Wildland Firefighter

Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians; Alpine (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians seeks a Wildland Firefighter to respond to alarms, perform prevention work, and participate in training and vegetation management. The role emphasizes teamwork, safety, and rapid action in rugged terrain, with responsibilities including equipment checks, water pump setup, and fire guard construction.

Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED, a valid California driver’s license, and wilderness or fire suppression experience preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Valid California Driver’s License or higher issued by the DMV.
• Wilderness experience preferred, fire suppression training desirable.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and acceptance of diversity.

Responsibilities

• Respond to wildland fire alarms and other emergency calls to protect life and property.
• Participate in fire prevention programs, inspections, and vegetation management.
• Work with crews to remove fuel, set up water lines, and control or extinguish fires.
• Inspect, test, and maintain equipment and pump motors; ensure safety protocols.
• Attend safety and training courses; maintain log books and gear inventories.

Skills

Wilderness experience

Fire suppression

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job SummaryThe Wildland Firefighter will respond to wildland fire alarms, and other emergency calls to protect life and property. Participates in fire prevention programs and inspections, vegetation management activities including defensible space maintenance, community education, station and apparatus maintenance, and training activities.Job Description• Monitors alert levels and keeps informed of standby requirements, fire weather forecasts, fire indices, and fire behavior advisories.• Maintains communication with crew boss and dispatchers while on standby to ensure availability on an emergency response.• Responds quickly to fire crew dispatches, checks all equipment and resources prior to deployment and reports to crew leader.• Participates in crew briefing prior to taking action on fire to ensure a coordinated crew effort and safety processes.• Takes aggressive action on fire by working quickly to remove fuel from fire’s path using hand tools (i.e. Pulaski, shovel, etc…) and/or chainsaw to cut fire breaks, digs fire guards and sets up water pumps and hoses line to control or extinguish blaze.• Ensures safe work practices at all times particularly when working in a rugged terrain, with or around helicopters, air tankers and heavy machinery.• Ensures adherence to appropriate fire suppression procedures and provides site rehabilitation after fire is extinguished (i.e. repairing fire guards).• Collects all personal/crew equipment and spent supplies for fire site demobilization.• Participates in daily inspections and readiness of equipment.• Inspects, tests, and maintains equipment and pump motors including nozzles, appliances, fittings, hydrants, fire extinguishers, hand and power tools, ropes, emergency lighting equipment, rescue and first aid and related equipment.• Cleans, washes and services equipment.• Performs test on the hydrants for proper functioning.• Conducts regular checks of crew equipment and personal gear for signs of wear and tear that may compromise safety and utility.• Ensures the security of all equipment assigned and is accountable for its return at season end.• Maintains crew vehicle including regular update of log book on usage and maintenance.• Identifies and reports any equipment or resource issues to crew leader for immediate attention.• Completes Fire Crew Training Standard exercises/modules for certification purposes.• Ensures high standards of personal physical fitness by participating in regular crew fitness and maintaining employment fitness standard.• Participates in yearly training for safe chainsaw use and falling techniques.• Participates in field training, mock fire exercise, and related fire simulation training with various agencies.• Performs specialized training such as Hover Exit, Rappel, parachute deployment, helicopter hovering operations or Extreme Slope Assistance as required.• Learns and demonstrates the set-up and operation of two-way radios.• Attends lectures ad practices first aid techniques.• Attends safety training courses.• Prepares personal regular/overtime diaries and assists crew leader with completing various forms involved in the general fire suppression activities.• Documents fire suppression training, certification and fireline activities/assignments with appropriate log books.• Provides general maintenance and cleaning service of the base facilities.• Participates in base improvement projects and cost recovery work in a professional manner.• Participates in general equipment maintenance and inventory.• Performs community service not limited to recreation site maintenance and rehabilitation, general clean up and train construction.• Supports community forest fire prevention programs by assisting with fire hazard assessment, tours or demonstrations.• Provides specialized services as experienced chainsaw operators and fallers for pest management work (i.e. trap tree falling, thinning, spacing, brushing, danger tree removal, helispot/helipad construction).• Ensures a clean, safe, hazard-free work environment is maintained.• Performs all other duties as assigned.• The position provides support for training activities and has no formal responsibility to supervise staff.• High school diploma or General education degree (GED) is required.• Secondary school graduate or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.• Valid Class C California Driver’s License or higher issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicle.• A satisfactorily driving record required.• Wilderness experience preferred.• Fire suppression experience and training or structural fire experience and training preferred.• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and acceptance of diversity.• Knowledge of good physical work methods.• Knowledge of fire prevention, suppression, and victim rescue tactics and strategies.• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and Local codes, amendments, laws, regulations, and ordinances.• Knowledge of hazardous materials, chemical chain reaction and fire behavior.• Working knowledge of safe work practices.• Working knowledge of computer systems and programs.• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.• Ability to respond quickly to oral commands or signals in emergency situations.• Ability to exercise judgment in hazardous fire suppression activity.• Ability to work safely with others.• Demonstrated ability to work as a team member.• Ability to work with and troubleshoot a variety of fire suppression equipment resources (i.e. pumps and chainsaws).• Ability to take appropriate action on fire to support of overall team strategy in adherence to safety standards.• Ability to anticipate, identify and assess critical issues/urgent situations quickly and develop appropriate and timely course of action.• Ability to work safely around a variety of aviation resources such as helicopter, helitankers, airtankers and other fixed wing aircraft.• Ability to deliver presentations and trainings to a variety of audiences.• Must be able to live in a fire station compatibly with others.• Willingness to live and work in remote areas and on weekends and holidays and remain on duty 24 hours a day as required.Hiring PreferenceThe Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with tribal and federal law, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians applies Native American preference in hiring.