Utah State Fuels Crew Lead

Fuels Crew Lead Position 

Summary 

The Fuels Crew Lead will supervise a 6-person State of Utah crew removing trees and brush in support of fuels reduction projects in communities throughout Southeast Utah. This position will report to the Moab Area Office but will work in communities from the mountains around Price, UT to the desert rivers as far south as Bluff, UT. 

Season: March 30th – November 20th (End Date is Flexible)  

Duty Office: Moab, UT  

Wage: $21-$28.16 

Application Deadline: February 15th. Start Date: March

To apply please send resume, references, and optional cover letter to johnwiegand@utah.gov

Position Overview 

The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands is looking for a professional, organized crew lead for  our Southeast State Fuels Crew based in Moab, UT. We aim to train the next generation of land  managers and give them the skills needed to succeed in the field. 

Primarily this crew cuts, chips, sprays and burns fire fuels in communities vulnerable to wildfire. This crew is generally self-sufficient when on assignment. As a general scope, projects  include: pine, aspen and fir felling and piling, Pinyon and juniper removal and chipping, community chipping days,  and Russian olive riparian removal work. 

Project sites include low elevation projects in Moab, Castle Valley, and Bluff during the spring  and the La Sal Mountains and West Tavaputs during the summer All projects are on  private land so the crew lead will need to be comfortable coordinating with landowners to achieve a  common goal. 

When not on fuels reduction projects, the crew lead may  assist  with wildland firefighting,  forest inventory projects, prescribed burns, or other  projects across Utah when requested. 

The Fuels Crew Lead will report to the Southeast WUI Specialist or WUI Assistant who will give project assignments,  guidance, and training as needed. 

A typical work week will be Monday-Thursday (10 hour days). Occasionally 8 day Tuesday-Tuesday  hitches are required. The season is roughly split 50/50 between local assignments and out-of-town assignments, requiring on-site camping.

 This is a very physically demanding job but the comradery and end state are very rewarding. 

Training provided

• Firefighter Type 2 Crewmember (FFT2)
• Wildland Fire Chainsaw (S-212/FAL3)
• First Aid CPR

Successful completion of an arduous level pack test is required after initial training. 

While fire suppression is emphasized in training, time on fire assignments is generally limited and is not the primary focus of this position. There may be  opportunities to go on local Initial Attack as well as 2-week interagency handcrew assignments, but a  vast majority of the work will be on fuels reduction projects. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee chainsaw safety with the crew.
• Be the main point of contact for landowners in the field.
• Supervise volunteer/contract saw crews.
• Crew administrative paperwork including timesheets, travel, injury reports, etc.
• Attend relevant fuels committee meetings.
• Tracking mileage and expenses while in the field.
• Oversee equipment maintenance and repair.
• Oversee wood and equipment hauling with large trucks.
• Written end of week project reports.
• Monitor herbicide mixing and legal application rates.
• Follow directions and safely fight fire.
• Occasionally use mapping software to make field maps.
• Use Survey123 for project and incident reporting.
• Mediate conflict in the field.

Required Qualifications 

• 1-2 years experience on field crew in a similar or lead capacity.
• Make project level decisions based on stated goals and funding.
• Some experience using a chainsaw in a professional setting.
• Ability to resolve conflict, communicate respectfully with coworkers and members of the public, and be flexible to changing conditions.
• Resolve work related concerns  professionally with landowners.
• Ability to work and camp on remote worksites for up to 8 days.
• Driver’s License and ability to safely drive work trucks.

Desired Qualifications 

• Experience handling herbicide and backing trailers
• FFT2
• FAL3 or better

Employee Benefits 

Benefits for the crew lead is limited but includes the following: 

• Per diem while camping overnight
• Camping gear is provided (i.e. tents, sleeping bags, cooking supplies, etc.).   Crew members will need work pants and adequate footwear for the position.  Uniform shirts and hats will be provided.

There may be opportunities for further career development depending on timing and interest levels  including: 

• FAL2 (Sawyer B)
• Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface (S-215)
• ArcGIS training
• Basic Air Operations (S-270)
• Herbicide Applicator License

We strive to train a diverse workforce for a future in land management, providing learning opportunities and education for a well-rounded experience.

Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2026.  Qualified applicants will be contacted to coordinate interviews between January 26 and February 23, 2026