The Heavy Fire Equipment Operator recruitment is an Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) internal recruitment. ONLY applications from current, qualified OCFA non-probationary suppression personnel will be accepted.
CLASS SUMMARY:
Under general supervision, to operate heavy motorized equipment in wildland fire control work, miscellaneous all hazard incident mitigation, open space protection and conservation project work; to perform maintenance and repair on vehicles and heavy equipment; and to do other work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The class of Heavy Fire Equipment Operator is distinguished from other equipment operator classes by operating equipment in back country wildland areas and regularly operating equipment under hazardous conditions during wildland fires. When not required for Equipment Operator duties, may be assigned duties in the maintenance shop.
(These duties are intended to be representative sample of the duties performed by the class.)
Operates heavy bulldozers, motor-graders, heavy-duty transports, trucks and other types of heavy equipment used in fire suppression work, road maintenance projects and in other wildland protection and conservation project work; reads maps to understand type of terrain to be worked on and location of projects; and operates equipment on steep, narrow, mountain roads and under hazardous conditions.
Works with both inmate and personnel crews on fire line assignments, road construction assignments or forestry conservation projects.
Services and assists mechanics in vehicle maintenance and making field repairs to heavy bulldozers, motor-graders, heavy-duty transports, trucks and other types of equipment; maintains other equipment used in fire suppression activity such as chain saws and portable generators; trains others in safe practices in the use and repair of heavy equipment and vehicles; and maintains simple records and written reports of time and work performed.
May be required to perform project work as needed.
EDUCATION (position requirements at entry):
*OCFA suppression personnel who have successfully completed the OCFA Heavy Fire Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Program (Journeyman status) are waived from this requirement.
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS (position requirements at entry):
- Possession of a valid California Commercial Class A Drivers License, at time of application. 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. Additionally, the incumbent is subject 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.
- Successful completion of CAL FIRE Heavy Fire Equipment Operator (HFEO) Academy, OCFA’s Heavy Fire Equipment Operator (HFEO) Apprenticeship Program (Journeyman status) or equivalent training program
PERFORMANCE (position requirements at entry):
- Rating of “Standard” or higher on last employee annual performance review
HIGHLY DESIRABLES:
- Completion of the following qualifications: NWCG Dozer Operator (DZOP), and NWCG Heavy Equipment Boss (HEQB)
KNOWLEDGE (position requirements at entry):
Knowledge of:
- Operation and use of heavy motorized construction and maintenance equipment with special reference to bulldozers and heavy-duty transport trucks
- Provisions of the California Vehicle Code as they apply to the operation of trucks, heavy motorized equipment and emergency vehicles
- Methods, materials and tools and equipment used in preventive maintenance and servicing of heavy equipment trucks
- Road construction and maintenance practices (such as grading, installation of culverts, building truck trails and fire roads)
- Safety practices in the use and repair of heavy equipment
- Fire behavior and characteristics and fire control methods
- First aid
SKILLS (position requirements at entry):
Skill in:
- Read and use maps
- Operate, maintain and make emergency repairs to heavy motorized equipment in mountainous areas under hazardous fire conditions
- Maintain cooperative relations with other organizations and agencies
- Make simple reports, keep simple records and follow directions
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, go to www.ocfa.org. Interested personnel are to submit the following:
- Online application
- Memo of Interest
Completion of all minimum qualification and minimum training courses listed above is required. All materials must be submitted with your electronic application no later than Monday, June 3, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- Last Day to Submit Online Application and attachments: Monday, June 3, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
- Panel Interview: Thursday, June 6, 2024
- Expected Start Date: TBD
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.
MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants must pass a stringent medical examination for fire personnel whose duties demand good fitness, strength, agility and vision.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Incumbents involved in suppression. Some assignments may require work in a standard office environment.
NOTE: The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the department.
CANDIDATE POOL LIST
Placement on the candidate pool list will be established based on successful completion of all recruitment process components. The candidate pool list will remain in effect for a period of one (1) year from the date of establishment or until all names on the list are exhausted. The candidate pool list may be extended or abolished at the discretion of the Assistant Chief of Human Resources/Human Resources Director.
QUESTIONS
All questions regarding this recruitment should be addressed to Fire Battalion Chief Nathan Arellano at nathanarellano@ocfa.org.
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH NEOGOV
Please contact Julie Kwak, Human Resources Analyst I at (714) 573-6828 or via email at juliekwak@ocfa.org.
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 at (714) 573-6828 or juliekwak@ocfa.org within 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.
WITHDRAWING FROM RECRUITMENT PROCESS
If you choose to withdraw from this recruitment process, you are required to submit an email notification to Julie Kwak, Human Resources Analyst I at juliekwak@ocfa.org requesting a withdrawal from the process. The email to the recruiter must include your 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.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
The Orange County Fire Authority is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
