CA-TF5 US&R Task Force Leader

The Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) California Task Force 5 (CA-TF5) Task Force Leader (TFL) recruitment is an Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) internal recruitment.This recruitment is only open to current OCFA Fire Battalion Chiefs.

Successful candidates will be placed on a Candidate Pool List which will be used to fill future vacancies.

The US&R Task Force Leader is responsible for the overall management of the US&R Task Force during deployments including but not limited to personnel accountability and management of various sections during deployments participating with US&R Duty officer coverage for daily technical rescue truck/heavy rescue operations and related administrative concerns.

This position requires participation in physically and mentally challenging base camp and field operations. Task Force Leaders must have the skills to effectively communicate both verbal and written with all sections of the federal US&R program; this includes local State and Federal officials. The position also requires working in disaster zones in adverse weather conditions in hazardous atmospheres and flight in military or civilian aircraft (fixed and rotary). As a member of the US&R Task Force you will be asked to represent the local.

Minimum requirements for US&R Task Force Leader (pre-appointment):

• Current OCFA Fire Battalion Chief
• Participation in the OCFA WEFIT program
• Have a basic knowledge of US&R and GPS operations
• Demonstrate the ability to follow orders and personnel management skills
• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Have the ability to be flexible resolve conflicts and problem solve
• Be willing to work and live in poor conditions for extended periods of time

Position Requirements (post selection):

• Maintainjourney-levelknowledgeoftheuseofspecializedTaskForceequipmentandstrong understanding of the support resources related to Task Force Leader
• MaintainandrespondtimelytocommunicationwithTaskForceandsectionadministration through email and phone
• Completean annualmedicalexamination
• Adhere totheFederalCodeofConductforUS&RTaskForcemembers
• AttendquarterlyTaskForceLeaderandSectionCoordinatormeetings
• Complete all General Administrative Requirements and General Training Requirements for all Task Force members within three (3) months of selection (see Task Force General Requirements under Supplemental Information for details)

Highly Desirable Qualifications and Training:

• Attendance at US&R Task Force Leader System Overview
• Prior experience on US&R CA-TF5
• Strike Team Leader experience

Selected individuals will begin the training and onboarding process immediately after selection with required attendance at the FEMA TFL course in December 2026.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

To apply go to. Interested personnel are to submit the following:

• Online application
• Memo of interest
• Resumé (2-pages maximum) outlining your qualifications as they relate to this position
• Inclusionofrelatedcertificatesoftrainingorrelatedprofessionalqualificationsare encouraged

All materials must be submitted with your online application no later than Monday August 24 2026 at 12:00 pm (noon).

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

• Recruitment closes: Monday August 24 2026 at 12:00 pm (noon)
• Oral Panel Interviews: Wednesday September 9 2026

All dates are subject to change based on organizational need. Should a change occur Human Resources will notify all affected candidates via email.

CANDIDATE POOL LIST
Placement on the candidate pool list will be established based on the 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.

TASK FORCE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

General Administrative Requirements
The task force will do the following for each member:

• Maintain a current memorandum of agreement with DHS/FEMA as well as participating agency agreements and/or affiliated personnel agreements as applicable
• Maintain a file for each rostered member that includes the following completed forms:
• Application for Federal Employment; Optional Form 612 or a standard FEMA US&R resumé
• Appointment Affidavits; Standard Form 61
• Document each members successful completion of a quantitative respiratory protection fit test required per 29 CFR 1910.134 as defined in Program Directive
• Ensure that each member has maintained current inoculations as defined in Program Directive 2005- 008 unless medically contraindicated or refusal is documented
• Document that each member has a current Physician Clearance for Deployment documented as defined in Program Directive 2005-008
• Document each member has signed a Code of Conduct as defined in Program Directive 2018-006

General Training Requirements
Each member will do the following:

• Complete critical incident stress awareness training
• CompletetheFEMANationalUS&RResponseSystemOrientationcourse(CourseCode:9G6100)
• Completeinitialtrainingatthefirstresponderoperationslevelforhazardousmaterials(OSHA29CFR 1910.120)
• Completeannualrefreshertrainingasrequiredforfirstresponderoperationslevelforhazardous materials (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120)
• orEMT (all levels) or licensed board-certified emergency physicians inherently meet this requirement
• CompleterespiratoryprotectiontrainingperOSHA29CFR19110.134(k)
• CompleterefreshertrainingasrequiredforrespiratoryprotectiontrainingperOSHA29CFR1910.134 (k)
• Completeaninitialblood-bornepathogentraininginaccordancewithOSHA29CFR1910.1030
• CompletetheFEMAUS&REnhancedOperationsintheContaminatedEnvironment -Instructor-Led Training (Course Code: 9G5420)
• CompleteNFPA1670awarenessleveltrainingforthefollowing
• ConfinedSpaceSearchandRescue
• WaterRescue
• Structural Collapse Search and rescue

QUESTIONS
All questions regarding this position should first be directed to US&R Program Manager Battalion Chief Michael Yeun at.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH NEOGOV
Please contact the assigned recruiter Brad Stephens Senior Human Resources Analyst at or .

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 Brad Stephens Senior Human Resources Analyst at within 72 hours of the need for an accommodation.

WITHDRAWING FROM THE 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 Brad Stephens at requesting a withdrawal from the process. The email to the recruiter must include the applicants current phone number.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Orange County Fire Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.