Fire Captain Wildland

Elko County, NV; Elko (NV); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Elko County, NV is seeking a seasoned supervisor to lead wildland firefighting and fuels management modules. You will direct multiple squads, oversee equipment use and maintenance, and ensure safe, compliant operations in diverse terrain and incident types.

The role requires prior supervisory experience, a Nevada Driver’s License, and ability to work irregular hours and travel for incidents.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Must maintain a valid Nevada Class C Driver’s License.
• Experience supervising wildland firefighting teams or fuels management.

Responsibilities

• Leads multiple fire suppression and fuels management squads.
• Directs hand crews, engine crews, and heavy equipment in field operations.
• Develops training plans, assigns work, and evaluates performance.

Skills

Supervisory leadership

Wildland firefighting

Crew supervision

Safety management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Nevada Driver's License

Tools

Power and hand tools

Two-way radio communications

Equipment maintenance

Job description

SUMMARY OF JOB PURPOSE

Under supervision, serves as a leader of multiple wildland/ fuels management modules, squads, and/or multiple wildland fire suppression squads; and performs related duties as assigned. This position is responsible for the direct supervision of assigned personnel, and Hazard Mitigation Modules. May serve as daily supervisor for cooperating agency personnel and may supervise incident personnel while operating on wildland or all-hazard incidents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supervises assigned staff including professional development, coaching and mentoring, training, work assignments, and review to ensure completion, accuracy, and timeliness; performance appraisal and discipline; provide functional supervision for District including training in proper work methods and techniques, coordinating leave requests, scheduling to include communication with Chief’s and staff and administering performance evaluations.
• Supervises and participates in daily physical training and ensures the physical readiness of subordinates.
• Participates, supervises, and oversees activities during natural resource management projects and wildland fire operations.
• Oversees and manages the use of multiple pieces of equipment and ensures their proper use and maintenance.
• Supervises personnel in developing a working knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices, and terminology.
• Oversees operations and personnel on projects pertaining to fire suppression fuels management, and varying fire situations, and ensures training plans and matrices are developed, appropriate, and followed on in wildland fire and natural resources.
• Gathers data and records information on fuel types, weather conditions, fire behavior, and status of work accomplished.
• Assists with burn and project prescription development and oversees implementation.
• Responsible for observing the principles of risk management during emergency operations, project implementation, and day-to-day functions.
• Supervise and direct hand crews, engine crews, and heavy equipment in searching out and extinguishing burning materials using various hand tools and power tools, patrolling firelines to locate and extinguish embers, flareups, and spot fires that may threaten developed control lines, and in cleaning, reconditioning, and storing fire and project tools and equipment.
• Supervise and lead trained personnel in more specialized assignments, such as backfire/burnout operations, mobile/stationary engine attack, construction of helispots, and aviation operations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• This position has been identified as safety sensitive and is subject to pre-employment and random drug and alcohol screening pursuant to county policy.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• All licenses and certifications required to be current and maintained for continued employment.
• Incumbents may work irregular hours, weekends, holidays, or evenings overnight in outdoor and rural environments.
• Travel to county, state, and national incidents as required for fuels reduction and wildland fires.
• Ability to participate and lead daily physical training program consisting of 30 to 45 min.
• Applicants will be required to undergo a background investigation prior to being considered for employment.
• Applicants will be required to pass a thorough medical examination which may include, a physical agility test prior to appointment and for continuing employment (Pack Test).
• May work in and around aircraft such as helicopters.
• This class specification is used for classification, recruitment, and examination purposes. It is not to be considered a substitute for work performance standards.

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent

Experience:

1 year of experience as a Lead, Squad Boss or higher; or 4 full seasons of experience in wildland firefighting or fuels management; including 2 years of experience in a Lead or Supervisory role in any environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certifications/Qualifications Required:

Must maintain a valid Nevada Class C Driver’s License

Certifications/Qualifications Required at the time of application:

Possession of a valid CPR certification, FEMA ICS200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, FEMA IS700 An Intro to the Incident Management System, FEMA IS800 National Response Framework, NWCG L-280 Followership to Leadership, NWCG S-212 Power Saws, NWCG S-230 Single Resource Leader, NWCG S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior, Red card qualification as a NWCG Crew Boss, Engine Boss, Heavy Equipment Boss, Red card Qualification as NWCG ICT5 Incident Commander Type 5

Certifications required within 180 days of hire:

