Firefighter presso City of Orange, CA

The Orange City Fire Department is seeking qualified candidates who are prepared for a long-term career in the fire service. Ideal candidates will possess excellent interpersonal and mechanical skills, have a strong commitment to community involvement, and have a good understanding of teaching techniques. The City anticipates filling several vacancies from the eligibility list established by this recruitment, with successful candidates attending an Orange City Fire Department recruit academy beginning on February 9, 2026. 

 

 

1. Submit an online employment application to the City of Orange Human Resources Department via http://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orange by the recruitment closing date/time of 12:00 p.m. (PST) on Monday, September 29, 2025.  See "Application Procedure" section of this job posting for more detailed instructions.

2. Schedule and complete the job simulation written exam with National Testing Network, Inc. (NTN) by the recruitment closing date of 12:00 p.m. (PST) on Monday, September 29, 2025.  

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Candidates will be required to visit the City website by clicking here to find the Firefighter recruitment and complete the online application in full, including your entire job history.  

It is important that you read and become familiar with the instructions in this job posting. The application must be completed in its entirety.  If a field in the application or supplemental questionnaire section does not apply to you, then type "N/A" in that particular field.  No field of the employment application should be left blank.

Incomplete applications, or applications/résumés addressed to other fire agencies/jurisdictions, will result in disqualification.

REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS

Candidates must attach ONLY and ALL of the following five (5) specific documents to the employment application. Each of these five (5) specific documents must be attached as separate attachments and must be in PDF format.  Applications submitted with more or less than five (5) attachments will not be accepted.  Applications submitted with attachments in a format other than PDF will not be accepted.  Failure to follow these instructions will result in disqualification.

1.  Résumé of two (2) pages or less in length.

2. Proof of valid California Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) or Biddle physical ability certification dated within the twelve (12) months prior to the recruitment closing date (i.e., certification must be dated after September 29, 2024).  If you have more than one of these certifications, only upload and attach your most recent certification.

3. Proof of valid California EMT-1 certification. If you have a Paramedic License, provide proof of your EMT-P license INSTEAD of a valid EMT-1 certification.  Must be valid through at least September 29, 2025. (Note: National Registry is not accepted.)

4.  Proof of valid CPR certification.  Must be valid through at least September 29, 2025.

5. Certification from a California State Fire Training accredited Basic Firefighter Academy or a California State Firefighter 1 Certificate.

If you have any problems with the employment application website, please contact Governmentjobs.com's Support at (855) 524-5627. 

PHYSICAL ABILITY

For the physical ability requirement of this recruitment, we only accept valid California Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) cards or Biddle Physical Ability certifications.  Please click on the hyperlinks for information.  Candidates must possess either a valid CPAT card or Biddle certification dated within the twelve (12) months prior to the closing date of the recruitment (i.e., certification must be dated after September 29, 2024).  The City of Orange does not reimburse candidates for their out-of-pocket expenses related to this requirement.

WRITTEN EXAM

The Orange City Fire Department offers full written testing services for the position of Firefighter through National Testing Network, Inc. (NTN). To fill out a testing application and schedule your written exam, click on the following link: National Testing Network, select Find Jobs, choose Firefighter Jobs, then sign up for the Orange City Fire Department in California. Your NTN written exam score must be valid through September 29, 2025. If you have any questions regarding the written exam, please contact NTN Support at (206) 428-3265. 

What to expect on the NTN website:

NTN is a service utilized by the City of Orange to conduct standardized entry-level written exams for the position of Firefighter.  National Testing Network does not replace the Orange City Fire Department's decision-making in the testing process.  All written exam results are provided to the Orange City Fire Department where final recruitment decisions are made. The written exam will be weighted at 25% of a candidate's total score in the recruitment process. The City of Orange does not reimburse candidates for their out-of-pocket expenses related to this requirement.

It is the candidate's responsibility to confirm that their written scores will be forwarded to the City of Orange's Human Resources Department. Written exam's will be ranked by score and the highest scoring candidates, who also possess the required qualifications and correctly submit application materials, will be invited to a panel interview. The City's Human Resources Department will contact the successful candidates via email to invite them to participate in the subsequent stages of the recruitment process.

PANEL INTERVIEW

A structured panel interview will be used to rate the candidate's qualifications in areas such as: Education, Communication Skills, Job Knowledge, and Work Experience. 

