What are the responsibilities and job description for the Wildland Resource Technician position at Orange County Fire Authority?
Description
Under general direction, performs a variety of journey-level office and field work for the Community Risk Reduction Department. Incumbents are responsible for performing routine technical resource management assignments of average difficulty related to wildland protection, forestry conservation, and ensuring fire prevention measures are implemented. Additionally, when directed by the Wildland Resource Planner, may respond to vegetation fires to aid as a technical specialist.
Receives general direction from the Wildland Resource Planner. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
EDUCATION (position Requirements Are Entry):
DISTINGUISIHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Wildland Resource Technician is the first level in a two-level Fire Prevention Series. The Wildland Resource Technician is the journey-level position and is distinguished from the Wildland Resource Planner, which has supervisory responsibilities.
Essential Functions
(These duties are intended to be representative sample of the duties performed by the class.)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Gather data on environmental and natural resources management issues; perform environmental analysis, research, surveys, investigations and studies of average difficulty; write preliminary reports; prepare routine correspondence and answer questions of a routine nature from the public and other governmental agencies and entities; prepare regulatory and compliance documents, enforce laws and regulations. Incumbents may be assigned lead responsibility for a specific project.
Implements plans and projects which includes reading maps to understand types of terrain to be worked on and locations of projects; assisting in determining project feasibility, resources required, timeline, and critical milestones.
Assists in the development of project plans that outline type of plan, project benefits, plan-development recommendations, desired outcomes, impacts to the Authority and other agencies, environmental impact, and any other pertinent information.
Coordinates access to lands for Authority training purposes; acts as a secondary liaison between the Authority and landowners to request permission to train on their property; coordinates logistics to support training and prepares land for Authority training and Air Operations (grade roads, Mow helicopter landing sites, brush roads).
Creates maps and collects GIS data to support project, grant, training and management plans and other activities. Uses ArcGIS to create and manipulate data, including creating shapefiles and analyzing aerial and multi-spectral imagery; collects perimeters and origins of vegetation fires and maintains a database of annual fire occurrences.
Maintain effective relationships with a variety of stakeholders; serves as a liaison to partner agencies, governmental agencies, consultants and vendors, the public, and landowners as a wildland subject matter expert.
Conduct defensible space inspections for pre- and post-fire incident and prepare documentation.
Lead and attend meetings as a representative of the Authority, both in and out of county; provides clear communication to diverse audiences while maintaining positive relationships.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
To view the required knowledge and abilities, please view the full classification specification using the link provided below.
Wildlife Resource Technician Classification Specification
Minimum Qualifications
See position description above.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must possess mobility to work in outside environment; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work, including extensive walking; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; frequently reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, grasp and make repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites; vision including color vision to inspect wildland areas, maps, and operate equipment. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas sites. Finger dexterity is needed to operate equipment. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight up to 45 pounds or heavier weights with the appropriate equipment on a frequent/occasional basis, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Employees work in both inside and outside environments. and are exposed to cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, mechanical hazards, biologic or infectious agents, hazardous physical substances and odors, and fumes, dust and air contaminants. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
May be required to respond to vegetation fires during evenings, weekends, and/or holidays. Unscheduled overtime work is required to support various emergencies during evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
NOTE: The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the department.
PRE-HIRE REQUIREMENTS:
Before an employee is hired, he/she must successfully complete pre-employment requirements including, but not limited to: fingerprinting and background check, reference check, DMV check, licensure/certification check, Oath of allegiance to the United States of America and the State of California, and proof of eligibility to work in the United States in accordance with Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986. All job offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam including a drug screen through the OCFA's designated physician.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION:
When the recruitment opens for this position, an applicant must submit, during the application filing period, an online application and attach any supplemental information as required in the job announcement which may include submitting responses to a supplemental questionnaire. Online resumes and other unsolicited materials may be attached but will not be considered in lieu of the required online application, unless otherwise specified in the job announcement. The OCFA reserves the right to limit the number of online applications when necessary. Applicants are responsible for maintaining/updating their contact information through the online application system.
SELECTION PROCEDURES:
INITIAL SELECTION REVIEW:
The Human Resources Department reviews all initial application materials to identify qualified applicants. Applicants meeting minimum qualifications will be invited to the first phase of the recruitment process. The OCFA reserves the right to refer only the better qualified applicants if the number of applicants is high. If the number of applicants is high, the review process may include a secondary screening (by a panel of job knowledge experts) of the applications and/or supplemental questionnaires in which the better qualified applicants are referred to the next phase of the recruitment process. Because recruitment processes vary, applicants are advised to thoroughly review the job announcement before submitting their online application materials.
TESTING:
Testing for this position or any other position may include, but is not limited to the following: written exam, practical exam, panel interview, physical ability test, assessment center, oral presentation, project assignment, etc. If a revision is made to a testing component during a recruitment process, the assigned recruiter will notify by email all affected applicants.
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 the assigned recruiter, Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at (714) 573-6807 or via email at dukesteppe@ocfa.org no later than 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.
RECRUITMENT/SELECTION PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS:
All recruitment/selection process and requirements will be held in accordance with the OCFA's Merit and Selection Rules, which are available for inspection upon request.
ELIGIBLE LIST:
The duration of an Eligible List for this recruitment is one (1) year, unless extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director prior to the expiration.
WITHDRAWING FROM RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
Whenever an applicant chooses to withdraw from a recruitment process, he/she is required to submit an email notification to Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at dukesteppe@ocfa.org requesting a withdrawal from the process. The email to the recruiter must include the applicant's current phone number.
QUESTIONS:
All questions regarding this position should be directed to Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at (714) 573-6807 or dukesteppe@ocfa.org.
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.
Orange County Employees Association (OCEA) Representation
This classification is represented by the OCEA. Please visit the Orange County Employees' Association for additional information.
Base Salary Adjustments:
Employees are eligible for a merit salary increase (1 to 4 steps) at their six-month review date, and annually thereafter based upon work performance until step 12 of the salary range is reached.
Medical Benefit
Employees Have a Choice Of Medical Plans Under The CalPERS Health Benefits Program And The Authority Contributes Towards The Cost Of Health Premiums As Follows:
Medical Opt-Out: Effective January 1, 2024, employees who submit sufficient proof of alternate group health insurance may waive coverage and receive the following in bi-monthly taxable cash:
OCEA Health & Welfare Benefits Plan
The OCFA contributes to the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust which provides for the following dental, vision, disability insurance, and life insurance for all employees in regular or limited-term positions represented by OCEA, regardless of membership status. With a union membership, employees have the option to purchase additional insurance available through the OCEA. Please visit the Health & Welfare Trust webpage for additional information.
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 General Members: Employees hired on or after December 1, 2012, who establish reciprocity with OCERS are enrolled in the 2% at age 55 retirement formula (Plan N). Employees pays their maximum employee contribution based on age of entry into OCERS (or reciprocal retirement system), including any increases to the maximum employee contribution as calculated by OCERS. The compensation limit for Legacy members in 2025 is $350,000.
New General Members (PEPRA): Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, without reciprocity are enrolled in the 2.5% at age 67 retirement formula (Plan U). Employees contribute 50% of the normal retirement cost toward the employee's retirement contribution but no higher than their maximum employee contribution (based on age of entry into OCERS). The compensation limit for PEPRA members in 2025 is $186,096 (non-Social Security participants).
For more information about OCERS retirement, please visit OCERS.
Deferred Compensation
Employees in regular or limited-term positions 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.
Retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement
General Unit members hired on/after January 1, 2007, are enrolled in a defined contribution retiree health reimbursement arrangement to which they contribute 4.0% of base salary.
