Firefighter- Seasonal

Tolowa; Smith River (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Department of Public Safety seeks a full-time Firefighter to perform wildland fire suppression, prescribed burns, and training exercises. You will deploy hoses, operate tools, and support engine maintenance while protecting tribal lands and cultural sites.

Candidates must complete firefighter training and ICS/NIMS certifications, obtain First Aid/CPR within 90 days, and hold a CA/OR driver’s license with tribal insurability. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Basic firefighter training and ICS/NIMS certifications.
• Must obtain First Aid & CPR within 90 days of hire.
• Valid driver’s license for CA or OR and insurability on tribal policy.

Responsibilities

• Perform firefighting duties on wildland fires, prescribed burns, and drills.
• Assist with engine fleet inspections and maintenance to keep equipment mission-ready.
• Implement prescribed cultural burns to protect ecological health and cultural sites.
• Utilize water delivery systems and hand tools for suppression and attack.
• Maintain incident documentation and reports; ensure safety zones and LCES compliance.

Skills

Oral communication

Inventory management

Incident documentation

Time management

Problem solving

Staying calm under pressure

Education

Firefighter Training (S-130)

ICS (ICS-100)

Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service (L-180)

Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190)

NIMS: An Introduction (IS700)

Tools

Interagency radio protocols

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

Performs as a Firefighter for the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Department of Public Safety. Firefighter duties are performed on wildland fires, prescribed fire projects, and other preparedness activities such as drills and field training exercises. Deploys hose lays using effective water usage, and handline construction using various hand tools. 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 as the firefighter during wildland fire suppression operations which include knowledge of radio communications, hand tools, hose, and associated appliances.
• Assists with regular mechanical inspections and preventative maintenance on the engine fleet while ensuring all hand tools and power equipment are repaired and mission ready.
• Implements prescribed cultural burns and traditional fire applications to enhance ecological health and reduce hazardous fuel loads on Tribal lands.
• Specialized duties will include water handling experience and use of hand tools for the response to wildland fire.
• Evaluates environmental hazards like weather changes and fuel types to maintain "Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones" (LCES).
• Implement suppression tactics and prescribe fire treatments that prioritize the preservation of sensitive cultural sites and natural resources.
• Assists with inspections, maintenance, and operational readiness of apparatus, pumps, tools, and personal protective equipment in accordance with departmental and NWCG standards.
• Performs project work such as road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, and miscellaneous equipment and facilities maintenance.
• Operates a variety of motor vehicles to transport equipment, supplies and personnel.
• 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.
• Understanding basic firefighting suppression techniques.
• Knowledge of "Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones" (LCES) system and interagency safety standards.
• Experience with hose lays, water delivery systems and mobile attack techniques.
• Proficiency in using interagency radio protocols and specialized GPS for navigation or mapping.

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.
• Ability to complete and review incident documentation including IC S forms, after-action reports, training records, and operational logs.
• Managing time efficiently.
• Problem solve and think critically.
• Remain calm under stress.

Required Qualifications:

• Completion of Basic Firefighter Training:
  • Firefighter Training (S-130)
  • ICS (ICS-100)
  • Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (L-180)
  • Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190)
  • NIMS: An Introduction (IS700)
• 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.