Dfpc Firefighter - Module Captain (Pueblo, Co)

CDPS commits to cultivating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment. We ensure that we recruit, retain, and promote engaged employees. Our approach to diversity is simple - it's about embracing everyone! We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a reflex, not an initiative. Our strength is our promise to be inclusive with intentional strategies to welcome and uplift our employees to thrive - while building a more equitable workplace. CDPS is an equal opportunity employer. See our EEOD Utilization Report (2020)

At CDPS we nurture a centric culture driven by our commitment of creating a safer Colorado, an inclusive workplace where everyone can be their own authentic self. We model a culture of collaboration, support and growth to our employees. Our culture has public service focus, and we strive to provide innovative solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans!

If you are passionate about public safety service, and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, this is the organization you want to join!

We are committed to providing public safety services to our fellow Coloradans in their times of greater needs such as: safety on our roads, preparing and mitigating environmental disasters, disaster recovery, combating crime, school safety, and victim recovery.

You'll have the opportunity to challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career while making a difference in our community!

When you join CDPS, you are joining a team of exceptional individuals and together you will be inspired, motivated and supported to become the best you can be.

Unmatched Benefits:

We highly value work life balance and offer excellent work-life programs, training, and professional development opportunities!

Did you know that only 15% of employers offer a defined contribution plan? CDPS offers unmatched retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401K and 457 plans.

CDPS provides generous time off including 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation, sick leave, and wellness days.

Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.

Additional benefits we offer include reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.

The mission of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property, resources, environment, and quality of life in Colorado. The Division achieves this mission through its 5 Sections: Administration, Center of Excellence, Fire and Life Safety, Professional Qualifications and Training, and Wildland Fire Management.
Colorado's structure for managing wildland fires and fuels programs is a cooperative, interagency system involving local, county, state, tribal, and federal agencies. Wildland fire protection responsibilities on non-federal lands in Colorado follow a hierarchy of local jurisdiction, to the county sheriff, and finally to the State of Colorado (DFPC). One of the Wildland Fire Management Section's (WFMS) primary roles is to assist and support local agencies with a range of wildland fire management programs including administrative, technical, preparedness, planning, response, and prescribed fire functions. Another primary role of WFMS is to coordinate with external partners and represent Colorado at the Regional (multi-State) and National levels.
The Module Captain is the work leader of a wildland fire resource - typically a 10-person module, but can be assigned to a squad, helicopter, engine or handcrew - to provide a range of mitigation and firefighting and related services. The primary purpose of this position is to lead a Module in support of wildland fire suppression and mitigation projects (i.e. prescribed fire, hazardous fuel reduction, and other mitigation and prevention related activities). The position leads training classes and basic qualification and dispatching systems maintenance. As assigned and qualified, this position provides all-hazard incident response and assists with other WFMS or DFPC programs. The Module Captain must have previous wildland firefighting experience (in particular serving on and leading 5-person squads, 10-person modules, or 20-person crews), and prior supervisory and fuels management experience is highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities of the Module Captain:
Leading Fire Suppression & Incident Response

• While providing for their individual safety and the safety of those assigned to them, the employee leads the work of others during fire suppression and incident response work. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Constructing fireline utilizing hand tools.
  • Cutting and clearing vegetation utilizing power saws.
  • Performing structure protection.
  • Conducting mop up and patrol operations.
  • Assisting with ignitions operations.
  • Operation of pumps.
  • Installation of hose lays and water delivery systems.
  • Driving vehicles on and off-road.
  • Hauling and packing fire related equipment and supplies.
  • Maintenance and repair of tools and equipment.
• Based on location and business need, the employee will perform non-wildfire and all-hazard incident response and support functions as trained, qualified, and equipped including, but not limited to: structure fire, hazmat, search and rescue, medical, etc. May also serve in other ICS positions to fill gaps on incidents.
• Requires intermediate fire knowledge and experience, skill in the application of firefighting tasks, and the ability to recognize and communicate safety considerations and other factors (fire intensity, fuel conditions, weather observations, etc.) used by higher qualified firefighters in their decision making process. This knowledge, skill, and ability is shown by being qualified as an NWCG Single Resource Boss.
• Requires being available for assignments that may last for two weeks or longer in austere living and working conditions. Work schedules will be expected to be flexible and modified at times to fit the need, normal work schedule may require work on weekends and holidays. Requires working long hours (up to 16 hours per day) in outdoor settings and performing strenuous manual labor, under extreme environmental conditions.
• On a limited basis, the employee may temporarily work as a Firefighter IV if appropriately qualified, or may be required to supervise other single resources such as a squad, module, handcrew or engine if qualified.
• Travel to incidents, severity assignments, and pre-position assignments throughout Colorado and across the nation at times.
• Travel in rotor and/or fixed-wing aircraft for detection, reconnaissance, communication, coordination, command and control purposes prior to, during, and following wildland fire and all-hazard incidents.
• Participate in physical conditioning activities for up to one hour each day.
• Works independently or as a member of a skilled crew in wildfire suppression or in fire prevention as assigned. Is responsible for observing the rules of fire safety and fire behavior.