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, a Bachelor's Degree, Or Completion Of An Approved Course From The Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Or Equivalent, Are Eligible For Educational Incentive Pay As Follows:
Other Specialty Pays / Reimbursements
Employees under special classifications or assignments, or who possess specialized skills/training/certification, may be eligible for other specialty pays. Please refer to the OCEA MOU for further details.
Tuition Reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement is $2,000 per fiscal year to cover certain expenses associated with academic pursuits.
Vacation
Vacation accrual is based on hours of completed continuous service (regular hours) exclusive of overtime:
Employees in the General Unit observe 13 holidays within the calendar year:
Sick Leave
Sick leave is accumulated from year-to-year and accrues as follows:
Paid Annual Leave (PAL)
After completion of new probation, a full-time employee will be eligible to take up to thirty-six (36) hours of paid time off each year, in addition to his/her accrued time [Part-time employees are eligible for eighteen (18) hours]. PAL is awarded on the first day of pay period 1 of the subsequent year and every year thereafter. PAL cannot be cashed out and must be used by the last day of pay period 26 within the calendar year it is earned.
Uniforms
The Authority provides uniforms to employees in designated positions.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs):
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.
Behavioral Health and Wellness
OCFA offers a variety of behavioral health and wellness services to our employees and their dependents, including access to the OCFA Peer Support Team Members, OCFA Chaplains, and the Counseling Team International (TCTI). TCTI provides behavioral health and wellness services to public safety agency employees and their eligible family members with confidential professional assistance. Support services include, but are not limited to, the following types of situations: marital and family problems, stress/burnout, anger management, separation/divorce, child/adolescent issues, depression, and critical incident/trauma. TCTI also offers life care resource assistance for childcare, adoption, elderly and senior care, and financial information.
Pet Discount 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, $32,500 Annual Scholarships for Members and Dependents., Hardship Grants/Loans, Annual Picnic for Members, Holiday Ball, Retiree Tribute. In addition, Discount Offers- Recreation/Amusement Parks, fitness 19 & 24-Hour Fit. gym membership. Discount Movie Tickets, Angel Baseball Games with Tailgate Party, etc.). In addition, membership allows access to very good supplemental insurances of many type, including Long Term Disability, Long Term Care, Various AFLAC (ICU, Cancer, Accident Inj., CSFA membership, Living Trusts & more. The Family Auxiliary and KIDS Fund (provides monetary assistance only to kids of members), both operate under the Benevolent Assoc. Visit the OCFA Benevolent Association Website for more information or you can watch OCFA Benevolent Association Overview.
Updated: 07/2025
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.
Are you a current Orange County Fire Authority employee?
Please select your highest level of education.
If you possess a Bachelor's Degree or higher, please indicate your area of study.
Please indicate the amount of directly related project/program management experience you possess (all experience must be detailed in your application).
Which software programs or devices do you have experience using?
Do you have experience with NEPA/CEQA?
Have you responded to vegetation fires in either a support or suppression role?
Do you have experience working with VMP/VTP?
Under general direction, performs a variety of journey-level office and field work for the Community Risk Reduction Department. Incumbents are responsible for performing routine technical resource management assignments of average difficulty related to wildland protection, forestry conservation, and ensuring fire prevention measures are implemented. Additionally, when directed by the Wildland Resource Planner, may respond to vegetation fires to aid as a technical specialist.
Receives general direction from the Wildland Resource Planner. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
EDUCATION (position Requirements Are Entry):
- Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Forestry, Environmental Science or a closely related field
- Two (2) years of directly related project/program experience
- Experience with ESRI products such as ArcMap and ArcCatalog
- Experience with GPS programs such as Tremble and Garmin
- Experience with Microsoft Office
- Experience with Avenza, Quick Capture. and Cal Mapper
- Knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
- Experience responding to vegetation fires in either a support or suppression role
- Experience with VMP/VTP
- Recruitment Closes - Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
- Oral Interview - Week of September 29, 2025
- Hire Date - TBD
DISTINGUISIHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Wildland Resource Technician is the first level in a two-level Fire Prevention Series. The Wildland Resource Technician is the journey-level position and is distinguished from the Wildland Resource Planner, which has supervisory responsibilities.
