Fire Department · Combination
Orange County Fire Authority
Irvine, CA · Orange County
“In service of others”
23 cities plus wildland and John Wayne Airport
Pay scale
| Fire Apparatus Engineer | $65,416–$87,402/yr |
| Firefighter Paramedic - Professional Experience | $9,061–$10,515 monthly |
| Firefighter Paramedic - Trainee | $6,806 monthly |
This internal recruitment for current non-probationary OCFA Fire Captains fills the Fire Apparatus Engineer Academy Coordinator assignment, eligible for Staff Assignment Pay and Staff Incentive Pay. Applications close October 29, 2026.
The Orange County Fire Authority is hiring a Fire Pilot requiring 4,000 logged PIC helicopter hours and an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate. This is a continuous recruitment with a first review date of September 1, 2026.
Current qualified non-probationary Orange County Fire Authority personnel with at least 3 years of firefighter experience are invited to apply for Academy Instructor positions. Enjoy a 4/10 work schedule and staff assignment pay. Applications close November 9, 2026.
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is a joint powers authority formed in 1995 that provides fire, rescue, and emergency services across much of Orange County, California. It is governed by a Board of Directors made up of elected officials from its member cities and the County of Orange.
The agency operates 78 fire stations organized into 7 divisions and 11 battalions, with over 1,200 personnel on duty. It serves 23 cities along with surrounding wildland areas, the University of California, Irvine, and John Wayne Airport.
OCFA runs a full all-hazards operation, fielding medic engines and trucks, heavy rescue, swift water rescue, hazmat, urban search and rescue, wildland resources including dozers and water tenders, and airport crash rescue. It was the first fire agency in California recognized by the National Firefighter Registry as a Gold Helmet Department for cancer-prevention efforts.
MissionProtecting the lives, property, & environment of Orange County
OCFA hires at several entry points: Firefighter Trainee (no firefighting experience required), Firefighter Paramedic Trainee (requires a California Paramedic License), and Firefighter Paramedic with professional experience (paramedic license plus at least six months of full-time experience with a government agency). No prior firefighting experience is required for the trainee track, though candidates must meet minimum education and physical requirements.
The selection process runs through a written exam, physical ability exam, pre-academy fitness assessment, and an oral interview, after which hires attend the OCFA firefighter academy. Current openings and applications are posted on the agency's government jobs portal.
Requirements
- No prior firefighting experience required for Firefighter Trainee, but candidates must meet minimum education and physical requirements
- Firefighter Paramedic Trainee requires a California Paramedic License
- Firefighter Paramedic (professional experience) requires a paramedic license plus at least six months of full-time experience with a government agency
Hiring process
- Written exam
- Physical ability exam
- Pre-academy fitness assessment
- Oral interview
- OCFA firefighter academy (after hire)
New hires attend the OCFA firefighter academy, where trainees learn fire suppression, emergency response, and rescue and prevention work.
Do I need firefighting experience to apply?
No. The Firefighter Trainee position is entry-level and requires no prior firefighting experience, though you must meet minimum education and physical requirements. Paramedic tracks require a California Paramedic License.
What are the steps in the hiring process?
Candidates complete a written exam, a physical ability exam, a pre-academy fitness assessment, and an oral interview. Those hired then attend the OCFA firefighter academy.
What positions does OCFA hire for?
OCFA hires Firefighter Trainees (no experience needed), Firefighter Paramedic Trainees (requires a California Paramedic License), and Firefighter Paramedics with professional experience (paramedic license plus at least six months of full-time government experience).
Is a paramedic license required?
It depends on the position. Firefighter Trainee does not require it, but both the Firefighter Paramedic Trainee and Firefighter Paramedic professional-experience roles require a California Paramedic License.
Where do I apply?
Current openings and applications are posted on OCFA's government jobs portal at governmentjobs.com/careers/ocfa. General recruitment information is available at JoinOCFA.org.