Wild Land Fire Fighter

This is an operational position that works as part of an initial attack squad whose duties include wildland fire management, fuels management, hazard assessment and emergency support as requested. This position's primary responsibility will be wildland fire management; however, the crew may be assigned duties that support other emergency operations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives direct supervision from a Supervisory Firefighter or a Deputy Director of Emergency Management.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The duties described herein are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Maintain a working relationship with Archuleta County Sheriff's Office personnel and other emergency service agencies.
• Respond as part of an initial attack squad and assist with the management of wildland fires in areas of the Archuleta County Response Zone that are unincorporated and outside the fire districts and outside the national forest.
• Participate in hazard assessment and fuel reduction work.
• Educate and supports division volunteers.
• Understand and adheres to the Archuleta County Annual Operating Plan.
• Inspect and maintain equipment.
• Conduct inventory of materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Assist in preparation of incident reports and daily activity records.
• Be available for response 24 hours a day, including holidays and weekends.
• May be required to work weekends.
• Represent the Sheriff and the Sheriff's Office at all times during employment.

OTHER DUTIES

• Respond as part of an initial attack squad and assist with the management of wildland fires elsewhere when requested.
• Travel outside the Archuleta County Response Zone on fires and other incident assignments as requested.
• Assist in all risk incidents, incident management functions and other emergency situations requiring support as requested.
• Participate in other Emergency Management duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying.

Education:

• High School diploma or GED, supplemented by specialized courses in wildland fire management.

Experience: None

Licenses and Certifications:

• Candidates must be at least 18 years of age upon hire.
• Must be able to pass a background examination.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Colorado Driver's License by date of hire.
• Prerequisite S130 Firefighter Training / S190 Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior
• Sawyer type A or equivalent preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Wildland fire management methods, safety practices and fire behavior in a variety of climatic, topographic and vegetative types of fuels.
• Urban-interface wildland fire mitigation preferred.
• Standard forestry practices and techniques, including fuel types, use of a map, compass and GPS, and weather monitoring systems preferred.
• Chainsaw use and chainsaw maintenance preferred.
• Special equipment used in fire management and its maintenance preferred. The ability to select and use the proper tool for a given application.
• First aid and CPR preferred.
• Department and County rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standard operation procedures.

Ability To:

• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with a diverse population to include the public, volunteers, staff, other agency personnel, and county, state and federal government staff.
• Adhere to and ensure compliance with departmental professional and ethical standards of conduct.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Operate and communicate on two-way radios.
• Develop knowledge in all risk incidents with an emphasis in wildland fire management in Archuleta County.
• Pass the arduous work capacity test annually.
• Pass random drug and alcohol testing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successful perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is conducted outdoors, in a vehicle, and indoors. Requires ability to continuously operate a vehicle in all types of road and weather conditions. Requires frequent use of fingers and hands and manual dexterity to operate vehicles, two-way radios, safety, rescue, and firefighting gear and equipment.
• Requires frequent moderate lifting/carrying (up to 49 pounds) and occasional heavy lifting/carrying (50 pounds and over) of supplies and equipment. Requires constant driving, frequent standing, sitting, pushing/pulling, bending/stooping, twisting, kneeling, and squatting, and occasional running.
• Ability to read and understand written documents, maps, legal documents, and/or related materials as required for the performance of the job. Auditory requirements sufficient to hear signals and two-way radios. In addition, must have sufficient hearing and speech ability to communicate verbally in response to inquiries, complaints, and to receive/exchange directions/instructions.
• Work requires physical and mental demands associated with performing firefighting, search and rescue, and/or disaster situation. May be exposed to chemical and bio-hazardous material, blood-borne pathogens, STD's or other health considerations, and unusual fatigue factors.
• Works shifts, holidays, weekends, and on-call as needed.
• Incumbent is occasionally required to work outside normal work hours in the performance of duties.
• Must be able to pass standard physical exam and successfully complete and maintain required physical standards and certifications.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics herein are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to work outside of normal business hours as needed; travel to attend meetings, seminar, and conferences as required; ability to work in a standard office environment.

Salary : $21 - $29