Wildland Fire Operations Engineer

Actively supports and upholds the City's stated mission and values. The primary responsibility of this position, under direct supervision of the Wildland Fire Operations Captain, is the response to emergency incidents and or planned events. Safe and efficient operation of all equipment and apparatus assigned to Wildland Fire Management (WFM) while performing specialized wildfire suppression, prevention, training, and mitigation efforts. Participates in the interdisciplinary planning process related to the execution of all functions of prescribed fire: environmental assessment, planning, ignitions, holding, and rechecks. Assists the Wildland Fire Operations Captain on assigned program areas of responsibility.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES:

• Supervisory: This job does not have formal supervisory responsibilities. However, this job has Lead worker responsibilities (coordinates and monitors the work of others).
• Budgetary: This job does not have budgetary responsibilities but carries out day-to-day activities within approved budget.

• Strategic Planning: This job has partial responsibility for strategic planning at the training level (assists with developing, implementing, and managing long and short-term goals).

• Policies/Procedures: This job carries out day-to-day activities in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Compliance: This job carries out day-to-day activities in accordance with Federal, State, and Local laws, rules, and regulations as well as City policies and procedures.
• Council Communications: This job carries out day-to-day activities in accordance with Council's adopted priorities and direction.
• Reporting: This job has partial responsibility for reporting to Federal/State/Local agencies at the Incident Commander level (gathers information, completes reports, and assists in addressing discrepancies in reporting).

EXAMPLES OF THE WORK PERFORMED (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

• Provides excellent customer service to both internal and external customers.
• Operates all WFM equipment and apparatus in accordance with traffic laws and departmental procedures and standards, in both emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Monitors use of a variety of specialized tools, equipment, and technique related to fire suppression duties and fuel reduction projects.
• Gathers, considers, and makes tactical decisions based on weather data, topography, fuel types and fire behavior in responding to wildland and prescribed fire incidents.
• Performs all strategic, tactical, and objective functions as a wildfire supervisor at the full performance level under the most adverse conditions of climate, fuels, and terrain.
• Ensures all equipment and apparatus readiness: Daily preventative maintenance checks, daily pump tests.
• Effectively leads and performs engine, water handling operations techniques, and performs duties as an Engine Boss under the direction of the Wildland Fire Operations Captain.
• Participates in the cleaning and maintenance of fire station facilities, grounds, and equipment.
• Delivers public education seminars and demonstrations at the request of organizations as assigned.
• Assists in the development and instructional training of Wildland Fire Trainings.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or G. E. D.
• Two (2) years of wildfire or structural firefighting experience.
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) certifications:

• Wildland Firefighter 1 (FFT1),
• Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5)
• Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) to be completed within thirty-six (36) months.
• Faller (FAL2) and Engine Boss (ENGB) to be completed within twenty-four (24) months.

• Must complete sections of Flagstaff Fire Department Engineers' Task Book related to wildfire apparatus within six (6) months.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Technical experience in Vehicle or Chainsaw diagnosis and repair or relevant certifications.
• Arizona Emergency Medical Technician Basic Certification.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess, or obtain upon employment, a valid Arizona driver's license.
• Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity.
• Must pass all initial testing requirements in the Fire Engineers task book related to wildfire apparatus. Must continue to pass minimum standards evaluations; and must maintain minimum levels of fitness and health standards.
• Must work shift work inherent in fire service employment, including serving multiple day shifts in a live-in situation in a wildfire Incident Command Post.
• Travel for fire assignments and prescribed Fire Operations.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to perform with a high degree of physical and mental alertness.
• Ability to operate heavy automotive equipment at maximum operating efficiency consistent with need, safety, and the mechanical limitations of equipment in any weather and traffic conditions.
• Considerable knowledge of math and hydraulics applicable to the operation of fire equipment and fire suppression.
• Ability to maintain a working knowledge of the departments incident command system.
• Ability to make minor repairs and adjustments to apparatus and equipment when able, and assure all repairs and maintenance issues are performed at the proper related facility (saw shop, fleet, etc.)
• Ability to perform work of a hazardous nature under adverse conditions.
• Ability to work as part of an integral team and to maintain effective working relationships with other personnel and the public.
• Ability to read and comprehend materials appropriate to the class.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Considerable knowledge of the layout of the street system and physical layout of the City of Flagstaff, and adjoining road systems within Coconino County, AZ state land, and the Coconino National Forest.
• Ability to analyze situations and formulate a timely and professional response, and to observe and remember details of incidents.
• Ability to work with technical mechanical apparatus.
• Ability to operate Mobile Data Computer (MDC).
• Ability to write and speak in a professional manner.
• Ability to manage, in a professional manner, the stressors associated with this type of work.
• Ability to learn and maintain firefighting skills and technical knowledge that supports and advances the mission of the Flagstaff Fire Department.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to: sit/use hands or fingers to handle or feel/talk or hear/walk/stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Employees are required to pass the FFD physical agility test every two years and the pack test every year
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 200 pounds.
• Vision, health, and hearing requirements for this position must meet Flagstaff Fire Department policies for tiered health levels and NFPA 1582 standards.
• Working conditions include: a variation from office work to daily station and equipment maintenance to high stress critical thinking environments.

Employment Type: Full-Time; Non-Exempt; Tenure & Benefit Eligible