08/01/1988 54060

FOREST FIRE SPECIALIST SUPERVISOR

NATURE OF WORK: This is technical and supervisory work in the field of forest fire protection. Forest fire protection work involves developing and administering forest fire prevention, pre-suppression, and suppression programs and directing the activities of employees and volunteer groups involved in suppression activities.

DEFINITION: An employee in this class develops and administers forest fire prevention, pre-suppression, and suppression programs for an assigned geographical area of the Commonwealth. Forest fire prevention work involves developing and conducting educational programs for schools, civic groups, and special interest groups; and setting up and manning public displays at community events such as fairs and parades. Pre-suppression work involves recruiting, training, equipping, and directing the activities of a very large group of volunteer Forest Fire Wardens and their crews; recruiting, training, and equipping volunteer fire companies to respond to forest fires as requested; supervising the burning of safety strips; identifying the training needs of subordinates, Forest Fire Wardens and their crewmembers, and volunteer fire company personnel; and developing or adapting and conducting training sessions on forest fire fighting methodology, techniques, safety requirements, and the proper utilization of tools and equipment. Suppression work involves responding to forest fire calls, surveying the situation and determining the initial method of extinguishing the fire; contacting Forest Fire Wardens and/or volunteer fire companies; determining if an air attach is appropriate and requesting an air attack; maintaining detailed records on personnel called to the scene, hours spent extinguishing the fire, equipment utilized, and all other costs; ordering meals for forest fire fighters; and directing forest fire fighters on all activities. Work involves securing the fire scene and conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire by interviewing witnesses, conducting a thorough inspection of the area to look for clues, determining the cause of the fire, and preparing a report on the cause of the fire and the responsible persons. Work involves either preparing or reviewing the fire bills (invoices) prepared to compensate Forest Fire Wardens and their crewmembers, volunteer fire company personnel, and vendors for services provided to ensure they are properly prepared and correct. Work involves assisting a Forester in the preparation of the District's overall forest fire program including the District's fire control and resource plan. Work includes supervising Forest Lookouts, Forest Patrolman, Laborers, and other personnel by planning, scheduling, organizing and assigning work; participating in the interview and selection of subordinates; training subordinates; evaluating subordinates' performance; approving or disapproving leave; and initiating corrective disciplinary action for misconduct by subordinates Employees in this class are commissioned with arrest powers and are placed on stand-by status during periods of high probability for forest fires. Work is assigned in the form of goals and objectives and employees work with considerable independence scheduling work activities based on seasonal and climatic conditions. Work is reviewed by a professional superior through reports, conferences, and observations for completeness, quality, and attainment of goals and objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Develops and administers forest fire prevention, pre-suppression, and suppression programs for an assigned geographical area of the Commonwealth.

Supervises the activities of Forest Lookouts, Forest Patrolman, Laborers, and other employees assigned to the forest fire program in conducting pre-suppression and suppression activities.

Supervises the activities of Forest Fire Wardens and their crew members, volunteer fire company personnel, and departmental personnel in suppressing forest fires.

Plans, organizes, schedules and assigns work to subordinates; establishes work flow; and evaluates work performance.

Participates in interviewing and selecting Forest Lookouts, Forest Patrolman, Laborers, and other employees to be assigned to the forest fire programs.

Trains Forest Lookouts, Forest Patrolman, Laborers, and other employees assigned to the forest fire program in fire detection, fire reporting, and fire suppression methods, techniques, and equipment.

Establishes standards to measure subordinates' performance, discusses performance standards with subordinates, evaluates subordinates' performance, prepares and signs performance evaluation reports, and discusses performance evaluation reports with subordinates.

Receives leave requests and approves or disapproves requests; or recommends the approval or disapproval of the requests based on workload, seasonal, and climatic conditions.

Receives grievances and complaints, conducts initial investigation into causes and conditions, discusses with employee, and recommends solutions to grievances and complaints.

Initiates corrective disciplinary action for minor misconduct by subordinates and recommends major corrective disciplinary action or dismissal.

Develops, plans, schedules, and conducts educational programs on forest fire prevention for schools, civic groups, and special interest groups; and sets-up displays on forest fire prevention and mans the displays during community events such as fairs, parades, and fire prevention week.