Mitigation, Fuels Treatment, and Resource Management Projects

• Designs, develops, and writes plans for various resource management projects, including but not limited to: hazardous fuels reduction projects, prescribed fire projects and natural resource management projects.
• Requires an intermediate knowledge of the fuel types, forest conditions and forestry practices needed to plan and implement projects.
• Leads the work of others and serves as a crewmember in implementing projects, including but not limited to: use of chainsaws and other tools for cutting and clearing vegetation, piling and disposing of treated vegetation, operation of chippers, constructing fireline using hand tools and power tools, performing ignitions and holding operations, and conducting mop up and patrol operations.
• Assists with related projects such as fuels sampling and inputting fuels data.

Supervisor/Work Lead

• Based on general guidance from the DFPC Director, by and through the WFMS Chief, develops work plans and schedules for subordinate staff including, but not limited to, training programs for staff and customers, community outreach and education, statistical reporting, and preparation for emergency response
• Leads the work of assigned DFPC staff, including but not limited to, Temp Aide, Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and other Firefighter III positions. Determine what qualifications are needed within the resource.
• Schedules, coordinates tasks and logistical needs, evaluates, and provides safety guidance and oversight to assigned employees.
• Compiles all required incident documentation including but not limited to tracking Crew Time Reports, Equipment Shift Tickets, entering and approving time in state time keeping system.

Fire Preparedness and Support and Other Duties as Assigned

• Leads and/or assists with the logistics and instruction of various courses and training, such as wildfire suppression, incident management, structural firefighting, medical and first aid, etc.
• Assists with qualification system implementation for the Division and for cooperators.
• Collects, compiles and calculates various wildland fire fuels and fire danger rating indices and other wildfire related data.
• Assists with other programs in coordination with supervisors and Work Leads. This may include: equipment management and maintenance, fire prevention and education programs, fire reimbursement and billing, management of fire caches and supplies, etc.
• Assists other DFPC programs (reports, data entry, filing, training and testing, inspections, research, etc.) as needed and available to support the mission of CDPS and DFPC.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
This must be specifically documented on your application. Additional information submitted after the closing date of this announcement will not be considered in the review of your application.

• Two (2) years' of documented Wildland Firefighting Experience

• Currently qualified to Qualification to NWCG standards as a Crew Boss-Single Resource (CRWB).
  • May substitute NWCG qualification(s) of Engine Boss - Single Resource (ENGB) or Helicopter Manager - Single Resource (HMGB) PLUS significant experience serving on and leading 5-person squads, 10-person modules, or 20-person hand crews.
• 18 Years of Age at time of hire
• Successful completion of High School or equivalent at time of hire.
• Must maintain an Arduous Fitness rating in this position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Five (5) or more years of documented wildland firefighting experience and/or additional fire service experience including fireline supervision.

• Exceptional candidates will also have one or more of the following NWCG qualifications: Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) or higher; Basic Faller (FAL3) or higher; Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 3 (RXB3) or higher, any Strike Team or Task Force Leader, and any additional Single Resource Boss.

• Prior supervisor and/or team lead experience.

• Documented experience designing, planning, implementing and monitoring prescribed fire, fuels treatment, and natural resource management projects.

• Bachelor of Science degree or higher in forestry, natural resource managements, rangeland management or related field.

• General knowledge of the effects of fire on natural resources and fire ecology principles as they apply to local fuel and vegetation types, weather, fire behavior and the methods used to monitor, analyze, and predict fire behavior.

• Demonstrated commitment to public service and community involvement, and experience with state-level fire programs.

• State of CO/DFPC or equivalent: Structural Firefighter I, Structural Firefighter II, or Fire Officer I.

• Medical Certifications and qualifications including Wilderness Fire Responder, Emergency First Responder, or Emergency Medical Technician.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Upon initial employment, individuals will be required to provide a complete training file to DFPC that contains all necessary qualification documentation (course certificates, position task books, personnel evaluations, and incident experience history) to demonstrate that NWCG and other requirements have been met.

• Position may be required to attain additional training and/or certifications within a specified period of time, per current DFPC qualifications and professional development Stand Operating Guidelines and Policies.

• Current valid driver's license at time of hire, and must obtain a Colorado-issued driver's license within 6 months of hire. Ability to operate motor vehicles and to travel extensively throughout the st...