Aircraft Rescue Firefighter
Orange County Fire Authority
Turn this role into an interview — a resume and cover letter built around what this employer wants.
Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is seeking an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter (ARFF) on a part-time basis to backfill and trade shifts at John Wayne Airport. Selected candidates will undergo two 40-hour ARFF training courses, then be administratively assigned for a three-month familiarization period.
Responsibilities include responding to aircraft ground emergencies, applying firefighting foams and extinguishing agents, and maintaining ARFF qualifications.
Qualifications
- Completion of Firefighter probation.
- Possess a standard or higher rating on most recent performance evaluation.
- Basic knowledge of ARFF and airport operations.
- Demonstrate the ability to follow orders.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in written form.
- Be adaptable, resolve conflicts, and solve problems.
- Working knowledge of Word and Excel.
- Willing to backfill assignments at FS33.
- Willing to accept Administrative Assignments to FS33.
- Comply with FAA regulations and policies.
- Pass a CHRC background check.
Responsibilities
- Respond to aircraft ground emergencies and perform ARFF duties.
- Maintain ARFF qualifications and currency.
- Participate in training and aircraft recovery programs.
- Represent OCFA and John Wayne Airport professionally during operations.
Skills
Tools
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.
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.
- 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)
- 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
- Monday, September 28, 2026, at 5:00 pm- Last Day to Submit Online Application and Resumé
- Monday, October 19, 2026, through Friday, 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
If there is a change in the selection process, Human Resources will notify all affected candidates.
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.
Should you have further questions or need additional clarification, please contact the ARFF Program Manager, Battalion Chief Erik Miranda (B5-C) at (949) 486-9606 (cell).
If you are experiencing technical difficulties uploading your documents, please contact Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at dukesteppe@ocfa.org or via telephone at (714) 573-6807.
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 dukesteppe@ocfa.org no later than 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.
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.
This classification is represented by the OCPFA Local 3631. Please visit http://www.ocfirefighters.org for more information.
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.
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 3/1/2028 in the amount of $2,199.49/month for "actively employed" enrollee members of the unit.
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). Please visit OCERS to view compensation and benefit limits. https://www.ocers.org/post/compensation-and-benefit-limits
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). Please visit OCERS to view compensation and benefit limits. https://www.ocers.org/post/compensation-and-benefit-limits
For more information about OCERS retirement, please visit OCERS, or view the Retirement Plan HERE.
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.
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.
Employees contribute 1.0% of their base salary towards the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA) Supplemental Retiree Medical Plan Trust Fund.
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.
Employees contribute 1.45% to Medicare. Employees whose wages exceed $200,000 in a calendar year shall contribute an additional 0.9%.
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;
- 90+ college‑level semester units - 5% of base salary per month;
- 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.
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.
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 is $2,000 per fiscal year to cover certain expenses associated with academic pursuits.
Employees in the Firefighters Unit observe 13 holidays within the calendar year:
- New’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 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 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.
The Authority provides uniforms to employees.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
