Director of Response Operations

Texas A&M University System•College Station, TX

About The Position

Texas A&M Task Force 1 is a premier urban search and rescue team and a key statewide emergency response asset. Based in College Station and sponsored by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), the task force serves both as a FEMA deployable resource and as a Texas emergency response capability for major disasters. Texas A&M Task Force 1 is built for rapid deployment in high-consequence incidents such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, structural collapses, and other large-scale emergencies. Its personnel include firefighters, rescue specialists, medical providers, canine handlers, and technical experts who operate as a highly coordinated team under demanding, often austere, conditions. Part of what distinguishes Texas A&M Task Force 1 from other FEMA teams is its broader mission profile. In addition to the traditional FEMA urban search and rescue activities, Texas A&M Task Force 1, Texas Task Force 2, and Texas Task Force 3 support swift water rescue and helicopter rescue operations, making it especially valuable in Texas, where disasters often involve both inland flooding and wide-area impact. The team is designed to be self-sufficient, mobile, and ready to sustain operations over extended periods. Specific to the Director of Response Operations, the position requires an individual skilled in disciplined readiness, interagency coordination, and mission adaptability. Its work demands strong leadership, operational excellence, and the ability to manage complex resources while protecting lives in the most challenging disaster environments. The Director of Response Operations oversees the Texas A&M Task Force and related TEEX response teams and is responsible for leading the emergency response system that manages Emergency Support Function (ESF-9 Urban Search and Rescue) capabilities, ensuring statewide operational readiness and seamless integration with FEMA’s National US&R Response System. The Director leads the emergency response system and coordinates Task Force deployments in response to Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) requests, FEMA activation requests, and other local, state, and federal incidents. This role is responsible for strategic planning; oversight of training, exercises, and canine programs; financial and grant management, including compliance with the FEMA Cooperative Agreement; maintenance of the equipment cache lifecycle; and facility security. The Director leverages and coordinates resources across the State of Texas to deliver immediate rescue and emergency relief services to disaster-impacted communities. The Director serves as the senior liaison to key state and national partners, including the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), Texas Military Department (TMD), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), FEMA US&R Branch, and local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), and provides management and oversight of Texas A&M Task Force 1, Texas Task Force 2, and Texas A&M Task Force 3.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Ten years of progressively responsible experience in agency-level strategic planning and operations, including managing complex programs, personnel, and budgets; improving organizational processes and workplace effectiveness; and direct experience supporting or operating within a federal or state Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Force.
A FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Force is a multidisciplinary, highly trained team authorized by FEMA to locate, extricate, and provide initial medical stabilization for victims trapped in collapsed structures or confined spaces.
Must have a valid motor vehicle operator’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.
Must have a valid passport or ability to obtain within 180 days of employment.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
Regular use of a computer, keyboard and telephone.
Ability to travel independently to other and/or remote locations by driving and/or flying on commercial airlines.
FEMA US&R System expertise, including organizational structure, position descriptions, operational and financial doctrine, Program Directives, 44 CFR Part 208, and FEMA AEL.
NIMS/ICS mastery, with the ability to lead within complex, multi‑jurisdictional incident structures.
Working knowledge of NFPA 1006 (Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications) and NFPA 1670 (Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue) or successor standards.
Demonstrated ability to design and evaluate training and exercises aligned to ESF‑9 mission sets.
Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills across local, state, and federal partners.
Grant administration and compliance guidance in 2 CFR Part 200, including budgeting, drawdowns, reimbursement, and audit response.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and FEMA/TEEX electronic systems (e.g., PARS or successor; readiness databases; logistics/asset management tools).
High‑judgment decision‑making under pressure; superb organization and time‑management in dynamic operational settings.
Experience developing strategic direction, budgets and determining work plans and logistics.
Possess a working knowledge of federal business practices, applicable OMB Circulars including Cost Principles, Administrative Requirements, Audit Requirements, and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Maintain all requirements to be a deployable member of the Task force including FEMA General requirements as well as Position Specific requirements for a deployable position.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Five years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Coordinates and supervises local, state, national, and federal US&R activations.
Coordinates Texas' participation in water rescue and US&R deployments.
Maintains an active plan for identifying specialized resources needed statewide.
Recruits and sustains qualified task force members.
Maintains operational readiness and compliance with FEMA directives.
Represents TX-TF1 and related TEEX response teams during activations and serve as senior liaison to responding agencies.
Oversees financial systems for tracking, reporting, and ensuring responsible use of funds.
Prepares, monitors, and submits FEMA Cooperative Agreement documentation and quarterly/annual progress reports.
Ensures accurate and timely reimbursement submissions following deployments.
Supervises lifecycle management of the US&R equipment cache including procurement, audits, maintenance, and compliance with FEMA AEL and 44 CFR requirements.
Reviews and approves all procurement, travel, and reimbursement requests.
Provides supervision, coaching, and performance evaluation for TX-TF1 and related TEEX response Teams personnel.
Ensures employees receive ongoing job‑related professional development.
Maintains a comprehensive personnel database tracking training, certifications, deployment qualifications, and readiness.
Leads the strategic direction for Texas ESF‑9/US&R capabilities.
Develops and maintains statewide response plans in partnership with TDEM and key stakeholders.
Leads the strategic direction for Texas A&M Task Force 1, Texas Task Force 2, Task Force 3, and related TEEX response teams.
Establishes long‑range capability goals, performance objectives, and readiness metrics for US&R, water rescue, and related technical rescue disciplines.
Ensures multi‑agency/levels‑of‑government alignment on doctrine, roles, and resource commitments for ESF‑9 operations.
Oversees statewide US&R training programs, including multi-agency exercises and mobility drills.
Directs training efforts to ensure all responders meet ESF-9 competency requirements.
Oversees canine search program coordination including deployments, certification readiness, and partnership with national canine bodies.
Provides oversight for development, utilization, and maintenance of US&R training facilities and technical rescue props.
Represents TX-TF1 on state, national, and international committees and working groups.
Communicates mission priorities, funding needs, and strategic direction to external partners.
Maintains partnerships with private-sector entities including construction, engineering, and logistics sectors.