Part-Time Hazardous Materials Technician/Specialist

This Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) recruitment is open to current, OCFA non-probationary Firefighters (FFs) and non-probationary Fire Apparatus Engineers (FAEs). ONLY applications from current, OCFA non-probationary FFs and non-probationary FAEs will be considered.  

The OCFA Hazardous Materials Response Team (HMRT) is currently recruiting Firefighters and Fire Apparatus Engineers for the position of Part-time Hazardous Materials Technician and Specialist. Part-time members are utilized for backfill and/or shift trade opportunities in place of full-time members assigned to HAZMAT stations. This is a highly dynamic and specialized arena. Along with traditional hazmat response, our mission has increasingly focused on the terrorism component and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) response. 

The program provides many additional training opportunities such as attendance of out-of-state Department of Homeland Security courses, courses at the National Fire Academy, working with the Orange County Sheriff's Department Bomb Squad and local SWAT teams under the Joint Hazard Assessment Team, and the opportunity to participate on CA-TF5. The training opportunities and skills acquired as members of the team are highly useful now and as you promote through the ranks. 

We are looking for individuals who are highly motivated and have an interest in developing additional technical skills. No experience or background is required. Individuals currently certified at the Hazardous Materials Technician or Specialist level from their previous agency are encouraged to apply. All applicants with prior training and certifications will be evaluated for skill competency. 

TRAINING
Selected individuals will attend six (6) one-week long courses to earn certification as a Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Technician and Specialist. Upon completion, each person will be administratively assigned to an apparatus at a HAZMAT station for a period of six (6) months for continued training. The commitment following this assignment is to complete in person and online training, perform skills and equipment proficiency drills, and maintain reasonable availability for backfill. 

COMPENSATION

Hazardous Materials Pay: Employees who are qualified to perform hazardous materials duties and who are assigned by the Authority to a position designated to perform hazardous materials duties regularly shall be paid – in addition to their regular salary – 7.5% of their base salary per month, prorated on an hourly basis. Employees who work an overtime shift to cover a designated hazardous materials position, due to the absence of the regularly assigned employee shall also receive hazardous materials pay on a prorated basis for that overtime shift or portion thereof. OCPFA IAFF - Local 3631 MOU, page 97. 

Hazardous Materials Specialist Incentive Pay: To be eligible to receive Hazardous Materials Specialist Incentive (HMSI) pay, employees must be designated as qualified by the OCFA. Qualified is defined as having successfully completed and hold a current certification as a California State Hazardous Materials Specialist and an assignment (voluntary or administrative) to a HAZMAT station. Part-time HazMat Team Members are eligible to receive HMSI provided they have been designated as qualified by the OCFA. Specialist, non-paramedic is equal to 7.5% percent Hazmat Pay, plus 2.5% HMSI Pay, for a combined total of 10% percent of their base salary. OCPFA IAFF - Local 3631 MOU, page 98.  

Hazardous Materials Paramedic Incentive (HMPI): Employees regularly assigned to the designated HAZMAT Paramedic positions will receive (HMPI).   HAZMAT Technician level = 15% Paramedic pay 2.5% HMPI for a total of 17.5% of their base salary.  HAZMAT Specialist level = 15% Paramedic pay 5% HMPI for a total of 20% of their base salary.  OCPFA IAFF – Local 3631 Side Letter of Agreement Part 2. 

To view the full list of essential functions, please use the following link to the full class specification:
Firefighter

• OCFA non-probationary Firefighter or non-probationary Fire Apparatus Engineer
• Standard or higher rating on most recent performance evaluation 
• Applicants must complete probation prior to the recruitment closing date 

Post-Selection Requirements

• Hazardous Materials Technician Training: TBD 
• Hazardous Material Specialist Training: TBD

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE POSITION

To apply, go to www.ocfa.org. Interested personnel are to submit the following: 

• Online application  
• Cover memo of interest
• Inclusion of related certificates of training or related professional qualifications are also encouraged 

All materials must be uploaded with your electronic application and submitted no later than 12:00 PM (noon) on Monday, April 20, 2026.
 
IMPORTANT DATES 

• Recruitment Closes: Monday, April 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon)
• Panel Interviews: Week of Tuesday, May 26, 2026 
  • There will be a HAZMAT equipment and PPE familiarization (not graded) immediately following the Panel Interview (same day)
• Candidates Notified: Week of June 1, 2026 or sooner 
• HazMat Technician Training: TBD 

• HazMat Specialist Training: TBD

Candidates will adhere to the Local 3631 MOU Article II Section 8. while attending training within Orange County. 

If there are changes in this recruitment process, Human Resources will notify all affected candidates. 

CANDIDATE POOL LIST
Placement on the candidate pool list will be established based on successful completion of all recruitment process components. The candidate pool list will remain in effect for a period of one (1) year from the date of establishment or until all names on the list are exhausted. The eligibility list may be extended or abolished at the discretion of the Assistant Chief of Human Resources. 

QUESTIONS
All questions regarding this position should be directed to Battalion Chief Greg Tooley. 

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 bradstephens@ocfa.org at least 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.  

WITHDRAWING FROM THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
If an applicant chooses to withdraw from this recruitment process, he/she is required to submit an email notification to Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analys at bradstephens@ocfa.org 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.

Salary : $56,410 - $75,858