FIRE PREVENTION LEAD

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

Manage and reduce fire risk to protect Arizona's people, communities, and wildland areas to champion the health of Arizona's natural resources. The Department of Forestry and Fire Management provides services through strategic implementation of cooperative natural resources and fire assistance programs, development and support of statewide fire policies, and coordination of resources across all-lands and jurisdictions.

FIRE PREVENTION LEAD

Job Location:

Address

1110 W. Washington St. Suite 500

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $13.4897 - $19.2500

Grade: 15

Closing Date: March 11, 2025

Job Summary

The primary responsibility of this position is to respond to wildland fire incidents as an Investigator to locate the origin and to determine cause. This position implements field level wildland fire prevention and mitigation programs and coordinates these programs with other agencies, cooperators, stakeholders, partners and institutions.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, shall be performed within Arizona.

Job Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Responds to initial attack dispatches. Often as the first responder, advises the dispatcher on the need for further suppression resources based on the behavior, size, and hazards.
• As a fire investigator, conform to NWCG Investigator trainings as assigned. Investigates ignition source causes and location on government land including observing, collecting, and preserving and/or examining evidence. Interviews and/or obtains statements of witnesses.
• Prepares written reports which may include diagrams, maps and photos. Provides assistance to other cooperating Federal, State, Local agencies, and Law Enforcement agencies on fire investigations that are multi-jurisdictional.
• Performs district patrol assignments and is available agency wide as a single resource asset. May serve as a senior firefighter and unit leader.
• Performs project work as stated in NWCG FEMO training, such as fuel inventory, monitors and controls fire line, collects data on fire weather and fire behavior. Supports hazard fuel reduction projects including prescribed burns as assigned.
• Participates in safety sessions and fire after action reviews. Participates in district fire response proficiency checks and drills.
• Works with communities and regional/multi regional fire management collaboration groups to reduce risk from wildfire through implementation of a prevention education program and its practices. Assist communities to achieve Firewise USA recognition through the development and implementation of a community Firewise Plan.
• Provide training to communities and fire departments to become qualified Firewise Assessors. Facilitate Community Wildfire Protection Plan meetings. Participate in the Agency CWPP review committee.
• Supports DFFM PIO during fire season, attends cooperator briefings, assists with communication plans and strategies to inform both internal and external audiences. Facilitates and sometimes leads public meetings. Responsible for signage installation/maintenance.
• Drive on State business.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Knowledge Of

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Policies, techniques and practices of wildland firefighting obtained through substantial service as a primary firefighter of the Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
• Fire behavior including causes of wildland fire, influence of temperature, humidity, wind, topography, slope and fuel moisture conditions, and fuels in order to know where to attack the fire, build fireline, where to be positioned to manage a wildland fire, and identify hazards.
• Investigative techniques.
• NFPA Firewise standards and practices.
  
  

Skills In

• Computer and word processing software in order to develop, implement, maintain, and edit the wildland fire prevention and mitigation plans and other programmatic plans.
• Communication, both written and verbal.
• Organization and prioritization.
• Use and operation, maintenance, repair and care of wildland firefighting hand tools, chainsaws, small engines, vehicles and facilities.
  
  

Ability To

• Organize, coordinate, and present Firewise, wildland fire prevention and mitigation programs.
• Effectively communicate wildland fire issues with community and media relations. Practice fire suppression under the most adverse conditions of climate, fuels, and terrain.
• Properly use firing equipment and burning techniques in a prescribed fire setting.
• Compose detailed written reports.
• Adhere to State of Arizona and Department of Forestry and Fire Management Standards of Conduct, policies, procedures and practices.
• Drive on State business.
  
  

Selective Preference(s)

Firefighter Type 1, Incident Commander 5, Public Information Officer, Wildfire Investigator (F), At least six months of relevant wildland fire experience

Pre-Employment Requirements

Arizona Driver's License, NWCG Firefighter Type 2 qualified at time of hire

Arduous Pack Test - Red Card Qualified must be obtained within two weeks of hire.

Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program, learn more at hr.az.gov/family-leave-expansion).
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment
  
  

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).

Participation is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria as defined in statute.

Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

The current contribution rate is 12.29%

Contact Us

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Lisa Ross at lross@dffm.az.gov for assistance.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 771-1457. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.