Wildland Firefighter Squad Leader

South Dakota AG; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 29,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Public Safety in Rapid City, SD seeks a Wildland Fire Handcrew Squad Leader to direct and oversee firefighting activities, organize tasks, and ensure crew safety and preparedness. The role requires FFT1 qualifications, leadership ability, and the capacity to operate in harsh conditions.

The successful candidate will lead a crew of up to ten firefighters, coordinate suppression strategies, and maintain equipment and communication during incidents.

Qualifications

• NWCG FFT1 qualification required.
• Annual arduous capacity test: 3 mile walk with 45 lb in under 45 minutes.
• Valid state driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Direct a 10-person firefighting squad and supervise daily tasks.
• Enforce safety procedures and training.
• Coordinate logistics and incident response as needed.
• Maintain crew readiness and equipment for operations.

Skills

Leadership

Safety procedures

Training & supervision

Communication

Physical fitness

Decision making

Education

NWCG FFT1 qualification

Annual arduous work capacity test

Valid driver’s license

Tools

Chain saws

Axes

Shovels

Picks

Handheld radios

Maps & compass navigation

Job description

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 38213

Agency: Public Safety

Location: Rapid City, SD

Salary: $25.19 Hourly, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: G

Closing Date: 11/24/2026

The Wildland Fire Handcrew Squad Leader works under the Wildland Fire Crew Foreman and directs the activities of multiple firefighters by directing firefighting activities, organizing, and overseeing projects and daily tasks, facilitating safety procedures, employee/firefighter training, performing logistical and administrative functions to ensure the safety and well-being of the crew, maintain crew response preparedness, and to respond to incidents as needed. The successful candidate would be qualified to assume full responsibility in absence of the Wildland Fire Handcrew Foreman.

This position works in fire management situations that are inherently dangerous and is exposed to unpredictable fire behavior, burns, smoke, dust, and extreme temperatures exacerbated by the need for and weight of protective gear; works around heavy equipment and aircraft in operation with limited visibility; walks and works in rough terrain; and performs continuous and hard physical labor using hand and power tools.

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Public Safety. For more information on the Department of Public Safety, please visit https://dps.sd.gov/ .

Licenses And Certifications

• National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) FFT1 Qualification Required;
• This position also requires an annual work capacity test at the arduous level which is a three mile fast paced walk carrying 45 pounds in under 45 minutes;
• Possess a valid state driver's license.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) FFT1, ICT5, FAL2.

Knowledge Of

• power tools and equipment typically used in fire and emergency situations such as chain saws, axes, shovels, picks, etc.
• equipment maintenance and safety practices;
• fuels, terrain, weather, and fire behavior to make decisions and take actions;
• use of the Incident Command System terminology, organization, and command structure;
• acquire, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make more informed decisions, and to take appropriate actions;
• address actions based on changing information and evolving situational awareness;
• communicate changing conditions to supervisor;
• packing heavy loads of fuel, food, water, and tools, for miles over rough terrain in hot and smokey conditions to get to the work site;
• operate handheld and mobile radios, navigate using maps, compass, GFP, etc.;
• engages in low complexity Fireline chainsaw operations, including tree felling, bucking, brushing, and limbing.

Ability To

• provide leadership for up to 10-person squad as necessary for training and daily supervision of a diverse group of firefighters;
• manage a fire including organizing resources, choosing strategies and tactics, overseeing suppression;
• interpret and implement fire mobilization plans and quickly locate sufficient personnel and equipment to accomplish fire suppression;
• maintain and operate a fleet of specialized firefighting equipment;
• read maps and understand topographical features and their effect on fire suppression efforts;
• interpret and explain department policies and procedures;
• effectively present instructional material in firefighting and fire use to adult learners;
• maintain physical fitness standards;
• maintain firefighting qualifications standards at the designated level;
• communicate effectively.

Additional Requirements

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"