BATTALION CHIEF - UNDERFILL

State of Nevada; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

PERS Retirement

Paid holidays

No Nevada state income tax

Job summary

State of Nevada seeks a Battalion Chief as an underfill for a Captain, leading a wildland fire engine and crew. You will train, supervise and evaluate staff; coordinate with federal, state, and local partners, and manage preparedness, prevention, and rehabilitation activities across divisions.

Incumbents handle incident command, budget tracking, and ensure staff qualifications align with training plans. This role emphasizes safety, response, and public education.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in fire science or closely related field required.
• Five years of progressive firefighting experience if only a high school diploma.
• One year as a Fire Captain in Nevada State service or equivalent combo.
• Progressive supervisory experience and leadership in wildland events.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and participate in wildland fire protection and education activities.
• Train staff, assign work, and monitor performance and safety.
• Support budgeting, planning, and coordination with partners.
• Respond to wildland fires and other emergencies as assigned.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies on wildfire operations.

Skills

Firefighting leadership

Training supervision

Emergency response

Interagency cooperation

Education

Associate's degree in fire science or related field

High school diploma with 5 years firefighting experience

Fire Captain experience in Nevada State service

Job description

• No Nevada state income tax.

Job Summary

This recruitment is for a Battalion Chief underfilling a Captain position. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (NDCNR), protects, manages, and enhances the State's resources to provide the highest quality of life for Nevada's citizens and visitors. The NDCNR with over 900 employees consists of the Director's Office and the following divisions and programs: Environmental Protection, Forestry, State Lands, State Parks, Water Resources, Outdoor Recreation, Natural Heritage, State Historic Preservation Office, Off-Highway Vehicles, Sagebrush Ecosystem, and the Conservation Districts Program. The Department also provides support staff to the Nevada Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and has responsibility for numerous Boards, Commissions, and Councils. The Department has locations and/or provides program services in every community of the State. This position, under the supervision of the Fire Management Officer acts as a supervisor of a wildland fire engine, module/ hand crew with multiple firefighters that participate in all functional areas of wildland fire and resource management. This includes wildfire prevention, suppression and rehabilitation, fuels reduction treatments, natural resource restoration, and public education. Incumbents function as first-line supervisors who train, supervise and evaluate performance of assigned staff; assign and review work; and initiate disciplinary action. Incumbents will participate in WFPP meetings, training and collaborate with federal, state and local cooperators. Incumbents will assist with management of all assigned equipment, tools and safety equipment at the facility. Incumbent will be responsible for ensuring adequate training for subordinates is completed as defined in their individual training plans. Assist with managing the tracking of budget expenditures and encumbrances. Participate in other duties as assigned providing data and information for future budgetary needs.

Positions in this series manage, supervise, and participate in wildland fire suppression; fire prevention and education; presuppression; equipment and facility maintenance; and forestry and fire law enforcement. Assist the Forestry Program Manager – Fire to ensure that the components of the divisions Wildland Fire Protection Program are managed and operated in an efficient, accurate and safe manner consistent with federal, State, and division regulations, policies and procedures.

Essential Qualifications

Associate's degree in fire science or closely related field and four years of progressively responsible firefighting experience in wildland fire suppression; OR Graduation from high school or equivalent education and five years of progressively responsible firefighting experience in wildland fire suppression; OR one year of experience as a Fire Captain in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Job Duties

Manage, supervise and participate in functional areas of fire protection; compile information, develop plans and make recommendations concerning training, prevention, suppression, emergency operations, fuels management, support services and administration; develop plans, regulations, guidance documents and reports on regional wildfire activities; implement and coordinate regional wildfire activities with federal, State, and local partners.

Exercise leadership through direct command or implementation of the Incident Command System (ICS).

Respond to wildland fires, floods, and other emergencies.

Control wildland fires; build hand lines, fall trees, lay hose lines and direct nozzles; lead dozers; set backfires; direct aerial drops; provide structural protection; and mop up and patrol fire areas to safeguard life, natural resources and structures.

Supervise and/or participate in presuppression activities; develop preplans and preattack fire plans; check fire access roads, gates, and water supplies; and review and update dispatch response cards.

Supervise and/or participate in hazardous fuels mitigation; determine fuel types and fuel loading; and plan, direct and implement fuels management activities including prescribed burning.

Supervise and/or participate in fire prevention activities; inspect areas designated for prescribed burning; advise land owners of regulations; determine approval/denial of fire permit; check campfires; advise the public of fire danger, safety and fire restrictions; make safety presentations to homeowners, students and civic groups; conduct defensible space inspections; and post signs to educate the public and reduce fire occurrence.

Train volunteer fire departments, cooperative fire agencies, and various firefighting personnel; schedule classes or demonstrations; review materials, techniques, and strategies; and provide on-the-job training to improve firefighting techniques and effectiveness.

Enforce forestry and fire laws and prosecute offenders; investigate complaints of illegal burning, camp fires and plant materials harvesting; interview witnesses and suspects; collect evidence, preserve the crime scene, and determine the point of origin and cause of fire; advise the public of applicable laws, write citations and testify in court.

Supervise or maintain fire apparatus and equipment to maintain constant readiness; make daily inspections and follow preventive maintenance schedules; check, clean, sharpen, adjust and make minor repairs to equipment; report mechanical problems and arrange for repairs; and replace used equipment and supplies.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Under general direction of a Fire Management Officer, incumbents manage the day-to-day fire protection operations of an assigned geographic area including fire readiness, staffing, fire prevention, training, and incident command. They also assist with administrative duties in areas such as budget preparation, scheduling, planning and equipment maintenance, and are supervisory in nature.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Detailed knowledge of: the locations and equipment assigned to State and volunteer fire stations; principles of training and supervision; interagency mutual aid agreements; water delivery and hydrant systems; safety regulations and insurance requirements related to training; mitigation, isolation and evacuation techniques used in hazardous materials emergencies.

Ability to: plan, organize and deploy personnel and equipment in highly complex emergency situations; develop and implement emergency response plans appropriate to the situation.

Benefits Include

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP).
• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication.
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.
• No Nevada state income tax.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
• Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.

Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU).

For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF).

State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature.

The Following Are Legal Holidays

January 1.............................................. New Year's Day

Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

Third Monday in February................ Washington’s Birthday

Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day

June 19................................................ Julteeenth Day

July 4.................................................... Independence Day

First Monday in September.............. Labor Day

Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day

November 11........................................ Veterans' Day

Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day

Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day

December 25........................................ Christmas Day

When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255

01

Do you have any of the following?

• Associate’s degree in fire science or closely related field and four years of progressively responsible firefighting experience in wildland fire suppression.
• Graduation from high school or equivalent education and five years of progressively responsible firefighting experience in wildland fire suppression.
• One year of experience as a Fire Captain in Nevada State service.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

02

• Yes
• No

03

• Yes
• No

04

• Yes
• No

05

• Yes
• No

06

• Yes
• No

07

• Yes
• No

08

• Yes
• No
• Required Question