Wildfire Response Lead — Forest Fire Ops

Society of American Foresters.; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in Grand Rapids, MN, is seeking NR Forest Fire Response Leads for a split-season, full-time seasonal role. You will lead emergency firefighters, organize equipment, and coordinate suppression efforts during wildfire responses.

Responsibilities include initial attack leadership, fire prevention training, and rapid reporting. Candidates must meet fitness, licensing, and safety requirements and be able to travel for suppression throughout Minnesota.

Qualifications

• Two months wildfire response experience or diploma / associates degree in natural resource management with an emphasis in wildland firefighting.
• Knowledge of wildfire suppression including initial attack, fire behavior, fire control, mop up, and fire line safety sufficient to effectively suppress fires.
• Knowledge of fire suppression equipment maintenance and operation sufficient to prepare and respond to wildfire suppression needs.
• Knowledge of state and local fire laws and regulations sufficient to report violations.
• Ability to understand and use information contained in the Forestry Administrative Area Fire Plan sufficient to prepare for and respond to wildfires.
• Communication skills sufficient to ensure accurate and effective transmission of information through internal and interagency communications for routine and crisis situations.
• Ability to recognize reportable events sufficient to meet Forestry fire reporting requirements.
• Ability to maintain and organize fire line equipment so that equipment is functioning and available when needed to suppress fires.
• Ability to use maps and GPS equipment sufficient to quickly locate fires and access routes by section, township, range, and latitude/longitude.
• Ability to operate fire equipment sufficient to carry out fire suppression activities in a safe and effective manner.
• Ability to coach and direct emergency firefighters to ensure effective and safe suppression and pre-suppression activities.
• Possession of a valid Class A (Commercial) Driver's License or a Commercial Learner’s Permit within six (6) months of hire.
• Ability to pass the DNR Forestry physical standards on an annual basis based on the National Wildfire Coordinating Group work capacity test at the moderate fitness level.
• Must have successfully completed the following training: Fire Fighter Training S-130; Introduction to Wild Land Fire Behavior S-190, Introduction to Incident Command S-130, System I-100, Human Factors on the Fire Line L-180, and Incident Management System and Introduction IS-700.

Responsibilities

• Preparation for wildfire suppression by organizing and maintaining equipment, maintaining an inventory of supplies and requesting new supplies as needed, winterizing fire suppression equipment before storage at the end of fire season, and maintaining buildings and grounds.
• Responding for initial attack on wildfires and working on prescribed burns as part of the area wildfire suppression team by leading emergency fire fighters, operating fire suppression equipment, protecting the fire scene and gathering information for investigators, and completing initial reports.
• Assisting Area Supervisor with fire prevention activities by directing emergency fire suppression personnel and assisting with their training.

Skills

Wildfire response

Communication

Maps & GPS

Equipment operation

Driver's license

Education

Diploma or Associate degree in natural resources

Tools

GPS devices

Fire suppression equipment

Job description

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in Grand Rapids, MN, is seeking NR Forest Fire Response Leads for a split-season, full-time seasonal role. You will lead emergency firefighters, organize equipment, and coordinate suppression efforts during wildfire responses.

Responsibilities include initial attack leadership, fire prevention training, and rapid reporting. Candidates must meet fitness, licensing, and safety requirements and be able to travel for suppression throughout Minnesota.