Hybrid US&R CA-TF5 Rescue Specialist bei Orange County Fire Authority, CA

About the Department

APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDED

The Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) California Task Force 5 (CA-TF5) Rescue Specialist recruitment is an Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) internal recruitment.

This recruitment is only open to current OCFA Fire Apparatus Engineer and non-probationary Firefighters. The Rescue Specialist is responsible for performing the rescue function of the task force incident operation. The Rescue Specialist reports directly to a Rescue Squad Officer. 

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

Position Duties

This position requires participation in rigorous physical and mentally challenging field operations, encompassing multiple disciplines of rescue in extremely varied and potentially hazardous working conditions. Rescue Specialist requires the ability to provide both verbal and written interaction with all sections of the US&R Task Force, including local, state, and federal officials. 

The position also requires working in disaster zones, in adverse weather conditions, 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, state and federal government, under extremely diverse conditions.

To view complete classification specification, please click the links below:

• Fire Apparatus Engineer
• Firefighter

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum requirements for US&R Rescue Specialist (pre-appointment):

• Current, OCFA Fire Apparatus Engineer or non-probationary Firefighter
• Current, OCFA Full-Time/Part-Time Technical Rescue Technician, Technical Rescue Specialist or have completed core rescue classes (Rope Rescue Awareness / Operations, Structure Collapse Specialist 1, Trench Rescue Technician, Water Rescue Technician, Confined Space Rescue Technician)
• Participation in the OCFA “WEFIT” program
• Have a basic knowledge of US&R 
• Class C CDL with Firefighter Endorsement 
• 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 solve problems
• Possess basic working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Be willing to work and live in poor conditions for extended periods of time

• Maintain a basic knowledge of the use of specialized Task Force equipment and support resources related to your position
• Maintain qualifications for Rescue Specialist per the FEMA position descriptions
• Completion of the FEMA Rescue Specialist Course
• Participate in air operations – helicopter and fixed wing during deployments or training
• Attend quarterly training
• Maintain/respond by timely communication with Task Force and section administration through email and phone
• Follow the Federal "Code of Conduct" for US&R Task Force
• Complete all General Administrative Requirements and General Training Requirements for all Task Force members within two (2) months of selection (see "Task Force General Requirements" under Supplemental Information for details)

Other Qualifications

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

To apply, go to www.ocfa.org.  Interested personnel are to submit the following:

• Online application - application must show current OCFA experience
• Resumé (2-pages maximum) outlining your qualifications as they relate to this position
• Memo of Interest
• Inclusion of related certificates of training or related professional qualifications are also encouraged 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE 

• Recruitment closes - Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM (noon)
• Panel interviews - Week of August 18, 2025

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 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 resume
  • 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 maintains 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

• 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)
  

QUESTIONS

All questions regarding this position should be directed to Fire Captain Shane Frederick at [email protected].

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH NEOGOV 

Please contact the assigned recruiter, Ivonne Spagon, Human Resources Analyst II at (714) 573-6810 or at [email protected] for assistance.

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 Ivonne Spagon, Human Resources Analyst II at [email protected] within 72 hours of the need for an accommodation.

WITHDRAWING FROM RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Whenever an applicant chooses to withdraw from this recruitment process, he/she is required to submit an email notification to the assigned recruiter, Ivonne Spagon, Human Resources Analyst II at [email protected] requesting a withdrawal from the process. The email to the recruiter must include the applicant's current phone number.

NOTE

The provisions of this publication do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision in this publication may be modified or revoked without notice.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER