Fire Division Chief

This outstanding opportunity is open only to current Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) full-time safety employees who meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in this recruitment announcement.  

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Last Day to Submit Online Application and Resumé – Tuesday, August 11, 2026 @ 12:00 pm (noon)
  • If you encounter problems uploading your resumé to your electronic application, please send via email to Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager before the closure of the recruitment.
• Panel Interviews – August 18, 2026
• Chief’s Selection Interviews – August 19, 2026

The dates listed above are subject to change based on organizational needs.  
 

Division Chief Study Material

Below is a link to study material to prepare applicants for the oral interview process. Please note that not all oral interview questions will be based on the study material that is provided. 

DC Study Material

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Fire Division Chiefs report to an Assistant Chief or Deputy Chief and manage the day-to-day operations of one or more firefighting battalions of a large geographic division, two or more administrative sections, or a combination of both.  Fire Division Chiefs typically supervise several Fire Battalion Chiefs and their subordinates, work directly with city/county staff and other agency administrators, and function as the primary liaison between the OCFA and other entities.  

  
The Ideal Candidate:  

The ideal candidate will be politically astute and have a strong team orientation.  He/she will model personal responsibility, character, a positive attitude, accountability, a commitment to ethical behavior, be a consummate professional who will recognize that the OCFA's organizational integrity is only as strong as our weakest link and will consciously avoid even the appearance of impropriety.  The Fire Division Chief will value OCFA members and will embrace diversity of perspective, knowing that creating an environment that encourages diversity of opinions is the OCFA's strength.  The ideal candidate will understand his/her role as an agent of influence in moving individuals and the organization forward.    

The individual selected will understand the nature of both internal and external customer service and will have a high commitment to the ideals of public service.  The ideal candidate will also have a strong commitment to excellence in personal and team performance and will be accountable for results while recognizing that results do not come at the expense of the OCFA's commitment to its core values of teamwork, integrity, trust, excellence, ethics, personal responsibility, care and respect, honesty and fairness, reliability, and diversity.

• Plans, directs, coordinates, and supervises the work of a suppression division or a division of administrative support functions    
• Interprets departmental policy to subordinates; assigns duties and responsibilities and delineates lines of authority; provides subordinates with directions on coordination of services, policy, procedures, budget, and personnel problems    
• Negotiates cooperative agreements with mutual aid groups to prevent and suppress structural, commercial, wildland, aircraft, and other fires and emergencies; assists in developing cooperative agreements and contracts with city, county, and state agencies providing support for fire and Emergency Medical Services operations    
• Analyzes technical data; develops policies, programs, and procedures; develops major disaster plans    
• Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation; recommends appropriate department position on legislation    
• Evaluates the performance of personnel and recommends compensation; recommends or implements disciplinary actions; establishes work standards and trains and develops subordinates    
• Attends and makes presentations at the Board of Directors, City Council, County Board of Supervisors, committee, and staff meetings, interfaces with elected and appointed officials, civic groups, professional associations, and other parties on behalf of the Authority    
• Supervises and participates in the analysis and interpretation of intangible political and administrative problems which require an understanding of County-wide interests legislation, legal constraints, and executive policy    
• Prepares and submits budget requests for assigned division, estimates future needs in terms of personnel, equipment, supplies, and space; reviews and approves or alters budget request from subunits within assigned division; consults with superiors on priorities and availability of funding    
• Assumes Incident Command and Duty Officer responsibilities    
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level    

NOTE: The above duties are intended to be a representative sample of the duties performed by the class. Specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the department.

NOTE: The above duties are intended to be a representative sample of the duties performed by the class. Specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the department.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Completion of probation as a Battalion Chief    
• Considerable experience and background which would demonstrate the application of the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities 

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS: 

• Possession of a valid Class C Driver License and an acceptable driving record   
• Ability to act in a Duty capacity in order to respond to emergency calls

This classification is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program, which periodically provides Risk Management with the incumbent's Driver License record and status. 

HIGHLY DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Chief Officer certification from California State Fire Training    
• Bachelor's degree with coursework in Fire Administration, Public Administration, or related field

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles, methods, and practices of the management and leadership process and employee supervision    
• Principles, practices, and techniques of modern firefighting and fire prevention and the ability to apply this knowledge to varied fire control and fire administrative problems    
• Operation, capabilities, and uses of various types of fire apparatus, equipment, and specialty resources    
• Fire administration, emergency medical services, disaster management, and wildland fire control practices and operations    
• Management of major/complex emergencies and disaster operations at the Incident Commander level    
• Fire services Master Mutual Aid system in California    
• Fire ground tactics, strategy, and safety practices for major emergencies    
• Incident Command System (ICS) practices    
• State, federal, and local regulations and codes pertaining to fire safety suppression, and prevention practices    
• Principles of budgeting and contract administration    
• Personal computer operations and word processing and spreadsheet applications software    
• Methods of establishing and maintaining effective relationships with department personnel, outside organizations and groups    
• Labor relations and personnel management policies and procedures    

SKILLS IN: 

• Planning, managing, organizing, coordinating, and directing divisional programs and services    
• Establishing and meeting divisional goals and objectives    
• Analyzing, interpreting, and implementing solutions to technical and administrative problems    
• Defining problem areas and directing the collection, interpretation, and evaluation of data, and overseeing the development of solutions to technical and administrative fire problems    
• Coordinating and initiating actions, implementing decisions and recommendations    
• Selecting, training, coaching, supervising, evaluating, and disciplining employees to achieve department goals    
• Exercising effective judgment and command leadership in emergency or disaster situations    
• Writing and presenting clear, logical, and concise reports and recommendations    
• Operating personal computer and word processing and spreadsheet applications software    
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with subordinate managers and supervisors, fire personnel, civic groups, elected and appointed officials, city staff representatives, and OCFA Board members    
• Assuming Incident Command and Duty Officer responsibilities in order to support the operations of the Authority in emergency or disaster situations    

Human Resources will screen applications to identify qualified candidates. Qualified candidates will be notified by email of all further procedures applicable to their status.   

   
TESTING:   
      
 Testing for this position will include the following:    

• Application/Resumé Review    
• Panel Interview    
• Selection Interview    

ELIGIBLE LIST: 

The eligibility list from this recruitment and selection process will be merged with the current eligibility list and used to fill future vacancies. The duration of the Eligible List is one year from date of establishment, unless modified by the Assistant Chief / Human Resources Director.   

  
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA Accommodation):  

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, anyone who needs an ADA accommodation for purposes of employment testing should contact Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at least 72 hours prior to testing at (714) 573-6807 or dukesteppe@ocfa.org.   

   
QUESTIONS:   

Any questions regarding this position may be directed to Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at 714.573.6807 or dukesteppe@ocfa.org.