Supervising Purchasing Agent
Salary
$96,578.56 - $130,145.60 Annually
Location
Headquarters - 1 Fire Authority Road, Irvine, CA 92602, CA
Job Type
FULL-TIME
Job Number
2026-85-DS
Department
PURCHASING & MATERIALS
Opening Date
09/21/2026
Closing Date
10/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DESCRIPTION
THE POSITION
The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is recruiting to fill one (1) Supervising Purchasing Agent position which will provide full supervisory responsibilities to the Purchasing Division. This recruitment will fill the current vacancy and establish an eligibility list for future vacancies.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate for the Supervising Purchasing Agent position with the OCFA will be an experienced, ethical, and service-oriented procurement professional with a strong background in public sector purchasing, contract administration, and staff supervision. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to ensure purchasing activities are conducted in a fair, transparent, timely, and legally compliant manner.
The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of competitive bidding, requests for proposals, purchase orders, vendor management, contract terms, cooperative purchasing agreements, and applicable public procurement policies and procedures. Experience supporting a fire authority, public safety agency, or other governmental organization is highly desirable, particularly where purchasing decisions directly support emergency response, operations, fleet, facilities, technology, equipment, or professional services.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Recruitment Closes: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 @ 11:59 pm
Oral Interviews: Scheduled for the week of October 26, 2026
Selection Interviews: Scheduled for the week of November 9, 2026
CLASS SUMMARY:
Incumbents are responsible for supervising purchasing staff and performing a variety of professional level buyer duties.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Supervising Purchasing Agent is the third level in a four level purchasing series. The Supervising Purchasing Agent is distinguished from the Assistant Purchasing Agent by its full supervisory responsibilities. The Supervising Purchasing Agent is distinguished from the Purchasing Division Manager, which has division management responsibilities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
(These duties are intended to be representative samples of the duties performed by the class.)
To view the essential functions, knowledge, and skills for this position, please use the link to the classification specification provided below.
Supervising Purchasing Agent
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job, such as those listed above.
EDUCATION?(position requirements at entry):
EXPERIENCE?(position requirements at entry):
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONs?(position requirements at entry):
HIGHLY DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Positions in this class typically require finger dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Incumbents 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.
PRE-HIRE REQUIREMENTS:
Before an employee is hired, he/she must successfully complete pre-employment requirements including, but not limited to fingerprinting and background check, reference check, DMV check, licensure/certification check, Oath of allegiance to the United States of America and the State of California, and proof of eligibility to work in the United States in accordance with Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986. All job offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam, including a drug screen through the OCFAs designated physician.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION:
When the recruitment opens for this position, 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. Online resumes and other unsolicited materials may be attached but will not be considered in lieu of the required online application, unless otherwise specified in the job announcement. 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.
SELECTION PROCEDURES:
INITIAL SELECTION REVIEW:
The Human Resources Division reviews all initial application materials to identify qualified applicants. Applicants meeting minimum qualifications will be invited to the first phase of the recruitment process. The OCFA reserves the right to refer only the better qualified applicants if the number of applicants is high. If the number of applicants is high, the review process may include a secondary screening?(by a panel of job knowledge experts)?of the applications and/or supplemental questionnaires in which the better qualified applicants are referred to the next phase of the recruitment process. Because recruitment processes vary, applicants are advised to thoroughly review the job announcement before submitting their online application materials.
TESTING:
Testing for this position or any other position may include, but is not limited to the following: written exam, practical exam, panel interview, physical ability test, assessment center, oral presentation, project assignment, etc. If a revision is made to a testing component during a recruitment process, the assigned recruiter will notify by email all affected applicants.
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 Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at dukesteppe@ocfa.org?upon opening of a recruitment.
ELIGIBLE LIST:
The duration of an Eligible List is one year, unless otherwise specified in the job announcement.
WITHDRAWING FROM RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
Whenever an applicant chooses to withdraw from a recruitment process, he/she is required to submit an email notification to the assigned recruiter requesting a withdrawal from the process. The email to the recruiter must include the applicants current phone number.
Orange County Employees Association (OCEA) Representation
This classification is represented by the OCEA. Please visit the Orange County Employees Association for additional information.
Merit Salary Increases
Employees are eligible for a merit salary increase (1 to 4 steps) at their six-month review date, and annually thereafter based upon work performance until step 12 of the salary range is reached.
Medical Benefit
Employees have a choice of medical plans under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program and the Authority contributes towards the cost of health premiums as follows:
The enrollment period for a new employee is sixty (60) days from the date of employment. The effective date of coverage will begin on the first day of the month following submission of the CalPERS Health Benefit Plan Enrollment Form.
Medical Opt-Out: Effective January 1, 2026, employees who submit sufficient proof of alternate group health insurance may waive coverage and receive the following in bi-monthly taxable cash:
Please visit CalPERS for more information regarding the various plans offered under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program, as well as the current premium rates.
OCEA Health & Welfare Benefits Plan
The OCFA contributes to the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust which provides for the following dental, vision, disability insurance, and life insurance for all employees in regular or limited-term positions represented by OCEA, regardless of membership status. With a union membership, employees have the option to purchase additional insurance available through the OCEA. Please visit the Health & Welfare Trust webpage for additional information.
