CA-TF5 US&R Medical Specialist
Orange County Fire Authority
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Job summary
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is recruiting California Task Force 5 (CA-TF5) for the Medical Specialist role. The position supports practical medical functions of the US&R Task Force under the Medical Team Manager, with duties across base camp and field operations.
Selected candidates will be placed on a Candidate Pool List for current and future vacancies, with a potential two-year retention. Training includes FEMA courses and air operations during deployments or exercises.
Qualifications
- Current, OCFA Fire Captains, Engineers, or non-probationary Firefighters.
- Participation in the OCFA WEFIT program.
- Basic knowledge of US&R and GPS operations.
- Demonstrate ability to follow orders and personnel management skills.
- Must communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Flexibility, conflict resolution, and problem-solving abilities.
- Basic working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Willingness to work and live in poor conditions for extended periods.
- Follow the Federal Code of Conduct for US&R Task Forces.
- Two years as a certified Paramedic.
Responsibilities
- Support practical medical functions of the US&R Task Force.
- Provide written and verbal communication with all US&R Task Force sections.
- Work in disaster zones under adverse weather, hazardous atmospheres, and during air operations.
- Represent the local, state and federal government under diverse conditions.
Skills
Job description
- Resumé outlining qualifications (1-page maximum)
The US&R Medical Specialist recruitment is open to current, Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Fire Captains, Fire Apparatus Engineers, and non-probationary Firefighters. Successful candidates will be placed on a Candidate Pool List, which will be used to fill current and future vacancies. The list may be retained for up to two (2) years.
California Task Force 5 (CA-TF5) is currently recruiting for the position of Medical Specialist. The Medical Specialist, under the direction of the Medical Team Manager, is responsible for supporting the practical medical functions of the US&R Task Force.
The position requires participation in rigorous physical and mentally challenging base camp and field operations, encompassing multiple disciplines of medical functions in extremely varied and potentially hazardous working conditions. Medical Specialists require the ability to provide both verbal and written interaction with all Sections of the US&R Task Force, including local, state and federal officials. The position also requires working in disaster zones, in adverse weather conditions, hazardous atmospheres and flight in military or civilian aircraft (fixed and rotary).
As a Member of the US&R Task Force you will be asked to represent the local, state and federal government, under extremely diverse conditions.
Minimum requirements for US&R Medical Specialist (pre-appointment):
- Current, OCFA Fire Captains, Fire Apparatus Engineers, or non-probationary Firefighters.
- Participation in the OCFA "WEFIT" program
- Have a basic knowledge of US&R and GPS operations
- Demonstrate the ability to follow orders and personnel management skills
- Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Have the ability to be flexible, resolve conflicts, and solve problems
- Possess basic working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
- Be willing to work and live in poor conditions for extended periods of time
- Follow the Federal "Code of Conduct" for US&R Task Forces
- Two (2) years as a certified Paramedic
- Must maintain a basic knowledge of the use of specialized Task Force equipment and support resources related to your position
- Meet and maintain qualifications for Medical Specialist per the FEMA Position Descriptions
- Completion of the FEMA Medical Team Course
- Completion of FEMA classes IS100, IS200, IS700 & IS800 and FEMA Orientation class
- Completion of GPS operational, WMD Enhanced Ops classes (on-line)
- Completion and maintenance of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)
- Participate in air operations – Helicopter and fixed wing during deployments or training
- Assist with regular, and as needed, medical cache upkeep and restocking
- Maintain/respond by timely communication with Task Force and section administration through email and phone
- Successfully complete Confined Space Rescue Technician class and be able to work and function in that environment.
- Complete Annual Confined Space Rescue Refresher training
- Attend a minimum of three quarters (¾) of Medical Specialist Trainings and quarterly meetings annually.
- September 29, 2026 at 12:00 pm (noon) – Last day to submit online application, memo of interest, resumé, and applicable certificates
- Week of October 19, 2026 – Oral Interviews
- Week of October 27, 2026 – Notification to Candidates
- Selected individuals are anticipated to begin training in February 2027.
All materials must be submitted with your online application no later than 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
All questions regarding this position should be directed to Fire Captain Brian Hsieh.
Please contact the assigned recruiter, Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analyst at bradstephens@ocfa.org or 714-573-6816.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, anyone who needs an ADA accommodation for the purposes of employment testing should contact Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at BradStephens@ocfa.org within 72 hours of the need for an accommodation.
Whenever an applicant chooses to withdraw from a recruitment process, he/she is required to submit an email notification to the assigned recruiter, Brad Stephens, at BradStephens@ocfa.org requesting a withdrawal from the process. The email to the recruiter must include the applicant's current phone number.
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.
The Orange County Fire Authority is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
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 with 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; or
- 90+ college-level semester units - 5% of base salary per month; or
- 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.
Hand Crew Firefighters are not eligible for educational incentive Pay.
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 Year'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 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.
Updated 07/2026
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.
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