Online Firefighter Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $40,060.80 - $53,996.80 Annually
Location : Headquarters - 1 Fire Authority Road, Irvine, CA 92602, CA
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Job Number: 2027-04-JK
Department: CREWS & EQUIPMENT
Division: OPERATIONS - 2
Opening Date: 07/20/2026
Closing Date: 8/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DESCRIPTION
This classification will receive the following base wage increases:

• 4.5% effective March 19, 2027
• 4.5% effective March 17, 2028
• 4.5% effective March 16, 2029
• 4.5% effective March 15, 2030
• 4.5% effective March 14, 2031

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is currently accepting applications for the position of Hand Crew Firefighter. Please review the entire recruitment bulletin for important information before applying.
For more information about the Orange County Fire Authority Hand Crew Firefighter please visit
CLASS SUMMARY:
Under supervision, to perform a full range of strenuous physical tasks relative to fire suppression, fire line construction, improvement, and rehabilitation to fire lines and burn areas; mop up fire hotspots using hand tools to stop the fire spread; and related support functions.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Hand Crew Firefighter is distinguished from a Firefighter, which has a full range of firefighting responsibilities. In addition to the performance of hand crew firefighting duties, incumbents may serve on as needed basis in technical assignments performing one of the following: fire suppression and prevention, training, and communications.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
To view the comprehensive class specification, please click on the following link:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of this job such as those listed in the Essential Functions section of the classification specification for
EDUCATION (position requirement at entry)

• High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)

EXPERIENCE (position requirement at entry):

• Experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of this job

OTHER REQUIREMENTS (position requirement at entry)

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS (position requirements at entry):

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at time of 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:

• Possession of an S-130 Firefighter Training Certificate
• Possession of an S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Certificate
• Possession of L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service Certificate
• Possession of a CA/S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws Certificate or NWCG S-112: Introduction to Chainsaw Operations
• Possession of an NWCG Firefighter Type 1
• Possession of a valid California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License or Paramedic License
• Completion of a State Certified Basic Firefighter 1 Academy
• Possession of a valid Incident Qualification Card / Firefighter Red Card or Incident Qualifications and Certifications System (IQCS) Master Record

NOTE: Applicants who possess some or all of the highly desired certificates listed above MUST attach a scanned PDF copy at time of application submission.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• Last Day to Apply: Sunday, August 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM
• Written Examination: Week of August 31, 2026
• Arduous Pack Test: Week of October 5, 2026
• Oral Interviews: October 26, 2026 - November 6, 2026
• Fire Chief Interviews: January 2027
• Eligibility List Established: TBD
• Background Investigation Orientation: TBD
• Expected Start Date: June 2027

Please note, all dates are subject to change based on organizational need. Should a change occur, Human Resources will notify all affected candidates via email.
ONLINE APPLICATION
An applicant must submit, during the application filing period, an online application and attach any supplemental information as required in the job announcement, which may include submitting responses to a supplemental questionnaire and PDF copies of certificates. To apply for this position, please visit and submit your online application and all relevant supplemental documentation.
Online resumes and other unsolicited materials may be attached but will not be considered in lieu of the required online application. The OCFA reserves the right to limit the number of online applications when necessary. Applicants are responsible for maintaining/updating their contact information through the online application system.
Human Resources will screen all applications for minimum qualifications, however, the OCFA reserves the right to refer only the better qualified applicants.
WRITTEN EXAMINATION
The minimum passing score is 80%. The written exam will have a weight of 25% of the candidates' overall score. All candidates that achieve a score of 80% or above on the written examination will be invited to the arduous pack test.
ARDUOUS PACK TEST
Candidates must pass the arduous pack test exam in a time of 45:00 minutes or less. The arduous pack test consists of a three (3) mile hike with a 45-pound pack over level terrain. The arduous pack test will be coordinated by the OCFA at a nearby facility. Candidates may substitute an IQCS Master Record showing their current fitness level status as Arduous as a substitute for completing this portion of the recruitment process. All candidates who successfully complete the arduous pack test will be invited to the oral interview.
PANEL INTERVIEW
The minimum passing score is 80%. The panel interview will have a weight of 75% of the candidates' overall score. The panel interview will be arranged by Human Resources. Human Resources will notify referred candidates by email of the scheduled dates, times, and locations.
CHIEF'S INTERVIEW
Candidates who successfully complete the Chief's interview may be invited to begin the pre-employment background process. The Chief's interview will be arranged by Human Resources. Human Resources will notify candidates by email of the scheduled dates, times, and locations for their assigned interview.
ELIGIBILITY LIST
Placement on the eligibility list will be established based on a combination of the written examination score (25%) and the panel interview score (75%). The arduous pack test is pass/fail. The eligibility list will remain in effect for a period of one (1) year from the date of establishment or until all the names on the list are exhausted. The eligibility list may be extended or abolished at the discretion of the Assistant Chief/Human Resources Director.
SELECTION
Tentative selections will be completed after the Fire Chief interviews. Final selections are based on vacancies and successful completion of:

• Pre-employment background check
• Pre-employment medical examination

PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Candidate must successfully complete a comprehensive pre-employment medical exam including a drug screen through the OCFA's designated physician.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND
Candidate must successfully complete a comprehensive pre-employment background investigation including, but not limited to fingerprinting, current and previous employment history check, reference check, DMV check, criminal history check, and licensure/certification check.
POST EMPLOYMENT OFFERS
All job offers are contingent upon the successful completion / clearance of a comprehensive pre-employment medical exam and drug screen through the OCFA's designated health care providers, and completion of a comprehensive background investigation.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, driving, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Employees represented by the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA) hired after September 1, 2016, are not permitted to use tobacco products on or off duty.
LOYALTY OATH
All new employees must take an oath of allegiance to the United States of America and the State of California.
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 Julie Kwak, Human Resources Analyst II at (714) 573-6828 or within 72 hours prior to the need for the accommodation.
QUESTIONS
All questions regarding this position should be directed to Julie Kwak, Human Resources Analyst II at (714) 573-6828 or
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.
Please note: This summary reflects the benefits for shift employees assigned to a 56-hour average duty week. For benefits information related to staff assignments (40-hour workweek), please refer to the
Orange County Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA) Local 3631: This classification is represented by the OCPFA Local 3631. Please visit for more information.
Merit Salary Increases
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.
Health Benefits
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.
Retirement
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.
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.
For more information about OCERS retirement, please visit , or view the Retirement Plan
Deferred Compensation
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.
Retiree Medical Savings Plan
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.
OCPFA Supplemental Retiree Medical Plan
Employees contribute 1.0% of their base salary towards the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA) Supplemental Retiree Medical Plan Trust Fund.
Social Security
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.
Medicare
Employees contribute 1.45% to Medicare. Employees whose wages exceed $200,000 in a calendar year shall contribute an additional 0.9%.
Educational Incentive Pay
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.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 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