Hand Crew Superintendent

Internal Careers; Apache Junction (AZ); On-site; USD 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable medical, dental, life, and短

Job summary

The State of Arizona, Department of Forestry and Fire Management, seeks a National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) Captain to lead a 20-person hand crew on fire suppression assignments and related duties. You will ensure crew readiness through nationally recognized training and maintain NWCG qualifications.

The role may involve project management for fuel treatment and conservation activities, as well as acting as Superintendent as needed.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of NWCG fire management practices.
• Strong leadership for a hand crew environment.
• Ability to train and develop staff to meet national guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Direct a module of a 10 or 20 person Hand Crew.
• Capable NWCG Captain on fire suppression assignments.
• Provide nationally recognized fire training for crew readiness.
• Maintain NWCG qualifications and credentials.
• Act as project manager for fuel treatment and conservation projects.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Training development

Fire behavior

Weather interpretation

Resource inventory

Computer skills

Job description

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

In partnership with local, county, state, and federal agencies, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) protects Arizona’s people by: providing coordination and resource response for the suppression and management of wildland fire; delivering education to aid in wildland fire prevention; providing integrated management strategies, technical assistance and information through various Department programs; collaborating in forest restoration projects; and ensuring fire and life safety through permitting, plan reviews and building inspections.

Job Location:

Address:3625 S Winchester Rd Apache Junction AZ 85119

Posting Details:

Salary: $29.6109 - $35.4200 Hourly

Grade: 21

Closing Date: November 13, 2026

**This position is only open to current DFFM employees.**

Job Summary:

This position will perform as a National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) Qualified Captain of a 20 person hand crew on fire suppression assignments, and may also serve in other fireline capacities and State Forester representative on wildfires. The incumbent will ensure fire emergency readiness of the crew by providing nationally recognized fire training and ensuring equipment is maintained and available. The incumbent will maintain NWCG qualifications. The incumbent may act as project manager for fuel treatment and natural conservation activities. The incumbent may implement "crew use agreements" with cooperators. Will act as Superintendent as needed.

Job Duties:

• Responsible for directing a module of a 10 or 20 person Hand Crew, and is qualified to assume full responsibility in the absence of the Superintendent.
  
• Perform as a National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) Qualified Captain of the crew on fire suppression assignments, and may also serve in other fireline capacities and State Forester representative on wildfires.
  
• Ensure fire emergency readiness of the crew by providing nationally recognized fire training and ensuring equipment is maintained and available.
  
• Maintain NWCG qualifications.
  
• May act as project manager for fuel treatment and natural conservation activities.
  
• The incumbent may implement "crew use agreements" with cooperators (other state agencies, county agencies, rural communities, homeowners associations, federal land management agencies, fire departments, universities, and tribal agencies).
  
• May act as Superintendent as needed.
  
• Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff members.
  
• Evaluates employee performance.
  
• Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of the safety regulations.
  
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Wildland fire suppression tactics and procedures.
  
• Fuel types and fire behavior, fire management objectives and policies, and firefighting strategies and tactics.
  
• Practical knowledge of land use and resource management practices and policies.
  
• Fuels management practices and policies.
  
• Program management, supervision, and personnel practices and regulations.
  
• Safety practices in suppressing fires and various other incidents to prevent injury, property damage or loss of life.
  
• Instructional techniques and training development standards.
  

Skills in:

• Interpersonal dynamics.
  
• Leadership in a hand crew environment.
  
• Effective oral and written communication.
  
• Instruction techniques.
  
• Interpreting fire weather and fire behavior.
  
• Natural resource inventory skills.
  
• Effective use of computers and applicable software.
  

Ability to:

• Apply resourcefulness, initiative, and independent judgment to wildfire incidents, all-risk incidents and fuels mitigation projects.
  
• Obtain efficiency and cost effectiveness of hand crew operations.
  
• Effectively manage a crew of post-release personnel.
  
• Independently gather, analyze, and interpret data for the development of fuels treatment and burn plans; and to execute prescribed burn projects.
  
• Develop and implement a crew training program that meets nationally recognized fire training guidelines.
  
• Learn and adhere to employment laws.
  
• Adhere to State of Arizona and Department of Forestry and Fire Management Standards of Conduct, policies, procedures and practices.
  
• Drive and travel on State business with possible overnight stays.

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• NWCG qualified Task force Leader Preferred
  

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• NWCG qualified Strike Team Leader Crew and Incident Commander Type 4
  
• Valid Arizona Drivers License
  
  

Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
  
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
  
• 10 paid holidays per year
  
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program, learn more at hr.az.gov/family-leave-expansion).
  
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
  
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
  
• Deferred compensation plan
  
• Wellness plans
  
• Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
  
• Participation is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria as defined in statute.
  
• Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.
  
• The current contribution rate is 11.98%

Contact Us:

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Selene Rojas at [e-mail] for assistance.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling [phone]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.