Forest Fire Equipment Operator

State of North Carolina; Davidson (NC); On-site; USD 35,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading government agency in North Carolina is seeking a Forest Fire Equipment Operator to maintain and operate heavy equipment for fire suppression and forest management. The role involves emergency response duties and requires effective communication and teamwork skills. Candidates must have a high school diploma and two years of relevant experience. The position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Health insurance

Paid vacation

Retirement plans

Paid parental leave

Qualifications

• Two years of heavy equipment operation experience required.
• Completion of NC FFEO training within two years of hire.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and operate heavy equipment for wildland fire suppression.
• Respond to emergencies and assist in forest management activities.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Self-starter

Education

High school or GED

Tools

Bulldozer

Motor Grader

Excavator

Job description

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Salary: $35,984.00 - $62,971.00 Annually

Location : Davidson County, NC

Job Type: Permanent Full-Time

Job Number: 25-05929-60031659

Department: Dept of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Division: North Carolina Forest Service

Opening Date: 05/08/2025

Closing Date: 5/21/2025 5:00 PM Eastern

Job Class Title: Forest Fire Equipment Operator

Position Number: 60031659

Section: NC Forest Service

Salary Grade: NC07

Description Of Work

The North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) is designated as an emergency response Division and is a team of professionals who provide forest protection, resource management and environmental education to the residents and landowners of North Carolina through a variety of programs. The NCFS provides services to all 100 counties in North Carolina.

This position is responsible for the maintenance and operation of a bulldozer, hauling unit, and other heavy equipment used in wildland fire suppression, pre-suppression, prescribed burning, and forestation. Performs minor equipment repairs and assists district mechanic with major repairs. May assist with information and education programs, a variety of forest management activities or other tasks. Responds in times of emergency such as wildland fires and natural disasters.

Participates in incident management teams as assigned.

Work hours are typically 8-5 M-F. Extended times of readiness will involve evening, holiday, and/or weekend work. Must be available after working hours during fire danger periods and times of emergency response. Overnight travel will be required. Residency requirements discussed at time of interview.

Duty Station Location: 700 Newsome Lane Denton, NC 27239

Official NCFS uniforms provided by employer.

• 13 speed hauling unit Driving evaluation will be given the day of the interview
• Crawler Proficiency evaluation will be given the day of the interview
  
  

Pre-employment Mandatory Drug Testing Required.

Click Here to Learn more about State Employee Benefits

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness, and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees.

Click Here to Watch this video to Learn How to Apply.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities / Competencies

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience requirements, are REQUIRED to qualify for this position. We will not review resumes in lieu of the Experience and Education listed on the application.

To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL of the following:

• Ability to maintain heavy equipment such as bulldozer, motor grader, or excavator.
• Ability to operate a truck tractor with low boy trailer over the road in a variety of driving conditions.
• Ability to work independently or as a team player.
• Must be a self-starter, service oriented and work cooperatively with others.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
  
  

Management Preferences

• Skilled in performing minor equipment repairs.
• Experience and training in wildland firefighting.
  
  

Minimum Education And Experience Requirements

You may qualify by an equivalent combination of education and experience, either through years of education or years of directly related experience, or a combination of both.

High school or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and two years of heavy equipment operation experience.

Necessary Special Requirement

• Completion of NC FFEO training schedule within two years of hire.
• Possession of a current North Carolina Commercial Driver s License on hire date; OR possession of the North Carolina Commercial Driver Learner s Permit and obtain the NC Commercial Driver s License within 90 days of the hire date.
• Job applicants must pass a drug screening test and possess a Medical Examiner's Certification (Medical Card) as a condition of a job offer and employment
  
  

Supplemental and Contact Information

Any employment offer may be less than the maximum of the range due to salary equity with similarly situated employees or the selected candidate's related education and experience.

Please follow the instructions to apply online. It is important that your application includes all of your relevant education and experience. Text or attached resumes ARE NOT accepted as a substitution for a completed application. Applicants seeking veteran's/National Guard preference should submit a copy of their Form DD-214, NGB 23A (RPAS), DD256 or NGB 22.

All Law Enforcement positions, aviation safety-sensitive positions, and positions requiring a Pilot's License or a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing. All positions requiring a Commercial Driver's License shall also be subject to pre-employment DMV physicals. Selected applicants must obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) medical certificate prior to employment. If a CDL is listed as a preference and the selected applicant has a CDL at the time of hire, then the CDL will become a requirement for the position.

*Note: When required, you must answer the question(s) for this position, or your application will be considered incomplete.*

Questions regarding this posting? Contact 919-707-3201.

NOTE: For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments: There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types.

For permanent and time-limited appointments:Eligible employees have benefits that include employee health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, NC Flex (a variety of high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis), and paid vacation, sick, and community service leave, to name a few. Paid parental leave is available for eligible employees. Some benefits require 30 + hours work/week for participation.

01

You must include your heavy equipment experience under the job duties with your work experience in order to be given credit towards the minimum education and experience requirements. Do you understand this requirement? (If you answer yes, you MUST include your experience on your application under "duties" to qualify for this position.)

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

Do you possess a valid CDL or do you have the ability to obtain one within 90 days of employment?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

Have you ever been convicted of an offense against the law other than a minor traffic violation? (A conviction does not mean that you cannot be hired. The offense and how recently you were convicted will be evaluated in relation to the job for which you are applying).

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

If you answered "yes" that you have been convicted of an offense against the law other than a minor traffic violation, please explain the nature of the conviction and the date. If you answered "no" enter NA

05

To the best of your knowledge, have you or a company that you have worked for been given a warning letter, civil penalty, notice of violation or a settlement agreement by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or one of its divisions while you were employed with that company?

• Yes
• No
  
  

06

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please explain the nature of the warning letter, civil penalty, notice of violation or settlement agreement, the date, and how it was resolved if you have knowledge of that information. If you answered "No", please type N/A.

Required Question

Required

Preferred

Job Industries

• Other

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management and Manufacturing

• Industries

  Government Administration

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