Utah State Fuels Crew Member

Fuels Crew Member Position  

Summary 

The Fuels Crew Member will be a part of a 6-person State of Utah crew removing trees and brush around 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 

Wage: $21.00 – $22.66 

Application Deadline: February 15th. Start Date: March 30th

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 crew members for the  Southeast Area 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 and burns trees in communities vulnerable to wildfire. The crews may also spray noxious weeds/trees using herbicide. This crew is generally self-sufficient when on assignment. As a general scope, projects  include: pine, aspen and fir tree felling and piling, Pinyon and juniper cutting 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 areas during the summer. . All projects are on  private lands so members must be comfortable working with private landowners in achieving a  common goal.  

When not on fuels reduction projects, the crew  may assist with wildland firefighting, forest inventory  projects, prescribed burns, and other projects across Utah as needed.  

A typical work week will be Monday-Thursday (10 hour days). Occasionally 8 day Tuesday-Tuesday  hitches are required with plenty of notice. 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 we will provide

• 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.

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)
• Firefighter Type 1 Training (S-131) and potential task books
• Basic Air Operations (S-270)
• Herbicide Applicator License

While fire suppression is emphasized in training, fire experience is generally limited. There may be  opportunities to go on local Initial Attack as well as 2-week assignments, but a vast majority of the work will be on fuels reduction projects.  

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Using a chainsaw  safely and efficiently
• Operate a large chipper safely.
• Apply herbicide to stumps and vegetation.
• Drive large trucks (Dodge 4500) with heavy trailers.
• Plant Identification
• Follow direction and safely fight fire
• Occasionally supervise volunteer/contract saw crews.
• Field mapping of worksites.

Required Qualifications 

• Ability to mitigate and resolve conflict on a small crew
• Communicate professionally with landowners and coworkers
• 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 using a chainsaw
• Some experience using herbicide
• Experience working in a small crew setting outdoors under challenging conditions..

Employee Benefits 

Benefits for crew members 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.

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