Wildland Operations Battalion Chief

This is an internal Orange County Fire Authority Recruitment

The Wildland Operations Administration, South Operations is currently accepting letters of interest and resumés for the Wildland Operations Battalion Chief staff position. ONLY letters of interest and resumés from current, qualified, non-probationary, Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Battalion Chief personnel will be considered for this staff position.

ASSIGNMENT:
The Wildland Operations Chief position requires a two-year minimum commitment on administrative assignment working a 4/10 or 9/80 schedule.

The Wildland Operations Battalion Chief will be responsible for overseeing the Hand Crew and Heavy Equipment Programs, as well as works with Wildland Pre-Fire Management to coordinated vegetation management projects. This position serves as the subject matter expert and agency representative for OCFA Hand Crew and Heavy Equipment resources.  This role demands a strategic leader with a proven leadership history and a commitment to excellence in service delivery.

ADDITIONAL PAY:

Battalion Chief's assigned to a designated staff position, 4/10 or 9/80 work schedule, are eligible for ten percent (10%) staff assignment pay. Please refer to page 74 of the Chief Officer's Association Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for additional information.

APPLICATION PROCESS:  

Last day to submit Letter of Interest and Resumé:  Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 12:00 pm (noon)

• Letter of Interest (memo format) shall be emailed to Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at dukesteppe@ocfa.org and addressed to Assistant Chief Tim Perkins.
• Resumé detailing your education and work experience shall be emailed to Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at dukesteppe@ocfa.org
• Battalion Chief personnel currently in the Battalion Chief Wildland Operations Matrix will be contacted with further instructions

Tentative Schedule of Events:

• Last day to submit Letter of Interest and Resumé:  Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 12:00 pm (noon)
• Selection interview:  Week of March 31, 2024
• Notification of selected candidate(s):  Week of April 7, 2025 
• Tentative Start date:  TBD

Role and Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Manages and coordinates the mobilization of OCFA Hand Crews and heavy equipment.  Works with EDO, Duty Chief and Operations Chiefs to identify crews and equipment available to support in and out of county incidents.
• Works with Hand Crew and heavy equipment leadership to maintain staffing for daily operations, upstaffing, and out of county responses.
• Maintains situational awareness of and advises EDO and Duty Chief on changes to Hand Crew and heavy equipment operational availability.
• Works with local incident commanders to support both incident and wildland operations personnel needs.

Personnel Management

• Recruits, hires, trains, and qualifies personnel for positions within the program including Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Squad Boss, Hand Crew Firefighter, Heavy Equipment Operator and Dozer Swamper.
• Oversees performance evaluations, promotions, and disciplinary actions.
• Manages staffing levels to ensure adequate coverage and operational readiness.
• Develops and implements training programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of Wildland Operations personnel.
• Fosters a positive work environment and promotes teamwork and morale.
• Responsible for succession planning within the program.

Resource Management

• Develops and manages several budgets and grants within the Wildland Operations budget.
• Manages procurement and maintenance of necessary equipment and supplies, including vehicles, chippers, chainsaws, and hand tools.
• Ensures the proper maintenance and upkeep of all equipment and facilities.
• Plans for and maintains Wildland Operations vehicle and equipment fleet including, crew carrying vehicles and heavy equipment.

Administrative Duties

• Prepares reports, documentation, and other administrative tasks as required.
• Oversees completion of all Wildland Operations reports including daily project logs, emergency activity reports, MARS reports, Cal Card reconciliation packets, travel requests and approvals, etc.
• Identifies and applies for grants to support program mission.
• Works with Pre-Fire Management, Accounts Payable and others to oversee grant budget, spending, and related administration. 
• Maintains and revises OCFA’s Wildland Operations SOP’s and OCFA policies and procedures that relate to Wildland Operations.
• Maintains accurate records of personnel, equipment, and operational activities.
• Collaborates with other departments to coordinate logistics, planning, and public information.
• Represents the organization at meetings, conferences, and public events.

Vegetation Management and Project Work Management

• Works with OCFA Community Risk Reduction/Wildfire Pre-Fire Management personnel to plan and implement vegetation management projects throughout the county.
• Develops and fosters relationships with local landowners, land managers, fire managers and wildland operations personnel from outside jurisdictions to support risk reduction and mutually beneficial projects.

Safety and Compliance

• Enforces safety standards and protocols to minimize risks to personnel and the public.
• Conducts regular safety inspections and training sessions.
• Investigates accidents and incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Ensures compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and procedures.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE:

• Currently employed with the OCFA as a non-probationary Fire Battalion Chief.
• Experience in wildland firefighting operations, strategies, and tactics. 
• Understanding of the following resources:

1. OES Preposition process
2. Cal Fire AOP
3. State financial agreements (CFAA, CFMA, MMA, LFA, etc.)
4. IROC
5. CICCS
6. Firescope FOG

HIGHLY DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years field experience as an OCFA Battalion Chief.
• Understanding of handcrews and heavy equipment.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and make critical decisions in high-stress situations.

LICENSE:

• Possession of a valid Class "C" Driver License.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS:

These requirements are detailed in the classification specification, which is available for review at www.ocfa.org. 

QUESTIONS:
 All questions regarding this position should be directed to Assistant Chief Tim Perkins.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH SUBMITTING REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please contact the assigned recruiter, Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at (714) 573-6807 or via email at dukesteppe@ocfa.org.  

CHANGE IN SCHEDULING:

If there is a change in the selection process, Human Resources will notify all affected candidates.

AMERICAN WITH DISABILITY ACT (ADA) ACCOMMODATION:

In accordance with the American's With Disabilities Act, anyone who needs an ADA accommodation for the purposes of employment testing should contact the assigned recruiter, Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at (714) 573-6807 or via email at dukesteppe@ocfa.org  no later than 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.

NOTE:

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the department.