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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00106485 |
Description Activated On: 4/6/2026 8:50:59 AM |
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. This is a professional forestry position located in the Bald Eagle State Forest. The individual in this position is responsible for conducting professional fire analysis and supporting state forest management objectives. Wildland fire-related duties include planning and implementing prescribed fire plans, wildfire prevention, suppression of wildfires, and directing the activities of employees and volunteer groups involved in suppression efforts within the Bald Eagle State Forest. 1.To assist the Forest District Manager and Assistant Manager in administration of the Bald Eagle Forest District Wildfire Program and to assist with other district programs including but not limited to management activities on State Forest land, forest pest management, rural and community forestry, and emergency services such as Search and Rescue. 2.To lead the Wildland Fire Program for the Bald Eagle Forest District. To accomplish this, one must work closely with the District Management and the Division of Forest Fire Protection staff to promote District and Bureau goals and objectives. Safely and effectively manage wildfire with appropriate response to ensure attaining the wildland fire program mission and legal mandate of enhancing and protecting life, property, and natural resources. 3.The primary duties are related to wildfire planning, preparedness, prevention, suppression, and investigation. These goals are achieved through the proactive development, management, and implementation through all wildland fire fighter networks consisting of district personnel, forest fire wardens, support crew, volunteer fire fighters and other cooperators. 4.This is a non-supervisory position however this position will need to provide leadership and may be asked to provide insight into EPR’s. 5.This individual may also assist with state forest management activities relating to recreation, cooperative forest management, wildlife habitat management, silviculture, forest regeneration, and inventory. 6.Additionally, the position acts as the District’s Search and Rescue coordinator, administers the Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) and Department of Defense (DoD) Firefighter Property programs, and serves as the District Radio Communications Coordinator. |
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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. Primary Duties: I. Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation 1. Schedules, coordinates, and conducts wildfire prevention/mitigation programs, public outreach, and education efforts within the Bald Eagle Forest Districts coverage area. 2. Develops and implements a tracking system and strategy to promote fire prevention (e.g., Smokey Bear, school programs, civic organizations) with the resources available. Report wildfire prevention activities following current reporting protocols. 3. Coordinates the BOF’s WHIP program for the Bald Eagle Forest District which includes record keeping, tracking, and entering data for annual reporting. 4. Develops a positive working relationship with local media to promote wildfire prevention and suppression. 5. Educates public on wildfire prevention through individual and group contacts, programs, and use of mass media outlets. 6. Examines current fire prevention promotion programs and develops strategies and plans to expand and most efficiently allocate resources and materials. 7. Provides training, oversite, equipment, and empowers Fire Wardens, Volunteer Fire Departments, and other volunteers to conduct fire prevention programs and outreach. 8. Utilizes information and analyses data collected in areas with high fire incidents to develop strategies to address the problem. 9. Works with the District Fire Warden to initiate county burn bans. II. Preparedness 1. Establishes, develops, maintains, and improves working relationships with Emergency Management Agencies, Communication Centers, Volunteer Fire Departments and other local, county, state, and federal agencies to facilitate cooperation and coordination of wildfire management activities. 2. Ensures local cooperators are organized, trained, equipped, and ready to respond to wildfires. 3. Monitors Wildfire danger and ensure district staff, fire wardens, crewmembers, volunteer fire departments, cooperators, and public are aware of the current wildfire danger rating. 4. Schedules, plans, and conducts wildland fire training for district staff, fire wardens, crewmembers, volunteer fire departments, and cooperators. 5. Monitors wildland fire qualifications of district staff, fire wardens, and crewmembers to ensure currency and development of fire fighters to meet the needs of the local wildland fire program. 6. Develop a sound Wildfire Resource Plan and update annually to ensure that the information is accurate and current. 7. As needed, coordinates wildfire detection networks, including but not limited to aerial reconnaissance. 8. Serves as the Bald Eagle Forest District contact for the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants. Ensures that eligible cooperators are aware of the program and assist with local issues as needed. 9. Provides oversight and technical advice to counties, townships, communities, and homeowner’s associations promoting emergency management, hazard mitigation, community wildfire protection, and Firewise community plans. 10. Develops and maintains list of cooperating vendors for emergency response. 11. As directed, assists the Bald Eagle Forest District management in developing and coordinating weekend wildfire patrol work schedules. III. Wildfire Equipment 1. Ensures district staff, Fire Wardens, and other cooperators are equipped with adequate wildfire equipment and it is maintained and ready for emergency response. Monitors equipment needs. Where possible acquire needed equipment through cooperative efforts. 2. Maintains and audits an inventory of wildfire equipment distributed to staff and cooperators. 3. Prepares annual wildland fire tool orders based on needs. 4. Ensures that District fire cache is organized, inventoried, and properly maintained. 5. Diagnoses and repairs issues with wildfire equipment such as wildfire pumps. 