DFPC Firefighter V: Prescribed Fire & Fuels Specialist

Department Information

Description of Job

• Hybrid - position will work from DFPC offices and be in the field
• In-state travel and operation of a state vehicle will be required for this position. Overnight travel will be required statewide.
  

• Directs the State’s prescribed fire and fuels programs within their assigned geographic area; including project planning, technical reviews of prescribed fire plans, policy adherence, smoke permitting, etc.
• Acts as State’s subject matter expert for prescribed fire and fuels implementation and planning, incident business management practices for prescribed fire and fuels management. including billing and reimbursement processes for local and federal government agencies;
• Manages the State of Colorado Certified Burner Program in their assigned geographic area. including training, assistance to landowners, and Certified Burner qualifications.
• Interprets existing policies, rules and legislation related to prescribed fire and fuels projects and planning and implements/communicates to external agencies and internal personnel, identifies issues and areas for improvement in policy, guidelines, and operating plans, and provides recommendations for changes as needed to maintain and improve effectiveness of programs.
• Determines need for specific resources, staffing, and equipment based on the prescribed fire and fuels plan , develops a plan for utilization of needed and assigned resources.
• Represents the DFPC, other state agencies, counties, and local fire agencies on interagency regional fuels and prescribed fire groups, committees, meetings etc.; compiles input from local jurisdictions and federal agencies; reviews, updates and applies changes to the prescribed fire and fuels plans annually; facilitates signatures from all agency representatives; provides technical direction in the execution of plans, including implementation of the plans during prescribed fire and fuels events which dictate actions and use of available funding sources. Secures and assigns adequate resources to meet the prescribed fire and fuels project configurations to support operations on a continual basis.
• Provides personally, or directs resources to provide operational and technical prescribed fire and fuels project assistance and coordination to private, federal, state, local agency, and DFPC staff.
• Performs prescribed fire planning complexity analysis to determine needed resources and management levels.
• Maintains and communicates situational awareness of prescribed fire and fuels conditions and potential for project implementation.

• Directs action and provides oversight to prescribed fire and fuels programs, including Certified Burner programs within their assigned geographic area.

• Supports and coordinates interagency, cooperative prescribed fire planning and implementation within assigned area, including equipment, PPE, etc. Assists with repair/replacement of items as needed.
• Evaluates weather conditions, fire indices, and resource availability to determine local fire danger levels and needed number and location of response resources for prescribed fire projects.
• Oversees, plans, and implements prescribed fire and fuels treatment programs within the assigned region including Certified Burner projects. Coordinates and plans within DFPC District staff and with external agencies, assigns resources, and to collaboratively determine prioritization for prescribed fire project implementation.
• Coordinates with other agencies to determine prescribed fire training needs, coordinates with other DFPC Work Units and assists in the development and implementing effective prescribed fire training.
• Identifies and communicates regional and Statewide prescribed fire and fuels issues.

• Position coordinates, facilitates and assists with other State Departments, DFPC & WFMS programs activities in the region, maintains awareness of other sections, programs and operations within the region, and may be assigned other duties and special projects to support the mission of DFPC.
• May serve as or represent the Prescribed Fire and Fuels Unit Chief during their absence. May serve as a Technical Lead for assigned DFPC or cooperator resources in the assigned region during prescribed fire and fuels project implementation.
• Serves as a RAWS Technician to perform annual maintenance on State of Colorado owned Remote Automated Weather Stations.
• Instructs Wildland Fire and Prescribed Fire Training classes as needed and qualified for.
• DFPC personnel may be relieved of regular duties and assigned to wildfire and/or all-hazard incidents in a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), Incident Command System (ICS), or support position to perform incident management, firefighting, or emergency incident support activities. When assigned to an emergency incident, the position will be: working outside of regular job duties; working under the operational control of the incident; and compensated per the current DFPC emergency and incident guidelines and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

This must be specifically documented in your application submission. Additional information submitted after the closing date of this announcement will not be considered in the review of your application. Please note, your application will not be considered if documentation to support this qualification is not provided.

• Eight (8) years’ of documented experience in professional wildland firefighting and management; or a combination of related education and/or relevant experience can be substituted:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a Natural Resources related field AND Four (4) years of documented experience in professional wildland firefighting and management.

