Fire/Fuels Technician 1-2

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe; Plummer (ID); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A tribal organization in Plummer, Idaho is seeking a Fire/Fuels Technician 1-2 (FFT2) to assist with fire suppression and fuels management on the reservation. The role involves various outdoor activities and training in fire behavior and safety practices. No experience is necessary, but candidates should have a valid driver's license, be able to lift 50 lbs, and pass specified fire courses. This position offers a unique opportunity to engage in environmental resource protection and management.

Qualifications

• Must maintain a valid state driver’s license and be tribally insurable.
• Pass fire physical and be able to pass the arduous work capacity test annually.
• Must take and successfully pass designated fire courses by June 30.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of an engine or hand crew assigned to suppress wildland fires.
• Assist in fuels activities in fieldwork to accomplish thinning and piling.
• Participate in safety training for fire suppression techniques.

Skills

Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs

Basic fire behavior knowledge

Ability to work in rugged terrain

Education

High school Diploma or GED

Tools

Chainsaw

DR mower

Chipper

Job description

Job Title: Fire/Fuels Technician 1-2 (FFT2)

Department: NR/Fire-Fuels Program

Reports To: Fire/Fuels AFMO Operation/Crew Lead

INTRODUCTION

The incumbent helps with a variety of fire/fuels management activities; such as, fire suppression, prescribed fire, mechanical fuel treatments, project monitoring, and data collection (forestry or fuels) on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation. Incumbent functions as a fire/fuels technician, performing duties with more experienced co-workers and under the supervision of the crew lead or Supervisory Technician. This position is subject to medical screening and annual physical fitness testing at the arduous level as a condition of employment.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Serves as a member of an engine or hand crew assigned to suppress wildland fires. Performs assignments as a wildland firefighter in developing a working knowledge of fire suppression strategies, tactics, and fuels management techniques, practices and terminology. This consists of Fireline construction, use of pumps and engines, hose lays using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustments in the effective use of water and additives, working in and around aircraft such as helicopters, safety rules, and basic fire behavior.
• Assists in fuels activities, working as part of a seasonal crew performing field work to accomplish thinning, pruning, mastication, and piling slash associated with wildland fuels projects. This will include operating equipment, such as: a chipper, DR mower, chainsaw and/or pruning equipment.
• Participates in fire/fuels and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression and in the safe, efficient operation and use of hand and power tools, equipment and vehicles used in Fireline activities.
• Participates in safety sessions and fire/fuels critiques (After Action Review).
• Ensures own and others welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignments.
• Ensures daily repairs and maintenance of equipment, such as: a chipper, DR mower, a pump, wildland engine, chainsaw and/or other equipment. Maintains equipment daily in an operable condition, troubleshoots equipment in need of repair.
• Assists preparing hazardous fuels reduction projects by flagging treatment areas, property ownership corners and lines, and riparian or wildlife management zones, cultural surveys, and GPS.
• Assists in collecting for a variety of fuel-monitoring projects, including stand exams and fuel line transects.
• Maintains electronic timesheet on a weekly basis.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Assists forestry personnel in collecting data for forestry projects, including accurately identifying conifer and hardwood species present on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation, measuring tree diameter at breast heights and total tree heights and stand exams for survival, stocking surveys, and tree planting.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS

• No experience necessary.
• Able to lift and carry 50 lbs.
• Able to walk all day in steep and rugged terrain if needed.
• Ability to learn and operate fire suppression equipment, chainsaw, hand tools, and other equipment.
• Ability to learn and familiarize with local tree forestry practices.
• Ability to learn and familiarize with GPS units and computer.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must maintain a valid state driver’s license and be tribally insurable.
• Pass fire physical and able to pass the arduous work capacity test annually (45lbs. for 3 mile in 45 minutes or less).
• Must be 18.
• High school Diploma or GED preferred.
• Must take and successfully pass the following fire courses by June 30 of current year: I100, IS700, L-180, S-190 and S-130 in addition to the Annual Fireline Safety refresher (RT-130).
• Able to qualify as a FFT2.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Fire/Fuels Technician III, the designated project leader or Supervisory Technician. Other supervision may be designated on wildfire assignments of specific project. The supervisor specifies the immediate objectives, scope of the assignment, deadlines to be met, resources available, and works closely with employee in unusual situations that lack clear precedents. Work is reviewed by the Fire/Fuels Technician III or designated project leader at appropriate intervals for technical accuracy, accomplishment of objectives and coordinating with other natural resource activities. The incumbent will work with other seasonal personnel to ensure projects are performed in a timely manner. No supervisory responsibilities.

GUIDELINES

Procedures for doing the work have been established and a number of specific guidelines exists such as oral instructions, standing operating procedures, maps, equipment manuals, health and safety codes, Wildland Fire and Aviation Program Management and Operations Guide (Red Book), field operations guides, and training prior to actual fire suppression, prescribed fire and fuels management activities; referring needed deviations or questions to the supervisor or higher graded employee who is available while performing activities. Specific tasks, use of tools and methods and sequence in which tasks are to be done are determined by evaluation of the situation and issue involved. This work requires the employee to recognize which of several techniques and procedures is best suited to the specific situation encountered. Actions taken vary dependent upon the terrain, intensity of fire, fuel availability, wind velocity and resource values.

SCOPE AND EFFECT

• The purpose of the work is to assist with operations of the fire/fuels management program on the reservation in accordance with the Fire Management, Fuels Management Plan and Forest Management Plan; and ensure the effective protection of the Tribe’s natural resources through effective forestry/fire/fuels management.
• The work affects the protection of life, property and forest resources on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation.

PERSONAL AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Contacts are primarily with other members of the fire/fuels staff, the supervisor and others in the forestry organization. Contacts are made to exchange information about the immediate work situation in which crewmembers are to receive instructions and to clarify how the work is to be done.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Arduous: Duties include rigorous fieldwork requiring above average physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning. Work requires prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items and similar strenuous activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Duties include some strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time. Operation of some specialized fire equipment can place extended physical stress. Incumbent is subject to a medical examination and must annually pass the work capacity test for arduous positions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is primarily performed outdoors in forest environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky or covered by vegetation. Temperatures may exceed 100 degrees F and fall well below freezing. Risks include dust, smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise and falling and rolling material. Personnel must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor work situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. The hazardous nature of certain jobs requires that protective clothing be worn (hard hat, gloves, leather boots, flame resistant clothing and other personal protective equipment). Work requires travel by vehicle and/or foot.

TRAINING GOALS

Work to improve knowledge of fire behavior, fire suppression, and hazard fuel reduction in wildland and urban settings. Initiate internal position task book and wildfire position task books. Evaluations will determine if the incumbent has successfully completed all the duties and requirements specified in this position description.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

The incumbent is required to supply their own work boots and appropriate work clothing. Boots are to be ALL leather with a vibram sole, tops to be a minimum of 8 inches (inside measure). Long work pants and a work shirt are required for all project work. The Fire Management program will supply Nomex clothing, fire pack with fire shelter, work gloves, hard hats, safety glasses, and hearing protection for work and fire assignments.

OTHER

Must not have been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty within the past five years. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe reserves the right to hire according to its Indian Preference Policy. Applicants are subject to a pre-employment drug test and at-random testing following employment. Positions with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe are subject to a six-month orientation period.