Description
This recruitment is an Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) internal recruitment. ONLY applications from current, qualified non-probationary (all ranks) OCFA Fire Captains, Fire Apparatus Engineers, and Firefighter personnel will be accepted.
THE POSITION
The EMS and Training Division is now recruiting to fill multiple Firefighter Academy Instructor positions for upcoming firefighter academies.
This position requires a forty-hour workweek schedule (4/10 Monday through Thursday).
Essential Functions
Essential functions of Firefighter Academy Instructors include, but are not limited to:
Cadre members assigned to an academy are eligible to receive Staff Assignment Pay (SAP) and Staff Incentive Pay (SIP). Please refer to the IAFF - Local 3631 MOU, page 105 for additional information.
Minimum Qualifications
EXPERIENCE (requirements at entry/beginning of assignment):
Must be a current non-probationary (all ranks) OCFA Fire Captain, Fire Apparatus Engineer, or Firefighter in good standing with at least 3 years of experience as a Firefighter.
Highly Desirable Qualifications
How To Apply For This Position
To apply, go to www.ocfa.org. Interested personnel are to submit the following:
Tentative Schedule
Candidate Pool List
Placement on the Candidate Pool List will be established based on successful completion of all recruitment process components.
Questions Regarding The Position
Should you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Fire Battalion Chief Eric Bennett at [email protected].
Technical Difficulties With Neogov
Please contact the assigned recruiter, Ivonne Spagon, Human Resources Analyst II at [email protected] or (714) 573–6810.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ada) Accommodation
In accordance with the Americans with Disability Act, persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations for the purpose of testing should contact Ivonne Spagon, Human Resources Analyst II at [email protected] or (714) 573–6810 at least 72 hours prior to the need for accommodation.
Withdrawing From Recruitment Process
If an applicant chooses to withdraw from this recruitment process, they are required to submit an email notification to Ivonne Spagon, Human Resources Analyst II at [email protected] requesting a withdrawal from the process. The email to the recruiter must include the applicant's current phone number.
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.
Please note: This summary reflects the benefits for shift employees assigned to a 56-hour average duty week. For benefits information related to staff assignments (40-hour workweek), please refer to the OCPFA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Orange County Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA) Local 3631: This classification is represented by the OCPFA Local 3631. Please visit http://www.ocfirefighters.org for more information.
Base Salary Adjustments
Employees are eligible for an initial merit salary increase (1 to 4 steps) on the first day of the pay period following completion of fifty-two (52) weeks of service, and thereafter annually based on their work performance and until they reach the top of their 12-step salary range.
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.
Retiree Medical Savings Plan
Employees participate in an employer sponsored retirement Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) with a contribution of 3.0% of base salary. Firefighter Trainees and Handcrew Firefighters do not participate in this benefit.
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%.
Educational Incentive Pay
Employees with college-level semester units or a bachelor’s degree are eligible for educational incentive pay as follows:
Hand Crew Firefighters are not eligible for educational incentive Pay.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Pay
Employees (other than Firefighter Trainees) who maintain an active State of California EMT certification will receive, in addition to their regular salary, seven (9%) percent of each employee’s base salary per month, prorated on an hourly basis for regular hours paid.
Other Specialty Pays
Employees who move into special assignments at OCFA, or who possess specialized skills, may be eligible for other specialty pays. Please refer to the OCPFA MOU and Side Letter Agreements for further details.
Tuition Reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement is $2,000 per fiscal year to cover certain expenses associated with academic pursuits.
Holidays
Employees in the Firefighters Unit observe 13 holidays within the calendar year:
Vacation
Vacation accrual is based on hours of completed continuous service (regular hours) exclusive of overtime. For shift employees:
Sick leave is is based on hours of completed continuous service (regular hours) exclusive of overtime. For shift employees:
The Authority provides uniforms to employees.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
The OCFA offers regular, limited-term, and probationary employees both a Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), which allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars into an account that can be used throughout the year on qualified medical or dependent care expenses. Participants pay fewer taxes and take home more money. For 2022, the maximum employee contribution is $2,750 for eligible medical expenses. The maximum employee contribution is $5,000 for eligible dependent care expenses.
