Location : Headquarters - 1 Fire Authority Road, Irvine, CA 92602, CA
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Job Number: 2026-57-DS
Department: TRAINING
Opening Date: 06/22/2026
Closing Date: 7/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

DESCRIPTION
The Operations Training and Safety Section is recruiting to create a candidate pool for current and future vacancies at the Firefighter rank.
This Assistant Fire Training Officer (AFTO) recruitment is an Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) internal recruitment. Only applications from current, qualified, non-probationary (at time of appointment) Firefighters will be accepted.
Work Schedule:

The AFTO position requires a two (2) year minimum commitment on administrative assignment. The work schedule will be dependent on the needs of the training section and determined by the Operations Training and Safety Battalion Chief.
ADDITIONAL PAY

Per the , AFTOs are eligible for 7.5% Staff Assignment Pay (SAP) and/or 10% Staff Incentive Pay (SIP).
If an employee is receiving paramedic pay at the time of transition to the AFTO position, the employee may continue receiving paramedic pay in lieu of the 10% SIP. Please refer to the , page 105-106 (Article XXIV, Section 2.I.2) for additional information.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The person(s) selected will be incorporated into the full range of AFTO roles and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Training Activity Group (TAG)
• Reserve training
• Curriculum development
• Safety Officer program
• Performing live fire training

This is an excellent opportunity to join our training team at the OCFA, serve with a training staff that is committed to quality "hands-on" operational training, be exposed to professional growth opportunities, and positively impact the future of the OCFA.
Please click on the following links to view the complete classification specification for

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• At time of appointment, must be an OCFA non-probationary Firefighter
• Current possession of, or completion within one (1) year of appointment, Instructor 1
• Strong written communications and computer skills
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to work closely with others

• Willingness and the ability to work evenings and weekends

If you are interested in being considered for this ambitious and rewarding assignment, please submit a cover memo of interest and a brief resumé (two pages maximum) with your electronic application no later than 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 5, 2026.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
HOW TO APPLY

To apply, go to Interested personnel are to submit the following:

• Online application
• Cover memo of interest
• Resumé (two pages maximum) outlining your education, experience, and relevant background

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• Last day to submit online application, memo of interest, and related certificates: Sunday, July 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM
• Oral Panel Interview: Week of July 13, 2026
• Commitment Begins: TBD

Please note, any changes to the above schedule will be made to meet the needs of the Authority and all applicants will be notified.
QUESTIONS

All questions regarding this position should be directed to Battalion Chief Chris Sotro, at or via telephone at (949) 919-1978.
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH NEOGOV

Please contact the assigned recruiter, Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at (714) 573-6807 or via email at [email protected].
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 Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA) Local 3631: This classification is represented by the OCPFA Local 3631. Please visit 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 side letter.

Merit Salary Increases
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 , or view the Retirement Plan
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

The maximum educational incentive pay an employee shall receive is 7.5% of base salary. To receive educational incentive pay, the employee must submit a written request to receive the educational incentive pay and submit satisfactory proof of qualification (for example, grade cards, transcripts, and/or other verification from an accredited, college-level educational institution). Employees must provide official transcripts for verification.

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

Shift employees receive 11.2 hours holiday pay of which 0.7 hours is designated to a Union Time Bank for Union release time.

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
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.

Uniforms
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

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, $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 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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