Essential Functions
(These duties are intended to be representative sample of the duties performed by the class.)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Gather data on environmental and natural resources management issues; perform environmental analysis, research, surveys, investigations and studies of average difficulty; write preliminary reports; prepare routine correspondence and answer questions of a routine nature from the public and other governmental agencies and entities; prepare regulatory and compliance documents, enforce laws and regulations. Incumbents may be assigned lead responsibility for a specific project.
Implements plans and projects which includes reading maps to understand types of terrain to be worked on and locations of projects; assisting in determining project feasibility, resources required, timeline, and critical milestones.
Assists in the development of project plans that outline type of plan, project benefits, plan-development recommendations, desired outcomes, impacts to the Authority and other agencies, environmental impact, and any other pertinent information.
Coordinates access to lands for Authority training purposes; acts as a secondary liaison between the Authority and landowners to request permission to train on their property; coordinates logistics to support training and prepares land for Authority training and Air Operations (grade roads, Mow helicopter landing sites, brush roads).
Creates maps and collects GIS data to support project, grant, training and management plans and other activities. Uses ArcGIS to create and manipulate data, including creating shapefiles and analyzing aerial and multi-spectral imagery; collects perimeters and origins of vegetation fires and maintains a database of annual fire occurrences.
Maintain effective relationships with a variety of stakeholders; serves as a liaison to partner agencies, governmental agencies, consultants and vendors, the public, and landowners as a wildland subject matter expert.
Conduct defensible space inspections for pre- and post-fire incident and prepare documentation.
Lead and attend meetings as a representative of the Authority, both in and out of county; provides clear communication to diverse audiences while maintaining positive relationships.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
To view the required knowledge and abilities, please view the full classification specification using the link provided below.
Wildlife Resource Technician Classification Specification
Minimum Qualifications
See position description above.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must possess mobility to work in outside environment; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work, including extensive walking; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; frequently reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, grasp and make repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites; vision including color vision to inspect wildland areas, maps, and operate equipment. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas sites. Finger dexterity is needed to operate equipment. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight up to 45 pounds or heavier weights with the appropriate equipment on a frequent/occasional basis, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Employees work in both inside and outside environments. and are exposed to cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, mechanical hazards, biologic or infectious agents, hazardous physical substances and odors, and fumes, dust and air contaminants. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
May be required to respond to vegetation fires during evenings, weekends, and/or holidays. Unscheduled overtime work is required to support various emergencies during evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
NOTE: The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the department.
PRE-HIRE REQUIREMENTS:
Before an employee is hired, he/she must successfully complete pre-employment requirements including, but not limited to: fingerprinting and background check, reference check, DMV check, licensure/certification check, Oath of allegiance to the United States of America and the State of California, and proof of eligibility to work in the United States in accordance with Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986. All job offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam including a drug screen through the OCFA's designated physician.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION:
When the recruitment opens for this position, an applicant must submit, during the application filing period, an online application and attach any supplemental information as required in the job announcement which may include submitting responses to a supplemental questionnaire. Online resumes and other unsolicited materials may be attached but will not be considered in lieu of the required online application, unless otherwise specified in the job announcement. The OCFA reserves the right to limit the number of online applications when necessary. Applicants are responsible for maintaining/updating their contact information through the online application system.
SELECTION PROCEDURES:
INITIAL SELECTION REVIEW:
The Human Resources Department reviews all initial application materials to identify qualified applicants. Applicants meeting minimum qualifications will be invited to the first phase of the recruitment process. The OCFA reserves the right to refer only the better qualified applicants if the number of applicants is high. If the number of applicants is high, the review process may include a secondary screening (by a panel of job knowledge experts) of the applications and/or supplemental questionnaires in which the better qualified applicants are referred to the next phase of the recruitment process. Because recruitment processes vary, applicants are advised to thoroughly review the job announcement before submitting their online application materials.
