Aircraft Rescue Firefighter

Orange County Fire Authority; California; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) seeks internal candidates for the Aircraft Rescue Firefighter (ARFF) part-time role at John Wayne Airport. Selected firefighters will complete two 40‑hour ARFF courses and obtain FAA/OCFA certification, then be administratively assigned to FS 33 for three months while training continues.

This position requires adherence to FAA regulations, airport rules, backfill availability, and strong communication, physical readiness, and ongoing live-fire/NCCCO training.

Qualifications

• Completion of Firefighter probation
• Standard or higher rating on most recent performance evaluation
• Basic ARFF knowledge and airport operations
• Ability to follow orders
• Effective oral and written communication
• Adaptable, resolve conflicts, and solve problems
• Basic working knowledge of Word and Excel
• Willing to backfill assignments to FS33
• Willing for Administrative Assignments to FS33
• Comply with JWA rules and FAA regulations
• Pass a CHRC background per CFR 1542.209(m)

Responsibilities

• Meet FAA AC 150/5210-17C
• Complete FAA Basic ARFF Course before FS33
• Complete NCCCO TLL within one year
• Annual FAA live fire training
• Maintain ARFF qualifications and currency
• Attend quarterly training and meetings
• Maintain SIDA badge and airport driving privileges

Skills

Firefighter probation completed

ARFF knowledge

Communication skills

Problem solving

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Aircraft Rescue Firefighter (ARFF) recruitment is an Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) internal recruitment. ONLY applications from current, qualified OCFA non-probationary Firefighter rank will be accepted.

This recruitment will be added to the team of part-time ARFF-qualified personnel who provide backfill and/or shift trade opportunities in place of full-time ARFF Firefighters. This recruitment will not establish a candidate pool for future vacancies. All future vacancies will be filled through a new recruitment process.

TRAINING

The top selected individuals, up to nine (9) Firefighters, who successfully complete the selection process will be assigned to initial training over two (2) 40-hour courses to earn certification as an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter (ARFF).One (1) week on a 40-hour work schedule to complete the FAA §139.319 – Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting: Operational Requirements.One (1) 40-hour week (SA/SAR) to complete the OCFA ARFF Academy.

Upon completion, each person will be Administratively Assigned (AA) to FS 33 for a period of three (3) months for continued training and familiarization. Depending on the number of successful candidates, this AA may not occur immediately after the two-week initial training period; however, it is expected to occur within the first year. Successful completion of the ARFF certification process is required to receive an OCFA ARFF staffing qualification.

For more information, please see pages 100-103 of the OCPFA IAFF - Local 3631 MOU.

Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting personnel, under the direction of the ARFF Program Manager, are part of a special category of firefighting that involves the response, hazard mitigation, evacuation, and rescue of passengers and crew of aircraft involved in an airport ground emergency.

ARFF personnel have advanced training in the application of firefighting foams, dry chemical, and clean agents used to extinguish burning aviation fuel in and around an aircraft to maintain pathways for evacuating passengers to exit the fire hazard area.

ARFF personnel are also expected to participate in FS 33’s aircraft recovery program, refueling class instruction, fuel farm and truck inspections, and other JWA specific tasks.

This position requires participation in rigorous physical and mentally challenging operations in extremely varied and potentially hazardous working conditions and requires the ability to work independently. ARFF personnel not only represent OCFA but also John Wayne Airport.

Minimum requirements for ARFF (pre-appointment)

Candidates must possess all experience listed below.

• Completion of Firefighter probation
• Possess a standard or higher rating on most recent performance evaluation
• Possess a basic knowledge of ARFF and airport operations
• Demonstrate the ability to follow orders
• Possess the skills to communicate effectively both orally and in written form
• Possess the ability to be adaptable, resolve conflicts, and solve problems
• Possess basic working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Remain available and willing to work backfill assignments at FS33
• Be willing to accept occasional Administrative Assignments to FS33
• Comply with John Wayne Airport (JWA) "Airport Rules and Regulations" as well as all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and policies
• Pass a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) background in accordance with CFR 1542.209(m)

Position Requirements (post selection):

All rank personnel must:

• Fully meet and comply with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5210-17C
• Successfully complete an FAA approved Basic ARFF Course prior to being eligible to work at FS33
• Complete a Crane Operator/Rigger course and be certified to National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operator (NCCCO) TLL standards within one year of selection
• Complete annual FAA required live fire training
• Maintain ARFF qualifications and skills currency commensurate to the OCFA ARFF program
• Attend quarterly training and other meetings as necessary
• Maintain Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) badge credentials and airport driving privileges

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• Monday, September 28, 2026, at 5:00 pm- Last Day to Submit Online Application and Resumé
• Monday, October 19, 2026, throughFriday, October 23, 2026- Oral Interviews
• February 15, 2027, through February 19, 2027 - FAA §139.319 – ARFF Training at DFW
• February 22, 2027, through February 26,2027 - OCFA ARFF Academy at FS 33
• April 26, 2027, through April 30, 2027- National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operator (NCCCO) Training

CHANGE IN SCHEDULING/PROCESS

If there is a change in the selection process, Human Resources will notify all affected candidates.

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.

QUESTIONS:

Should you have further questions or need additional clarification, please contact the ARFF Program Manager, Battalion Chief Erik Miranda (B5-C) at [phone] (cell).

If you are experiencing technical difficulties uploading your documents, please contact Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at [e-mail] or via telephone at [phone].

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 Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at [e-mail] no later than 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.

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.