Wildland Engine Operator

This is an exciting opportunity for a year-round,full-timewildland firefighting position with the Carson City Fire Department, located in beautiful Carson City, NV! Employees receive a generous benefits package, including City-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, and Nevada PERS retirement. Enjoy the excitement of wildland firefighting with the stability and benefits that come with City employment!

Under direction, participates in fuels management, fire prevention and education, conducts pre-suppression activities to include fuels mitigation, equipment and facility maintenance, and leads a small group (usually not more than seven members) and is responsible for their safety on fuels management and wildland and prescribed fire incidents and routine fuels project work.

Employees with the Carson City Fire Department are afforded a generous benefits package, including items such as NV PERS retirement, medical, dental and life insurance, and paid time off as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Carson City Wildland Firefighters', Local #2251.

**This is an at-will grant funded position and as such employees are responsible for knowing and abiding by the rules of the grant.  This position will continue to be funded as long as the grant is renewed. **

Please Note: Human Resources determines whether or not you meet the minimum qualifications for the job based on your experience as you describe it on your application. Do not substitute a resume for your application, or write "See Attached Resume" on your application. We do not review resumes, unless specifically stated on the job announcement. Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education and Work Experience" section of the application. Applicants not meeting these requirements will not be considered for employment. 

** This recruitment will remain open until recruitment needs are satisfied. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately, as hiring may occur early in the recruiting process. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made. **

The class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive.  Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills. 
 
Fuels Management/ Hazardous Fuels Reduction

• Conducts and documents reviews of homes and neighborhoods for safety and operations during fire emergencies, assists in open space and trail maintenance, performs daily clean-up and maintenance of equipment, buildings, and vehicles, checks inventory and supplies, meets with cooperators, and discuss situational hazards and fire danger while conducting fuels mitigation work, and patrols areas and identifies potential hazards
• Instructs community, public land users, property owners and public groups in fire prevention, installs and maintains danger and prevention signs, identifies, and recommends corrective measures, and conducts safety inspections of facilities to reduce the incidence of fires
• Operates, maintains, and performs minor field repairs and daily preventative maintenance on fire suppression equipment such as, but not limited to, masticators, skid steers, trailers and fire engines and ensures the equipment is operational.
• Conducts wildland threat analysis utilizing electronic tools (CAT Program, etc.) to determine threat level
• Maintain driver/operator qualifications and ensure adherence to vehicle safety procedures when transporting personnel and equipment
• Use firing devices under supervision on a firing operation according to the ignition/firing plan
• Maintain and inspect tools, equipment, and supplies required to complete assigned tasks for amount, serviceability, and safety and notify supervisor if corrective action is needed 
• Performs pre suppression activities, including participation in hazardous fuels reduction on public and private property

Engine Operator Duties

• Ensure engine readiness:
  • Perform daily preventative maintenance checks
  • Conduct daily pump checks
  • Complete engine maintenance
  • Adhere to Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) requirements
  • Ensure engine is inspected prior to being used and released using the Vehicle/Heavy Equipment Inspection Checklist (OF-296) or another applicable document
  • Document and process mechanical issues immediately, notify supervisor of the condition of the resource
• Effectively lead and perform engine operations techniques, including:
  • Tandem operations
  • Mobile attack
  • Pump and roll
  • Firing and holding operations
  • Stationary attack
  • Engine protection
  • Simple and progressive hose lays
  • Fire Watch situations
• Effectively use fire suppressant agents
• Maintain a supply of water and chemical agent for the fire, particularly on critical areas of the fire line
• Locate water sources and check for volume and cleanliness for engine resupply.
• Develop contingency plans/alternatives in case of engine/equipment breakdown or failure
• Ensure proper refurbishing and resupply of tools, vehicles, food, water, and supplies

Engine Operator Fireline Duties

• Recon area of responsibility and assess feasibility of assigned objectives and consult with supervisor on resource needs and suggest adjustments as necessary
• Develop and implement tactics based on incident objectives, fire behavior, risk assessment and leader’s intent
• Organize and deploy assigned resources based on established objectives and resource capabilities
• Coordinate travel to and from fire line (e.g., travel routes, communication procedures, accountability), ensure adherence to vehicle safety procedures, identify ingress, and egress routes, and consider bridge and road limits, equipment weight and length, and weather effects 
• Operates engine pump panel to adequately support hose lines
• Request, direct and provide feedback to aerial resources through established chain of command
• Provide status updates on conditions affecting operations, hazardous conditions, unresolved conflicts, air operations, etc., to supervisor
• Operates, maintains, and performs minor field repairs and daily maintenance on fire suppression equipment such as, but not limited to, bull dozers, masticators, skid steers, chippers and fire engines and ensures the equipment is always operational
• Report special occurrences (e.g., structure/improved property loss or damage, accidents, sickness) to supervisor
• Establish accurate logistical needs for assigned resources and use established ordering procedures 
• Use maps, compass, Global Positioning System (GPS) and other tools and applications to gather information and navigate on incident.
• Function as a lookout

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
 
Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED
• NWCG RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)
• Experience with heavy equipment / Masticator 
• Experience towing heavy loads
• ATV/UTV experience
• First aid and CPR certificates
• NWCG Firefighter Type 1

 
The following certificates are preferred at time of hire:

• NWCG S-290 course work – Intermediate Wildland Behavior certificate
• EMT-B (State of Nevada or National Registry) certificate
• NWCG S-219, Firing Operations
• NWCG S-211, Portable Pumps and Water Use
• NWCG S-212, Wildland Fire Chain Saws

 
REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATION:
All required licenses and certificates must be maintained in active status without suspension or revocation throughout employment.

