Wildland Firefighter

State of South Carolina; Cherokee Forest (SC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

State of South Carolina's Forestry Commission seeks a Wildland Firefighter to perform fire protection duties, suppression, and related forestry tasks. You will operate heavy equipment, assist with firebreaks, prescribed burns, and reporting, under supervision, and participate in ongoing training.

The role requires a high school diploma, SC firefighter registration, a valid Class B CDL with ELDT, and the ability to pass fitness and background checks.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma and experience in forest fire protection duties, forestry management, operation of heavy mechanized equipment, or relevant work experience.
• Must pass the agency’s initial physical fitness test (two mile walk with 25 lb. pack in 30 minutes).
• Must obtain firefighter registration with the Office of State Fire Marshal.
• Criminal background check; drug and alcohol test required.
• Must hold Class B CDL and have a CLP prior to employment; ELDT theory training within 15 days and CDL within 90 days.
• Must be a resident of South Carolina, preferably Pickens County or surrounding areas.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs; work indoors and outdoors; rotating 40-hour weeks; on-call and weekend duty; potential extended travel.

Responsibilities

• Responds to forest fire calls and performs suppression duties with bulldozer tractor and handline tools.
• Performs equipment preventive maintenance and facility maintenance per SCFC policies.
• Conducts firebreak plowing, waterbar construction, and prescribed burning assistance; supports forestry activities.
• Participates in annual training and prepares monthly reports (time sheets, equipment, services, fire-related docs).
• Supports agency mission, collaborating with agencies and local groups on sound forestry and fire management.

Skills

Forest fire control knowledge

Heavy equipment operation

Emergency decision making

Reporting and documentation

Education

High school diploma

CDL - Class B with ELDT

Firefighter registration (SC)

Tools

Bulldozer tractor

Water handling equipment

Handline tools

Job description

The Responsibilities of the Wildland Firefighter:

Under direct supervision, performs fire protection duties including fire prevention and suppression, but not exclusively with complex heavy mechanized equipment; performs operator maintenance necessary to maintain fire suppression equipment in a state of readiness; performs various forestry services including firebreaks, prescribed burns, and water bar construction and assists in other forestry operations.

• Responds to forest fire calls as required by the readiness plan. Performs forest fire suppression duties utilizing bulldozer tractor, handline tools, and water handling equipment. Assists with fire prevention efforts. Determines cause/origin of wildland fires to complete fire reports.
• Performs operator preventive maintenance on all assigned equipment and maintains equipment in a state of readiness; exercises equipment in accordance with SCFC policy and procedures. Performs maintenance and construction duties at Forestry Commission facilities.
• Performs forestry services, such as firebreak plowing, waterbar construction and prescribed burning assistance. Assists foresters and Sector FMO's with forest management activities such as timber marking, tree planting, survival checks, forest insect and disease work, acreage measurements, and other landowner services. Maintains an awareness of the cost-sharing assistance and services provided by the SCFC. Works with fire departments, the US Forest Service, civic groups, and other local, state, and federal agencies to promote sound forestry and fire management practices.
• Participates in training annually. Prepares monthly administrative reports to include time sheets, equipment reports, services reports and fire-related documentation.
• Participates in activities in support of the agency's mission and goals and performs related other duties as required.

• A high school diploma and experience in forest fire protection duties, forestry management, operation of heavy mechanized equipment, or relevant work experience.
• Must pass the agency’s initial physical fitness test that requires a two (2) mile walk carrying a 25 lb. pack in 30 minutes or meet the agency’s physical fitness program requirements.
• Must obtain firefighter registration with the Office of State Fire Marshal.
• Criminal background check. Drug and alcohol test are required.
• Position requires a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Must have Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) prior to employment. To obtain your Commercial Learner’s Permit, you must take the official written test at any SCDMV branch. The manual for this test can be found here: https://scdmvonline.com/Driver-Services/Drivers-License/Beginner-Permits
• Must complete CDL Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) Theory training within 15 working days of hire then obtain a Commercial Driver's License within 90 working days.

• Must be a resident of South Carolina and live in Pickens County or surrounding areas.
• Must be able to lift, walk, squat, climb and carry objects up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in changing environmental conditions.
• Works a rotating schedule, 40 hours / 5-day work week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule. Job requires on-call duty and weekend work. Overnight travel required to include extensive periods of time (up to 18 days) on large fire incidents or other natural disasters in/out of the state.
• Knowledge of practices and principles of forest fire control. Ability to operate heavy mechanized firefighting equipment. Ability to gather information on forest fires and to prepare reports. Knowledge of the primary and surrounding areas of responsibility and operation of wildland fire control equipment. Ability to act effectively in emergency or stressful situations. Knowledge of practices and principles of forest fire control. Knowledge of South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) forest management programs, policies, and procedures.
• This position requires the employee to be subject to random, post incident/accident, reasonable suspicion and rehabilitation monitoring and drug and alcohol testing consistent with SCFC Drug-Free Workplace-CDL Drug and Alcohol Testing. This position is designated as essential.