Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator

Orange County Fire Authority; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Orange County Fire Authority seeks a Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator to lead the Risk Management Division’s wellness initiatives and strategic programs for employees and their families. The role requires building confidential, trust-based relationships while advancing prevention and resilience across the department.

The ideal candidate will coordinate comprehensive wellness programs, partner with leadership and peer support teams, and leverage data to close gaps in service delivery,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral or social science, health care administration, human services, public/business administration, legal studies, or a closely related field
• Two years of professional-level administrative, clinical, and/or supervisory experience in healthcare system roles
• Experience developing, coordinating, and evaluating behavioral health or wellness programs
• Experience supporting first responders or public safety personnel
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries
• Valid California driver’s license required

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, supervise, and manage behavioral health programs for employees and families
• Provide health and wellness tools, resources, and support to staff facing stressors
• Collaborate with leadership, labor representatives, peer support teams, and community providers

Skills

Program development

Policy compliance

Budget monitoring

First responder support

Confidentiality

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in behavioral or social science, health care administration, human services, public/business administration, legal studies, or a closely related field

Job description

THE POSITION

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is currently recruiting to fill one (1) vacancy for the position of Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator, in the Risk Management Division of the Human Resources Department. This recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancy and establish an eligibility list for future vacancies.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• Last day to submit application: Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 11:59 pm
• Oral Interviews: Week of December 7, 2026
• Selection Interview: Week of December 14, 2026
• Hire Date: TBD

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Grounded in a commitment to employee well-being, the ideal candidate for OCFA’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator position brings compassion, professionalism, and a service-oriented approach. Offering experience coordinating behavioral health and wellness programs, this individual understands the unique demands of the fire service and public safety environment. Approachable and trustworthy, building strong relationships while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries. Valuing collaboration, this individual partners effectively with employees, leadership, labor representatives, peer support teams, and community providers. Adaptable and resourceful, responding to evolving needs while managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Leading with empathy, promoting access to support and helps reduce stigma around seeking assistance. Attentive to program effectiveness, using feedback and relevant data to identify service gaps and strengthen wellness initiatives. Navigating sensitive situations with sound judgment, communicates clearly and connects employees with appropriate resources. Committed to education and prevention, by coordinating outreach and training that encourage resilience and healthy practices. Holding themselves accountable to high ethical standards, this individual demonstrates integrity, follow-through, and respect in every interaction. Embodying a commitment to OCFA’s mission, the ideal candidate supports a culture in which employee well-being is integral to organizational readiness and service excellence.

DEFINITION

Incumbents are responsible for providing strategic leadership in the area of behavioral health and wellness. Duties to be performed will consist of complex professional level work in the design, implementation, supervision, and management of assigned behavioral health and wellness programs; and to provide overall health and wellness tools, services, resources, and support for our employees and their family when they are impacted by behavioral and physical health stressors.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Risk Manager. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

The Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator is a stand-alone classification. This position is distinguished from other classifications by its responsibility applying specialized behavioral health and wellness program expertise.

EDUCATION (position requirements at entry):

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in behavioral or social science, health care administration, human services, public/business administration, legal studies, or a closely related field

EXPERIENCE (position requirements at entry):

• Two (2) years of professional-level administrative, clinical, and/or supervisory experience, which includes one (1) year working with a healthcare system with responsibilities in one or more of the following areas:

• Development and monitoring of programs, policies and procedures
• Compliance/quality management
• Monitoring contracts or budget/fiscal administration. (Clerical and/or routine administrative/accounting experience is not considered qualifying).

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver’s license upon appointment. This classification is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program, which periodically provides Risk Management with the incumbent’s Driver License record and status.

HIGHLY DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Independent / Fully Licensed Counselor including, but not limited to:

• LPCC - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
• LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor
• LMHC – Licensed Mental Health Counselor
• LCMHC – Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
• LIMHP - Licensed Independent Mental Health Counselor
• LCPC – Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

• Additional board certifications (such as through the National Board for Certified Counselors) focused on specific populations or evidence-based methods including but not limited to:

• Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC)
• Substance Abuse / Addictions Counselor (CADC / MAC)
• Trauma & PTSD Counselor
• Child and Adolescent Counselor
• Marriage, Family, or Relational Counselor

• Experience developing, coordinating, and evaluating behavioral health, employee wellness, peer support, or resilience programs.
• Experience supporting first responders, public safety personnel, veterans, healthcare professionals, or other populations routinely exposed to critical incidents and occupational stress.

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.

Testing

Testing for this position or any other position may include, but is not limited to the following: written exam, practical exam, panel interview, physical ability test, assessment center, oral presentation, project assignment, etc. If a revision is made to a testing component during a recruitment process, the assigned recruiter will notify by email all affected applicants.

Recruitment and Selection Process and Requirements

All recruitment and selection processes and requirements will be held in accordance with the OCFA's Merit and Selection Rules, which are available for inspection upon request.

Eligible List

The duration of an Eligible List for this recruitment is one (1) year, unless extended or abolished by the Assistant Chief of Human Resources prior to the expiration.

Questions

All questions regarding this position should be directed to Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at [phone] or [e-mail].

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.