CA-TF5 US&R Task Force Leader
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):
Position Requirements (post selection):
Highly Desirable Qualifications and Training:
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 www.ocfa.org. Interested personnel are to submit the following:
All materials must be submitted with your online application no later than Monday, August 24, 2026 at 12:00 pm (noon).
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
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:
General Training Requirements
Each member will do the following:
QUESTIONS
All questions regarding this position should first be directed to US&R Program Manager Battalion Chief Michael Yeun at michaelyeun@ocfa.org.
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH NEOGOV
Please contact the assigned recruiter, Brad Stephens, Senior Human Resources Analyst at bradstephens@ocfa.org 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 bradstephens@ocfa.org 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 bradstephens@ocfa.org 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.
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:
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 CalPERS 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 employees 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.
https://www.ocers.org/post/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.
https://www.ocers.org/post/compensation-and-benefit-limits
For more information about OCERS retirement, please visit OCERS, or view the Retirement Plan HERE.
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 January 1, 2017) = 7.5% of base salary per month
Masters Degree or higher OR California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection office of the State Fire Marshal State Fire Training Executive Chief Officer Certification AND either a) Bachelors Degree, or b) National Fire Academy Executive Chief Officer Certification (NFA) = 10.0%
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification or Paramedic License Pay
Employees receive 6.5% of base salary for an EMT Certification and/or paramedic license.
Longevity Pay
Employees shall receive three percent (3%) of their base pay as longevity pay at the commencement of their third year in a bargaining unit position. Effective July 1, 2023 on the commencement of their sixth year in a bargaining unit position, this amount will increase to six percent (6%).
Bilingual Pay
If qualified, bilingual pay is $0.25 per hour (approximately $43 per month).
Duty Officer Compensation (Fire Division Chief)
Fire Division Chief shall be assigned as Duty Officer and shall receive duty officer compensation of nine and one half percent (10.0%) percent of base salary per month, prorated on an hourly basis for all regular hours paid.
Tuition Reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement is $2,000 per fiscal year to cover certain expenses associated with academic pursuits.
Annual Physical Examination
Chief Officers are provided a voluntary annual physical examination by an Authority-designated physician at no cost.
Uniforms
The Authority provides uniforms to Chief Officers.
Vacation Leave Effective PP18 - 26 (August 7, 2026)
Chief Officers accrue vacation based on hours of completed continuous service:
Staff Battalion Chiefs (Except BCs assigned to 56-hour workweek in ECC) and Fire Division Chiefs
Shift Battalion Chiefs (Including BCs assigned to 56-hour workweek in ECC)
Sick Leave: Sick leave is accumulated from year-to-year and accrues as follows:
Staff Battalion Chiefs (Except BCs assigned to 56-hour workweek in ECC) and Fire Division Chiefs
Shift Battalion Chiefs (Including BCs assigned to 56-hour workweek in ECC)
Holidays: Chief Officers observe 13 holidays within the calendar year:
Please see the MOU for additional information on holiday compensation pay as it varies by classification and/or shift in this bargaining unit.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
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.
Pet Discount Program
The 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, $30,000 Annual Scholarships for Members and Dependents, Hardship Grants/Loans, Annual Picnic for Members, Holiday Ball, and Retiree Tribute. In addition, Discount Offers- Recreation/Amusement Parks, fitness 19 and 24-Hour Fitness gym membership, discount movie tickets, Angels Baseball game with tailgate party, etc. Membership also allows access to very good supplemental insurances of many types, including, Long Term Disability, Long Term Care, various AFLAC (ICU, Cancer, Accident Injury, CSFA membership, Living Trusts and more. The Family Auxiliary and KIDS Fund (provides monetary assistance only to kids of members).
Revised 08/2026
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 Human Resources Department at (714) 573-6800
01
The Orange County Fire Authority uses e-mail to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of applications. We do so as part of our ongoing efforts to increase efficiency, conserve resources, and minimize delays and costs. Therefore, as an applicant, please ensure that the e-mail address you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We recommend that you do not share e-mail addresses with other individuals who may inadvertently delete important communications sent to you. Spam or other filters should be adjusted to accept e-mails from ocfa.org and governmentjobs.com. Please read each e-mail notice carefully and in a timely manner. Follow further instructions, if any. Please acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above.
02
This recruitment is open to current Orange County Fire Authority Fire Battalion Chiefs only. Are you a current Orange County Fire Authority Fire Battalion Chief?
03
Are you a qualified Strike Team Leader (STEN)?
04
If you answered "No" to the previous question, how many assignments do you have documented in your STEN Task Book?
05
I have attached my memo of interest and a resumé detailing my education and work experience.
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 |