TESTING:
Testing for this position or any other position may include, but is not limited to the following: written exam, practical exam, panel interview, physical ability test, assessment center, oral presentation, project assignment, etc. If a revision is made to a testing component during a recruitment process, the assigned recruiter will notify by email all affected applicants.
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 the assigned recruiter, Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at (714) 573-6807 or via email at dukesteppe@ocfa.org no later than 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.
RECRUITMENT/SELECTION PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS:
All recruitment/selection process and requirements will be held in accordance with the OCFA's Merit and Selection Rules, which are available for inspection upon request.
ELIGIBLE LIST:
The duration of an Eligible List for this recruitment is one (1) year, unless extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director prior to the expiration.
WITHDRAWING FROM RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
Whenever an applicant chooses to withdraw from a recruitment process, he/she is required to submit an email notification to Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at dukesteppe@ocfa.org requesting a withdrawal from the process. The email to the recruiter must include the applicant's current phone number.
QUESTIONS:
All questions regarding this position should be directed to Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at (714) 573-6807 or dukesteppe@ocfa.org.
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.
Orange County Employees Association (OCEA) Representation
This classification is represented by the OCEA. Please visit the Orange County Employees' Association for additional information.
Base Salary Adjustments:
- 2.54% base salary adjustment effective 5/1/26
Employees are eligible for a merit salary increase (1 to 4 steps) at their six-month review date, and annually thereafter based upon work performance until step 12 of the salary range is reached.
Medical Benefit
Employees Have a Choice Of Medical Plans Under The CalPERS Health Benefits Program And The Authority Contributes Towards The Cost Of Health Premiums As Follows:
- 100% of cost for employee only premium; or
- 75% of cost for dependent/family premium
Medical Opt-Out: Effective January 1, 2024, employees who submit sufficient proof of alternate group health insurance may waive coverage and receive the following in bi-monthly taxable cash:
- Full-Time Employees: $340.91 per pay period (24 pay periods)
- Part-Time Employees: $170.46 per pay period (24 pay periods)
OCEA Health & Welfare Benefits Plan
The OCFA contributes to the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust which provides for the following dental, vision, disability insurance, and life insurance for all employees in regular or limited-term positions represented by OCEA, regardless of membership status. With a union membership, employees have the option to purchase additional insurance available through the OCEA. Please visit the Health & Welfare Trust webpage for additional information.
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 General Members: Employees hired on or after December 1, 2012, who establish reciprocity with OCERS are enrolled in the 2% at age 55 retirement formula (Plan N). Employees pays their maximum employee contribution based on age of entry into OCERS (or reciprocal retirement system), including any increases to the maximum employee contribution as calculated by OCERS. The compensation limit for Legacy members in 2025 is $350,000.
New General Members (PEPRA): Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, without reciprocity are enrolled in the 2.5% at age 67 retirement formula (Plan U). Employees contribute 50% of the normal retirement cost toward the employee's retirement contribution but no higher than their maximum employee contribution (based on age of entry into OCERS). The compensation limit for PEPRA members in 2025 is $186,096 (non-Social Security participants).
For more information about OCERS retirement, please visit OCERS.
Deferred Compensation
Employees in regular or limited-term positions 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.
Retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement
General Unit members hired on/after January 1, 2007, are enrolled in a defined contribution retiree health reimbursement arrangement to which they contribute 4.0% of base salary.
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, a Bachelor's Degree, Or Completion Of An Approved Course From The Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Or Equivalent, Are Eligible For Educational Incentive Pay As Follows:
- 60 units or UTI course = 2.5% of base salary per month; or
- 90 units = 3% of base salary per month; or
- Bachelor's degree = 5.5% of base salary per month
Other Specialty Pays / Reimbursements
Employees under special classifications or assignments, or who possess specialized skills/training/certification, may be eligible for other specialty pays. Please refer to the OCEA MOU for further details.
