Wildland Engine Boss

Nederland Fire Protection District; Nederland (CO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime on deployments

Job summary

Nederland Fire Protection District is seeking an experienced Engine Boss to lead wildland engine resources during emergencies, interagency deployments, prescribed fire, and training. You will ensure safety, accountability, and tactical performance within the Incident Command System and NWCG standards.

You will supervise crews, make risk-based decisions, maintain equipment, and support readiness and interagency coordination in a challenging wildland environment.

Qualifications

• Current NWCG Engine Boss ENGB qualification.
• Current FFT1, ICT5, Faller 3, and Red Card.
• BLS Provider certification.
• High school diploma or GED.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise wildland engine crews during incidents, deployments, prescribed fire, mitigation projects, and training.
• Make timely, risk-based decisions while monitoring fire behavior, weather, fuels, terrain, and changing conditions.
• Establish strong communication, accountability, crew welfare, and LCES throughout operations.
• Operate and maintain wildland apparatus, pumps, hose, tools, radios, PPE, and other equipment.
• Support training, qualification development, after-action reviews, and operational readiness.
• Participate in fuels reduction, defensible-space, prescribed-fire, and community education projects.
• Build strong relationships with District personnel, cooperating agencies, incident management teams, and the community.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Safety first

Decision making

Team supervision

Education

High school diploma or GED

NWCG Engine Boss ENGB

FFT1

ICT5

Faller 3

Incident Qualification Card (Red Card)

BLS Provider

Job description

Full-Time | $70,000–$80,000 annually | Overtime available on deployments

When wildfire conditions change in an instant, strong leadership matters. Nederland Fire Protection District is looking for an experienced Engine Boss who leads with safety, sound judgment, and confidence—and who knows how to bring a crew together when the pressure is on.

As an Engine Boss, you’ll lead assigned wildland engine resources during emergency incidents, interagency deployments, prescribed fire, fuels mitigation, training, and District readiness activities. You’ll be responsible for the safety, accountability, and tactical performance of your crew while operating within the Incident Command System and your current NWCG qualifications.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and supervise wildland engine crews during incidents, deployments, prescribed fire, mitigation projects, and training.


• Make timely, risk-based decisions while monitoring fire behavior, weather, fuels, terrain, and changing conditions.


• Establish strong communication, accountability, crew welfare, and LCES throughout operations.


• Operate and maintain wildland apparatus, pumps, hose, tools, radios, PPE, and other assigned equipment.


• Support training, qualification development, after-action reviews, and operational readiness.


• Participate in fuels reduction, defensible-space, prescribed-fire, and community education projects.


• Build strong working relationships with District personnel, cooperating agencies, incident management teams, and the community.

What We’re Looking For

You’re more than a qualified firefighter—you’re a leader others can rely on. You put safety first, communicate clearly, stay calm under pressure, accept feedback, and lead with honesty, integrity, accountability, empathy, and respect.

Minimum qualifications include:

• Current NWCG Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) qualification and prerequisites


• Current FFT1, ICT5, Faller 3, and Incident Qualification Card (Red Card)


• Current BLS Provider certification


• High school diploma or GED


• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record

Preferred: Three or more years of Engine Boss experience, Colorado Firefighter 1 or higher, Colorado EMT certification, and experience with prescribed fire, fuels mitigation, WUI operations, training, and interagency deployments.

Why Nederland?

This is an opportunity to do meaningful work in a challenging wildland environment while serving a community that depends on skilled, prepared, and committed professionals. If you’re ready to lead from the front, take care of your people, and make a difference when it matters most, we want to hear from you.