6. Administers and coordinates district Federal Excess and DoD Fire Fighter Property programs within the Bald Eagle Forest District fire coverage area. Identifies needs, opportunities, and obtains, distributes, disposes of, tracks and inventories equipment as appropriate and within program guidelines. Conducts physical inventory of accountable property when required. IV. Wildfire and Emergency Response: 1. Function as Fireline leadership and BOF point of contact on wildfires within the Bald Eagle Forest district coverage area. 2. Understands, promotes, and follows established protocols established under the Incident Command System. 3. Continues to work towards attaining wildfire qualifications and eventually functions at the Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) level or higher. As needed, serve as initial attack incident commander on active wildfires. 4. Safely and effectively manage wildfire with appropriate response to ensure attaining the wildland fire program mission and legal mandate of enhancing and protecting life, property, and natural resources. 5. Coordinates wildland fire air operations in the district as needed. 6. Acts as Primary contact for County emergency services for the Bald Eagle Forest District fire coverage area. V. Forest Fire Warden Program: 1. Assists the District Fire Warden in leading the Bald Eagle Forest Districts Forest Fire Warden Program. 2. Understands and follows DCNR – BOF’s Forest Fire Warden program manual and Wardens Helping in Prevention manual. 3. Serves as primary, day to day contact for all Bald Eagle Forest District Fire Wardens. 4. Coordinate Fire Warden activities related to prevention, preparedness, wildfire suppression, and investigation. 5. Assists Fire Wardens when needed and/or requested. 6. Assists the District Fire Warden in scheduling, planning, and conducting an annual training for Bald Eagle Forest District Fire Wardens. 7. Develops an annual informational article to submit to Forest Fire Protection for Fire Warden newsletter. 8. Develops and implements a systematic approach for fostering regular and meaningful interactions/communication with all Bald Eagle Forest District Fire Wardens and Volunteer Fire Departments. 9. Acknowledges and awards Fire Wardens that participate in prevention activities through the WHIP program and other appropriate acknowledgement. VI. WILDFIRE REPORTING, INVESTIGATION, AND ADMINISTRATION 1. Plans, conducts, assists and/or directs district wildfire investigations. 2. Conducts all wildfire investigations that the cause is suspected to be incendiary, started by children and/or will result in a bill, claim, ICS 209 or other legal matter. 3. Takes appropriate enforcement action when responsible parties causing wildfires are identified. 4. Serves as a Commonwealth witness at hearings and trials as required. 5. Keeps detailed records of costs associated with fire management activities including pre-suppression, suppression, post-suppression activities, including damage appraisals to determine financial impact of wildfires. 6. Conducts a complete administration of all wildfire reports, bills, and claims as soon as possible after fires are extinguished during regularly scheduled hours unless management approves overtime for this work. 7. Unless prior arrangements are made with district management and the Division of Forest Fire Protection, ensures that all wildfire reports, claims, and bills are completed and entered into the BOF Wildfire Reporting System (WRS) within the required time as per agency policy. 8. Ensures cooperators crew rosters are on time and accurate. 9. Reviews fire warden reports and submits fire reports and invoices in accordance with established procedures. 10. Ensures all information entered in the BOF Wildfire Reporting System (WRS) is complete, accurate, and on time. 11. Keeps detailed records on training and outreach efforts. 12. Keeps detailed records of inventories and maintenance of vehicles, tools and other equipment issued to work unit and cooperators. VII. Other Wildfire Duties 1. Coordinates the Bald Eagle Forest District out of state Wildland Fire Crew program. Ensure crewmembers are qualified, prepared, and eligible withing current program guidelines. 2. Assists district management with troubleshooting issues within the district wildfire program. 3. Ensures unbiased allocation of equipment, training, support and other resources. 4. Develops data layers and tracks fires using GIS/GPS. VIII. PRESCRIBED FIRE 1. Develops and implements prescribed fire plans in accordance with the Pennsylvania Prescribed Fire Standards 2. Reviews, comments, and makes recommendations on silvicultural prescriptions regarding prescribed fire. 3. Reviews and comments on prescribed fire plans submitted by other agencies/organizations. 4. Coordinates prescribed fire operations, ensuring compliance with safety protocols, environmental regulations, and agency policies. 5. Collaborates with resource management staff to integrate prescribed fire into forest management goals such as wildlife habitat improvement, forest regeneration, and invasive species control. 6. Ensures personnel and equipment readiness, including PPE, communications, and contingency plans, for prescribed fire activities. 7. Works toward achieving Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2) qualification by completing required training, gaining operational experience, and meeting position task book standards in accordance with NWCG guidelines. IX. RADIO COMMUNICATIONS 1. Serves as district radio communications coordinator. 2. Periodically inspects all assigned communications equipment ensure its in good working order. 3. Schedules repairs and orders parts through district management as needed. 4. Ensures that all communications equipment is functional prior to traditional fire season and other periods of high use. 5. Conducts annual radio communications updates with staff. X. SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR) 1. As directed, participates in district search and rescue program on state forest and state park land. 2. Completes all trainings to become a DCNR search manager or equivalent. 3. Maintain a SAR readiness kit. XI. SAFETY 1. Conducts all official activities in accordance with Bureau Safety Policy and the Bureau Safety Code. 2. Performs monthly maintenance checks on assigned vehicles and reports possible safety hazards to supervisor and mechanic. 3. Reports and/or repairs safety hazards which may threaten district personnel or others. 