Operations Manager, Deer Creek Resources, Chico, California

3-month seasonal job, July-September, 2024

Recruitment is open until the position is filled.

Background

Deer Creek Resources is California’s leading wildland fire intelligence and pre-fire planning consultancy. We use technology, storytelling, land information, and custom-made maps to help people solve complex land management problems. During wildfire season, our equipment and GIS technicians have supported tactical mapping operations in fire camps for some of the largest wildfires in California history. Along with our parent company, Firestorm, we provide a full suite of wildfire safety services, including the design and implementation of complex vegetation management projects and prescribed fires to protect communities and critical infrastructure.

We are hiring a seasonal Operations and Logistics Manager to oversee our onsite emergency mapping operations, supervise seasonal wildfire mapping staff, maintain equipment readiness and deploy our onsite GIS mapping support trailers during wildfires.

Responsibilities

This position reports to DCR’s Director. Tasks will include maintaining desktop computers and large-format printers, tracking ink and paper inventories, hauling trailers or generators to fire camps in California and across the American West, reviewing timesheets, repairing equipment, providing technical support, and preparing invoices. A successful candidate will have solid mechanical and organizational skills, be experienced towing trailers, and be very flexible and adaptable.

This is not a family-friendly job, as you may be called away for extended periods of time with no advanced notice. However, if you want to play travel-roulette, this job can be pretty exciting - for example, you may get a call at 6am that you're headed to Taos, New Mexico or Central Idaho in 4 hours.

While you will be supported by drivers and mechanics from Firestorm, troubleshooting, mechanical, basic electrical know-how, and other practical skills are a huge plus.

Driving and towing trailers is a core part of this job. A clean driving record is required. Candidates already holding a commercial drivers license will be paid a higher rate while hauling. 

Other desirable skills (not all necessary for the job, but a bonus) include :

• IT troubleshooting, expert knowledge of the Windows operating system
• Welding, fixing broken vehicles or plotters, carpentry, or towing trailers
• Metal fabrication skills (Our parent company has a nice metal shop).
• Printer and copier troubleshooting
• Forklift skills (training available, previous experience desirable) 
• Field surveying or mapping skills
• Willingness to be on call 24/7, and reachable via cell phone for most of the summer

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be well-spoken and effectively interact with clients and agency representatives in a professional manner. This position is based at DCR’s offices in Chico, California. Frequent overnight travel, mainly within Northern California, is required, especially during wildfire season, when travel may be required on extremely short-notice.

Candidates should have a practical understanding of land management, forestry, environmental interpretation, construction, or agriculture.

We place a high value on field experience. Our parent company Firestorm staffs wildland fire hand crews, Type III and VI fire engines, GIS Mapping Support Units, and prescribed burning modules. There are opportunities for this position to take wildfire and prescribed fire assignments in the fall, maintaining currency or advancing their wildfire qualifications including but not limited to FFT1, FEMO, Single Resource Boss (Engines, Crews, Firing), RXB2, Situation Unit Leader, and Planning Section Chief III.

Compensation

• This is a seasonal position, with 40 hours a week guaranteed from July 1st thru September 31st. Large quantities of overtime are possible if we have a busy fire season. Pay is commensurate with experience, starting at $25/hr.