Location : Headquarters - 1 Fire Authority Road, Irvine, CA 92602, CA
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Job Number: 2026-74-BS
Department: US&R
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/24/2026 12:00 PM Pacific

DESCRIPTION
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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
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 QUALIFICATIONS
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):

• Maintain journey-level knowledge of the use of specialized Task Force equipment and strong understanding of the support resources related to Task Force Leader
• Maintain and respond timely to communication with Task Force and section administration through email and phone
• Complete an annual medical examination
• Adhere to the Federal "Code of Conduct" for US&R Task Force members
• Attend quarterly Task Force Leader and Section Coordinator meetings
• 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.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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
• Inclusion of related certificates of training or related professional qualifications are 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 member's 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
• Complete ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-700 and ICS-800.B courses
• Complete the FEMA National US&R Response System Orientation course (Course Code: 9G6100)
• Complete initial training at the first responder operations level for hazardous materials (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120)
• Complete annual refresher training as required for first responder operations level for hazardous materials (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120)
• Maintain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Task force members currently licensed or EMT (all levels) or licensed board-certified emergency physicians inherently meet this requirement
• Complete respiratory protection training per OSHA 29 CFR 19110.134 (k)
• Complete refresher training as required for respiratory protection training per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 (k)
• Complete an initial blood-borne pathogen training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030
• Complete the FEMA US&R Enhanced Operations in the Contaminated Environment - Instructor-Led Training (Course Code: 9G5420)
• Complete NFPA 1670 awareness level training for the following
• Confined Space Search and Rescue
• Water Rescue
• 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 714-573-6816.

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 applicant's current phone number.