Determines the need for and ensures that the assigned area has an adequate number of trained forest fire fighting personnel; recruits Forest Fire Wardens and directs their efforts to recruit a fire crew; and recruits volunteer fir companies to agree to respond to forest fires in their area.

Determines the training needs of Forest Fire Wardens and their crew and volunteer fire company personnel; develops or adapts training courses to meet their needs; and plans, schedules, and conducts training courses on forest fire fighting methods and techniques, safety requirements, and the proper utilization of tools and equipment.

Conducts inspection of Forest Fire Wardens and volunteer fire companies to verify the size and training of the crews, training received size, kind, condition, and amounts of forest fire tools and equipment; and identifies deficiencies and develops plans and schedules to rectify the deficiencies.

Responds to forest fire calls, surveys the situation and determines the initial method of attack; determines the manpower needs and contacts Forest Fire Wardens, volunteer fire company personnel, and Departmental employees; supervises the activities of all personnel instructing them on equipment and techniques to be utilized; determines if an air attack is appropriate and requests air attack; and orders meals for forest fire fighters.

Maintains detailed records on all fire costs including Forest Fire Wardens and acres, volunteer fire personnel, Departmental employees, air resources utilized, hours worked by each individual, equipment utilized, and other costs; and prepares or reviews detailed fire bills explaining all costs associated with extinguishing the fire.

Investigates the cause of the fire by securing the affected area, interviewing witnesses, conducting a thorough inspection of the area, and examining debris and other causes to determine the cause of the fire; and prepares reports on results of investigations including cause and responsible party for billing and prosecution purposes.

Enforces forest laws, rules, and regulations; and prepares and submits report on incidents involving violation of laws, rules, and regulation and action taken.

Prepares memoranda, reports, letters, correspondence, and other written material to exchange information with school personnel, Forest Fire Wardens, volunteer fire company personnel, superiors, subordinates, and the public.

Operates a motor vehicle to travel to various work sites.

Performs similar work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the Department of Environmental Resources' rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing forest fire prevention, pre-suppression, and suppression program and activities.

Knowledge of the methods and techniques utilized in the suppression of forest fires.

Knowledge of the equipment and tools utilized in the suppression of forest fires and their proper operation, maintenance, repair, and application.

Knowledge of forest fuel types and their affects and behavior during wildfires.

Knowledge of forest fire behavior characteristics under varying conditions.

Knowledge of the scientific techniques utilized in investigating and determining the causes of wildfire.

Skill in the utilization and maintenance of forest fire equipment and tools.

Ability to read and understand technical forestry material.

Ability to prepare memoranda, letters, correspondence, and reports as required.

Ability to read and understand collective bargaining unit agreements applicable to the work performed by the subordinates.

Ability to recruit Forest Fire Wardens, crew members, volunteer, and volunteer fire company personnel to participate in the forest fire protection program.

Ability to develop, plan, schedule, and conduct fire prevention programs for schools, civic groups, and special interest groups.

Ability to develop, plan, schedule, and conduct training courses and workshops for Forest Fire Wardens and their crew members, volunteers, and volunteer fire company personnel on forest fire fighting method and techniques, safety requirements, and the proper utilization of tools and equipment.

Ability to conduct investigations into the causes of forest fires and to prepare reports of findings and recommendations.

Ability to direct the activities of a very large crew of Forest Fire Wardens and their crews, volunteer fire company personnel, Departmental personnel, and others during the suppression of forest fires.

Ability to plan, organize, schedule, and assign work to subordinates.

Ability to develop employee performance standards, evaluate employee performance, prepare employee performance evaluation reports, and discuss reports with subordinates.

Ability to learn the safety precautions required for the work performed by the subordinates.

Ability to supervise employees effectively.

Ability to react quickly and calmly while responding to and directing forest fire suppression activities.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with co-workers, subordinates, Forest Fire Wardens and their crewmembers, volunteer fire company personnel, school personnel, civic groups, superiors, and the public.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle to travel to various work sites.

Ability to exhibit sufficient physical stamina to permit working under varying climatic conditions, and participating in forest fire suppression activities.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Four seasons of experience in fire suppression and pre-suppression work, and graduation from high school, or certification of equivalent training;

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Any combination of education and experience which affords the applicant the required knowledges, skill, and abilities.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license of the proper class for the vehicles operated, as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.