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of October 13, 2025, at Orange City Hall, located at 300 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92866.  Do not bring any documents with you to the panel interview - the interview panel will already have copies of your application, résumé, and certificates.  A score of 70% or above is required to pass the panel interview and to be placed on the Firefighter eligibility list.  Candidates will receive notification via email of their panel interview results and eligibility list status. The panel interview score will be weighted at 75% of the total score in the recruitment process.

Once the Firefighter eligibility list is established, the Fire Chief will conduct interviews with candidates within Band I (i.e. candidates whose overall score is 90% or higher) and select candidates to move forward to the background investigation phase of the recruitment process. Fire Chief interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of October 20, 2025.  The Firefighter eligibility list established by this recruitment will be in effect for twelve (12) months, unless extended or cancelled by the Fire Chief and the Human Resources Department.

The following duties represent the principal job duties; however, they are not all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.  Management reserves the rights 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.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Respond to fire alarms and other emergency calls; perform firefighting and search and rescue duties; administer first aid; inspect structures; perform maintenance duties on station and equipment; respond to non-emergency calls; operate vehicles, aerial apparatus tiller, other fire apparatus, tools and equipment related to firefighting; must climb or work on ladders or high places; inspect and maintain equipment, tools and apparatus; participate in continuing instruction and training programs; assist in organizing and implementing training sessions and drills; assist in performing inspections of commercial and industrial structures for pre-fire planning and fire prevention purposes; perform public relations activities involving fire station tours and public/private school fire prevention activities; perform other duties as required.

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices and procedures of modern firefighting, fire apparatus, equipment, tools, devices, facilities and their proper use, advanced first aid, CPR, and other medical assistance techniques.

Ability to:

Learn to understand and act in accordance with departmental policies, rules, and instructions in the field of firefighting; Learn to apply fire fighting techniques and procedures; Demonstrate mechanical aptitude as required in the operation of fire fighting equipment; Demonstrate physical aptitude; Learn the layout of the City's water main system and street numbering system; Retain presence of mind in emergency situations; Think and act quickly and effectively in emergencies; Understand and follow oral and written directions promptly and accurately; Perform heavy lifting and physical maneuvering; Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Operate fire and other emergency apparatus and equipment effectively and safely; Analyze fire and other emergency situations accurately and take effective action; Follow directions and orders of superiors quickly in emergency situations; Read, understand, interpret and apply departmental policies, rules, laws, and ordinances pertaining to fire suppression, prevention, and investigation work; Establish and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with superiors and other employees in emergency and non-emergency situations; Speak clearly and give direction to members of the public; Write legibly in English; Carry out a conditioning program to maintain good physical fitness; Operate and maintain voice radio equipment.

REQUIREMENTS

HIGHLY DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Bilingual skills (English/Spanish).

California EMT-P license.

STATION VISITS

Station visits will only be allowed for candidates who have been invited to the panel interview phase of the recruitment process.

Physical Demands: Ability to walk, stand, sit, and climb to perform various firefighting/rescue duties: manual dexterity to use tools and equipment; physical strength to operate heavy equipment including firefighting apparatus and rescue equipment, and to lift and carry people of varying sizes and weights; ability to reach, push, pull, grab, and carry equipment of varying sizes and weights; verbal skills to be understood orally in person, on the telephone, or on the radio; hearing adequate to hear and respond to instructions both in person and on the radio; vision to properly operate equipment and perform firefighting and rescue operations.

Requires the ability to perform on-site field inspections including exertion of a moderate amount of physical effort to stoop, crouch, climb and lift in performance of assigned duties; may be subject to uncomfortable working conditions including exposure to odors, toxic agents, machinery, explosives, dusts, noise and smoke; must be able to perceive color, shapes and odors; requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as use of a personal computer or other office equipment or supplies and operation of a motor vehicle.

Disaster Service Worker: All employees of the City of Orange are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be “Disaster Service Workers.”  In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers.   Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees’ normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.
  

City Mission, Vision, and Values: Incumbents in all City positions are expected to exhibit the behavior characteristics reflected in the City's Mission, Vision, and Values statements in the performance of their duties: The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors.  As an organization, the City of Orange is the leader in delivering the highest level of service to meet current and future needs of the community.  The City's values include Teamwork, Accountability, and Excellence.