JOB TITLE: WILDLAND FIRE SUPERVISOR

JOB CODE: 54060

DEFINITION: This is technical and supervisory work in wildfire prevention, detection, and suppression work.

An employee in this job implements components of a wildland fire program for a forest district and supervises employees responsible for wildfire prevention, detection, and suppression. Work involves developing relationships with cooperator and volunteer resources; coordinating, organizing, and assigning wildfire preparedness and suppression duties to employees, cooperators, and volunteers; developing and implementing operational plans for prescribed fires; and developing and implementing the training, methods, and procedures necessary to accomplish this work. Work includes oversight for the inventory and maintenance of the tools, equipment, and vehicles used in wildfire work and determining the utilization of state and volunteer resources used in wildfire suppression activities and reconciling associated records. Work also includes performing non-criminal wildfire investigations based on established protocols and preparing incident reports. Work is performed independently and is reviewed through reports, conferences, and observation for completeness, quality, and attainment of goals and objectives.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Work at this level involves developing, coordinating, and implementing components of a wildland fire program in a forest district and supervising Wildland Fire Responders or other employees responsible for wildland fire activities.

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.)

• Develops, maintains, and implements components of the district wildland fire program.

• Responds to wildland fire emergencies utilizing the incident command system and national and agency standards, policies, protocols, and procedures.

• Plans, organizes, assigns, and directs the duties of employees, cooperators, and volunteer wildland fire fighters during active wildland fires.

• Develops the operational plan for prescribed fires to include determining necessary resources, operational tactics, firing methods, holding methods, organizational needs, and logistical considerations.

• Organizes, schedules, and conducts wildland fire prevention education for schools, civic groups, and special interest groups.

• Coordinates the setup for public displays and participates in community events.

• Develops relationships with and coordinates, organizes, and prepares district cooperative and volunteer fire resources to support wildland fire activities to include recruiting, training, and equipping these individuals.

• Coordinates and implements training sessions on wildland fire fighting methodology, techniques, safety requirements, and the proper utilization of tools and equipment.

• Conducts prescribed fires according to agency policy, procedures, and the prescribed fire plan and supervises assigned personnel during this process.

• Secures fire scenes and conducts investigations into the origin and cause of wildland fires including interviewing witnesses, inspecting sites for evidence, determining the cause of the fires, and preparing incident reports.

• Prepares and reviews invoices that reimburse volunteer fire wardens and their crew members, local volunteer fire departments, and vendors for services and supplies provided during wildland fire suppression.

• Oversees the maintenance of tools, equipment, and vehicles used in wildland fire activities and identifies new or replacement resources necessary to implement the district’s wildland fire plan.

• Operates motor vehicles.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques utilized in the incident command system and the suppression of wildland fires.

• Knowledge of wildland fire fuel types and their effects on wildland fire behavior.

• Knowledge of the regulations governing wildland fire programs and activities.

• Knowledge of the procedures to protect the origin of wildland fires for investigative purposes.

• Knowledge of prescribed fire principles and processes and the standard equipment involved.

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

• Ability to assess the scope and severity of an active wildland fire and respond based on established procedures.

• Ability to operate the vehicles, equipment, and tools utilized in wildland fire fighting.

• Ability to deliver standardized trainings on wildland fire fighting methods and techniques, safety requirements, and the proper utilization of tools and equipment.

• Ability to read and interpret forestry and wildland fire material.

• 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)

• Twenty-four months of experience as a Wildland Fire Responder (Commonwealth title);

or

• Twenty-four months of wildland fire prevention and suppression experience;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes six months of wildland fire prevention and suppression experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require completion of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) training at the time 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.