Fire Apparatus Operator- Seasonal

Tolowa; Smith River (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Department of Public Safety seeks an Engine Operator (ENOP) to support fire suppression and on-scene operations. You will lead crews during captain-absences, perform pump-and-roll maneuvers, and coordinate water delivery while maintaining safety standards.

You will perform equipment inspections, train junior firefighters, and ensure compliance with NWCG and tribal policies. Travel and field work are required, with a focus on protecting cultural resources.

Qualifications

• Engine Operator (ENOP) with a valid Incident Qualification Card (Red Card).
• Three fire seasons of wildland experience (18 months).
• Two seasons in a supervisory/lead capacity on an engine or hand crew.
• ICS 100, 200 and 700 certifications.
• First Aid and CPR certification within 90 days of hire.
• Valid state driver’s license; insurable on Tribe’s policy.

Responsibilities

• Perform mechanical inspections and preventative maintenance on the engine fleet to keep resources mission-ready.
• Lead the crew and engine module when the captain is absent, oversee on-scene operations.
• Calculate engine pressures and manage water delivery, including long hose lays and drafts.
• Implement cultural burns and traditional fire applications to protect tribal lands.
• Assess fire starts and select effective tools and tactics for fast, safe containment.
• Operate pump-and-roll maneuvers and direct water application while moving.
• Train junior firefighters in wildland fire behavior, radio use, and navigation.
• Monitor environmental hazards and maintain Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES).
• Direct suppression tactics to protect sensitive cultural sites and natural resources.
• Maintain inventory of wildland supplies and ensure self-sufficiency for 24-hour operations.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies during multi-jurisdictional incidents.
• Maintain logs for engine run-time, pump hours, and incident records per NWCG standards.

Skills

Oral communication

Inventory management

Incident documentation

Time management

Problem solving

Staying calm under stress

Education

Associate’s degree or 4 years experience

Bachelor’s degree or 8 years experience

Tools

GPS mapping tools

Interagency radio protocols

Engine operation (Type 3/4/6)

Portable pumps (S-211)

Job description

Job Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in employment with Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation. We employ a broad range of qualified applicants with experience for positions at our different locations.

Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified American Indian and Alaska Native candidates in accordance with the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC, Section 472). If you are claiming Indian Preference, you must submit your Tribal documentation with your application.

Education and Experience

• Associate's degree equivalent to four (4) years of experience
• Bachelor's degree equivalent to eight (8) years of experience

The Fire Apparatus Operator (ENOP) for the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Department of Public Safety serves as the primary assistant to the Engine Captain, ensuring the high-readiness of fire suppression resources. The Operator is responsible for the safe maneuvering of heavy apparatus, the execution of complex pumping operations, and the maintenance of the engine fleet. In the absence of the Fire Captain, the Operator assumes the role of crew leader, providing tactical command on the fireline and overseeing the safety and welfare of personnel. This position requires a commitment to protecting Tribal lands and upholding the cultural values of the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation.

All Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation employees must submit to a background check and abide by all Tribal, federal, and state laws. All employees must comply with Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation drug free workplace policy and will be subject to pre-employment, random, for-cause, and post-accident drug and alcohol testing. Qualified American Indian Preference applies.

This is a full-time position and subject to a seasonal layoff based on funding.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs regular mechanical inspections and preventative maintenance on the engine fleet while ensuring all hand tools and power equipment are repaired and mission ready.
• Acts as the lead for the crew and engine module in the absence of the captain, managing all on-scene operations and crew welfare.
• Calculates engine pressures and manages complex water delivery systems, including long hose lays and drafting from natural water sources.
• Implements prescribed cultural burns and traditional fire applications to enhance ecological health and reduce hazardous fuel loads on Tribal lands.
• Sizes up new fire starts and determines the most effective tools and tactics to contain the fire quickly and safely.
• Operates the engine during "pump-and-roll" maneuvers, directing water application while driving alongside the fire's edge.
• Provides on-the-job training to junior firefighters in wildland fire behavior, radio communication, and navigation.
• Evaluates environmental hazards like weather changes and fuel types to maintain "Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones" (LCES).
• Directs fire suppression tactics that prioritize the preservation of sensitive cultural sites and natural resources.
• Manages the inventory of specialized wildland supplies, ensuring the engine is fully stocked for self-sufficient 24-hour operations.
• Communicates and collaborates effectively with federal, state, and local fire agencies during multi-jurisdictional incidents.
• Maintains accurate logs for engine run-time, pump hours, and incident records to meet both Tribal and national reporting standards.
• Ensures inspection, maintenance, and operational readiness of apparatus, pumps, tools, and personal protective equipment in accordance with departmental and NWCG standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

All Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation employees are expected to consistently demonstrate the organization’s values: integrity, cultural sensitivity and respect for traditional values, continual learning and improving, compassion, teamwork and pride. Employees are expected to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, accountability, cooperation with and consideration of others.

Required Knowledge

All Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation employees are expected to have general knowledge of typical office technologies such as computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, and typical office software.

Job Specific Required Knowledge

• Knowledge of Tribal government operations, policies, and procedures, particularly as they relate to public safety and emergency services.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal public safety partners, including USFS, BIA, CAL FIRE, and neighboring fire agencies.
• Understanding of S-290 concepts, including the influence of fuel types, local topography, and weather patterns on fire behavior to ensure effective tactical deployments and crew safety.
• Expertise in the "Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones" (LCES) system and interagency safety standards.
• Technical expertise in mobile attack techniques and water delivery systems, specifically the operation and maintenance of Type 3, 4, or 6 engines and portable pumps (S-211) in off-road and wildland urban interface environments.
• Proficiency in using interagency radio protocols and specialized GPS or mapping tools for navigation and incident reporting

Required Skills and Abilities

All Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation employees are expected to have a broad range of skills and abilities centered around a strong citizen focus, efficient performance, and teamwork. All employees should have customer service skills, interpersonal skills, and good communication skills. All employees should have the ability to manage their time and organize their work to ensure efficient performance. In addition, all employees should have the ability to follow policy, procedures, and instructions, actively communicate with their supervisors to ensure understanding and manage their work accordingly. Finally, all employees should have the ability to understand and manage citizen confidentiality.

Job specific skills and abilities are listed below

• Oral communication.
• Maintaining accurate inventory records.
• Complete and review incident documentation including ICs forms, after-action reports, training records, and operational logs.
• Managing time efficiently.
• Problem solve and think critically.
• Remain calm under stress.

Required Qualifications

• Qualified as an Engine Operator (ENOP) with a valid Incident Qualification Card (Red Card).
• Three seasons of wildland fire experience (18 months)
• Two seasons in a supervisory or lead capacity on an engine or hand crew.
• Certified in the following Incident Command System (“ICS”) courses:ICS 100, 200 and 700.
• Must obtain certification in First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) within 90 days of hire.
• Valid state-issued driver’s license and/or the ability to obtain a California or Oregon driver’s license. Must be insurable on the Tribe’s insurance policy.

Physical Requirements

• Must successfully pass a Wildland Firefighter Medical Qualification Program (MSP) exam prior to employment and maintain medical clearance through annual re-evaluations.
• Must pass and maintain the NWCG Arduous Pack Test (3 miles with a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less) within two weeks of medical clearance. Employees will be allowed up to three attempts during that period. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon meeting this requirement, subject to applicable law and personnel policy.
• Use hands and arms to operate office and field equipment and repetitive-motion tasks for more than one hour at a time.
• Sit for more than half a workday.
• Stand or walk for a complete workday.
• Bend, stretch, twist, crouch, and reach.
• View electronic monitors for prolonged periods of time.
• Frequently lift and/or move more than 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.
• Push or pull, using up to moderate force.
• See and hear with normal acuity.

Working Conditions

• Work is conducted in both the office and the field.
• Travel is required, up to 75 percent of the time.
• Work is occasionally required in confined spaces, in areas of high noise, and/or in high or low temperatures.