Fire Battalion Chaplain

DESCRIPTION

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is recruiting to fill a current vacancy for Fire Battalion Chaplain and to establish an eligibility list for future vacancies for Fire Battalion Chaplain, and Associate Chaplain.

MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of the OCFA Chaplain Program is to provide spiritual guidance, counseling, and assistance, by designated clergy, to OCFA employees, their immediate families, and the community during and following emergency and crisis situations.

OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM

The OCFA recognizes that during or after crisis situations employees, their immediate families, and the community may need access to spiritual guidance, counseling, and assistance.  The OCFA's Chaplain Program is designed to meet these needs in keeping with the general philosophy of service to OCFA employees and the citizens of Orange County.  The Chaplain Program is staffed by one chaplain per battalion to accomplish the goals and purposes of the program.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

Under the administration of a Sr. Chaplain, chaplains are assigned to work with a Battalion Chief liaison to the department and work within the Fire Operations Division/Community Volunteer Services branch.

SALARY This is a voluntary unpaid position. Each Battalion Chaplain will receive $250 per month stipend to cover out of pocket and gas expenses. Associate Chaplains are volunteers and are not compensated financially for their service.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

General Policies of the Position of Battalion Chaplain

Each Battalion Chaplain is expected to serve eight (8) hours per month accomplishing the following tasks:

The chaplains are to make themselves available to their assigned battalion in order to familiarize themselves with the personnel and the procedures on a day-to-day basis.

The chaplains will provide coverage for one another for illness and vacation. Otherwise, this is a 24-hour "on-call" assignment as notified by ECC and/or requested by OCFA personnel. Chaplains shall be allowed the privilege of follow-up work, should it be requested and beneficial. Follow-up may involve counseling or service in the areas of bereavement, wedding officiating, marriage and parenting counseling, and referral to local faith communities. In such instances, chaplains shall conduct follow-up work as a clergy person rather than as a representative of the OCFA.

The OCFA is a mutual aid agency and, as such, participates in regional chaplain responses, as need dictates.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities for Battalion Chaplain

• Visit fire stations, as well as participate in "ride-along" when invited, to develop relationships with fire personnel. Chaplains will seek permission to visit fire stations before meeting with fire personnel. Chaplains are expected to pay for their share of a common meal if they receive an invitation to stay for a meal.
• Respond to major disasters, including mass casualty events, death or serious injury to OCFA personnel or at the request of other agencies or hospitals.
• Assist citizens during or after emergency situations as appropriate.
• Offer confidential spiritual counseling, upon request, to OCFA employees and their families.
• In accordance with OCFA policy, and as trained, lead critical incident debriefing.
• Offer invocations at OCFA graduations, promotional activities, award ceremonies, and other public relations related activities.
• Upon request, represent OCFA before official bodies and at public functions.
• Serve as liaison with other spiritual leaders in the community, in particular and upon request, notify the victim's personal clergy person.
• Assist in making notification to families of OCFA employees who are seriously ill, injured, or deceased.
• Upon request, provide wedding and funeral services for OCFA employees.
• Make referrals in cases where specialized attention is needed or in those cases beyond the chaplain's abilities or responsibilities.
• Refrain from proselytizing or evangelizing during contact with OCFA employees while on duty. If directly queried, a chaplain may respond in a clergy capacity, with the faith-based theology according to their beliefs.
• Participate in training classes to enhance his/her effectiveness.
• Submit activity reports to theHIVE in a timely manner.
• If unable to cover assigned battalion due to ministry responsibilities, vacation, or medical issues, a chaplain is to arrange coverage by another OCFA chaplain and convey this information by phone to the ECC.

General Policies of the Position of Associate Chaplain

This is a 24-hour "on-call" assignment as notified by ECC and/or requested by OCFA personnel. Associate Chaplains shall be allowed the privilege of follow-up work, should it be requested and beneficial. Follow-up may involve counseling or service in the areas of bereavement, wedding officiating, marriage and parenting counseling, and referral to local faith communities. In such instances, chaplains shall conduct follow-up work as a clergy person rather than as a representative of the OCFA.