WEFIT Program
The WEFIT Program is mandatory/non-punitive. The OCFA shall provide all five (5) of the following aspects of the WEFIT Program:
OCFA has partnered with United Pet Care to offer a pet healthcare program. This program helps employees reduce the cost of escalating veterinary bills at an affordable rate. All pets are eligible regardless of their age or medical condition.
Benevolent Association
Employees have the option to join OCFA’s Benevolent Association which was created to “Take Care of Their Own.” Included in your $8.00 per pay period cost is $10,000 Member Death Benefit, $4,000 Dependent Death Benefit, $30,000 Annual Scholarships for Members and Dependents, Hardship Grants/Loans, Annual Picnic for Members, Holiday Ball, and Retiree Tribute. In addition, Discount Offers- Recreation/Amusement Parks, fitness 19 and 24-Hour Fitness gym membership, discount movie tickets, Angels Baseball game with tailgate party, etc. Membership also allows access to very good supplemental insurances of many types, including, Long Term Disability, Long Term Care, various AFLAC (ICU, Cancer, Accident Injury, CSFA membership, Living Trusts and more. The Family Auxiliary and KIDS Fund (provides monetary assistance only to kids of members), both operate under the Benevolent Association.
Updated 03/2025
This benefit summary is intended to provide an easy way for current and prospective employees to access fringe benefit information, including voluntary options. This summary is intended to be accurate, but it is not an official plan document, and has no legal or binding effect as an expressed or implied contract, or otherwise, and does not alter or amend any provision of the Memoranda of Understanding, Personnel and Salary Resolution, retirement contract, insurance policy contract, or any other official document of the Orange County Fire Authority, including Standard Operating Procedures and General Orders. All insurance benefits described in the summary are subject to the terms and limitations of the Orange County Fire Authority's insurance contracts with individual insurance providers. Should you have any questions pertaining to information in this summary, please contact the Human Resources Department at (714) 573-6800.
01
The Orange County Fire Authority uses e-mail to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of applications. We do so as part of our ongoing efforts to increase efficiency, conserve resources, and minimize delays and costs. Therefore, as an applicant, please ensure that the e-mail address you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We recommend that you do not share e-mail addresses with other individuals who may inadvertently delete important communications sent to you. Spam or other filters should be adjusted to accept e-mails from ocfa.org and governmentjobs.com. Please read each e-mail notice carefully and in a timely manner. Follow further instructions, if any. Please acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to the above.
This recruitment is open to current non-probationary OCFA Fire Captains, Fire Apparatus Engineers, and Firefighters. Are you a current non-probationary OCFA Fire Captain, Fire Apparatus Engineer, or Firefighter?
Do you have at least three (3) years of experience as a Firefighter?
Do you possess any of the highly desirable certificates below? Please select all that apply.
Please indicate the Microsoft Office programs you have experience using. Check all that apply.
Please select all areas you possess experience.
This recruitment requires you to upload your resumé and a memo of interest. Have you attached these documents to your online application?
This recruitment is an Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) internal recruitment. ONLY applications from current, qualified non-probationary (all ranks) OCFA Fire Captains, Fire Apparatus Engineers, and Firefighter personnel will be accepted.
THE POSITION
The EMS and Training Division is now recruiting to fill multiple Firefighter Academy Instructor positions for upcoming firefighter academies.
This position requires a forty-hour workweek schedule (4/10 Monday through Thursday).
Essential Functions
Essential functions of Firefighter Academy Instructors include, but are not limited to:
- Delivering instruction of SFT Firefighter 1 and 2 and OCFA specific curricula
- Ensuring the safety of students and faculty during all course-related activities
- Conducting recruit evaluations
- Conducting and proctoring tests and measurements based on minimum standards
- Maintaining training spaces and resources required to deliver quality instruction
Cadre members assigned to an academy are eligible to receive Staff Assignment Pay (SAP) and Staff Incentive Pay (SIP). Please refer to the IAFF - Local 3631 MOU, page 105 for additional information.
Minimum Qualifications
EXPERIENCE (requirements at entry/beginning of assignment):
Must be a current non-probationary (all ranks) OCFA Fire Captain, Fire Apparatus Engineer, or Firefighter in good standing with at least 3 years of experience as a Firefighter.
