Paramedic Training Candidate

Orange-County-Fire-Authority; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is recruiting internally for a Paramedic Training Candidate. Only current, full-time OCFA Firefighters, Fire Apparatus Engineers, and Fire Captains may apply; all must be off probation by Aug 31, 2026.

The program covers partnerships with OCEMS-affiliated schools and begins January 2027. Selected candidates will be sponsored through didactic coursework, hospital clinicals, field internship, and National Registry testing, with an obligation to a two-year

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Current EMT Certificate
• Current Health Care Provider CPR card
• Minimum of standard rating on current performance appraisal
• Recommendation from immediate supervisor with Battalion Chief concurrence

Education

High school diploma or GED

Current EMT Certificate

Health Care Provider CPR card

Job description

The Paramedic Training Candidate recruitment is an Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) internal recruitment.Only applications from current, full-time OCFA Firefighters, Fire Apparatus Engineers, and Fire Captains will be accepted. Applicants of all ranks must be off probation by the application submission deadline, August 31, 2026.

This recruitment covers the paramedic programs of OCEMT, UCLA, Saddleback, Palomar and Ventura Community College; all which begin during the month of January 2027.

The Emergency Medical Services Department is currently accepting applications for sponsorship to attend a paramedic program and to establish an eligibility list to fill future paramedic school vacancies. Upon successful completion of the didactic, hospital clinical experience, field internship, National Registry testing and state licensing requirements, candidates will have completed all the steps for sponsorship. The OCFA EMS Department will sponsor the candidate for local accreditation with OCEMS. Selected candidates who successfully complete the training process must agree to a two (2) year assignment in a paramedic post position.

Note – In order to meet the enrollment requirements for both the didactic and clinical portions of the paramedic programs, the student may be required to participate in medical and drug screenings, background checks and vaccinations to include influenza and COVID 19.

WORK SCHEDULE

Candidates will be assigned to a 40-hour work week during the didactic and skills training portion. Classes will begin in January 2027. Candidates will be assigned to a 56-hour shift schedule during field internship.

ADDITIONAL PAY

Please follow the link below regarding Paramedic Pay information: Paramedic Pay - Page 96 of the OCPFA IAFF - Local 3631 MOU

Candidates must complete the following steps for sponsorship:

• Didactic and Skills
• Hospital Clinical
• Field Internship
• National Registry Testing
• California Licensing Requirements

Upon completion, the OCFA EMS Department will sponsor for local accreditation with OCEMS.

The minimum qualification for selection will include:

• Current OCFA Firefighter, Fire Apparatus Engineer, or Fire Captain (must be off probation by the application submission deadline, August 31, 2026)
• Must agree to a two (2) year assignment in a paramedic post position
• Possession of a high school diploma or GED
• Possession of a current EMT certificate
• Possession of a current health care provider CPR card
• Minimum of standard rating on current performance appraisal
• Recommendation from immediate supervisor with Battalion Chief concurrence

EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Written test to evaluate EMT knowledge
• Oral interview which includes patient care scenarios to test EMT practical knowledge and skills

Personnel must score a minimum of 80% or higher in each section in order to be successful in the testing process.

SELECTION PROCESS

All successful candidates will be placed on an eligibility list in order based on scores in the testing process. Every effort will be made to accommodate a candidate’s paramedic program preference while taking into account the candidate’s residence in proximity to the program and department need first. Priority will be given to the firefighter rank. Successful candidates will also need to:

• Provide proof of passing college level English or take the matriculation exam
• Pass the college health screening
• If applicable, pass drug and medical screening
• If applicable, pass a background check (Live scan or similar)
• If applicable, provide proof of vaccinations to include, but not limited to, influenza and Covid19

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• Monday, August 31, 2026 at 12:00 pm (noon) - Last day to submit online application
• Non-mandatory School & Testing Process Overview – TBD (Zoom meeting)
• Week of September 21, 2026 - Written test to evaluate EMT knowledge and oral interview containing patient care scenarios
• TBD - Provide proof of passing college level English or take the matriculation exam
• TBD - Pass the college health screening, medical background and/or drug screening
• TBD - School orientation as necessary for each specific paramedic program

CHANGE IN SCHEDULING/PROCESS

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

QUESTIONS

Should you have further questions or need additional clarification, please contact EMS Department Fire Captain Paramedic Michael Macshane at [e-mail] or (714) 573 - 6077. If you are experiencing technical difficulties with the recruiting software or uploading documents, please contact Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analyst 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 Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analyst 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.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Orange County Fire Authority is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.