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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.
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 applicant's current phone number.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Orange County Fire Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Orange County Fire Authority Chief Officers Association (COA) Representation: Fire Battalion Chiefs and Fire Division Chiefs classifications are represented by the COA. Please contact COA President Tim Perkins for information about joining the COA.
Annual Merit Review Program
Employees are eligible for performance salary increases from 2.75% to 5.5% annually based on their work performance and until they reach the top of their salary ranges. Note: An employee hired or promoted into a classification in this Unit shall be eligible to receive a performance salary increase at the completion of their first performance rating year period of employment or promotion and each year thereafter.
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:

• 100% of cost for employee only premium
• 75% of cost for family premium

Employees with group health insurance through their spouses' or domestic partners' employment (or other acceptable sources) may waive coverage and receive $59.58 in bi-monthly taxable cash or may apply $59.58 bi-monthly credit towards the cost of voluntary accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
Please visit for more information regarding the various plans offered under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program, as well as the current premium rates.
Dental, Orthodontia and Vision Care
Dental, orthodontia, and vision insurance are provided, at no cost to the employee, for the employee and dependents. Coverage begins on the first of the month following date of hire/promotion.
Optional Benefit Plan (OBP)
An annual cash allotment of $2,100 (pro-rated for mid-year hire/promotion date) will be provided to cover the cost of non-taxable benefits or as taxable cash, based on personal preferences. OBP begins on the 1st day of the month following a 28-day waiting period.
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Short-term and long-term disability insurance coverage are provided to Administrative Managers at no cost.
Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
A life and AD&D policy is provided to Chief Officers at no cost. Insurance coverage is based on the employee's annual base salary rounded to the nearest $10,000. Chief Officers may purchase additional employee paid life, dependent life, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
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 Safety Members (Closed): Employees hired on or prior to June 30, 2012 shall receive the 3% at age 50 retirement formula (Plan F).
Important note for Legacy Safety Members hired prior to January 1, 2011 who promote into a COA classification from the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association: The Health Care Converted Retirement Contribution ("HCRC") credit in the amount of two percent (2%) does not apply to COA classifications.
Legacy Safety Members: Employees hired on or after July 1, 2012 who establish reciprocity with OCERS are enrolled in the 3% at age 55 retirement formula (Plan R). Please visit OCERS to view compensation and benefit limits.
New Safety Members: Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 without reciprocity are enrolled in the 2.7% at age 57 retirement formula (Plan V). Please visit OCERS to view compensation and benefit limits.
For more information about OCERS retirement, please visit , or view the Retirement Plan
Deferred Compensation Plan
Employees in regular or limited-term positions may voluntarily participate in the Authority's deferred compensation plan. This plan is provided by Nationwide Retirement Services and allows for pre- and post-tax deferrals.
Retiree Medical
Employees hired prior to January 1, 2007 participate in the Retiree Medical Insurance Grant program. Employees newly hired on/after January 1, 2007 are enrolled in a defined contribution retiree medical savings plan (Health Care Reimbursement Account). All employees contribute 4.0% of base salary to their applicable plan.
OCPFA Supplemental Retiree Medical Plan
Employees promoted into this unit may choose to continue contributing 1% of their base salary towards the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association Supplemental Retiree Medical Plan Trust Fund. You have the option to discontinue contributing, but must notify Human Resources and complete the appropriate paperwork.
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. Employee's whose wages exceed $200,000 in a calendar year shall contribute an additional 0.9%.
Educational Incentive Pay
Employees who have satisfactorily completed college-level semester units and/or specific certification programs are eligible for educational incentive pay as follows:

• 60+ college-level semester units OR California State Fire Marshal Chief Officer Certification (or Chief Fire Officer after January 1, 2017) = 2.5% of base salary per month; OR
• 60+ college-level semester units AND California State Fire Marshal Chief Officer Certification (or Chief Fire Officer after January 1, 2017) = 5% of base salary per month; OR
• Bachelor's Degree or higher OR National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Certification (or Executive Chief Fire Officer after