Description

This is an internal Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) recruitment. Only applications from current qualified non-probationary OCFA Fire Captains will be accepted.

Your application MUST include all current, relevant OCFA work experience to be considered for this position. Failure to include your OCFA work experience along with any other related qualifying experience in the work history section of your application will result in disqualification from the selection process.

The Corporate Communications Section is recruiting to both create a candidate pool for OCFA's Public Information Officer (PIO) and hire back-up/on-call Public Information Officers. PIOs will work a standard 48/96 shift schedule. Again, this recruitment is being used to create a candidate pool for shift PIO and hire back-up/on-call Public Information Officers.

Essential Functions

The selected individual, as a member of the Public Information Section, will represent OCFA as the agency spokesperson during emergency incidents, community events, and in daily interaction with media outlets, and news agencies. The PIO responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Conveying information to the public, as OCFA's spokesperson, through various channels, including media outlets, news agencies, social media platforms, and at community events
Writing incident updates, board narratives, news releases, media advisories, and social media posts
Maintaining a good working relationship with representatives of media outlets and news agencies proactively and reactively
Taking a lead role in organizing and implementing certain press events
Managing various requests from the public, elected officials, and stakeholders
Working closely with the Community Education and Multi-media Sections to ensure that public outreach efforts are maximized through media outlets and news agencies

Minimum Qualifications

Current rank of Fire Captain (non-probationary) with the OCFA
Ability to work under the pressure of deadlines and to multitask with creativity and competence.
Completion of L-952 within the first year as PIO
Ability to work with social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, Flickr, Vimeo, Nextdoor, and the OCFA web site
Ability and willingness to work nights and weekends
Good to excellent presentation, writing skills, and video editing

Licenses

Possession of a valid Class C Driver License at time of appointment

The shift PIO assignment requires a two-year minimum commitment and works a standard 48/96 schedule. PIOs are eligible to receive Staff Assignment Pay (SAP) and Staff Incentive Pay (SIP). Please refer to the –IAFF – Local 3631 MOU, page 105 & 156 for additional information. PIO Captains have the use of an Authority vehicle while on duty.

The selected individual(s) will report to the Assistant Chief of Corporate Communications/Chief of Staff as their immediate supervisor during shifts as PIO. Those selected will be required to attend periodic team meetings and training opportunities. The PIO sleeps at Station 27 or other designated station as approved by the Assistant Chief of Corporate Communications/Chief of Staff. All qualified Fire Captains are encouraged to explore this exciting opportunity. If you are interested in being considered, please submit a memo of interest and complete an online application outlining your education, experience, and relevant background.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

How To Apply For This Position

To apply for PIO, go to www.ocfa.org. Interested personnel are to submit the following:

Online application
Cover memo of interest
Inclusion of related certificates of training or related professional qualifications are also encouraged

Important Dates

Please note, all dates subject to change based on organizational needs.

Monday, April 13, 2026, at 12:00 PM (noon) - Last day to submit online application, and memo of interest
Week of April 27, 2026 - Panel interviews, on-camera test, writing/social media exercise
May 1, 2026 - Notification of selected candidates
May 21, 2026 - Mandatory one-day onboarding class for selected applicants
Week of May 25, 2026 – Ride-a-longs for selected full-time PIO candidate
May 29, 2026 - Start date for selected full-time candidate

Questions

All questions regarding this position should be directed to Assistant Chief of Corporate Communications/Chief of Staff Matt Olson, at mattolson@ocfa.org or via telephone at (714) 573-6028.

Technical Difficulties With Neogov

Please contact the assigned recruiter Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analyst at bradstephens@ocfa.org or (714) 573-6816.

Americans With Disabilities Act (ada) Accommodation

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations for the purposes of employment testing should contact Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analyst at bradstephens@ocfa.org or (714) 573-6816 at least 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.

Withdrawing From Recruitment Process

If an applicant chooses to withdraw from this recruitment process, he/she is required to submit an email notification to Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analyst at bradstephens@ocfa.org requesting a withdrawal from the process. The email to the recruiter must include the applicant's current phone number.

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.

Equpal 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 OCPFA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Orange County Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA) Local 3631: This classification is represented by the OCPFA Local 3631. Please visit http://www.ocfirefighters.org for more information.

Base Salary Adjustments

Effective the pay period which includes January 1, 2026 (PP02) - Salary range for each classification will be adjusted by 2.75%. Employees will receive their increase once they are eligible for a merit increase per OCPFA Local 3631 - Base Salary side letter.

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 6/30/2026 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). The compensation limit for Legacy members for 2025 is $350,000.

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). The compensation limit for PEPRA members for 2025 is $186,096 (non-Social Security Participants).

For more information about OCERS retirement, please visit OCERS, or view the Retirement Plan HERE.

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 month, prorated on an hourly basis for regular hours paid.

Other Specialty Pays

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

Tuition reimbursement is $2,000 per fiscal year to cover certain expenses associated with academic pursuits.

Holidays

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

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

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.

Uniforms

The Authority provides uniforms to employees.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

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.

WEFIT Program

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

Pet Discount Program

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.

Benevolent Association

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 07/2025

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.

01

The Orange County Fire Authority uses e-mail to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of applications. We do so as part of our ongoing efforts to increase efficiency, conserve resources, and minimize delays and costs. Therefore, as an applicant, please ensure that the e-mail address you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We recommend that you do not share e-mail addresses with other individuals who may inadvertently delete important communications sent to you. Spam or other filters should be adjusted to accept e-mails from ocfa.org and governmentjobs.com. Please read each e-mail notice carefully and in a timely manner. Follow further instructions, if any. Please acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above.

02

Are you a current, non-probationary Orange County Fire Authority Fire Captain?

03

Do you possess a valid California Driver license or equivalent?

04

This recruitment is for both for full-time, shift PIO and back-up/on-call PIO. Please indicate the type(s) of assignment you will accept if offered.

Full-time OR back-up/on-call
Full-time only
Back-up/on-call only

05

Please write a two-paragraph draft press release and one Facebook post from the following information. Include additional information as you see fit. * It's July 1, and there have already been four Orange County children severely injured by fireworks in separate incidents at their homes. * Two of the children, ages 7 and 10, had to be transported to the hospital with burns. * The incidents were preventable and OCFA wants to remind people of how to keep kids safe around fireworks with the 4th of July holiday approaching. * Fourth of July safety tips

Required Question

Orange County Fire Authority

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Clerk of the Authority

Clerk of the Authority

Public Information Officer