JOB TITLE: WILDLAND FIRE RESPONDER

JOB CODE: 54030

DEFINITION: This is wildland fire prevention, detection, and suppression work in a state forest district.

An employee in this job patrols wildlands, detects and locates wildfires, initiates and participates in wildfire response and suppression efforts, serves as a crew leader during prescribed burns and wildfires, and conducts standard wildland fire trainings. Work also involves performing semiskilled maintenance and repairs on vehicles, equipment, and tools used in wildfire patrol and suppression activities. Work is performed independently and reviewed in progress and upon completion for adherence to guidelines.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Performs wildfire suppression activities using a variety of tools and operating power equipment and fire engines.

• Reports wildfire activity and assembles forestry staff and volunteer crew member resources upon the detection of a wildfire.

• Locates and protects the origin of wildfires and collects and documents wildfire response details.

• Serves as a Pennsylvania forest fire warden and executes duties within the requirements of the law which may include initiating firefighting response efforts on public and private lands and providing direction to other staff and volunteers during an active fire.

• Performs visual inspections, maintenance, and repairs on wildland fire vehicles, equipment, and tools to ensure items are in operating condition and ready for use.

• Performs maintenance of wildland fire facilities.

• Serves as a crew leader for a group of employees and volunteer firefighters during prescribed burns and wildfires, which includes providing oversight of their fire suppression duties and the operation of wildland fire equipment.

• Provides guidance to local fire departments on using, maintaining, and repairing wildland fire response equipment.

• Conducts standard wildfire prevention, suppression, and safety training by providing instructions and demonstrations of standard fire fighting procedures.

• Patrols an assigned territory, which may include occupying a fire observation tower, and uses binoculars, alidades, global positioning systems (GPS), and maps to detect and identify the location of wildland fires.

• Logs weather observations, such as temperature, wind, and humidity using thermometers, handheld wind gates, and digital weather meters for daily reports and recordkeeping.

• Attends educational wildland fire outreach programs and assists forestry staff with assembling event stands, distributing educational materials and brochures, and performing demonstrations using visual aids.

• Prepares daily reports documenting patrol, observation, and response activities.

• Operates motor vehicles.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the common tools used in unskilled maintenance or wildfire suppression work.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to read and interpret equipment instructions and manuals.

• Ability to operate motor vehicles.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Six months of experience in entry-level fire prevention, detection, or suppression work;

or

• Six months of unskilled experience in construction; equipment operations; or equipment, automotive, grounds, or facility maintenance work;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All employees must complete the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) training within six months from the date of hire.

• All employees must complete the NWCG Wildland Fire Observations and Origin Scene Protection for First Responders (FI-110) training within six months from the date of hire.

• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.