Wildland Firefighter

Boulder County; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 51,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time

Leave accruals

Job summary

Boulder County is seeking a Wildland Firefighter to support suppression, prescribed fire, and restoration activities. The role requires NWCG certifications, a high school diploma or equivalent, and physical fitness; eligibility for travel and overtime may apply.

New hires receive a substantial leave and vacation accrual package and must reside in Colorado at start. The position reports within the Fire Management program and involves interagency collaboration.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• NWCG Red Card and related NWCG certifications required or preferred.
• S-130, S-190, L-180, I-100 certifications highly desirable.
• FFT1/FFT2 or higher experience preferred; NWCG qualifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Suppresses and extinguishes wildland fire.
• Performs fire prevention activities.
• Participates in fire crew PT sessions and maintains physical condition.
• Maintains and repairs suppression equipment and related supplies.
• Participates in forest restoration and hazard fuel mitigation.
• Assists with prescribed fire planning and implementation.
• Available for local, regional, and national fire assignments; extended travel may be required.
• Overtime may be required during incidents; attends mandatory trainings.

Skills

Physical fitness

Communication

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

AS or BS in Fire Science/Forestry

NWCG FFT1/FFT2 or higher

S-130/S-190/L-180/I-100

EMT-B (Colorado/NR)

Job description

Wildland Firefighter

2027 Monthly salary range $4,583 - $5,868

2027 Annual salary range $54,996 - $70,416

2027 Hiring salary range $4,583 - $5,225 depending on experience

The Wildland Firefighter is responsible for assisting the Senior Firefighter (SRFF), Fire Management Operations Specialist (FOS) and Fire Management Officer(s) (FMO/AFMO) with fire suppression operations, prescribed fire, and forest restoration activities.

Title to which this position is Supervised by: Fire Management Officer(s) (FMO/AFMO)

Titles to which this position reports to: Fire Management Operations Specialists (FOSs) and Senior Firefighters (SRFFs)

Titles that report to this position: None

New employees receive an 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month.

Boulder County is a family-friendly workplace dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.

1. Suppresses and extinguishes wildland fire.
2. Performs fire prevention activities.
3. Participates in fire crew physical training (PT) sessions & maintains self in good physical condition.
4. Manages, maintains, and repairs suppression equipment, and supplies related to wildland fire.
5. Participates in forest restoration and hazard fuel mitigation activities.
6. Assists with prescribed fire planning and implementation.
7. Must be available for fire assignments locally, regionally, and nationally, requiring extended travel.
8. May respond to incidents 24/7, holidays, and weekends, which may require paid over-time.
9. Attends & completes all mandatory trainings.
10. Instructs, assists, and participates with fire-related trainings and courses as needed and as qualified.
11. Performs other related work duties as assigned.

Age: Must be 18 years of age or older.

Physical: Candidates must successfully complete a physical fitness assessment consisting of either a 1.5-mile run (men: 13:30 or less; women: 15:00 or less) or a 3-mile run (men: 28:00 or less; women: 32:00 or less). Additional minimum standards include push-ups (men: 25 or more; women: 15 or more), pull-ups (men: 5 or more; women: 2 or more), and a plank hold (men: 1 minute 30 seconds; women: 1 minute 15 seconds). These values represent minimum thresholds; however, due to a cumulative scoring system, candidates must exceed the minimum standard in at least one event. Meeting only the minimum in all events will not satisfy the overall requirement. Additionally, must be able to pass the Work Capacity Test (WCT): 3.0 mile walk on level ground while carrying a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less.

Education: High School Diploma and/or equivalent.

Licenses: Must have a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications: Completed S-130, S-190, L-180, I-100 and possess a current NWCG recognized Red Card.

Prefer candidate with at least one season of firefighting experience at the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualification or greater.

Applicants with similar outdoor work experience and demonstrated skills and abilities may be considered (e.g., prescribed fire, trails, fuels crew, and other field-related work).

• NWCG qualified Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) or higher, NWCG qualified Engine Operator (ENOP), NWCG S-212 certification of qualified Faller 3 (FAL3) or better, experience/training with portable pumps (S-211), and/or fire aviation knowledge and experience.
• Colorado state-certified or National Registry EMT-B.
• An A.S. or B.S. in Fire Science and/or Forestry, or related course study.

Special Requirements: Must be National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant within one year of filling the position. Must be first aid and CPR certified within one year. Opportunities for these and other trainings will be provided.

Employee must pass an agency criminal background check, mandatory polygraph test and driving record check.

Supplemental Information:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of principles, practices and objectives as related to wildfire behavior, wildfire suppression, prescribed fire, hazardous fuels reduction, and mitigation techniques in a wildfire-centric, safety-focused program. Ability to work proactively in a team environment. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to perform effectively in a high stress environment.