Highly Desirable Qualifications
- SFT Firefighter 1 and 2
- SFT Instructor 1 and Instructor 2
- SFT Ethical Leadership
- SFT Regional Instructor Orientation (RIO)
- SFT Skills Evaluator
- Peer Fitness Trainer
- Willing to instruct a minimum of two consecutive firefighter academies
- Computer skills with proficiency using Microsoft Office
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively
- Strong written communication skills
- No long-term vacations scheduled during the academies (vacations will be accommodated, when possible, especially during non-academy times in the schedule)
How To Apply For This Position
To apply, go to www.ocfa.org. Interested personnel are to submit the following:
- Online application
- Memo of interest
- Resumé (one-page maximum) outlining your education, experience and any other background information related to this position.
- Inclusion of highly desirable certificates, if applicable. A PDF of your SFT Acadis profile may be submitted in lieu of certificates.
Tentative Schedule
- May 15, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) – Recruitment closes
- Week of June 2, 2025 – Oral interviews
- Week of June 9, 2025 – Selections announced
- July 11, 2025 – Assignment begins
Candidate Pool List
Placement on the Candidate Pool List will be established based on successful completion of all recruitment process components.
Questions Regarding The Position
Should you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Fire Battalion Chief Eric Bennett at [email protected].
Technical Difficulties With Neogov
Please contact the assigned recruiter, Ivonne Spagon, Human Resources Analyst II at [email protected] or (714) 573–6810.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ada) Accommodation
In accordance with the Americans with Disability Act, persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations for the purpose of testing should contact Ivonne Spagon, Human Resources Analyst II at [email protected] or (714) 573–6810 at least 72 hours prior to the need for accommodation.
Withdrawing From Recruitment Process
If an applicant chooses to withdraw from this recruitment process, they are required to submit an email notification to Ivonne Spagon, Human Resources Analyst II at [email protected] requesting a withdrawal from the process. The email to the recruiter must include the applicant's current phone number.
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.
Please note: This summary reflects the benefits for shift employees assigned to a 56-hour average duty week. For benefits information related to staff assignments (40-hour workweek), please refer to the OCPFA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Orange County Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA) Local 3631: This classification is represented by the OCPFA Local 3631. Please visit http://www.ocfirefighters.org for more information.
Base Salary Adjustments
- Effective the pay period which includes January 1, 2026 (PP02) - Salary range for each classification will be adjusted by 2.75%. Employees will receive their increase once they are eligible for a merit increase per OCPFA Local 3631 - Base Salary side letter.
Employees are eligible for an initial merit salary increase (1 to 4 steps) on the first day of the pay period following completion of fifty-two (52) weeks of service, and thereafter annually based on their work performance and until they reach the top of their 12-step salary range.
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.
Retiree Medical Savings Plan
Employees participate in an employer sponsored retirement Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) with a contribution of 3.0% of base salary. Firefighter Trainees and Handcrew Firefighters do not participate in this benefit.
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%.
Educational Incentive Pay
Employees with college-level semester units or a bachelor’s degree are eligible for educational incentive pay as follows:
- 60+ college-level semester units - 2.5% of base salary per month; or
- 90+ college-level semester units - 5% of base salary per month; or
- Baccalaureate Degree - 7.5% of base salary per month
Hand Crew Firefighters are not eligible for educational incentive Pay.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Pay
Employees (other than Firefighter Trainees) who maintain an active State of California EMT certification will receive, in addition to their regular salary, seven (9%) percent of each employee’s base salary per month, prorated on an hourly basis for regular hours paid.
Other Specialty Pays
Employees who move into special assignments at OCFA, or who possess specialized skills, may be eligible for other specialty pays. Please refer to the OCPFA MOU and Side Letter Agreements for further details.
Tuition Reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement is $2,000 per fiscal year to cover certain expenses associated with academic pursuits.
Holidays
Employees in the Firefighters Unit observe 13 holidays within the calendar year:
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday
- Lincoln's Birthday
- President's Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Indigenous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day
- Veteran's Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
Vacation
Vacation accrual is based on hours of completed continuous service (regular hours) exclusive of overtime. For shift employees:
- After 1 year but less than 3 years: Approx 112 hours per year;
- After 3 years but less than 10 years: Approx 168 hours per year;
- After 10 years: Approx 224 hours per year.
