richard Lund of the recruiting office declined comment on the council action.

The recruiting office opened in Berkeley about a year ago, operating quietly until about four months ago when Code Pink began regular sidewalk protests.

"I believe in the Code Pink cause. The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave," said Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates.

Code Pink is circulating petitions to get a measure on the ballot in November making it more difficult to open military recruiting offices in Berkeley if they are near homes, parks, schools, churches, libraries or health clinics.

Some employees and business owners aren't happy with the weekly protests.

"My husband's business is right upstairs, and this (protesting) is bordering on harassment," Dori Schmidt told the council. "I hope this stops."

[CALFFBOU]

$85-107K? Wow, that's pretty good. Of course, the downside is you have to live and work in Berkeley, CA....:rolleyes:


WRONG INFORMATION! Just because you work for this city does NOT mean you have to live there. They do NOT have a residency requirement. If you seriously want more info on the BFD or working in the city, please PM me...Bou


As for the "Urban Legend" of the scary California "Cost of Living" worry-


Can I please make a suggestion. Candidates commonly "freak out" when Bay Area or California jobs are mentioned simply based on the "cost of living".

One- Apply and get the job first.

Two- No need to wig out. You can live a very good life on Bay Area or California wages without overtime. True, you may not be able to afford the exact same area where you're working, but you should do fine once you get settled in.

The key is money management where ever you live. If you live in Texas, your rent is lower, but so is your paycheck. Its all realtive and how you manage your money.

Most FDs offer overtime so that helps. But I want to stress, if you just manage your money and live within your means, the big, ugly "cost of living" factor goes away. Atleast it did for me and the hundreds of other Firefighters in the region.

[Surtur]

I'm sure it's a very nice town, but it's also got a reputation for being a haven of liberalism run amok. Thanks but no thanks, I've got all the political correctness I can stand right now....

So let me get see if I have this right. Even though Berkeley has great schools & health care, low crime, a high standard of living, and a very high paying fire department, you wouldn't want to to work there just because the city is too politically correct? Don't worry, dmleblanc, I think their department will have more than enough applicants with their heads screwed on straight that they'll get by just fine without candidates who have your rather warped attitude.