A valid Nevada Class B driver’s license

Certifications required within 1 year of appointment:

Valid Nevada Class B commercial driver’s license, NWCG Firefighter type 1 (Red Card FFT1), NWCG incident Commander type 5 (Red Card ICT5), NWCG or District Engine Operator Task book Completion, NWCG S-230 Crew Boss Single Resource (Single Resource Boss Trainee), NWCG S-231 Engine Boss (Single Resource Boss Trainee)

Additional Requirements:

Red card qualification as an NWCG Strike Team Leader or Task Force Leader is required within five years of appointment An employee in this position must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:

Knowledge

• Geography of the Cities/ County/ district, including major streets and landmarks.
• Basic tree, brush, and vegetation identification.
• Fuels reduction and wildland firefighting methods, tools, and equipment.
• Pesticide application Prescribed fire operations Arboriculture and plant science
• Supervisory principles and practices as they relate to establishing goals, objectives, and work standards.
• Basic mathematics.
• Principles and practices of basic budget development and implementation.
• Principles and practices of fire behavior, fire control techniques, and fuels reduction.
• Fireline terminology.
• Natural resource management fundamentals.
• Fuels management prescription development and implementation.
• Incident Qualification Systems. ROSS/IROC processes.
• NWCG qualifications and training requirements.
• Incident Management Team operations/procedures.
• ICS/NIMS Geographic Information Systems.

Skills

• Directing, assigning, directing, and motivating employees and planning their work assignments effectively. Creating a fair, unbiased, cooperative work atmosphere.
• Demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills especially in dealing with the public.
• Understanding and carrying out complex written and oral communications.
• Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks.
• The use of two-way radio communications.
• Firefighting tools and equipment.
• Power and hand tools.
• Use of equipment (including chainsaws, chippers, masticators, and yarders) for maintenance and problem identification/mitigation in the field.

Abilities

• Perform a variety of fuels and natural resource management projects.
• Perform wildland firefighting assignments.
• Provide supervisory direction
• Plan, organize, and prioritize daily activities
• Maintain records and prepare reports
• Recognize and train staff in work methods and procedures that promote a safe working environment for employees and others.
• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of others, directly or through subordinate supervisors. Utilize basic computer programs.
• Perform basic administrative functions.
• Construct fire line.
• Use and field program VHF radio (both handheld and mobile) equipment during project and emergency response.
• Learn a variety of fuels reduction and firefighting duties, methods, tools, and equipment.
• Analyze situations quickly and reach logical conclusions in emergencies.
• Plan, organize, and prioritize daily activities.
• Read and comprehend laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Read and follow street maps.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Maintain records and prepare reports.
• Understand basic arithmetic elements using whole numbers, decimals, percentages, and fractions.
• Exercise good judgement and safe work practices.
• Exercise emotional control and work under stressful situations.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental personnel, other agencies, the public, and others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to support all hazard incidents within training and qualifications.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods. Ability to hike, lift, bend, and carry heavy loads in mountainous terrain on steep slopes varying between 30 to 90%. Ability to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, and climb.
• Corrected hearing and vision to normal range. Verbal communication and reading ability.
• Ability to work at considerable heights. Ability to perform sustained and vigorous activities in a variety of environmental conditions. Ability to tolerate exposure to extreme weather conditions, heat, fumes, smoke, pressurized water, and chemicals.
• This position requires lifting up to 65 lbs. unassisted.
• While performing the duties of this position in the office, the employee may work in a generally clean office environment with limited exposure to conditions such as dust, fumes, odors, or noise.
• In the field, the employee will be frequently exposed to outside environmental conditions inherent with Northern Nevada such as altitudes in excess of 5000' above sea level, extreme cold and heat, wet and/or humid conditions, high winds, high and/or precarious places, smoke, fumes, airborne particulate matter, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock.
• May be exposed to the bodily fluids of other humans. May be exposed to environments that are immediately dangerous to life and health while wearing proper personal protective equipment. The noise level may be loud and require hearing protection.
• The employee may have periodic contact with angry or upset individuals, frequent interruptions of planned work activities by telephone calls, office visitors, and response to emergencies or other unplanned events.
• Position requires occasional strenuous work and long hours, and the ability to attend and/or manage an emergency incident at any time.
• Participation in wildland fires may require the employee to remain on the incident for several days.

• Elko County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
• In compliance with applicable laws, reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with a disability who require and request such accommodations.