Sick leave is is based on hours of completed continuous service (regular hours) exclusive of overtime. For shift employees:
- Date of employment but less than 3 years: Approx 101 hours per year;
- After 3 years: Approx 144 hours per year.
The Authority provides uniforms to employees.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
The OCFA offers regular, limited-term, and probationary employees both a Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), which allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars into an account that can be used throughout the year on qualified medical or dependent care expenses. Participants pay fewer taxes and take home more money. For 2022, the maximum employee contribution is $2,750 for eligible medical expenses. The maximum employee contribution is $5,000 for eligible dependent care expenses.
WEFIT Program
The WEFIT Program is mandatory/non-punitive. The OCFA shall provide all five (5) of the following aspects of the WEFIT Program:
- Medical
- Fitness
- Medical/Fitness/Injury Rehabilitation
- Behavioral Health
- Data Collection and Reporting
OCFA has partnered with United Pet Care to offer a pet healthcare program. This program helps employees reduce the cost of escalating veterinary bills at an affordable rate. All pets are eligible regardless of their age or medical condition.
Benevolent Association
Employees have the option to join OCFA’s Benevolent Association which was created to “Take Care of Their Own.” Included in your $8.00 per pay period cost is $10,000 Member Death Benefit, $4,000 Dependent Death Benefit, $30,000 Annual Scholarships for Members and Dependents, Hardship Grants/Loans, Annual Picnic for Members, Holiday Ball, and Retiree Tribute. In addition, Discount Offers- Recreation/Amusement Parks, fitness 19 and 24-Hour Fitness gym membership, discount movie tickets, Angels Baseball game with tailgate party, etc. Membership also allows access to very good supplemental insurances of many types, including, Long Term Disability, Long Term Care, various AFLAC (ICU, Cancer, Accident Injury, CSFA membership, Living Trusts and more. The Family Auxiliary and KIDS Fund (provides monetary assistance only to kids of members), both operate under the Benevolent Association.
Updated 03/2025
This benefit summary is intended to provide an easy way for current and prospective employees to access fringe benefit information, including voluntary options. This summary is intended to be accurate, but it is not an official plan document, and has no legal or binding effect as an expressed or implied contract, or otherwise, and does not alter or amend any provision of the Memoranda of Understanding, Personnel and Salary Resolution, retirement contract, insurance policy contract, or any other official document of the Orange County Fire Authority, including Standard Operating Procedures and General Orders. All insurance benefits described in the summary are subject to the terms and limitations of the Orange County Fire Authority's insurance contracts with individual insurance providers. Should you have any questions pertaining to information in this summary, please contact the Human Resources Department at (714) 573-6800.
01
The Orange County Fire Authority uses e-mail to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of applications. We do so as part of our ongoing efforts to increase efficiency, conserve resources, and minimize delays and costs. Therefore, as an applicant, please ensure that the e-mail address you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We recommend that you do not share e-mail addresses with other individuals who may inadvertently delete important communications sent to you. Spam or other filters should be adjusted to accept e-mails from ocfa.org and governmentjobs.com. Please read each e-mail notice carefully and in a timely manner. Follow further instructions, if any. Please acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to the above.
- Yes
- No
This recruitment is open to current non-probationary OCFA Fire Captains, Fire Apparatus Engineers, and Firefighters. Are you a current non-probationary OCFA Fire Captain, Fire Apparatus Engineer, or Firefighter?
- Yes
- No
Do you have at least three (3) years of experience as a Firefighter?
- Yes
- No
Do you possess any of the highly desirable certificates below? Please select all that apply.
- Firefighter 1 and 2
- Instructor 1
- Instructor 2
- SFT Regional Instructor Orientation (RIO)
- SFT Ethical Leadership
- SFT Skills Evaluator
- None of the above
Please indicate the Microsoft Office programs you have experience using. Check all that apply.
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Word
- Outlook
- Teams
- OneDrive
- None of the above
Please select all areas you possess experience.
- Wildland
- Truck Operations
- Hazmat
- Manipulative Skills
- None of the above
This recruitment requires you to upload your resumé and a memo of interest. Have you attached these documents to your online application?
- Yes
- No
- Required Question