Tuition Reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement is $2,000 per fiscal year to cover certain expenses associated with academic pursuits.
Vacation
Vacation accrual is based on hours of completed continuous service (regular hours) exclusive of overtime:
- Upon employment and up to 3 years, up to 80 hours per year
- After 3 years, but less than 10 years, up to 120 hours per year
- After 10 years, up to 160 hours per year
Employees in the General 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
- Veteran's Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
Sick Leave
Sick leave is accumulated from year-to-year and accrues as follows:
- Upon employment, up to 72 hours per year
- After 3 years, up 96 hours per year
Paid Annual Leave (PAL)
After completion of new probation, a full-time employee will be eligible to take up to thirty-six (36) hours of paid time off each year, in addition to his/her accrued time [Part-time employees are eligible for eighteen (18) hours]. PAL is awarded on the first day of pay period 1 of the subsequent year and every year thereafter. PAL cannot be cashed out and must be used by the last day of pay period 26 within the calendar year it is earned.
Uniforms
The Authority provides uniforms to employees in designated positions.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs):
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.
Behavioral Health and Wellness
OCFA offers a variety of behavioral health and wellness services to our employees and their dependents, including access to the OCFA Peer Support Team Members, OCFA Chaplains, and the Counseling Team International (TCTI). TCTI provides behavioral health and wellness services to public safety agency employees and their eligible family members with confidential professional assistance. Support services include, but are not limited to, the following types of situations: marital and family problems, stress/burnout, anger management, separation/divorce, child/adolescent issues, depression, and critical incident/trauma. TCTI also offers life care resource assistance for childcare, adoption, elderly and senior care, and financial information.
Pet Discount 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, $32,500 Annual Scholarships for Members and Dependents., Hardship Grants/Loans, Annual Picnic for Members, Holiday Ball, Retiree Tribute. In addition, Discount Offers- Recreation/Amusement Parks, fitness 19 & 24-Hour Fit. gym membership. Discount Movie Tickets, Angel Baseball Games with Tailgate Party, etc.). In addition, membership allows access to very good supplemental insurances of many type, including Long Term Disability, Long Term Care, Various AFLAC (ICU, Cancer, Accident Inj., CSFA membership, Living Trusts & more. The Family Auxiliary and KIDS Fund (provides monetary assistance only to kids of members), both operate under the Benevolent Assoc. Visit the OCFA Benevolent Association Website for more information or you can watch OCFA Benevolent Association Overview.
Updated: 07/2025
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.
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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
Are you a current Orange County Fire Authority employee?
- Yes
- No
Please select your highest level of education.
- Less than a High School Diploma/GED
- High School Diploma/GED
- Some college courses
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
- PhD
If you possess a Bachelor's Degree or higher, please indicate your area of study.
- Fire Science
- Forestry
- Conservation Scientist
- Environmental Management
- Ecology
- Environmental Studies
- Community Economic Development
- Ecological and Environmental Economics
- Environmental Protection and Conservation
- Forest Ecosystem Management
- Land Resource Inventory and Interpretation
- Land, Soil, and Water Conservation
- Landscape Ecology
- Land and Water Use
- Green and Sustainable Management
- Environmental Science
- Other closely related field
- I do not possess a Bachelor's Degree
Please indicate the amount of directly related project/program management experience you possess (all experience must be detailed in your application).
- I do not possess any experience
- Less than one (1) year of experience
- More than 1 year but less than two (2) years of experience
- 2 or more years of experience
Which software programs or devices do you have experience using?
- Microsoft Office products (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook)
- ESRI products (e.g., ArcMap, ArcCatalog)
- GPS programs (e.g., Tremble, Garmin)
- Avenza
- Quick Capture
- Cal Mapper
Do you have experience with NEPA/CEQA?
- Yes
- No
Have you responded to vegetation fires in either a support or suppression role?
- Yes
- No
Do you have experience working with VMP/VTP?
- Yes
- No
- Required Question
Salary : $186,096 - $350,000