About this opportunity
Orange County Fire Authority lists this Fire Apparatus Engineer opportunity in irvine, California. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Fire Apparatus EngineerThis promotional opportunity is open to current qualified Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) non-probationary firefighter unit members. ONLY applications from current, qualified OCFA Firefighters will be considered.Job DescriptionOperate fire apparatus in the suppression of structural, aircraft, wildland, and other types of fires and in response to various emergency situations; and maintains and makes minor repairs on fire vehicles, equipment, and facilities. For a detailed list of duties, see the classification specification at QualificationsExperience: At time of application, applicants must have completed probation as a Firefighter and possess at least two (2) years of experience as a full-time career Firefighter with the OCFA or a fire agency for which the OCFA assumed fire protection responsibility. Certifications: In order to be eligible to participate in the promotional recruitment and selection process, applicants must have completed the formalized OCFA Fire Apparatus Engineer Development Series (Class 1 - 4) OR applicants must have completed Driver Operator 1A and 1B at the time of application. A copy of your Fire Apparatus Engineer Development Series (Class 1 – 4) certificates or California State Driver Operator 1A and 1B certificates must be attached to the electronic application at time of application or delivered to Human Resources no later than 12:00 PM (noon) on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Failure to submit proof of documentation by October 7, 2026, will result in disqualification from this Fire Apparatus Engineer recruitment and selection process. Licenses: All applicants must possess a valid California Class C Driver License with a firefighter endorsement and a valid DL546 on file with the DMV OR a valid, unrestricted Class A or B Driver License. When assigned to the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Program, possession of a valid California Class A Commercial Driver License. Possession of a valid California Class A Commercial Driver License, subjects the incumbent to the provisions of the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, which includes DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing while employed in this classification. 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. A copy of your qualifying driver license must be attached to the electronic application or delivered to Human Resources no later than Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 PM (noon). A permit will not be accepted. Failure to submit proof of documentation by the deadline on October 7, 2026, will result in disqualification from the Fire Apparatus Engineer recruitment and selection process. Knowledge & Ability: These requirements are detailed in the classification specification which is available for review at Special Requirement: Must maintain the status of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).Supplemental InformationHuman Resources will screen all applications for minimum qualifications.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. Human Resources will screen all applications for minimum qualifications.Development Classes: Please visit FAE Development Series for information or to view additional course offerings.Written Exam: The written exam is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026. The written exam will cover firefighting essentials; emergency vehicle operation; water supplies; fire stream practices; fire suppression equipment; knowledge and use of equipment and pumping apparatus; aerial apparatus; apparatus maintenance/testing procedures; fire protection systems; hydraulics principles and calculations; defensive and Code 3 driving procedures; and OCFA General Orders and Standard Operating Procedures.FAE Study and Reference Material:IFSTA Essentials, 5th edition, Chapter 3, 6, 11, 12, 13, and 15IFSTA Pumping Apparatus, 2nd edition, Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15IFSTA Aerial Apparatus, 1st edition, Chapters 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10OCFA Driver HandbookCalifornia Commercial DMV Driver's Handbook (2019 – 2021)OCFA SOPs related to the FAE positionField Hydraulics Reference Sheet (FHRS) and OCFA Standard HydraulicsOCFA Fire Vehicle Apparatus NotebookOCFA Programmed Hydraulics TextOCFA Defensive DrivingOCFA Code 3 DrivingOCFA FAE Development Series (Development Class 1, 2, 3 and 4)Oral Interviews: The oral interviews are scheduled Monday, November 16 - Friday, November 20, 2026.Fire Apparatus Engineer Academy: Candidates who achieve 80% or greater on the written exam and oral interview will be placed on the Fire Apparatus Engineer Academy eligibility list in ranked order. Fire Apparatus Engineer Academy 44 is scheduled Monday - Thursday, January 11, 2027 – March 4, 2027. Placement into the Fire Apparatus Engineer Academy will be in ranked order and is determined by department need and logistics. Candidates not placed in the Fire Apparatus Engineer Academy 44 will remain on the Fire Academy Eligibility list for up to one (1) year.Weights for Selection Components:Written Exam (10%) - The minimum passing score is 80%. Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 80% or higher.Oral Interview (10%) - The minimum passing score is 80%. Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 80% or higher.Fire Apparatus Engineer Academy (80%) - The Fire Apparatus Engineer Academy consists of written examinations and manipulative skills evaluations. Candidates must pass the overall written examinations and manipulative skills evaluations each with a minimum score of 80%.If, during the Fire Apparatus Engineer Academy, it is determined that based on current examinations and evaluations scores that a candidate will be unable to attain the required minimum, overall, 80% in either written examinations or manipulative skills evaluations may result in dismissal from the Fire Apparatus Engineer Academy. Failure to perform manipulative skills, required documentation, and apparatus checks, or failure to complete all required check sheets may result in dismissal from the Fire Apparatus Engineer Academy.Eligibility List: The Fire Apparatus Engineer promotional eligibility list will be established in rank order and promotions will occur in rank order. The promotional 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 by mutual agreement of all parties.Tentative Schedule of Events:Recruitment Closes: Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 PM (noon)Last Day to Submit Required Driver Certifications: Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 PM (noon)Last Day to Submit Qualifying Driver's License: Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 PM (noon)Written Exam: Thursday, October 29, 2026 (A-shift)Oral Interviews: November 16, 2026 – November 20, 2026FAE Academy 44: January 11, 2027 – March 4, 2027FAE Academy 45: March 22, 2027 – May 13, 2027Should the above schedule change, Human Resources will notify affected candidates by email.Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodation: In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation should contact Julie Kwak, Human Resources Analyst II, at (714) 573 - 6828 or at least 72 hours prior to the need for the accommodation.Questions: All questions regarding this recruitment should be addressed to Julie Kwak, Human Resources Analyst II
Worksite address
irvine, CA, 92602, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.