Orange County Fire Authority — Irvine, CA
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The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is currently accepting applications for the position of Firefighter Paramedic - Trainee. Candidates must agree to a two-year assignment in a paramedic post position . Please review the entire recruitment bulletin for important information before applying.
Salary (during academy): $6,243.67* per month ** + 9% EMT Bonus = $6,805.60** per month
Salary upon paramedic accreditation/activation (approximately week 22 of employment): $8,312.57 per month (Step 7 of Firefighter Classification) + 9% EMT Bonus + 17.5% Paramedic Bonus = $10,515.40 per month
28-Month ** Salary Outlook: Effective January 1, 2030, a candidate who is hired as part of this selection process, may be making up to $13,385.44 per month** (step 12, $10,376.31 + 9% EMT Bonus + 20% Paramedic Bonus).
*Estimate based on the following base salary adjustments this classification is scheduled to receive: 4.5% effective March 19, 2027 4.5% effective March 17, 2028 4.5% effective March 16, 2029 4.5% effective March 15, 2030 4.5% effective March 14, 2031
Medical, Vision, and Dental Benefits A Firefighter Paramedic with no dependents pays **ZERO ($0) ** out of pocket for PPO Medical and Vision. Optional PPO Dental insurance is only $6.00 per month. Please use link below to learn more about benefits available for this position.
OCPFA Benefits
OCFA FIRE ACADEMY: Candidates who successfully complete the selection process and are selected for employment with the Orange County Fire Authority must successfully complete a nineteen (19) week firefighter academy.
ORANGE COUNTY PARAMEDIC ACCREDITATION: **MUST ** complete Orange County Paramedic Accreditation.
**PROBATION PERIOD: ** Probation period is equal to the completion of the Firefighter Basic Training Recruit Academy. Upon promotion from Firefighter Trainee promotional probation period is fifty-two (52) weeks from the date of promotion.
PARAMEDIC POST POSITION COMMITMENT REQUIRMENT: All candidates selected for this position must agree to a 2-year commitment in an OCFA Firefighter/Paramedic position. The 2-year commitment for Firefighter Paramedic - Trainee recruits begins upon obtaining OCEMSA Paramedic Accreditation specifically through or sponsored by OCFA, not through any other agency. All newly hired paramedics must promptly complete the OCEMSA and OCFA accreditation process directly following the OCFA recruit academy or at the next available accreditation session. Throughout this commitment period, these individuals are not intended to fill BLS roles. Additionally, if a member is Administratively Assigned by OCFA during the commitment, the assignment period counts toward their 2-year obligation. Should a member promote within OCFA, specifically through FAE promotions—such advancement will also be counted as part of the commitment time. ## ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS To review the entire Firefighter Trainee job description please go to www.ofa.org.
CLASS SUMMARY: ** ** Under supervision, to perform a full range of firefighting duties in the suppression of structural, aircraft, wildland, and other types of fires; and/or to provide emergency paramedical services to the community; and to do other work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: ** ** Incumbents perform a full range of firefighting and paramedic duties and may serve in a technical assignment performing one of the following: fire prevention, training, arson investigation, communications, and others. Paramedic and hazardous materials emergency response duties required additional qualifications and receive special compensation. ## MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION (position requirements at time of application) :
**EXPERIENCE: **
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS (position requirements at time of application) :
Possession of a valid Class C California Driver License or out of state equivalent
Candidates who possess an out of state equivalent license must possess a Commercial Driver’s License at time of appointment.
Applicants MUST ** attach a copy of their valid, current California or National Registry Paramedic License at time of application submission. Failure to submit required documentation at time of application will result in disqualification. ## SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:* Monday, September 21, 2026: Recruitment Opens Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.: Last day to apply on-line November 7 - 15, 2026: Biddle Physical Agility Test coordinated by the OCFA (possession of a current Biddle Physical Ability Certificate completed on or after April 15, 2026 WILL be substituted for this portion of the selection process) December 7 – 18, 2026: Paramedic Assessment Center (Interview/Skills/Written) TBD: Eligibility List Established January 1 – 31, 2027: Chief's Interview February 15 – April 30, 2027: Background Investigation, Pre-employment Medical Examination, and Pre-Academy Physical Fitness Assessment June 11, 2027 (Preferably May 28): Academy On-Boarding Orientation July 23, 2027: First Day of Fire Academy/Family Orientation
* Please note, all dates are subject to change.
**ONLINE APPLICATION: ** Human Resources will screen all applications for minimum qualifications as listed above.
WRITTEN EXAMINATION: The OCFA utilizes the Fire Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List (SEL). Candidates must be on the FCTC SEL by the end of OCFA’s application acceptance period, Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m . The requirements to be placed on the FCTC SEL are as follows:
Receive a passing score on the FCTC Written Test – Written test score expires 12 months from date taken
**The OCFA only accepts FCTC scores of 80% or higher **
To view the FCTC test schedule, click here. Candidates are responsible to schedule and complete the FCTC Written exam.
BIDDLE PHYSICAL AGILITY EXAMINATION : Candidates must pass the Biddle Physical Ability Test in a time of 9 minutes and 34 seconds or less. The Biddle Physical Ability Test will be coordinated by the OCFA at a nearby Orange County college (TBD) and proctored by the college staff.
Human Resources will notify candidates by ** EMAIL ** of the scheduled dates, times, and locations. Candidates will be required to pay the cost of the Biddle Physical Ability Test (approximately $40.00) at time of examination. All candidates who pass the Biddle Physical Ability Test (or attach a valid copy of a Biddle to their application) will be invited to the Paramedic Assessment Center.
Candidates who want to obtain a Biddle on their own can find more information on how to schedule a Biddle locally at Rio Hondo College, Santa Ana College, and Mt. San Antonion College.
**PARAMEDIC ASSESSMENT CENTER: **
**The Paramedic Assessment Center consist of: **
**PARAMEDIC WRITTEN EXAMINATION: ** The minimum passing score is 80%. The written exam will have a weight of 15% of the candidate’s overall score.
PANEL ORAL INTERVIEW: The minimum passing score is 80%. The panel interview will have a weight of 50% of the candidate's overall score.
**PARAMEDIC SKILLS EXAMINATION: ** The minimum passing score is 80%. The paramedic skills examination will have a weight of 35% of the candidate's overall score. Candidates who achieve passing scores on all portions of the paramedic assessment center will be placed on the eligibility list.
Human Resources will arrange the Paramedic Assessment Center. Human Resources will notify referred candidates by **EMAIL ** of the scheduled dates, times, and locations.
**ELIGIBILITY LIST: ** Placement on the eligibility list will be established based on a combination the written examination (15%), panel oral interview scores (50%) and paramedic assessment examination (35%). The Biddle Physical Ability Test is pass/fail. The eligibility list will remain in effect for a period of one (1) year from the date of establishment or until all the names on the list are exhausted. The eligibility list may be extended or abolished at the discretion of the Assistant Chief of Human Resources.
CHIEF'S INTERVIEW: Candidates who successfully complete the Chief's interview may be invited to begin the pre-employment background process.
Human Resources will arrange the Chief’s interview. Human Resources will notify referred candidates by EMAIL of the scheduled dates, times, and locations.
SELECTION: Tentative selections will be completed after the Paramedic Assessment Center. Final placement in any academy will be determined based on successful completion of:
**PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL EXAMINATION: ** Candidate must successfully complete a comprehensive pre-employment medical exam including a drug screen through the OCFA's designated physician.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND: Candidate must successfully complete a comprehensive pre-employment background investigation including but not limited to fingerprinting, current and previous employment history check, reference check, DMV check, criminal history check, and licensure/certification check.
**PRE-ACADEMY PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT: ** Candidate must complete a comprehensive Pre-Academy Physical Fitness Assessment through the OCFA's designated assessment vendor.
All job offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal conviction check (Live-Scan), comprehensive pre-employment medical exam and drug screen, and pre-academy physical fitness assessment.
After an offer of employment is made, a candidate must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States in accordance with Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986.
**LOYALTY OATH: ** All new employees must take an oath of allegiance to the United States of America and the State of California.
**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 Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analyst at (714) 573 - 6816 or via email at bradstephens@ocfa.org within 72 hours prior to the need for the accommodation.
**TOBACCO PRODUCTS: ** Employees represented by the OCPFA hired after September 1, 2016 are not permitted to use tobacco products on or off duty.
**QUESTIONS: ** All questions regarding this position should be directed to Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analyst at (714) 573 - 6816 or via email at bradstephens@ocfa.org.
**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.
Employment Status Firefighter trainees must successfully complete the Authority's Basic Fire Academy as a condition of employment. Employees under this classification are represented by the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA) IAFF - Local 3631.
Salary Firefighter trainees receive a flat hourly wage rate as stated in the job description. Trainees are not eligible for a merit increase due to the "trainee" capacity.
Health Benefits Pursuant to a Health Plan Agreement, the Authority contributes to the OCPFA medical benefit trust fund for health insurance and other related benefits. Brown Insurance Services (BIS) is the administrator for these benefits. The current contribution to the medical benefit trust fund will continue through 3/1/2028in the amount of $2,199.49/month for "actively employed" enrollee members of the unit.
Retirement All regular OCFA employees are members of the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) - a defined benefit retirement program. Employees are enrolled in one of the following retirement formulas based on date of hire.
Legacy Safety Members: Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who establish reciprocity with OCERS are enrolled in the 3% at age 55 retirement formula (Plan R). Please visit OCERS to view compensation and benefit limits. https://www.ocers.org/post/compensation-and-benefit-limits
New Safety Members: Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 without reciprocity are enrolled in the 2.7% at age 57 retirement formula (Plan V). Please visit OCERS to view compensation and benefit limits. https://www.ocers.org/post/compensation-and-benefit-limits
For more information about OCERS retirement, please visit OCERS, or view the Retirement Plan HERE.
Deferred Compensation Employees may voluntarily participate in the Authority’s deferred compensation plan. This plan is provided by Nationwide Retirement Services and allows for pre- and post-tax deferrals. This plan is 100% employee funded.
OCPFA Supplemental Retiree Medical Plan Employees contribute 1.0% of their base salary towards the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA) Supplemental Retiree Medical Plan Trust Fund.
Social Security Orange County Fire Authority employees are not covered under the provisions of Federal Social Security (OASDI); therefore, they are not required to contribute 6.2% of salary towards Social Security.
Medicare Employees contribute 1.45% to Medicare. Employees whose wages exceed $200,000 in a calendar year shall contribute an additional 0.9%.
Updated 07/2026