Term to Permanent: This position will be filled as a Term Limited full-time employee for an undetermined length of time. In the event that a permanent FTE spot opens up, the candidate selected will be given the opportunity to fill the permanent team position at that time.

Eligibility List: An eligibility list of candidates may be created should the selected candidate not want the permanent position or another position becomes available. Candidates placed on the eligibility list would be given priority to move into the hiring process for up to one year.

Working Conditions: Wildland firefighting is inherently hazardous and often creates stressful working conditions. Work is performed outdoors for extended periods of time in hot or cold temperatures, and inclement weather. Work exposes the employee to hazardous conditions that include high noise levels, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation. Furthermore, work exposes the employee to possible bodily injury and/or life-threatening conditions from extreme temperatures, moving mechanical parts of equipment, tools, machinery, falling trees, rolling rocks, and treacherous terrain. Other hazards include exposure to wildlife and allergenic plants and insects. Work requires use of personal protective equipment such as dust masks, eye protection, hard hats, ear protection, fire resistant Nomex clothing, and gloves that are employer provided, to mitigate some of the hazards. Employees must provide their own work boots that meet NFPA 1977 (leather, lace up, eight inch high, lug sole).

Working Environment: The Fire Management Program works directly for the Boulder County Sheriff, who is the Fire Warden for the County. Fire Management acts as the subject-matter-experts to the Sheriff for wildfire suppression, prescribed burning, fire restriction implementation, and education. Fire Management has the delegated authority to act as the Fire Warden on behalf of the Sheriff. This is NOT a law enforcement position. The Fire Management Program is responsible for suppression of forest and prairie fires on unincorporated public lands within the 740sq mi of Boulder County, including but not limited to, over 100,000 acres of County Open Space and Land Easements, and a heavily intermixed wildland urban interface (WUI). Fire Management also closely assists local, volunteer fire protection districts, full-time fire departments, US Forest Service, and National Park Service with fire suppression and prescribed fire needs.

Numerous municipalities exist within Boulder County, including the City of Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, and Nederland. It is also home to the University of Colorado at Boulder. The county is a major tourist and recreational attraction for the Denver Metro area and encompasses a portion of Rocky Mountain National Park, in addition to Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, and 45,000 acres City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks.

Wildland Firefighters participate in fire assignments locally, regionally, and nationally. Overtime and travel are required. It is also expected that individuals will take part in fire assignments with the Shadow Canyon Interagency Type Two Initial Attack Hand Crew and/or be available for Type 6 fire engine assignments locally and nationally.

1. VISION: Dual vision is required. 20/20 minimum, natural or corrected, in both eyes and have minimum peripheral vision of 700 in both eyes. Frequently uses peripheral vision to observe and monitor conditions such as equipment, fire, weather conditions, as well as drive motor vehicles. Constantly is required to differentiate, shapes, distances and sizes of objects, people, and animals.
2. HEARING: Dual hearing is required, natural or corrected. Good hearing is required in performing a majority of the tasks. Constantly uses hearing to distinguish the source and content of a wide variety of sounds. Constantly uses hearing to monitor and use a radio, and telephone to communicate with the dispatch center, other co-workers, firefighters, officers, and the public. Occasionally must hear people verbally communicating or calling/yelling for help from a distance of one hundred feet.
3. SENSE OF SMELL: Intact. Occasionally uses the olfactory sense to evaluate the presence of toxic vapors, smoke, and fuels. Seldom uses the olfactory sense to detect illegal use of drugs or chemicals.
4. SPEECH: Must be able to fluently speak and understand English. Constantly uses voice to communicate with other persons. Frequently verbally directs co-workers or the public with what to do using a louder than normal speaking voice. Seldom must talk or yell while wearing a gas mask or self-contained breathing apparatus.
5. SITTING: Sitting is performed on an occasional basis. Sitting occurs during training sessions and while driving when necessary.
6. STANDING/WALKING/RUNNING/STOOPING: Standing/Walking/Running/Stooping occurs on frequent basis depending on the assignment and could be in mountainous areas. Frequently must walk, stand, crouch, or run on narrow, slippery surfaces, and climb uneven terrain or rocky surfaces.
7. LIFTING/CARRYING/PUSHING/PULLING: Frequently lifts, carries, pushes, pulls, or otherwise moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.
8. TWISTING/TURNING AT THE WAIST AND NECK: Twisting/turning at the waist and neck occurs on an occasional to frequent basis. This motion is performed while driving vehicles and utilizing tools and equipment. The fire crew members are required to demonstrate the ability to twist, while seated in a motor vehicle, sufficient enough to see into and out of the back area of the vehicle.

• Seldom: Activity or condition does not exist on a daily basis.
• Occasionally: Activity or condition exists less than 1/3 of work shift.
• Frequently: Activity or condition exists from 1/2 to 2/3 of work shift.
• Constant: Activity or condition exists more than 2/3 of work shift.