Emergency Services Operator

Emergency Services Operator

Employment Type: 0 - Full-time Regular
Pay Range: $58,867.00 - 88,301.00
Location: Castle Rock, CO
Elected Office / Department: SHERIFF
Job Number: req3188
Closing Date: 5/22/2026

Definition of Work: This is an entry-level position within the Emergency Services Unit (ESU) of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). The incumbent works in the field to prevent, mitigate and respond to emergencies. This position requires flying in helicopters in support of emergencies and for training purposes.

General Duties: To reduce the risk of injury, loss of life or damage to property or the environment as a result of natural or human caused events or action. Help implement an integrated wildland fire management and all-hazard response program that addresses the core tenets of prevention, response and recovery designed to prevent and/or mitigate loss of life and damage to property.

Supervision Exercised: May provide operational supervision of personnel assigned to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) Wildland Fire Handcrew.

Supervision Received: Reports administratively to an Emergency Services Supervisor. May report operationally to an Emergency Services Senior Operator.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities:

• Respond on-scene to wildland fires and other emergencies.
• Operate as a Helitack Crew Member and respond to wildfires by flying in helicopters, coordinating air-to-ground fire suppression operations, and supporting logistical missions.
• Under supervision of a Senior Operator, implement time-sensitive decisions with limited information that may have life and death consequences regarding firefighter and public safety.
• Engage in fighting wildland fires and other disasters and fill incident command positions as qualified and needed during initial attack and extended attack incidents.
• Assist Senior Operators in coordinating and implementing hazardous fuels reduction projects utilizing specialized and heavy equipment to mitigate damage from wildland fires.
• Ensure quality and compliance of incident reports, timesheets, leave requests, injury reports, and such other departmental forms as needed.
• Achieve and maintain certifications and training as required by the Sheriff for Limited Commission status and enforce criminal ordinance violations within the scope of authority as determined by the Sheriff.
• Within the scope of authority determined by the Sheriff, respond to calls for service and utilize independent discretion in determining appropriate courses of action regarding criminal or potentially criminal violations of appropriate ordinances and statutes.
• Assist Senior Operators in delivering public presentations on emergency services topics.
• Assist Senior Operators in delivering wildland fire suppression training courses and certification tests to DCSO and Douglas County staff and other agency personnel.
• Attend training courses, meetings and conferences to stay current on best practices and state of the art equipment, strategies and tactics.
• Other duties as assigned.

Consequence of Error: Failure to properly perform the duties of this position may result in the loss of life, damage to public and private property and natural resources.

Education and/or Experience:

• High school graduate or GED. Bachelor’s degree in forestry, fire management, natural resource management, biological sciences, agriculture or closely related field is preferred.
• 2 years of experience in wildland firefighting or related field is required.
• Experience operating as an NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) is also preferred.
• A combination of appropriate education and experience can be considered for well-qualified candidates.
• Appropriate experience is defined as experience that equipped the incumbent with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.
• Examples of specialized experience include work on fire management plans, assisting in fuels management, documenting hazardous fuels in various environments, participating in prescribed burns or serving as a wildland firefighter.
• Must be qualified as NWCG Firefighter Type 2 and Faller 3.
• Preferred NWCG qualifications include: TFLD, STLD, CRWB, ENGB, HEQB, FELB, ICT4, FAL1, HMGB and HECM.

Special Requirements:

• If not already qualified as NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), must successfully attain HECM qualification within three years of hire date.
• Willingness and ability to fly in helicopters during emergencies.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Colorado driver’s license during employment at DCSO.
• Ability to maintain arduous NWCG Qualifications as required.
• Ability to successfully pass training requirements for Limited Commission status as required by the Sheriff.
• Knowledge of the National Incident Management System, fire suppression and EMS operations and procedures.
• Prior wildland firefighting experience on the fireline is a mandatory requirement.
• Knowledge of Colorado statutes related to the Sheriff’s Fire Warden responsibilities and ordinances pertinent to Limited Commission enforcement responsibilities.
• Ability to work outdoors in adverse conditions for extended periods of time.
• Ability to perform under stress and perform physical demands consistent with all essential job functions, such as lifting 40lbs from a standing position and walking up a steep grade at high elevations for 30 minutes.
• Vision correctable to 20/20.
• Able to pass qualifying exams and background checks.
• Willingness to work on-call on a rotating basis as required, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 365 days a year.

Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in the field. Field work may be performed under any weather and lighting conditions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Under emergency situations, the environment may be of a more serious nature such as being exposed to smoke from fires, hazardous materials, natural disaster scenes and inclement weather. This position requires flying in aircraft during emergencies and for training purposes.

Contacts: This position has daily contact with other Sheriff’s Office and County department members, employees of other jurisdictions, various Local, State and Federal Officials, and the general public.

Independent Judgment: Work is performed under the operational supervision of Senior Operators. Under emergency response situations, incumbent is relied upon to make critical, timely and independent decisions that may impact lives and property.

Note: The successful applicant must be able to perform ALL the above job functions, unassisted, and at a pace and level of performance consistent with actual job requirements. These duties are intended to be illustrative only and are not intended to be all-inclusive.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

In the event of an emergency/disaster in or near the County, all County employees are expected to make every effort to be available to assist the County Manager, Elected/Appointed Officials and Department Directors to ensure the continued operation of any and all necessary County functions. This may mean being available to perform additional duties and hours beyond what is normally required. In the event that an exempt employee does work more than 40 hours a week in support of County operations during an emergency, such employee may receive overtime or other appropriate wage compensation in accordance with existing County policies or at the discretion of the County.