Firefighter Trainee

Salary (during academy):
$5974.80 per month

Salary (first day of the pay period following academy graduation):
$6763.12 per month (Base Salary Step 1) $608.68 (9% EMT Pay)* $7371.80 per month

*Additional bonus pay may be applicable after academy graduation depending on eligibility criteria specified in Article XXIV Section 2 of theOCPFA Local 3631 MOU.

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is currently accepting applications for the position of Firefighter Trainee. Please review the entire recruitment bulletin for important information before applying.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple future academies.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
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: Oral Interview
TBD: Eligibility List Established
June 15 July 17 2026: Chiefs 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

Please note all dates are subject to change based on the OCFA needs.

CLASS SUMMARY:
Under close supervision in a training capacity to learn to perform firefighting duties used in the suppression of structural aircraft wildland and other types of fires; to learn to perform routine fire prevention activities; and to learn other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is a trainee class. Incumbents attend an OCFA departmental academy to develop and demonstrate the minimum qualifications required for entry into a career as a firefighter. Appointment as a firefighter is based on satisfactory evaluations and graduation from the academy.

To review the entire Firefighter Trainee job description please go to.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (position requirements at time of application):

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Possession of a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED)
• No experience required

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS (position requirement at time of application):

• Possession of a valid Class C Driver License or out of state equivalent
  • Candidates who possess an out of state equivalent license must possess a Commercial Drivers License at time of appointment.
• Possession of a valid current California or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License

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

ApplicantsMUSTattach a copy of their valid current California or National Registry EMT or Paramedic License at time of application submission. Only a copy of one of the licenses below will meet this requirement.

Failure to submit required document at time of application will result in disqualification.

HIGHLY DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possession of a valid current California or National Registry Paramedic License
• Completion of a California State certified Firefighter I Academy
• Possession of a California State Fire Marshal Fire Fighter I Certificate
• Bilingual speaking skills (English and one of the following languages: Spanish Farsi Chinese/Mandarin/Cantonese Korean Vietnamese Urdu Hindi Tagalog or American Sign Language)

ONLINE APPLICATION:
Human Resources will screen all applications for minimum qualifications as listed above.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION:
The OCFA utilizes the FCTCs Statewide Eligibility List (SEL). Applicants must be on the FCTC SEL at the end of OCFAs 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 drivers 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 dated March 2 2025 through March 1 2026 (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 (written exam must be taken between March 2 2025 through March 1 2026 for this recruitment process)
  • The OCFA only accepts FCTC scores of 80% or higher

For more information on the FCTC SELclick here.

To view the FCTC test scheduleclick here.

For information regarding the FCTC financial hardship grantclick here.

All of the information above can be found on FCTCs website

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.

Only qualified OCFA candidates on the FCTC SEL with a score of 80% or higher will be invited to the Biddle Physical Ability Test. The written exam will have a weight of 25% of the candidates overall score.

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.

• Possession of a current Biddle Physical Ability Certificate completed between September 1 2025 through March 1 2026 will be accepted as substitute for participation in this portion of the selection process.
• Candidates MUST attach a copy of their valid Biddle Physical Ability Certificate completed between September 1 2025 through March 1 2026 to their application in order to substitute for participation in this portion of the selection process.
• Possession of a CPAT will NOT be accepted in lieu of the Biddle Physical Agility Examination portion of the selection process though it is still required for the FCTC SEL.

Human Resources will notify candidates byEMAIL 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.

ORAL PANEL INTERVIEW:
The minimum passing score is 80%. The panel interview will have a weight of 75% of the candidates overall score. All candidates who achieve a passing score on the panel interview will be placed on the eligibility list.

The panel interview will be arranged by Human Resources. Human Resources will notify referred candidates byEMAIL of the scheduled dates times and locations.

ELIGIBILITY LIST:
Placement on the eligibility list will be established based on a combination of the written examination (25%) and the panel oral interview scores (75%). 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.

CHIEFS INTERVIEW:
Candidates who successfully complete the Chiefs interview may be invited to begin the pre-employment background process.

The Chiefs interview will be arranged by Human Resources. Human Resources will notify referred candidates byEMAIL of the scheduled dates times and locations.

SELECTION:
Tentative selections will be completed after the Fire Chief interviews. Final placement in any academy will be determined based on successful completion of:

• Pre-employment medical examination
• Background check
• Pre-academy physical fitness assessment

PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL EXAMINATION:
Candidate must successfully complete a comprehensive pre-employment medical exam including a drug screen through the OCFAs 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 OCFAs 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 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.

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.