Description
The Paramedic Training Candidate recruitment is an Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) internal recruitment. Only applications from current, full-time OCFA Firefighters, Fire Apparatus Engineers, and Fire Captains will be accepted. Applicants of all ranks must be off probation by the application submission deadline, April 17, 2025.
This recruitment covers the paramedic programs of OCEMT, UCLA, Saddleback, and Palomar all which begin during the month of August 2025.
The Emergency Medical Services Department is currently accepting applications for sponsorship to attend a paramedic program and to establish an eligibility list to fill future paramedic school vacancies. Upon successful completion of the didactic, hospital clinical experience, field internship, National Registry testing and state licensing requirements, candidates will have completed all the steps for sponsorship. The OCFA EMS Department will sponsor the candidate for local accreditation with OCEMS. Selected candidates who successfully complete the training process must agree to a two (2) year assignment in a paramedic post position.
Note – In order to meet the enrollment requirements for both the didactic and clinical portions of the paramedic programs, the student may be required to participate in medical and drug screenings, background checks and vaccinations to include influenza and COVID 19.
Work Schedule
Candidates will be assigned to a 40-hour work week during the didactic and skills training portion. Classes will begin in August 2025. Candidates will be assigned to a 56-hour shift schedule during field internship.
Additional Pay
Please follow the link below regarding Paramedic Pay information: Paramedic Pay - Page 96 of the OCPFA IAFF - Local 3631 MOU.
Essential Functions
Candidates must complete the following steps for sponsorship:
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualification for selection will include:
Examination Process
Selection Process
All successful candidates will be placed on an eligibility list in order based on scores in the testing process. Every effort will be made to accommodate a candidate’s paramedic program preference while taking into account the candidate’s residence in proximity to the program and department need first. Priority will be given to the firefighter rank. Successful candidates will also need to:
To apply, go to www.ocfa.org. Interested personnel are to submit the following:
Schedule Of Events
If there is a change in the selection process, Human Resources will notify all affected candidates.
Questions
Should you have further questions or need additional clarification, please contact EMS Department Fire Captain Paramedic Michael Macshane at [email protected] or (714) 573 - 6077.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with the recruiting software or uploading documents, please contact Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analyst at [email protected] or via telephone at (714) 573-6816.
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 [email protected] no later than 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.
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.
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 I have read, understand, and agree to the above.
This is an internal recruitment and only current, qualified OCFA employee's application will be accepted. Are you a current, qualified OCFA safety employee?
Please select which program you would prefer to attend if successful in the recruitment process.
The Paramedic Training Candidate recruitment is an Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) internal recruitment. Only applications from current, full-time OCFA Firefighters, Fire Apparatus Engineers, and Fire Captains will be accepted. Applicants of all ranks must be off probation by the application submission deadline, April 17, 2025.
This recruitment covers the paramedic programs of OCEMT, UCLA, Saddleback, and Palomar all which begin during the month of August 2025.
The Emergency Medical Services Department is currently accepting applications for sponsorship to attend a paramedic program and to establish an eligibility list to fill future paramedic school vacancies. Upon successful completion of the didactic, hospital clinical experience, field internship, National Registry testing and state licensing requirements, candidates will have completed all the steps for sponsorship. The OCFA EMS Department will sponsor the candidate for local accreditation with OCEMS. Selected candidates who successfully complete the training process must agree to a two (2) year assignment in a paramedic post position.
Note – In order to meet the enrollment requirements for both the didactic and clinical portions of the paramedic programs, the student may be required to participate in medical and drug screenings, background checks and vaccinations to include influenza and COVID 19.
Work Schedule
Candidates will be assigned to a 40-hour work week during the didactic and skills training portion. Classes will begin in August 2025. Candidates will be assigned to a 56-hour shift schedule during field internship.
Additional Pay
Please follow the link below regarding Paramedic Pay information: Paramedic Pay - Page 96 of the OCPFA IAFF - Local 3631 MOU.
Essential Functions
Candidates must complete the following steps for sponsorship:
- Didactic and Skills
- Hospital Clinical
- Field Internship
- National Registry Testing
- California Licensing Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualification for selection will include:
- Current OCFA Firefighter, Fire Apparatus Engineer, or Fire Captain (must be off probation by the application submission deadline, April 17, 2025)
- Must agree to a two (2) year assignment in a paramedic post position
- Possession of a high school diploma or GED
- Possession of a current EMT certificate
- Possession of a current health care provider CPR card
- Minimum of standard rating on current performance appraisal
- Recommendation from immediate supervisor with Battalion Chief concurrence
Examination Process
- Written test to evaluate EMT knowledge
- Oral interview which includes patient care scenarios to test EMT practical knowledge and skills
Selection Process
All successful candidates will be placed on an eligibility list in order based on scores in the testing process. Every effort will be made to accommodate a candidate’s paramedic program preference while taking into account the candidate’s residence in proximity to the program and department need first. Priority will be given to the firefighter rank. Successful candidates will also need to:
- Provide proof of passing college level English or take the matriculation exam
- Pass the college health screening
- If applicable, pass drug and medical screening
- If applicable, pass a background check (Live scan or similar)
- If applicable, provide proof of vaccinations to include, but not limited to, influenza and Covid19
To apply, go to www.ocfa.org. Interested personnel are to submit the following:
- Online application - Application must show current OCFA experience
- EMT Card (must be current and on file in EMS)
- Health care provider CPR card (must be current and on file in EMS)
- Must have a standard or above rating on current employee performance appraisal
- Letter of recommendation from immediate supervisor with Battalion Chief concurrence
Schedule Of Events
- Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 12:00 pm (noon) - Last day to submit online application
- Non-mandatory School & Testing Process Overview – Tuesday April 22 and Wednesday April 23rd, 2nd day B-Shift and 1st day C-Shift (Zoom meeting with Time TBD)
- Week of May 12, 2025 - Written test to evaluate EMT knowledge and oral interview containing patient care scenarios
- TBD - Provide proof of passing college level English or take the matriculation exam
- TBD - Pass the college health screening, medical background and/or drug screening
- TBD - School orientation as necessary for each specific paramedic program
If there is a change in the selection process, Human Resources will notify all affected candidates.
Questions
Should you have further questions or need additional clarification, please contact EMS Department Fire Captain Paramedic Michael Macshane at [email protected] or (714) 573 - 6077.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with the recruiting software or uploading documents, please contact Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analyst at [email protected] or via telephone at (714) 573-6816.
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 [email protected] no later than 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.
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.
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 I have read, understand, and agree to the above.
- Yes
- No
This is an internal recruitment and only current, qualified OCFA employee's application will be accepted. Are you a current, qualified OCFA safety employee?
- Yes
- No
Please select which program you would prefer to attend if successful in the recruitment process.
- OCEMT
- Saddleback
- UCLA
- Palomar
- Required Question