Paramedic - $1000 Sign - On Bonus

Overview

Orange County Fire Rescue Department (OCFRD) is currently hiring State of Florida certified civilian Paramedics. Candidates currently enrolled in paramedic school, with projected graduation date, are also encouraged to apply. This is an outstanding opportunity to join the elite team at OCFRD, one of the fastest growing Fire Rescue organizations in the country and a department that

offers vast opportunities for personnel.

Here at Orange County, we are proud to serve the public with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Our innovative policies, advanced technologies and dedicated personnel deliver life-saving services that affect Central Florida, save lives and shape the future of our community.

Civilian Paramedics at OCFRD are responsible for the Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) of others and must be able to provide quick, competent and compassionate care to patients, while often working under strenuous circumstances and operating as part of a team.

Civilian paramedics work under the general supervision of a Lieutenant, with considerable independence that requires discretion, sound judgment, and initiative. All OCFRD personnel are held to the highest standards of organizational values, with an expectation to provide the best quality patient care and service, while helping to foster positive community relations.

Civilian paramedics that desire to be become a certified Firefighter Paramedic will be sponsored by the department to attend Firefighter minimum standards.

Job Description

General Functions:

This is specialized work in the protection of life through emergency services to the citizens and visitors of Orange County.

Day-to-day functions depend on the quick reaction and competent care to citizens. An employee in this position is responsible for Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) of others.

Work is performed under the general supervision of a Lieutenant with considerable independence requiring discretion, sound judgment, and initiative while being committed to organizational values and providing on-target customer service and positive community relations

Representative Duties/Assignments:

• Responds to emergencies and performs basic and advanced life support functions.
• Performs emergency medical services on persons injured or ill according to National, State, and Departmental guidelines.
• Documents patient's care according to specific policies. Demonstrate awareness of legal issues, patient rights, and compliance with the standards of regulatory and accrediting agencies.
• Transports patients to emergency medical facility, reports observations and actions to emergency medical staff, and may provide additional emergency treatment.
• Replaces used supplies and check equipment after transport, decontaminate the interior emergency vehicle, if patient had a contagious disease, and immediately reports case to the proper authorities.
• Provides extensive pre-hospital care such as administer drugs orally, and intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs); perform endotracheal intubation, and use monitors and other complex equipment.
• Provides patient care at the scene of emergencies and in route to medical facility. Assess a patient's condition and manage respiratory, cardiac, and trauma emergencies.
• Performs routine inspections of personal safety equipment in order to ensure equipment is in optimum condition and promptly notifies superiors of deficiencies.
• Attends classroom and drill ground training sessions in order to continuously update knowledge and skills required for effective work performance.
• Communicates and interacts with co-workers and/or the public either collectively or on a person-to-person level to receive emergency instructions or relay emergency information.
• Participates in Public Relations activities such as school demonstrations, safety demonstrations, etc., to promote the image of the Department as a public safety provider in the community
• Performs clean-up and janitorial duties in stations to maintain a clean working and living environment.
• Operates Fire Rescue Department emergency vehicles as required.
• Performs other duties, as assigned, or as may be necessary.
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

High school graduation or equivalent. Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a non-user of tobacco or tobacco products for at least one year immediately preceding application date and continuing as a requirement of employment.

Must possess and maintain a State of Florida class E driver's license upon the application date and continuing as a requirement of employment.

Must possess and maintain a current State of Florida paramedic certification as a requirement of employment.

The selected candidate will be enrolled into Firefighter Minimum Standard School by Orange County Fire Rescue and must successfully complete and maintain the State of Florida Firefighter Certification within three (3) years of hire date.

Failure to maintain the State of Florida Paramedic certification as required will be cause for termination.

Applicants will participate in a series of assessments including but not limited to the following: Written Test; Physical Abilities Test; Behavior-based Interpersonal Skills Assessment; Polygraph; Criminal History Background Investigation; Physical Assessment.

All OCFRD personnel are required to maintain a level of physical fitness consistent with their job assignment.

• Students that are currently attending paramedic school in the State of Florida can apply for this hiring process. Current students must indicate this on your application and include expected graduation date.**
  
  
  

NOTE:

Candidates that are selected will abide by current and future changes to the IAFF contract.

Preferences

Associates degree from a credited institution approved by the United States Department of Education in Emergency Medical Service, Fire Science, Business Administration, or closely related field.

Excellent written and communications skills.

Application Deadline

Open Date: 05/06/2026

Close Date: 08/03/2026

This posting is subject to close without prior notice.

Salary Information

Pay Rate: $19.25 hourly

Placement based on County Policy or bargaining unit contract

Benefits

• 10 paid holidays and up to 2 floating holidays annually.
• 18 days paid time off per year.
• Longevity bonus based on years of service.
• 6 days of paid TERM (sick) time annually.
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, additional life insurance.
• Free basic life, long term disability, and employee assistance for all the family members effective on day one.
• Participation in the Florida Retirement System.
• Employee assistance program includes multiple free one on one sessions with licensed counselors and online tools for legal advice, financial planning, personal life balance, etc.
• Free access to Wellworks gyms and Orange County Recreation Centers.
• Free onsite wellness coaching, including dietician and nurse.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Earn service time to forgive student loans.
  
  
  

Disclaimer: Benefits may vary for employees under collective bargaining agreements.

For more information on Benefits visit - https://www.ocfl.net/EmploymentVolunteerism/EmployeeBenefits.aspx

Veterans Preference

If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, you are responsible for providing the required eligibility documentation by the closing date of the posting. Please scan and upload a copy of your cover letter and supporting documents, to Orange County Human Resources Division via the secure Box.com folder.

Your cover letter should include the Job ID number you are applying for, the title of the position, your full name and the last 4 digits of your social security number. *If you are a current employee returning from active military service, you may be eligible for promotion preference if the active military service qualifies for Veterans' Preference. Please note that Veterans' Preference applies only to a Veterans' first promotion after reinstatement or reemployment, without exception.

Educational Requirements

If your education was obtained in the United States, the County recognizes degrees or diplomas which are accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). If you have obtained education from a country other than the United States, your degree or diploma must be evaluated to determine the United States equivalency by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluations (AICE) at your expense.

Notes

The selected applicant will be required to submit to a pre-employment physical, drug test, and a background screening process prior to the start of employment.

To learn more about our Sign-On Incentive Program visit our website at:

http://www.ocfl.net/careers/#incentives

ENTRY LEVEL TESTING (Fire Team Video Test):

All candidates must pass the Ergometrics Fire Team Video Test to participate in the hiring process. Applicants with a passing test score on file do not need to re-take these tests. The Fire Team test scores are valid for 2 years. OCFRD also accepts passing scores of the Ergometrics Fire Team Video Test completed though the National Testing Network (NTN). For more information about NTN's testing process, you can visit their website at www.nationaltestingnetwork.com.

Candidates who do not have a valid test score can obtain information on taking the entry-level testing by contacting Orange County Fire Rescue Department at OCFRDCareers@ocfl.net