Assistant Center Manager

This position serves as the Assistant Dispatch Center Manager for the Arizona Dispatch Center. The Assistant Center Manager aids the Center Manager in oversight of all aspects of the dispatch center operations as well as acting as lead to dispatchers on day to day duties. Coordinates and directs the dispatch center by providing focused, responsible coverage during daily operations and emergency situations with other federal, state, tribal, county and local cooperators. Assumes responsibility in the absence of the Center Manager. Provides mentoring of dispatchers in initial attack, logistical support, aviation dispatching, intelligence gathering and the overall dispatch center management.
The geographical area involved encompasses a broad combination of state, federal, tribal, and private lands within the dispatch center's area of influence and support initial attack and extended attack fires on those agency lands. All of these units have highly complex fire programs. The center is primarily responsible for wildland fire preparedness and suppression support activities, but may support all-risk incidents as needed or directed.

Assists the Center Manager in coordination of emergency communications and assists with the overall execution of activities of a dispatch center. Coordinates with federal, state, and local agencies through the national dispatch system to ensure rapid, focused, and cost-effective responses to wildland fires, law enforcement as needed, and wildland urban interface/intermix situations.
Applies administrative and technical methods, practices, and procedures of fire suppression dispatching, as well as agency policies and programs, to execute complete conventional projects or oversee day-to-day operations when the Center Manager is absent.
Provides administrative and technical supervision of employees performing dispatch work. Performs the administrative and human resource management functions relative to the staff supervised. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff members. Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of the safety regulations.
Complies with occupational safety and health standards applicable to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and with all rules, regulations, and orders issued by the agency with respect to the occupational safety and health program.
Serves as a dispatcher, receiving, filling, and tracking resource requests for fire and other emergency incidents. Initiates requests to higher organizational levels for additional resources as needed.
When needed, coordinates the availability of rotor and fixed wing tactical aircraft for use with cooperating agencies. Oversees search and rescue procedures for overdue or missing aircraft in coordination with agency management in the absence of the Center Manager.
Ensures the dispatch center has adequate equipment and supplies for day to day operation achievement. Assists with the ordering and cost tracking of temporary employees/AD's.
Represents the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, as delegated, in meetings with Federal, state and local agencies. Maintains and updates the Communication Center procedures.
Drive on State business.
Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:
Advanced concepts, principles and practices of incident management and support to serve as the technical authority for the full range of logistics & fire suppression techniques
Fire behavior, fire weather, fire hazard, fire risk analyses, and wildland fire fighting techniques
Comprehensive knowledge of inter-agency (federal, state, and local cooperators) fire preparedness and suppression management policies, practices and procedures Incident Command System
Mobilization and demobilization of resources in a multi-jurisdictional environment Tactical and administrative aircraft capabilities and limitations including the pilot and aircraft certification programs, aircraft contracting, and air operations safety
Fiscal procedures and diverse Federal and State land management policies and procedures
Management, mobilization, inter-agency coordination and resource allocation.
Federal, state, tribal, county, and local wildland fire fighting organizations policy and procedures to include terminology, techniques, resources, Mutual Aid Agreements, and operating plans for the dispatch center's jurisdictional area of responsibility
Understanding of field operational procedures and principles
Skills in:
High level interagency federal and state emergency response systems and procedures Internal and external cooperative inter/intra government personnel management
Map reading and communication systems
Emergency situation assessment and independent prompt action response
Identifying and analyzing problems and critical issues
Negotiation and conflict resolution skills
Decision making skills
High level of proficiency interacting with state, local and federal government officials and managers.
Skill in pre-suppression, suppression and detection
Ability to:
Apply sound personnel leadership skills to include leading, coaching, training, motivation, discipline, evaluation and communicate effectively
Prioritize and allocate resources based on resource values as identified in land management plans, national, geographic area, and local preparedness levels, resource availability, and existing and predicted weather conditions
Determine when to expand the dispatch center based on activity levels
Manage dispatch personnel at the Dispatch Center
Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing
Show good judgment under stressful situations
Interpret and apply fire management activity plans as they apply to dispatching and the incident support organization

5 or more years of experience in the Wildland Fire Management Field with pre-suppression, suppression, budget, aviation and dispatch function responsibilities. Leadership of personnel in fire management and dispatch functions. Extensive experience with fire management interagency cooperators, agreements, MOU's and the ICS (interagency fire suppression management system)

Arizona Drivers License
Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program, learn more at hr.az.gov/family-leave-expansion).
Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Morgan Lee at mlee@dffm.az.gov for assistance.
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 771-1457. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.