• A valid Class C driver’s license with F endorsement
• NWCG RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) Masticator qualifications
• First aid and CPR certificates
• NWCG Firefighter Type 1

Knowledge of: 

• Wildland firefighting and supervision of personnel and resources
• The use, repair and maintenance of handheld tools and power tools
• Facility maintenance
• Fire behavior and weather conditions
• Light troubleshooting and mechanical skills
• Fire suppression tactics applicable to wildland firefighting
• Topography to assist with wildland fuels management
• Pre and post suppression activities for hazardous fuels reduction and vegetation management on public and private property
• The Incident Command System (ICS)
• Multichannel radio operation, programming, and ICS terminology
• The use, limitations, and maintenance of personal protective equipment (PPE)

 
Ability to: 

• Acquire, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make more informed decisions and take appropriate actions, and gather critical information pertinent to the assignment
• Review Incident Action Plan (IAP) and obtain briefing, objectives, and intent from supervisor
• Travel far distances by motorized vehicles and foot
• Assemble and validate readiness of assigned personnel, equipment, and vehicles
• Establish and communicate chain of command, reporting procedures, risk management processes, and radio frequency management
• Establish a common operating picture with supervisor and subordinates
• Brief assigned personnel using IAP and/or Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, briefing and checklist
• Model leadership values and principles; provide positive influence; and emphasize teamwork
• Establish and communicate objectives, priorities, work assignments, and performance expectations
• Identify, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make more informed decisions and take appropriate actions
• Adjust actions based on changing information and evolving situation awareness; develop and implement contingency plans; and communicate changing conditions to assigned resources and supervisor 
• Ensure incident objectives and performance standards are met
• Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information
• Report changes in fire behavior or hazardous conditions to supervisor
• Communicate effectively using multichannel radios; prepare and program radios for assignment; and use plain language and ICS terminology
• Conduct and/or participate in After Action Reviews (AAR)

• Operate within skill level and limitations
• Apply the Risk Management Process as stated in the IRPG:
  • Identify hazards
  • Assess hazards
  • Develop controls and make risk decisions
  • Implement controls
  • Supervise and evaluate
• Report all incident and injuries
• Ensure Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES) are established and known to all firefighters before they are needed, refer to IRPG guidance
• Apply the Standard Firefighting Orders and Watch Out Situations to the assignment, as stated in the IRPG 
• Use Look Up, Down and Around in the IRPG to help maintain situational awareness and adjust actions accordingly 
• Identify health and safety hazards from smoke and mitigate exposure as necessary (Smoke: Know the Risks module)
• Ensure compliance with all safety practices and procedures for assigned personnel.
• Monitor for signs and symptoms of fatigue, illness, or injury and mitigate appropriately
• Account for location, health, safety, and welfare of assigned personnel
• Complete, ensure timeliness of, and route as required:
  • Crew Time Report (CTR), SF-261 
  • Incident Personnel Performance Rating, ICS 225 WF
  • General Message, ICS-213
  • SAFECOM/SAFENET
  • Agency/City specific forms
• Brief assigned resources on demobilization procedures and responsibilities, and ensure incident and agency demobilization procedures and work/rest driving standards are followed. 
• Provide first aid and CPR to injured persons, if properly certified
• Read topographical maps and use hand tools
• Provide basic maintenance to vehicles and equipment
• Plan, organize and prioritize daily activities
• Function effectively in potentially dangerous and life-threatening situations for extended periods of time
• Function effectively under the Incident Command System 
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others
• Other duties as assigned

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: 
 
Under Direction – Assignments and objectives are presented to incumbents at this level and established work processes are to be followed.  Incumbents have some flexibility in the selection of work methods, the timing of work processes, and the methods of completing tasks.  Supervision is periodic and is usually initiated by employee and/or when important problems, significant changes from past procedures, and policy implications are involved.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

 The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
Physical Fitness Level: Arduous
Duties involve fieldwork requiring physical performance calling for above-average endurance and superior conditioning.  These duties may include an occasional demand for extraordinary strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time.  Requirements include running, walking, climbing, jumping, twisting, bending, and lifting more than 50 pounds; the pace of work typically is set by the emergency.
 
The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, run, sit and drive; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee is   required to climb, balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl, walk on uneven and steep terrain. Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 
 
The employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions; frequent exposure to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, high and precarious places, fumes, or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to extreme cold, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.  The employee is exposed to dangerous conditions arising out of direct contact with out-of-control fires.
 
Employees are required to pass a physical ability test prior to appointment to the position.  The physical ability test will consist of the pack test at the arduous level. NWCG Standard

1. All new employees will serve a probationary period of twelve (12) months.  Such employees are not subject to the administrative order and may be laid off or discharged during this period for any reason, or no reason.
2. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
3. This position works variable work hours and an intermittent schedule.  This position may require working evenings and/or weekends, overtime work, and may also require working 12-hour shifts for up to two weeks at a time.
4. This is a grant funded position and as such employees are responsible for knowing and abiding by the rules of the grant.  This position will continue to be funded as long as the grant is renewed.
5. City employees are required to stay at or return to work during emergencies to perform duties specific to this position or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position. This may require working a non-traditional work schedule or working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.
6. New employees are required to submit to a fingerprint- based background investigation which cost the new employee $56.25 and a drug screen which costs $36.50.  Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug screen.
7. Carson City participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment with Carson City must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment.  Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.  For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 775.887.2103 or go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at www.uscis.gov.
8. All employees covered by this job description are subject to drug and alcohol testing in accordance with the Carson City Fire Department’s Drug and Alcohol Policy which mandates drug and alcohol testing and includes pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion testing.  Employees in violation of the policy are subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

 

Salary : $61,854 - $68,578