Wildland Firefighter 2

Job Overview:

This position has responsibilities to coordinate, implement, and supervise wildland fire initial attack personnel and equip­ment to provide a safe and effective fire manage­ment capability for the Area. Work assignments require coopera­tion and coordina­tion with State and Federal agencies, local fire departments, the general public, permanent and seasonal employ­ees and private contrac­tors. The posi­tion supervises seasonal activities related to wild­land fire protec­tion, build­ings, grounds, vehicles and fire-related program pro­jects of the Area. The incumbent will plan, coordinate, and implement training for Permanent and Seasonal personnel. One of the priorities for the Area is our cooperator relationships; therefore, the Helicopter Manager will maintain relationships with the adjoining DNRC Areas, Federal agencies, and Counties within and outside the Area. This position is supervised by the Area Aviation Operations Supervisor. The Helicopter Manager coordinates daily helicopter operations, directly supervises a Helitack Crew as well as a Fuel Tender driver as directed by the Area Aviation Operations Supervisor. This supervision may be extended on and off the Area during various work schedules. This position performs training, prevention, general forestry work, equipment and facilities maintenance, as well as other duties as assigned. This position may drive Helicopter support vehicles when requested by supervisors.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): A job usually has three to five major duties. List major duties in order of importance. 

Fire Suppression and Preparation for Suppression Directs an initial attack Helitack module in preparation for suppression, and suppression of wildland and residential/wildland interface fires. Helicopter Management
Working directly with the Pilot-in-Command, manages mission specific operations assigned to DNRC Rotor-wing aircraft.

Supervision:
The number of employees supervised is: 2

Training assignment will be avalible to qualified applicant at the lesser rate

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE: 

Online State of Montana application Resume  Cover Letter

HELPFUL HINT: You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.

Benefits:

Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage Retirement Plans Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here, to learn more and see if you may qualify * If you are interested in a complete job description please contact HR at Stacey.Gabrio@mt.gov.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): 

Education:  
Graduation from high school or equivalent. 

Experience:
Two years of experience in wildland fire suppression with supervisory responsibilities and be fully qualified as Helicopter Manager, ICT5, and Faller A . Must have successfully performed on two qualifying uncontrolled fires as a Helicopter Manager. Performance on at least one qualifying uncontrolled fire as a Type 4 Incident Commander is desirable.

Requirements:
Valid Driver’s License

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  
Requires knowledge of how to quickly and accurately assess a wildland fire situation and determine strategies and tactical methods to control wildland and residential/wildland fires. Guidelines specifically outlining how to handle every situation are not feasible or available. Knowledge of fire behavior, Montana forest fire rules and regulations (contained in Administrative Rules of Montana), Montana burning permit requirements, local fire prevention needs, Incident Command System, CPR, first aid, hazardous materials awareness, and radio use. Requires skill in driving on unimproved road systems, reading maps, using a hand compass, hand tools, chainsaws, and other firefighting or project-related equipment. Ability to plan, organize and conduct safe, cost-effective control of wildland fires, perform physically demanding, arduous work for extended time periods, effectively communicate verbally to others, properly complete agency paperwork, and complete wildland firefighter training courses. Most knowledge, skills, or abilities, such as CPR and hazardous materials awareness, require yearly demonstration of proficiency.

Physical and Environmental Demands:  
Over 50% of the work this position performs is conducted outdoors in mountainous terrain with exposure to environmental hazards for long time periods. Work is seasonal in nature and requires exposure to wildfires with associated discomforts, risk of serious injury, and exposure to adverse weather and terrain. Wildfires typically involve smoke, dust, hot temperatures, and high noise levels next to aircraft, equipment, and pumps. Hazards encountered can include erratic and unpredictable fire behavior; fatigue; working at night; falling snags; insects; rolling rocks; hazardous materials; poisonous plants; working around vehicles, fire engines and heavy equipment; exposure to hovering or low flying aircraft; wild animals; operating power tools; using sharpened hand tools; driving vehicles in all conditions including off road; urban interface hazards; and prolonged exposure to smoke. Work shifts during fire assignments are typically 12 to 16 hours per shift, and sometimes require relocation for up to two weeks at fire camps set up near larger fires. These camps can be remote, and firefighters are usually required to stay in camp when not engaged in firefighting tasks. Incumbent is required to respond to assigned duty station outside normal working hours within varied response time frames depending on actual and potential fire situations, and most tasks require varied travel times operating assigned fire engine or vehicles authorized by a Class C Montana driver’s license.

Position requires an ability to do physically demanding, arduous work. Many tasks are completed on steep mountainous terrain, such as digging and clearing fire line using hand tools and chainsaws, traversing long distances on foot lifting and carrying objects in excess of 50 pounds, and operating a variety of hand tools and equipment.

Successful completion of the initial hiring requirements for Helicopter Manager and the following courses, or equivalents, must be completed for hiring into the position.

I-100 Intro to Incident Command System

S-130 Basic Wildland Firefighting

S-131 Advanced Firefighter/Squad Boss

S-133 Look Up, Look Down, and Look Around

S-190 Basic Wildland Fire Behavior

L-180 Human Factors on the Fireline

S-212 Wildfire Chainsaws

S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use

P-100 Basic Fire Prevention

P-200 Intermediate Fire Prevention

ICS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents

IS-700 NIMS Incident Command System

L-280 Fire Line Supervision

S-230 Crew Boss

S-231 Engine Boss

S-270 Basic Air Operations

S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior

S-372 Helicopter Manager, Single Resource

Successful completion of the following courses, or equivalents, is recommended for full performance level in this position:

IS-800 NIMS Incident Command System

ICS-300 Intermediate ICS

S-200 Initial Attack Incident Commander

S-234 Firing Methods

S-215 Fire Operations in the Interface

S-260 DNRC Fire Business Management

S-372 Helibase Manager

L-381 Incident Leadership

The position is required to meet arduous physical fitness requirements stipulated by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation policy.The position requires possession of a Class C Montana Driver’s license (or equivalent interstate driver’s license). The above knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through completion of high school or equivalency, three seasons of satisfactory progressive performance in wildland fire suppression (with one season as a Helicopter Manager), and satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander (Type 5) during the initial response to two wildland fires.

The position must have the skills necessary to work alone in the field, including driving in winter conditions (use of tire chains), operating ATVs and knowledge of navigating with map and compass.Be able to participate in Wildland fire suppression, which may require the ability to pass the arduous pack test.

SPECIAL INFORMATION: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card".

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