Description

UPCOMING RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT - UPDATED RECRUITMENT DATES***

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) will be accepting applications for the position of Firefighter Trainee beginning February 2, 2026. Please review this entire pre-recruitment announcement for important information.

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to complete a JOB INTEREST CARD to receive an email notification when the recruitment opens and to visit www.joinocfa.org for more information.

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, March 1, 2026. The requirements to be placed on the FCTC SEL are as follows:

Register and complete your profile on the FCTC website
Be 18 years of age or older
Possess a valid driver’s license – MUST upload to your profile AND keep current
Have a high school diploma or GED – MUST complete the education field in your profile
Possess a valid Cal-JAC Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Card – (CPAT results are uploaded automatically by FCTC)
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

For more information on the FCTC SEL, click here.

To view the FCTC test schedule, click here.

For information regarding the FCTC financial hardship grant, click here.

All of the information above can be found on FCTC’s website at www.fctconline.org

Exam scores from previous FCTC written exams taken as part of an OCFA recruitment process will not be considered in lieu of placement on the FCTC SEL.

Biddle Physical Agility Examination

ONLY candidates on the FCTC SEL with a score of 80% or higher will be invited to the Biddle Physical Ability Test.

The Biddle Physical Ability Test will be coordinated by the OCFA at a nearby Orange County college and proctored by the college staff. Possession of a current Biddle Physical Ability Certificate completed on or after September 1, 2025 WILL be substituted for this portion of the selection process. The OCFA does NOT accept a CPAT in lieu of participation in the Biddle Physical Ability Test (the CPAT is still a requirement for the FCTC SEL).

Fire Academy

Candidates who successfully complete the selection process and are chosen for employment with the Orange County Fire Authority must successfully complete a comprehensive, firefighter trainee academy.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience (position requirements at time of application):

Must be at least 18 years of age
Possession of a high school diploma or equivalency certificate
No experience required

License And Certification (position Requirements At Time Of Application)

Possession of a valid Class C California Driver License or out of state equivalent
Possession of a current, valid California or National Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License
Must be on Firefighter Candidate Testing Center’s (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List with a written exam score of 80% or higher as of the close of this recruitment, March 1, 2026

A current, valid California or National Registry Paramedic License will be accepted in lieu of a current, valid California or National EMT License.

Applicants will be required to attach a copy of their current, valid EMT or Paramedic License at time of application submission. Failure to submit the required documentation at time of application will result in disqualification.

Current Schedule Of Events

Monday, February 2, 2026: Recruitment Opens

Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.: Last day to apply on-line

March 21, 2026 – April 12, 2026: Biddle Physical Agility Test coordinated by the OCFA (possession of a current Biddle Physical Ability Certificate completed on or after September 1, 2025 WILL be substituted for this portion of the selection process)

May 4 – 29, 2026: Oral Interview

TBD: Eligibility List Established

June 15 – July 17, 2026: Chief's Interview

August 17 – November 30, 2026: Background Investigation, Pre-employment Medical Examination, and Pre-Academy Physical Fitness Assessment

December 11, 2026: Academy On-Boarding Orientation

February 5, 2027: First Day of Fire Academy/Family Orientation

The above timeline is tentative and subject to change based on OCFA needs.

Additional information regarding the selection process will be available on the recruitment announcement when the recruitment opens on February 2, 2026.

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 6/30/2026 in 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). The compensation limit for Legacy members for 2025 is $350,000.

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). The compensation limit for PEPRA members for 2025 is $186,096 (non-Social Security Participants).

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 03/2025

Orange County Fire Authority

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