Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING

Position Number:  00050427

Description Activated On:  1/7/2026 2:02:50 PM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. 

 The primary duties of this position are to patrol wildlands, detect and locate wildfires, initiate and participate in wildfire response and suppression efforts, serve as a crew leader during wildfires and prescribed burns, and conduct standard wildland fire trainings in FD11. 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.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

1. Perform duties as assigned.
2. Assist the wildfire program within Forest District 11.
3. Assist with the pre-suppression program to include the organizing, training, and equipping of Bureau of Forestry personnel, volunteer fire companies, fire wardens, and volunteer wildland crews.
4. Maintain in ready condition and provide for maintenance of all assigned vehicles, tools, equipment, and communication devices for wildfire response.
5. Complete the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 2 training within six months from date of hire.
6. Complete NWCG Wildland Fire Observations and Origin and Scene Protection for First Responders (FI-110) training within six months from date of hire.
7. Assist with identifying, reducing, or eliminating wildfire hazards.
8. Communicate with other emergency response staff with radios.
9. Establish, develop, and maintain working relationships with local, county, state, federal agencies, emergency organizations that assist with wildfire suppression.
10. 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.
11. Perform all wildfire suppression actions, including (but is not limited to): response to all wildfire reports, use and understanding of the Incident Command System, size up and determining method of initial attack and suppression tactics.
12. Performs wildfire suppression activities using a variety of tools and operating power equipment and fire engines.
13. Reports wildfire activity and assembles forestry staff and volunteer crew member resources upon the detection of a wildfire.
14. Locates and protects the origin of wildfires and collects and documents wildfire response details.
15. Assist with fire reports, fire bills, and investigations on wildland fires within District 11.
16. Serves as a crew leader for a group of employees and volunteer firefighters during wildfires and prescribed burns, which includes providing oversight of their fire suppression duties and the operation of wildland fire equipment.
17. Provides guidance to local fire departments on using, maintaining, and repairing wildland fire response equipment.
18. Provide maintenance of district facilities, fire towers, and radio repeater locations.
19. Assist with the firewise community program and work with the local and state officials to provide input on decisions involving zoning ordinances, regional plans that impact forestry, fire management, and fire hazard issues.
20. Present wildfire prevention programs to schools and the public.
21. Protect unique flora and fauna, watersheds, geologic formations, and archeological features.
22. Collect various types of data with GPS units or Collector and utilize data.
23. Oath and Duties of Pennsylvania Forest Fire Warden.
24. Maintain / Complete all state IT accounts, email, and LSO Trainings.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

Decision making required for planning and conducting wildfire control and suppression activities as needed.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:



Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   Class C Driver's License
 
2.   N/A
 
3.   N/A
 
4.   N/A
 
5.   N/A
 
6.   N/A

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
 
 1. Physically fit and able to perform arduous outdoor activities in all conditions.
 2. Clear Oral and Written Communications.
 3. Frequent use of various wildfire suppression equipment.
 4. Use GPS effectively.
 5. Move items up to 50 lbs.
 6. Operate a motor vehicle.
 7. Observe safety and health requirements.
 8. Establish and Maintain Working Relationships
 9. Frequent use of computers
 10.