4. Maintains assigned safety and first aid equipment to standard. 5. Attends all safety, first aid, and CPR classes as assigned by the supervisor. 6. Wears appropriate safety equipment including, but not limited to the following: hardhat, chainsaw chaps, reflective vest, safety glasses, hearing protection, fall protection harness in accordance with district and Bureau safety policies. XII. PUBLIC CONTACT/LAW ENFORCEMENT 1. Maintains a polite, cooperative attitude in dealing with the public and provides prompt answers to questions and requests. 2. Wears the Bureau uniform(s) in accordance with current Bureau policy. 3. Communicates effectively with the public in order to represent the organization, its mission, policies, programs, rules, and regulations. 4. Obtains and maintains necessary qualifications to serve as a Pennsylvania Forest Fire Warden, Pennsylvania State Forest Officer, and Wildfire Investigator. 5. Understands the laws, regulations, powers, policies, and duties of the Bureau including the Visitor Services and Protection Directives. 6. Learns and uses the techniques and guidelines of law enforcement which are pertinent to performing the duties of PA State Forest Officer, PA Forest Fire Warden and Wildfire Investigator. 7. Completes such investigations and law enforcement activities as assigned and files legal complaints accordingly. 8. As assigned, performs periodic patrols of state forest land for purposes of public contact and enforcement of state forest rules and regulations. XIII. TRAINING AND SELF DEVELOPMENT 1. Attends pertinent training and meetings as directed by the supervisor. (Some meetings will require overnight travel.) 2. As offered, continues to work towards completing all required and recommended trainings listed in DCNR – Bureau of Forestry’s Training Manual for the Fire Forester position. 3. Maintains public pesticide applicators license issued by the PA Dept. of Agriculture. 4. Completes an annual employee self-development plan and takes steps to acquire additional skills or knowledge. 5. Maintains a personal record of trainings completed and certificates received. XIV. General District Forester duties 1. As directed, assists the Bald Eagle Forest Districts Resource Management Foresters in planning and carrying out activities related to state forest land management on the Bald Eagle State Forest as directed by the BOF State Forest Resource Management Plan, under the supervision of district management. 2. As directed, assists the Bald Eagle Forest Districts Recreation Forester in planning and carrying out activities related to state forest land recreation on the Bald Eagle State Forest as directed by the BOF State Forest Resource Management Plan, under the supervision of district management. 3. As directed, assists the Bald Eagle Forest Districts Service Forester in planning and carrying out activities related to rural and community forestry. 4. As directed, assists the Bald Eagle Forest Districts maintenance staff in planning and carrying out activities related to State Forest Land and infrastructure maintenance. 5. As directed, assists district staff in detecting, identifying, evaluating, and reporting forest insect, disease, and other pest problems. Assists in forest pest control projects. Advises the public and government agencies as to the appropriate response to forest pest problems. 6. As directed, prepares, and delivers forestry programs for groups and organizations. Utilize mass media to inform and educate the public in accordance with District, Bureau, and Department guidelines. Prepares and displays Bureau and forestry related exhibits as directed by supervisor. Writes articles for local news outlets on topics related to forest management. 7. As directed, participates in forest district work projects. XV. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS 1. Maintains a written record of daily activities and submits a bi-weekly time report at the end of each pay period. 2. Prepares a bi-weekly work plan and submits to management when requested. 3. Prepares and submits a monthly summary of work accomplishments to management. 4. Prepares and submits a yearly goals and objectives to management. 5. Prepares and submits monthly automotive reports for vehicles. 6. Maintains assigned vehicle in a safe and clean operating condition. 7. Maintains a clean, neat office at the location assigned. 8. Maintains a professional and positive working relationship with all district employees and partners. 9. Completes special duties and projects assigned by district management. 10. Attends and provides program area updates at district staff meetings. 11. Provides timely communication and exchange of information between field offices and the district office. 12. Maintains constant contact with the district office during work hours by way of two-way radios and cell phone. 13. Prepares neat, accurate reports and meets the deadlines established for them. 14. Communicates regularly with district managers to prioritize work assignments and plans work accordingly. XVI. COORDINATOR DUTIES 1. Performs duties as district Federal Excess and Department of Defense equipment coordinator. 2. Performs duties as district Wildfire Prevention Coordinator. 3. Performs duties as the district Radio Communications This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. |
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. This position requires a high level of independent work and decision making, often in stressful situations and has to make decisions with little guidance to accomplish the items listed in the key result areas of this position description. Most independent decisions will be for planning and conducting wildfire control and suppression activities as needed. The employee occupying this position should seek advice from district management when decisions may have political impacts. The employee occupying this position should consult with supervisor to ensure expenses are in line with budget constraints. Work is assigned and reviewed by the Assistant District Forester. The employee is given a set of performance objectives at the beginning of each calendar year and can set their assignment priorities as long as the objectives are being met. |
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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. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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