Prescribed Fire Crew Technician

JOB TITLE:  Prescribed Fire Crew Technician

SALARY GRADE:  $20.00/HR

FLSA STATUS:    Subject

EMPLOYMENT DATES:   11 Months from start date

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

• Applications are now being accepted. A pd-107 state job application will have to be completed before an offer of employment can be made.
• This position is subject to the fair labor standards act.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Prescribed Fire Crew Technician participates in fire operations, restoration, maintenance, and management in NC State Parks statewide. Duties may include the following functions:

• Participates in prescribed fire operations which may include burn unit prep, firing and holding, managing staff and volunteers, maintenance of equipment and supplies, mop up, and monitoring.
• Frequent chainsaw work that may include tree felling and storm clean up.
• Maintain Park property, which may include trail clearing, maintaining tools and equipment, grounds maintenance, posting boundaries, and invasives treatments.
• Participates in restoration efforts with thinning, planting, and monitoring.
• Standard work week is 40 hours a week, but daily schedule may change often and on short notice. Workweek may occasionally exceed 40 hours during fire operations with overtime.
• Frequent travel including overnights.
• Based at Lake Norman State Park in Troutman, NC
• Housing is available at Lake Norman but not required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / DUTIES:

The Prescribed Fire Crew Technician participates in wildland fire operations which include prescribed fires, some wildfire response, ignition, control, mop-up, suppression, monitoring, etc. The Prescribed Fire Crew Technician will also participate in preparing fire lines, maintaining equipment, post-burn monitoring and other tasks. When conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire operations the burn crew will participate in other preserve management duties such as TSI work, tree planting, invasive plant treatment or other projects.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Qualified as or able to meet qualifications for Fire Fighter Type 2.
• High school diploma and 6 months to 1-year training in science-related field or related experience in land management. Prefer a bachelor’s degree in forestry, biology, ecology, natural resources management or related field, or active and ongoing study toward such a degree and/or two years related work experience or related experience in land management.
• Experience operating and maintaining various types of equipment and vehicles.

• Ability to operate various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g.: chainsaws, UTV/ATVs, farm tractor and implements, leaf blower, small motors, radio, hand tools, drip torch, etc.)
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions from co-workers.
• Ability to develop timeframes and then complete tasks within timeframes.
• Ability to work with a team or individually.
• Willingness to work in a group for problem solving situations.
• Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions, inclement weather, and rough terrain.
• Ability to navigate to and from remote locations with maps, written directions, and GPS.
• Have a valid US driver’s license.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Qualified as Fire Fighter Type 2
• Required Trainings: S130/S190, L180, ICS-100, ICS 700
• Have knowledge of basic wildland fire tactics, skills, and operations.
• Ability to operate various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
• Ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team or solo on assignments.
• Ability to perform physical work, sometime under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
• Ability to achieve physical fitness standard as determined by local Fire Management Officer.

COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:

• Identify and fix issues with equipment to maintain fire readiness.
• Resolve issues with supervisor and co-workers. May resolve problems independently or as delegated.
• Consult with supervisor to develop plans for resolution of unusual or complex problems.
• Monitor the progress of preserve management and restoration goals.
• Track and report back to supervisor on project status

DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:

• Consults supervisor on unusual or complex issues.
• Make day-to-day decisions affecting individual work and work of the fire crew.

RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT:

• Receives detailed instructions to complete required tasks.
• Perform weekly equipment inspections and maintain fire readiness.
• Maintain personal fitness and fire readiness.
• May work under close supervision or independently on delegated tasks.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:

• Ability to interact with park visitors and convey basic park information.
• Make day-to-day decisions affecting individual work and work of the fire crew.
• Consults with supervisor in event of any unusual circumstance, problem or question that falls outside of general preserve management realm.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

The Prescribed Fire Crew Technician may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions include:

• Present frequent possibility of injury.
• Requires long hours in isolated settings.
• Requires physical exertion, outdoors, in all weather conditions and on difficult and hazardous terrain.
• Requires heavy lifting and long days.
• Requires the ability to operate chainsaws, brush cutters, UTVs/ATVs, fire engines, and heavy equipment.
• Requires willingness to travel frequently.