Fire Equipment Operator Assistant

The County of Santa Barbara Fire Department is accepting applications to fill a Fire Equipment Operator Assistant position in Los Alamos, California. The employment list could be used to fill current and future full-time, part-time and extra-help vacancies. When completing your application and supplemental questionnaire, you must check"All Locations" in the agency-wide questions and supplemental questionnaire to be considered for this position.

Under supervision, the appointee performs routine maintenance and minor repair of fire department heavy equipment; performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled work in the prevention and control/suppression of wildfires; scout for dozer line, acting as a lookout; performs a variety of maintenance tasks within and around fire department facilities; and performs other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This class is distinguished from Maintenance Worker by its assignment to the Fire Department's construction unit and by its exposure to hazardous fire conditions. Fire Equipment Operator Assistant is further distinguished from Fire Equipment Operator in that it services the heavy equipment, such as bulldozers and motor graders, while the latter operates heavy equipment.

Ideal Candidate:

• Self-Motivated
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Team Player
• Welding Experience
• General Construction Experience
• Wildland Fire Fighting Experience

1. Fuels and services heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, skip loaders, motor graders, dump trucks, water trucks, stake-side trucks, trailers, and forklifts, by checking fluid levels, lubricating moving parts, and changing oil and oil filters; performs preventive maintenance and minor repair of heavy equipment and power tools, including replacing hydraulic lines, tightening belts, and welding/fabricating parts; occasionally operates heavy equipment when required, while it is being serviced or repaired; reports the need for any minor and or major equipment repairs needed to supervisor; washes and/or waxes heavy equipment and service vehicles.
2. Provides logistical support to the construction unit during annual fire prevention projects and fire suppression activities; secures heavy equipment to trailers and moves heavy equipment loading ramps on and off of the equipment trailers; drives a four wheel drive service vehicle containing tools and spare parts to and from fire areas and project sites and providing for the logistical needs of the Equipment Operators; uses handheld GPS units, USGS topographic maps and road maps; operates and program two-way radios; secures transport vehicles and heavy equipment at fire grounds and operates them, if necessary, to move them out of the path of oncoming fire; uses hand and power tools such as shovels, axes, chain saws, pole saws and brush chippers to clear firebreaks, trails, and emergency access roads throughout the County/state; watches for spot fires or other hazardous fire behavior situations and communicates the hazard/s to the Equipment Operators;, lights burnouts fire and participates in backfire operations.
3. Cleans and maintains fire construction facilities and surrounding areas, including sweeping, dusting, mopping, mowing, weeding, painting, carpentry, paving, plumbing, fence repair and other projects as directed.
4. Attends basic and intermediate fire fighting training classes, to learn topics including fire behavior; weather conditions; safety hazards and precautions; basic fire suppression methods in the open and mountainous country; operation of heavy equipment, including bulldozers, motor graders, and front-end loaders; local geography, roads, and water supply systems; first aid; and physical fitness; and applies them to work practices.

1. Three seasons (combined total of fifteen (15) months or more) of paid wild land firefighting experience that included operating chainsaws; pole saws and other power tools; OR,
2. Any combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Additional Requirements

Knowledge of: basic math to compute vehicle and hauling weights; methods, materials, and tools related to servicing and maintaining heavy equipment vehicles; fuels and lubricants; motor vehicle laws; wildland fire behavior, knowledge of firing techniques/devices, and general safety practices.

Ability to: read and understand equipment maintenance manuals and schematics to make minor repairs; use the equipment, materials, and tools required in the maintenance and repair of motorized equipment; operate chain saws; write legibly to record work performed on equipment and assignments; read road maps and GPS use; communicate one-on-one to understand verbal directions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers; follow written and verbal instructions; and work independently

Appointees to this classification will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs prior to beginning work; once on the job, incumbents will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs and/or alcohol on a random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up basis.

Applicants hired after December 26, 1988 shall be disqualified from further employment consideration if they use tobacco products in any form, on or off duty.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of: intermediate fire behavior certificates, Dozer Heavy Equipment Boss (HEB) credentials, heavy equipment servicing practices; and welding.

Ability to: read topographic maps and operate a GPS; operate a computer e.g. Word, Excel.

Pay Grades:

Pay Grade I: Employees in this classification who are not certified in any of the specialty response qualifications provided in the Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara County Fire Fighters, Inc., Local 2046 for pay grades II or III shall be classified "pay grade I".

Pay Grade II: Employees who are certified by the Fire Chief in accordance with department specialty response qualifications and maintain certification and/or qualification in one or two of the additional distinguishing characteristics provided in the Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara County Fire Fighters, Inc., Local 2046 shall be classified in "pay grade II".

Pay Grade III: Employees who are certified by the Fire Chief in accordance with department specialty response qualifications and maintain certification and/or qualification in three or more of the additional distinguishing characteristics provided in the Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara County Fire Fighters, Inc., Local 2046 shall be classified in "pay grade III".

Movement between pay grades is based solely upon obtaining and maintaining certifications for specialty response, and movement to a lower pay grade due to loss of a certification is not considered to be disciplinary.

Emergency operations require working 16- to 24-hour shifts and in some instances, employees can be gone from home anywhere between 14 and 21 days; under difficult conditions such as fire and floods and other all risk emergencies; the ability to walk steep mountainous terrain up to 70% with a 45 lbs. fireline pack. Transporting heavy equipment requires the ability to move loading ramps weighing 125 pounds onto and off of trailers.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking Assessment to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history checks, and a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.
Background Check: A background investigation will be conducted. Current or excessive use of drugs, sale of drugs, serious criminal history, or deception relating to employment may bar employment. The background check includes a live scan screening.
COVID-19 Vaccination Verification and Testing: This position may be subject to State Health Officer Orders (SHOOs) or County policy regarding vaccine verification and/or testing. Please contact the hiring department for more information.
Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
Statement of Commitment
The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.
We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.
We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.
We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 2/12/2024 at 5:00 PM PST. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
If you have any recruitment questions, please email firedghr@sbcfire.com.
Kari Burks, Fire HR Department Business Specialist Employment Type: Full-time