Senior Firefighter- Seasonal

Tolowa; Smith River (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation is seeking a Senior Firefighter to lead wildland fire suppression, train junior firefighters, and maintain engine readiness. The role emphasizes protecting tribal lands and cultural values aligned with NWCG standards.

Responsibilities include fuel reduction through prescribed burns, water handling, and equipment maintenance. Travel and high physical demands are expected, with background checks and drug testing required.

Qualifications

• Firefighter Type 1 with a valid Red Card certification.
• Two wildland fire seasons (12 months) of experience.
• Must obtain First Aid and CPR within 90 days of hire.
• Valid California or Oregon driver’s license and insurability on Tribal policy.
• Certified in ICS courses and procedures relevant to wildfire operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead firefighter during wildland suppression operations and oversee crew.
• Provide on-the-job training to junior firefighters on radio, tools and hose.
• Assist with engine fleet inspections and preventative maintenance.
• Implement prescribed cultural burns to protect ecological health.
• Perform water handling, chainsaw operation, and equipment maintenance.
• Evaluate hazards and maintain Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones.
• Apply suppression tactics while protecting cultural sites and resources.
• Manage apparatus inventory and ensure 24-hour operational readiness.
• Assist inspections, maintenance, and readiness of pumps and PPE per NWCG.
• Perform other duties as assigned and support road/trail maintenance.
• Operate vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, and personnel.

Skills

Oral communication

Inventory records

Incident documentation

Time management

Critical thinking

Calm under pressure

Job description

Job Opportunities

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

The Senior Firefighter (SFF) for the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Department of Public Safety serves as the lead firefighter. Performs and may direct other firefighters with hose lays, using appropriate nozzles for effective use of water, and handline construction. May drive over unimproved roads, start engine pump, adjust engine speed and valves as necessary. The SFF could be assigned to safely maneuver heavy apparatus, perform complex pumping operations, and maintain fleet.

These duties are performed on wildland fires, prescribed fire projects, and other preparedness activities such as drills and field training. 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 lead firefighter during wildland fire suppression operations.
• Provides on-the-job training to junior firefighters for tasks such as; radio communication, use of 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, chainsaw operator, knowledge of use and maintenance of specialized equipment used during 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.
• Knowledge of apparatus inventory of specialized wildland supplies, ensuring the engine is fully stocked for self-sufficient 24-hour operations.
• Assists with inspections, maintenance, and operational readiness of apparatus, pumps, tools, and personal protective equipment in accordance with departmental and NWCG standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• 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 and fill in as work leader.

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 Portable Pumps and Water Use (S-211) Wildland Fire Chain Saws (S-212) concepts, while developing fire behavior skills that include fuel type identification, topographic features and weather patterns.
• 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 or mapping tools for navigation and incident reporting

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

Required Qualifications

• Qualified as a Firefighter Type 1 with a valid Incident Qualification Card (Red Card).
• Two seasons of wildland fire experience (12 months).
• Certified in the following Incident Command System ("ICS") courses:
• 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.