Chipping Crew Member

The North Tahoe Fire Protection District is currently accepting applications for current and future job openings from qualified individuals to serve on the chipping crew. These positions are grant-funded, seasonal positions assigned to a 40-hour work week. These positions are returning to the fire district in 2025, and we’ll be hiring three people to operate the chipping crew.  This position is expected to be active from approximately May through November.  The actual start and end dates will be dependent on weather and snow conditions and may be extended beyond 6 months, but no more than 9 months from the employment start date.  The eligibility list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies.  

The Chipping Crew Members work under the direct supervision of the Division Chief of Fire and Life Safety or their designee.  

The primary purpose of this crew is to operate a residential chipping program for the local community. This includes responding to chipping requests, traveling to those addresses with a truck and chipper, chipping the material, ensuring a clean site upon leaving, potentially hauling and dumping the material at a temporary holding site, assisting with loading, and ensuring activities are adequately tracked. The applicant must be comfortable working in outdoor environments under varying weather conditions and lifting objects frequently up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.  Chipping crew members will also assist with community workdays utilizing the truck and chipper or assisting with cutting and hauling combustible materials and filling green waste dumpsters. 

This crew may also be involved with forest fuels reduction projects on public and private lands in the North Tahoe Fire Protection District or nearby areas. This may include assisting with flagging and site prep activities, conducting hand thinning and piling operations, pile burning and understory prescribed fire. Regular maintenance on various equipment such as chain saws, blowers, mowers and hand tools, as well as organizing and cleaning gear and PPE will be required. 

Pay shall be determined by the Division Chief of Fire and Life Safety and is dependent on education, skills, knowledge and abilities. The Chipping Crew Member is a seasonal position, assigned to a 40-hour work week and is classified as a "Miscellaneous" employee.

Typical Activities Include: 

• Driving heavy vehicles
• Hauling and backing trailer mounted chippers 
• Manually feeding tree limbs, branches, and debris into the chipper, ensuring proper size and orientation for efficient chipping
• Monitoring the chipper's operation, adjusting feed rate, and identifying and correcting any potential jams or malfunctions
• Ensure chips do not damage private property when exiting the chipper
• Properly secure loads in the truck bin to prevent shifting or falling during transport
• Clearing debris from the work area, and ensuring a clean site upon departure
• Knowledgably and safely unload the chip dump truck or grapple truck at a temporary holding site or disposal/recycling facility
• Potentially assisting with loading the chipped material into a transport truck
• Follow all safety procedures related to operating a chipper or heavy machinery, wearing required PPE, and reporting any hazards.
• Coordinating with other crew members to efficiently move material, manage the workflow, and achieve daily goals.
• Ensuring chipping and other activity data is tracked and recorded using field tablets and spreadsheets. 
• Using precision and skill to operate the grapple truck to pick up, carry, and place logs or other materials accurately and safely, understanding its limitations and capabilities.
• Assist with chipping and transporting materials in support of community workdays
• Perform various project work and other duties as assigned.

Required skills and abilities:

• Lift heavy objects, bend, and work for extended periods outdoors in varying weather conditions. 
• Be proficient in driving a large truck and pulling a trailer, including maneuvering in tight spaces, backing and navigating challenging terrain.
• Understand the operation of the woodchipper, chip dump truck, and potentially a grapple truck and identify potential issues.
• Maintain focus on the chipper or grapple truck operation to prevent accidents and ensure proper function.
• Work effectively in a team dynamic collaborating with other crew members to complete tasks efficiently.
• Conduct thorough pre-trip inspections to identify and rectify potential mechanical or safety issues before operating the equipment.
• Perform related assignments or site inspections in the field. 
• Understand current software applications using desktop computers and field tablets including effective data tracking and basic report preparation 

Successful applicants must have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; understand the community, organization, and operations of the North Tahoe Fire Protection District; work cooperatively with citizens, community groups, business interests, other District employees, and federal, state, and local agencies, and perform other duties as assigned.

• Minimum of 18 years of age
• *High school diploma or equivalent
• Current CPR certification to the Health Care Provider level (required within 60 days after employment)
• Valid Driver’s License

• Experience as a chipping crew member or similar
• National Wildfire Cooperating Group (NWCG) Wildland Firefighter training and related certifications.
• Knowledge of defensible space, fuels management, home hardening, Fire Adapted Communities, Firewise and other programs that exist to reduce wildfire risks within the wildland-urban interface
• Experience performing professional or sub-professional work in vegetation management, public or civil service, fire prevention, fire suppression, forestry, natural resource management, or other related work
• Candidates with proven problem-solving skills will be given extra consideration

Application Procedure / Open Until Filled

The selection procedure will include an application review, a possible written examination, and an oral interview. 

The application review, written examination and in-person interview will tentatively occur the week of April 14, or April 21, 2025.  

Applicants who are offered employment are subject to a Live Scan, background investigation, and a drug/alcohol screening and physical assessment. Employment is contingent upon passing the Live Scan, background investigation, and drug/alcohol screening.

Interested candidates should complete the online District application linked below using the Neogov.com website. With the online application, attach a letter of interest, resume, and copies of required and applicable certifications. 

Neogov District Application - https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ntfire

The first application review period will begin, April 11, 2025 with subsequent reviews as needed. Mailed, in-person, or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Salary : $3,678 - $4,933