Fuel Reduction Crew Lead

The City of South Lake Tahoe is recruiting for one Fuel Reduction Crew Lead for the Summer season. 

The anticipated start date will be between April 1 - May 1, 2025. 

This position will last 6 months at 40 hours per week, or 960 total hours. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Definition: Under the direction of the South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief and Fuels Division personnel, assists in the supervision of the day-to-day operations, management, and administration of the Wildland Fire and Fuels Reduction Crew. This is a lead position for the Fuels Division chipping crew.    

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Crew Lead is distinguished from other positions with the fire service by the responsibility to oversee the daily work assignments for the crew on fuels reduction projects.

Essential Functions

• The functions listed below are examples of the work typically performed by an employee in this position.  An employee may not be assigned all functions listed and may be assigned functions which are not listed below.  

• Determines when additional resources are required and/or when circumstances require withdrawal of crew to a safe location.

• Organizes and directs chainsaw work

• Prepares documentation related to assigned staff such as time cards; assists in developing budget figures for sign materials, projects or programs.

• Ensures that chain saws are always maintained and in proper working order.

• Assists with the implementation of the Curbside Chipping program.

• Monitors and reviews quality of work performed.

• Evaluates performance and completes performance appraisals for crew members.

• Assists Fuels Division Personnel in establishing crew policies and procedures.

• Ensures employees comply with all Department personnel policies and procedures.

• Directs employees to accomplish their daily tasks.

• Assists in development and presentation of training for crew members.

• Directs crew members in the maintenance and repair of fire tools and equipment.

• Ensures the development of crew safety procedures and crew member performance in a safe manner.

• Aids Fuels Division Personnel in maintaining an inventory of all property and equipment assigned the crew.

• Ensures the crew is following operational directives and specifications for assigned task.

• Performs fire prevention and education duties as assigned.

• Operates heavy machinery (wood chipper), hand tools, and chainsaws.

• Operates fire department vehicles

Qualifications for Employment:

Knowledge of:

• Sufficient wildland fire operations and Urban Interface wildland firefighting techniques to determine strategy and tactics

• The principles and practices of fuels reduction and wildland firefighting

• The Incident Command System

• Federal, state and local fire regulations

• Defensible Space and Living with Fire guidelines

• Operation and maintenance procedures for chippers, chainsaws, and hand tools

• Safety procedures

• Supervisory techniques

• Purchasing guidelines and procedures

Skill to:

• Operate and maintain various types of Fire Department equipment

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

• Interpret, explain and apply policies and procedures

• Analyze complex situations identifying potential dangers, alternative courses of action, project consequences of proposed actions, and ensure crew safety

Ability to:

• Organize time effectively

• Fall hazard trees safely in adverse conditions

• Think and act quickly and analyze emergency situations

• Decide on an appropriate course of action within the scope of assigned duties

• Acquire knowledge of wildland fire management, planning and practices including prescribed fire, fuel management, fire histories, and fire hazard analysis

• Acquire knowledge of local fire contracts and agreements

• Operate and maintain various types of Fire Department equipment

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing

• Lead others

• Maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work activities

• Contribute to and maintain a positive and safe work environment

• Work in a team environment as a member of the South Lake Tahoe Fire Fuels Division

• Deliver written and verbal instructions

• Distribute wildfire prevention educational materials to raise wildfire awareness and assist in gaining public participation in SLTFR programs

• Deliver excellent customer service

• Establish effective working relationships with crew members, other agencies and the public

• Attend and participate in meetings and training sessions.

Experience and Training:

Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A typical way to gain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is:  

High school diploma or equivalent

Two years of progressively responsible experience in wildland fire prevention, suppression and crew supervision, or a closely related field.

Required Certifications and Licenses:

All required certifications and licenses must be maintained and current throughout duration of employment.    

Must possess California or Nevada Commercial Driver’s License, California “Firefighter” endorsement or Nevada “F” endorsement.

Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Completion of S-130, S-190, ICS-100, ICS-200 before date of employment.

Ability to obtain:

 Preferred certifications: S-131, S-212, S-133, S-290 and FAL2.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

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

Environment: Indoor work to perform record keeping and computer tasks; outdoor work in all types of weather including extreme heat and humidity, cold and rain and snow; work in and around heavy traffic conditions and very loud noise of construction equipment; continuous exposure to moving mechanical parts, electrical shock, and vibration from equipment and tools; occasional exposure to hazardous materials and substances including chemicals, blood borne pathogens, and animal bites; positions may require working at heights above the ground, work below ground, and/or in confined spaces.

Physical: Incumbents in this class must be in good physical condition and able to exert physical strength for prolonged periods of time. Due to the physical nature of this position, the majority of tasks performed by incumbents involve a combination of two or more simultaneous physical operations requiring but not limited to the following:

CONTINUOUS: sitting, standing, walking, climbing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, handling, fingering, and hearing; lifting and carrying of tools and equipment weighing up to 75 lbs.; pushing/pulling of tools and equipment up to 25 lbs.

FREQUENT: balancing, crouching and talking; pushing/pulling of tools and equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.

OCCASIONAL: crawling, smelling; lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling of tools and equipment weighing up to 100 lbs.; lifting and carrying tools and equipment weighing over 100 lbs. with assistance. .

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to see work orders and service requests, field conditions, equipment dials and gauges; operate vehicles and equipment; monitor telephone traffic conditions and mix chemicals.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction; ability to monitor sounds for traffic control and equipment malfunction; hear back-up alarms on trucks and other equipment, telephone and radio transmissions, and calls for assistance from others..

Speaking: Communicate in English in person, by phone and radio to communicate with both the public and co-workers.

FLSA Designation: Non-Exempt

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER 

The City of South Lake Tahoe is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans’ status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. 

Salary : $36 - $44