Hybrid Firefighter Paramedic Trainee bei Orange County Fire Authority, CA

About the Department

***UPCOMING RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT***

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) will be accepting applications for the position of Firefighter Paramedic Trainee beginning September 2, 2025. Candidates must agree to a two-year assignment in a paramedic post position. Please review this entire pre-recruitment announcement for important information.

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to complete a JOB INTEREST CARD to receive an email notification when the recruitment opens and to visit www.joinocfa.org for more information.  

WRITTEN EXAMINATION:
The written examination will be arranged by Human Resources for those not on the Fire Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List (SEL). Human Resources will notify referred candidates by EMAIL of the scheduled dates, times, and locations.

The OCFA also utilizes the FCTC SEL.  Candidates on the FCTC SEL by the end of OCFA’s application acceptance period, Tuesday, September 30, 2025 will not be required to take the written exam during the OCFA’s scheduled dates. The requirements to be placed on the FCTC SEL are as follows:

• Register and complete your profile on the FCTC website
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Possess a valid driver’s license – MUST upload to your profile AND keep current
• Have a high school diploma or GED – MUST complete the education field in your profile
• Possess a valid Cal-JAC Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Card – (CPAT results are uploaded automatically by FCTC)
• Receive a passing score on the FCTC Written Test – Written test score expires 12 months from date taken (written exam must be completed 10/01/2024 – 09/30/2025)
• The OCFA only accepts FCTC scores of 80% or higher

For more information on the FCTC SEL, click here. 

To view the FCTC test schedule, click here. 

For information regarding the FCTC financial hardship grant, click here. 

All of the information above can be found on FCTC’s website at www.fctconline.org

Exam scores from previous written exams taken as part of an OCFA recruitment process will not be considered in lieu of the written exam.

BIDDLE PHYSICAL AGILITY EXAMINATION:
The Biddle Physical Ability Test will be coordinated by the OCFA at a nearby Orange County college and proctored by the college staff. Possession of a current Biddle Physical Ability Certificate completed on or after April 1, 2025 WILL be substituted for this portion of the selection process.  The OCFA does NOT accept a CPAT in lieu of participation in the Biddle Physical Ability Test (the CPAT is still a requirement for the FCTC SEL).

FIRE ACADEMY:
Candidates who successfully complete the selection process and are chosen for employment with the Orange County Fire Authority must successfully complete a comprehensive, firefighter trainee academy.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience (position requirements at time of application):

• Must be at least 18 years of age  
• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalency certificate
• No experience required

License and Certification (position requirements at time of application):

• Possession of a valid Class C California Driver License or out of state equivalent 

• Candidates who possess an out of state equivalent license must possess a Commercial Driver’s License at time of appointment. 

• Possession of a current, valid California or National Registry Paramedic License

Applicants will be required to attach a copy of their current, valid Paramedic License at time of application submission.  Failure to submit the required documentation at time of application will result in disqualification.

Other Qualifications

CURRENT SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Tuesday, September 2, 2025: Recruitment Opens
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.: Last day to apply on-line 
October 18 – 19, 2025: Written Exam hosted by the OCFA for those not on the FCTC SEL
November 1, 2025 – December 21, 2025:  Biddle Physical Agility Test coordinated by the OCFA (possession of a current Biddle Physical Ability Certificate completed on or after April 1, 2025 WILL be substituted for this portion of the selection process) 
January 5 – 30, 2026:  Paramedic Assessment Center (Interview/Skills/Written)
TBD:  Eligibility List Established 
February 1 – 28, 2026:  Chief's Interview 
March 9 – May 31, 2026:  Background Investigation, Pre-employment Medical Examination, and Pre-Academy Physical Fitness Assessment
June 12, 2026:  Academy On-Boarding Orientation 
July 24, 2026:   First Day of Fire Academy/Family Orientation

The above timeline is tentative and subject to change based on OCFA needs.

Additional information regarding the selection process will be available on the recruitment announcement when the recruitment opens on September 2, 2025.