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 General Members: Employees hired on or after December 1, 2012, who establish reciprocity with OCERS are enrolled in the 2% at age 55 retirement formula (Plan N). Employees pays their maximum employee contribution based on age of entry into OCERS (or reciprocal retirement system), including any increases to the maximum employee contribution as calculated by OCERS. Please visit OCERS to view compensation and benefit limits. https://www.ocers.org/post/compensation-and-benefit-limits
New General Members (PEPRA): Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, without reciprocity are enrolled in the 2.5% at age 67 retirement formula (Plan U). Employees contribute 50% of the normal retirement cost toward the employees retirement contribution but no higher than their maximum employee contribution (based on age of entry into OCERS). Please visit OCERS to view compensation and benefit limits. https://www.ocers.org/post/compensation-and-benefit-limits
For more information about OCERS retirement, please visit OCERS.
Deferred Compensation
Employees in regular or limited-term positions may voluntarily participate in the Authoritys deferred compensation plan. This plan is provided by Nationwide Retirement Services and allows for pre- and post-tax deferrals.
Retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement
Administrative Managers hired on/after January 1, 2007, are enrolled in a defined contribution retiree health reimbursement arrangement to which they contribute 4.0% of base salary.
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, a bachelors degree, or completion of an approved course from the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) or equivalent, are eligible for educational incentive pay as follows:
The maximum educational incentive pay an employee may receive is 5.5% of base salary.
Other Specialty Pays / Reimbursements
Employees under special classifications or assignments, or who possess specialized skills/training/certification, may be eligible for other specialty pays. Please refer to the OCEA MOU for further details.
Tuition Reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement is $2,000 per fiscal year to cover certain expenses associated with academic pursuits.
Vacation
Vacation accrual is based on hours of completed continuous service (regular hours) exclusive of overtime:
Holidays
Employees in the General Unit observe 13 holidays within the calendar year:
Full-time ten (10) hour, nine (9) hour, and eight (8) hour workday employees receive holiday pay for the number of hours they are regularly scheduled to work. When a holiday occurs on the employees day off, the employee receives eight (8) hours of holiday pay or eight (8) hours of compensatory time. Full-time twenty-four (24) hour, thirteen (13) hour, and twelve (12) hour workday employees receive nine (9) hours of holiday pay or nine (9) hours of compensatory time.
Sick Leave
Sick leave is accumulated from year-to-year and accrues as follows:
At retirement, employees receive a payoff of their sick leave based on their years of full-time continuous service.
Paid Annual Leave (PAL)
After completion of new probation, a full-time employee will be eligible to take up to thirty-six (36) hours of paid time off each year, in addition to his/her accrued time [Part-time employees are eligible for eighteen (18) hours]. PAL is awarded on the first day of pay period 1 of the subsequent year and every year thereafter. PAL cannot be cashed out and must be used by the last day of pay period 26 within the calendar year it is earned.
Uniforms
The Authority provides uniforms to employees in designated positions.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
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.
Behavioral Health and Wellness
OCFA offers a variety of behavioral health and wellness services to our employees and their dependents, including access to the OCFA Peer Support Team Members, OCFA Chaplains, and the Counseling Team International (TCTI). TCTI provides behavioral health and wellness services to public safety agency employees and their eligible family members with confidential professional assistance. Support services include, but are not limited to, the following types of situations: marital and family problems, stress/burnout, anger management, separation/divorce, child/adolescent issues, depression, and critical incident/trauma. TCTI also offers life care resource assistance for childcare, adoption, elderly and senior care, and financial information.
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, $32,500 Annual Scholarships for Members and Dependents., Hardship Grants/Loans, Annual Picnic for Members, Holiday Ball, Retiree Tribute. In addition, Discount Offers- Recreation/Amusement Parks, fitness 19 & 24-Hour Fit. gym membership. Discount Movie Tickets, Angel Baseball Games with Tailgate Party, etc.). In addition, membership allows access to very good supplemental insurances of many type, including Long Term Disability, Long Term Care, Various AFLAC (ICU, Cancer, Accident Inj., CSFA membership, Living Trusts & more. The Family Auxiliary and KIDS Fund (provides monetary assistance only to kids of members), both operate under the Benevolent Assoc. Visit the OCFA Benevolent Association Website for more information or you can watch OCFA Benevolent Association Overview.
Updated: 07/2026
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 Authoritys 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
Are you a current Orange County Fire Authority employee?
02
Please indicate the highest level of education you have completed.
03
If you possess a Bachelors Degree or higher, please select the major of course work completed (please select all that apply).
04
Do you possess at least one year of supervisory experience in a public sector environment?
05
Describe your supervisory experience, including the number and classifications of employees supervised, your responsibility for assigning and reviewing work, managing performance, developing staff, and ensuring compliance with procurement policies and procedures. If you do not possess this experience, write N/A.
06
This position requires 5 years of professional level purchasing experience in a public sector environment. From the list below, please select the type of public sector agency you have been employed in which you received purchasing experience. If you do not possess public sector experience, select "NA". Please note that all experience must be detailed in the work experience section of your electronic application.
07
Provide examples of your professional level purchasing experience in a public sector environment including the name of the agency. If you do not possess this experience, please write N/A.
08
Provide examples of your professional experience purchasing specialized goods and services, such as emergency response equipment, fleet parts, technology, professional services, facilities-related services, uniforms, or public safety equipment. If you do not possess this experience, please write N/A.
09
From the list below, select professional certifications you possess.
Required Question
Employer Orange County Fire Authority
Address 1 Fire Authority Road
Irvine, California, 92602
Phone (714) 573-6800
Website http://www.ocfa.org
| Location | Irvine, CA |
| Salary | $1–$4 Per Hour |
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