  • Associates Degree in a Natural Resources related field AND Six (6) years of documented experience in professional wildland firefighting and management.
• Minimum Required Special Qualifications - Current or previous qualification to National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards of:
• Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, Type 2 (RXB2) or higher

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including speaking to groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Nine (9) or more years of documented experience in professional wildland firefighting and management, with increasing program management, work lead or formal supervisory responsibility, and documented leadership skills and abilities.
  • Experience supervising multiple personnel and sub-units
• Exceptional candidates will have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Forestry, natural resource management, rangeland management or related field;
• Exceptional candidates will have experience with:
  • Performing technical review and approval of prescribed fire burn plans;
  • Writing and managing governmental agreements and technical papers.
  • Intermediate to advanced experience with using Fire Behavior Modeling programs such as Behave, IFTDSS, WFDSS and FlamMap.
• Experience with interagency, cooperative fire management programs including, but not limited to operating plans, agreements, cost sharing, management of multi-jurisdiction fires, etc.
  • Experience with Colorado interagency, cooperative wildfire management programs is preferred, including documented experience and relationships working with local fire departments and counties.
• Knowledge of Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS)

• Demonstrated commitment to public service and community involvement.

• Preferred Special Qualifications - current or previously qualified to National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards for any of:
  • Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
  • Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN)
  • Single Resource Boss, Firing (FIRB)
  • Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN)
  • Division / Group Supervisor (DIVS)
  • Incident Commander, Type 3 (ICT3)

• A complete CDPS Application for announced vacancy (please submit online using the link in this announcement).
• A complete supplemental questionnaire (must submit online as a part of the application).
• A copy of your NWCG qualifications (IQS or IQCS master record and/or incident qualification card).
• Detailed, chronological resume of experience.

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 Standard Operating Guidelines and Policies.
• Current valid driver's license at time of hire, and must obtain a Colorado-issued driver's license within 1 month of hire. Ability to operate motor vehicles and to travel extensively throughout the state in a variety of weather conditions.
• This position is a public safety officer as defined by 42 U.S.C. § 3796b Sec. 1204 (9).
• Must be willing to travel to wildfire incidents, severity assignments, and pre-position assignments throughout Colorado, and across the nation at times. Assignments may last for two weeks or longer.
• This position may be assigned to an on-call rotation on a written schedule. If applicable, this will be in accordance with current CDPS and DFPC guidelines pertaining to on-call for exempt employees.
• During emerging incidents in assigned geographic area, this position will be expected to be available outside of standard work hours to coordinate DFPC response, and provide technical assistance to local agencies during the mutual aid and/or initial attack periods.
• Must be familiar with and frequently use flammable liquids and solids in the performance of various prescribed fire and tactical firing tasks. This includes the preparation, implementation and storage of drip torch fuel, Aluma Gel, Phosphorus, and gunpowder.
• Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam, a fingerprint based criminal history search, reference checking, driving history, drug screen, and a medical physical exam as a condition of hire.
  • If applicable, the position must maintain the NWCG required fitness levels for the employee's NWCG wildland fire qualifications throughout the employment period. Required fitness levels will vary based on qualifications. Actual qualifications and currency, including fitness levels, will vary based on supervisor input, employee's professional development plan, and current agency needs.

Supplemental Information

• 
  Applications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional information may not be solicited or accepted after your application has been received.
• Closing Date: All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.
• Supplemental Question: Effective responses to Supplemental Questions will directly relate to your professional experience, career accomplishments, and views about organizational values and approaches, and how they relate specifically to this position and requirements as you understand them. Answers generated by AI-tools will typically be unresponsive.
• Transcripts: An unofficial copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of application should education be used as qualification. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be included as part of your application materials. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report may prevent your application from moving forward in the selection process.
• Military Veterans: If you are a military veteran you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Member 4 Copy, and VA disability letter if available/applicable at the time of application so we can determine if you are eligible for veteran's preference points. Military personnel who are stationed outside of Colorado may be eligible for this position by submitting the completed DD-2058 "State of Legal Residence" form.
• Application Tips: For an overview of State of Colorado application process and application tips, please view this video.
• Resumes, Cover Letters, or other documents submitted will not be reviewed, assessed, or used in the initial stages of the comparative analysis (transcripts submitted to verify that the applicant meets either the education requirement or minimum qualification substitution are exempt from this).
• Notifications: All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be sent via email to the email address listed on your application. Include your current working email address on your application and check the email provided on your application frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up your email to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.
• e-Verify: CDPS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
• Comparative Analysis Steps may include (dates are tentative and subject to change):
  • Structured application review by a panel of SMEs
    • If fewer than six candidates meet the minimum qualifications, all applicants will be referred directly to interviews
  • Interviews - end of June