The OCFA is a mutual aid agency and, as such, participates in regional chaplain responses, as need dictates.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities for Associate Chaplain

• Be available, when requested, to assist Battalion Chaplains in an incident or follow-up with an OCFA employee.
• Respond to major disasters, including mass casualty events, death or serious injury to OCFA personnel or at the request of other agencies or hospitals.
• Assist citizens during or after emergency situations as appropriate.
• Offer confidential spiritual counseling, upon request, to OCFA employees and their families.
• Refrain from proselytizing or evangelizing during contact with OCFA employees while on duty. If directly queried, a chaplain may respond in a clergy capacity, with the faith-based theology according to their beliefs.
• Participate in training classes to enhance his/her effectiveness.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

General Requirements

• Be an active spiritual leader--either a licensed or ordained member of the clergy with an organized community of faith.
• Completion of a course of instruction in Critical Incident Stress Management, with an emphasis on crisis intervention.
• Possess a valid California driver's license.
• Successfully complete an OCFA interview and background investigation process.
• Show spiritual sensitivity and compassion for all persons with whom they come in contact, regardless of race, gender, social status, or faith.
• Battalion Chaplain Only: Donate a minimum of eight (8) hours per month to the program--usually fulfilled by riding along with firefighters, answering calls, or providing counseling to OCFA personnel as needed.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• Recruitment Closes – Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM
• Oral interviews – Tuesday, July 28, 2026
• Anticipated Start Date – TBD

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION:

Applicant must submit, during the application filing period, an online application and attach any supplemental information as required in the job announcement, which includes a copy of the license or certificate of ordination. Online resumés and other unsolicited materials may be attached but will not be considered in lieu of the required online application, unless otherwise specified in the job announcement. The OCFA reserves the right to limit the number of online applications when necessary. Applicants are responsible for maintaining/updating their contact information through the online application system.

PRE-HIRE REQUIREMENTS:

Before an employee is hired, he/she must successfully complete pre-employment requirements including, but not limited to: fingerprinting and background check, reference check, DMV check, licensure/certification check, and volunteer statement.

SELECTION PROCEDURES:

INITIAL SELECTION REVIEW:

Human Resources reviews all initial application materials to identify qualified applicants. Applicants meeting minimum qualifications will be invited to the first phase of the recruitment process. The OCFA reserves the right to refer only the better qualified applicants if the number of applicants is high. If the number of applicants is high, the review process may include a secondary screening (by a panel of job knowledge experts) of the applications and/or supplemental questionnaires in which the better qualified applicants are referred to the next phase of the recruitment process. Because recruitment processes vary, applicants are advised to thoroughly review the job announcement before submitting their online application materials.

TESTING:

Testing for this position or any other position may include, but is not limited to the following: written exam, practical exam, panel interview, physical ability test, assessment center, oral presentation, project assignment, etc. If a revision is made to a testing component during a recruitment process, the assigned recruiter will notify by email all affected applicants.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) ACCOMMODATION:

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, anyone who needs an ADA accommodation for the purposes of employment testing should contact the assigned recruiter, Julie Kwak, Human Resources Analyst II at (714) 573-6828 or via email atjuliekwak@ocfa.orgno later than 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.

RECRUITMENT/SELECTION PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS:

All recruitment/selection process and requirements will be held in accordance with the OCFA's Selection Rules, which are available for inspection upon request.

ELIGIBLE LIST:

The duration of an Eligible List is one (1) year, unless otherwise specified in the job announcement.

WITHDRAWING FROM RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

Whenever an applicant chooses to withdraw from a recruitment process, he/she is required to submit an email notification to Julie Kwak, Human Resources Analyst II atjuliekwak@ocfa.orgrequesting a withdrawal from the process. The email to the recruiter must include the applicant's current phone number.

QUESTIONS:

All questions regarding this position should be directed to Julie Kwak, Human Resources Analyst II at (714) 573-6828 orjuliekwak@ocfa.orgupon opening of this recruitment.

NOTE: The provisions of this publication do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision in this publication may be modified or revoked without notice.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The Orange County Fire Authority is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.