Hand Crew Firefighter

The Orange County Fire Authority is hiring Hand Crew Firefighters for physically demanding tasks related to fire suppression and rehabilitation. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid California Driver License. Desired qualifications include various firefighting certifications and experience. This position is not remote, as it requires on-site work in Irvine, CA. Applications are accepted until March 30, 2025, with ongoing recruitment afterward.
This is a continuous recruitment with an application review date of March 31, 2025. Qualified applicants who apply by Sunday, March 30, 2025, will be invited to participate in the schedule listed below in the Tentative Schedule of Events section of this recruitment announcement. Applicants who apply on or after March 31, 2025, will be included in an additional selection process. The dates for the additional selection processes will be released in the future.

For more information about the Orange County Fire Authority Hand Crew Firefighter please visit www.joinocfa.org.

CLASS SUMMARY

Under supervision, performs a full range of strenuous physical tasks related to fire suppression, fire line construction, improvement, and rehabilitation to fire lines and burn areas; mop up fire hotspots using hand tools to stop the fire spread; and other related support functions.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Hand Crew Firefighter is distinguished from a Firefighter, which has a full range of firefighting responsibilities. In addition to the performance of hand crew firefighting duties, incumbents may serve on as needed basis in technical assignments performing one of the following: fire suppression and prevention, training, and communications. Conducts regular maintenance and repairs on various equipment such as mowers, chainsaws, and hand tools serving as a crew member during project work which involves mowing, trimming, and tree and brush removal.

When work schedules permit, Hand Crew Firefighters will also assist with special projects including construction maintenance.

To view the comprehensive class specification, please click on the following link: Hand Crew Firefighter.

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of this job such as those listed in the Essential Functions section of the classification specification for Hand Crew Firefighter.

EDUCATION (position requirement at entry):
• High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)

EXPERIENCE (position requirement at entry):
• Experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of this job

OTHER REQUIREMENTS (position requirement at entry):
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS (position requirement at entry):
• Possession of a valid Class C California Driver License by date of appointment. 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
• Possession of an S-130 Firefighter Training Certificate
• Possession of an S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Certificate
• Possession of L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service Certificate
• Possession of an S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws Certificate
• Possession of an NWCG Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss)
• Possession of a valid California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License or Paramedic License
• Completion of a State Certified Basic Firefighter 1 Academy
• Possession of a valid Incident Qualification Card / Firefighter Red Card or Incident Qualifications and Certifications System (IQCS) Master Record

NOTE: Applicants who possess some or all of the highly desired certificates listed above MUST attach a scanned PDF copy at time of application submission.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Please note that this is a continuous recruitment. Qualified applicants who apply before the Application Review date listed will be invited to participate in the tentative schedule of events posted. Applicants who apply on or after Monday, March 31, 2025 will be included in a different selection process. Additional recruitment and selection dates will be released following this application review.
• Application Review – Monday, March 31, 2025
• Written Examination – Week of April 14, 2025
• Arduous Pack Test - May 12, 2025 - May 23, 2025
• Applicants who possess and submit a current, valid Arduous Pack Test certification will not be required to participate in this portion of the selection process.
• Oral Interviews - June 16, 2025 – June 27, 2025
• Fire Chief Interviews – July 2025
• Eligibility List Established - TBD
• Background Investigation Orientation – TBD
• Expected Start Date – January 2026

Please note, all dates are subject to change based on organizational need. Should a change occur, Human Resources will notify all affected candidates via email.

ONLINE APPLICATION

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 and PDF copies of certificates. To apply for this position, please visit www.ocfa.org and submit your online application and all relevant supplemental documentation.

Online resumes and other unsolicited materials may be attached but will not be considered in lieu of the required online application. 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.

Human Resources will screen all applications for minimum qualifications, however, the OCFA reserves the right to refer only the better qualified applicants.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION

The minimum passing score is 80%. The written exam will have a weight of 25% of the candidates' overall score. All candidates that achieve a score of 80% or above on the written examination will be invited to the arduous pack test.

ARDUOUS PACK TEST

Candidates must pass the arduous pack test exam in a time of 45:00 minutes or less. The arduous pack test consists of a three (3) mile hike with a 45-pound pack over level terrain. The arduous pack test will be coordinated by the OCFA at a nearby facility. Candidates may substitute an IQCS Master Record showing their current fitness level status as Arduous as a substitute for completing this portion of the recruitment process. All candidates who successfully complete the arduous pack test will be invited to the oral interview.

PANEL INTERVIEW

The minimum passing score is 80%. The panel interview will have a weight of 75% of the candidates' overall score. The panel interview will be arranged by Human Resources. Human Resources will notify referred candidates by email of the scheduled dates, times, and locations.

CHIEF'S INTERVIEW

Candidates who successfully complete the Chief's interview may be invited to begin the pre-employment background process. The Chief's interview will be arranged by Human Resources. Human Resources will notify candidates by email of the scheduled dates, times, and locations for their assigned interview.

ELIGIBILITY LIST

Placement on the eligibility list will be established based on a combination of the written examination score (25%) and the panel interview score (75%). The arduous pack test is pass/fail. The eligibility list will remain in effect for a period of one (1) year from the date of establishment or until all the names on the list are exhausted. The eligibility list may be extended or abolished at the discretion of the Assistant Chief/Human Resources Director.

SELECTION

Tentative selections will be completed after the Fire Chief interviews. Final selections are based on vacancies and successful completion of:
• Pre-employment background check
• Pre-employment medical examination
• Pre-employment fitness examination

PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL EXAMINATION

Candidate must successfully complete a comprehensive pre-employment medical exam including a drug screen through the OCFA's designated physician.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND

Candidate must successfully complete a comprehensive pre-employment background investigation including, but not limited to fingerprinting, current and previous employment history check, reference check, DMV check, criminal history check, and licensure/certification check.

POST EMPLOYMENT OFFERS

All job offers are contingent upon the successful completion / clearance of a comprehensive pre-employment medical exam and drug screen through the OCFA's designated health care providers, and completion of a comprehensive background investigation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, driving, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Employees represented by the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA) hired after September 1, 2016, are not permitted to use tobacco products on or off duty.

LOYALTY OATH

All new employees must take an oath of allegiance to the United States of America and the State of California.

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 Julie Kwak, Human Resources Analyst I at (714) 573-6828 or juliekwak@ocfa.org within 72 hours prior to the need for the accommodation.

QUESTIONS

All questions regarding this position should be directed to Julie Kwak, Human Resources Analyst I at (714) 573-6828 or juliekwak@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.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
The Orange County Fire Authority is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.