Wildland Firefighter - Fuels Crew Member

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.
The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.
Department Overview: The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's (DNRC) mission is to help ensure Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. The Department consists of the Director's Office; the Conservation and Resource Development, Forestry, Trust Lands Management, and Water Resources Divisions; the Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission; the Board of Oil and Gas; and an extensive network of 35 field offices.
Job Overview: The position of Fuels Crew Member- on the Libby Unit is based in Libby, MT. The position is responsible for the safe and effective implementation of fuels projects, GNA/Trust Lands projects, community preparedness, and fire suppression programs within the assigned area of responsibility. Of high importance is the development and maintenance of successful working relationships with other agencies, the Lincoln County pubic, and key community partners.
The Fuels Crew Member reports to the Fuels Operations Specialist (FOS).
Essential Functions:
A. Fuels Program Operations
Perform fuels program operations, planning, training, interagency coordination, preparedness, and prevention services within the Libby Unit jurisdictional areas to protect lives, property, and natural resources on state and private lands.
1) Project Implementation

• Ensures that Fuels Crew equipment is at the appropriate state of readiness commensurate with the community preparedness workload throughout the year. Provides recommendations to the FOS on appropriate equipment, staffing and other resources needs and coordinate procurement and deployment to maintain readiness and operability.
• Provides professional leadership and expertise for the Unit's fuels management program by implementing existing operating plans, providing advice and recommendations to cooperating agencies, organizations, and the public. Ensures that program objectives are met through implementation and proper planning.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with Unit and NWLO staff, other land offices, interagency partners, dispatch centers and local government. Maintains daily communication with the Unit FOS and FACC regarding current issues, projects, and operations.

2) Facility & Equipment Maintenance

• Performs skilled and semi-skilled facilities maintenance tasks, including plumbing, mechanical, carpentry, and basic electrical work. Makes appropriate repair and maintenance decisions based on work experience; notifies Unit FOS and Unit FACC of repair problems beyond the scope of authority.
• Maintains and updates an inventory list of all Unit chainsaws and equipment. Evaluates current and projected equipment needs and provides recommendations to Unit FOS regarding anticipated equipment needs and budget allocations for following years.

B. GNA/Trust Land Support
This position will support various GNA and Trust Land activities as directed by the Unit FACC and Unit FOS.
1) Prescribed Fire

• Participates in the Libby Unit prescribed fire program under the direction of the Trust Lands Forest Management Supervisor and the Unit FMO. Implements prescribed fire utilizing the most current and accepted prescribed fire practices and procedures.
• Ensures that prescribed fire equipment is at the appropriate state of readiness commensurate with the Rx workload through out the shoulder seasons.

2) Forest Improvement & Miscellaneous Trust Land Management Projects

• Assists GNA/Trust Lands Foresters with forest management activities, to include cruising, marking, road layout, road reclamation.

Fire Suppression

• Performs initial attack duties based upon agency needs and individual qualifications and certification. This involves implementing tactics and strategy appropriate for unique fire situations, type 5 engine operation, Fireline construction, chainsaw use, hose lay installation, and logistics coordination.
• Serves as a FFT2/Sawyer on complex initial attack, multi-resource, extended attack, and wildland urban interface fires.
• Conducts and takes an active role in individual fire critiques and After-Action Reviews to gather information and provide input of the performance of the Unit's Fire Program and its staff.

What are some benefits that you can expect from working at DNRC?

• Health Insurance
• Retirement
• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays

Application and Selection Process:
The DNRC may include the following factors in determining whether an applicant meets the qualifications of a position vacancy by: State of MT application form, cover letter, current resume, educational requirements, structured interview, a performance test, job-related reference checks, job-related work experience, job-related past and current performance.
Please apply through the state of Montana website: statecareers.mt.gov
Application Materials Required for this Position Are:

• Online State of Montana application
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• References

*If you are interested in a complete job description, please contact HR at julie.smith@mt.gov
Special Information:
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.
Eligibility to Work:
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver's license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card".
Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
This position requires a high school diploma and the ability to attain Firefighter Type 1 and Faller 2 certification upon hire.
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:
It is critical that the incumbent possesses skills and abilities in effective communication, both orally and written. Requires knowledge of the principles and practices of Wildland Firefighting; emergency management; natural resources; adult education and training; and fire management including suppression, protection, and prevention. Requires knowledge of State and Federal fire protection and natural resources laws including the Departments legal responsibilities to personnel, cooperative personnel, and volunteers; wildfire and structural fire protection techniques relating to WUI; volunteer group organization and management; local government organization, jurisdiction and authorities; equipment management and maintenance; fire budgeting, billing and auditing methods and procedures; communication systems; safety management methods and procedures. The position also requires knowledge of supervisory principles and practices, DNRC and State personnel policies, procedures, and precedents, organizational structures, employment law, and program requirements.
The position requires skill in the use and operation of tools, equipment and vehicles used in wildland fire control, forest management activities and field operations. Requires a thorough knowledge of a variety of computer software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
This position will require annual completion of an arduous Wildland Fire Work Capacity Test which includes walking three miles over level ground, with a 45lb. pack in no more than 45 minutes.
Position requires incumbent to maintain a Montana Driver's License.
Requires the ability to coordinate extensive and complex amounts of personnel and equipment to meet the needs of fire suppression and support forces during fire actions on multiple jurisdictions; the ability to make independent decisions with minimal supervision, to express views and provide clear direction both in writing and through verbal communications; and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, government officials, and agency employees. Communications and decisions are frequently conducted under duress and with fire personnel having different backgrounds and management priorities.