Prescribed Fire Single Resource Boss – Seasonal

The Suffolk County Water Authority is seeking on behalf of the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission an individual with experience/qualifications in fire suppression and management, heavy equipment operation, and supervision to provide leadership and oversight of prescribed fire management/control crew.

This position exercises supervisory responsibilities in the coordination, use, maintenance, and training of prescribed fire equipment and fleet including engines, heavy equipment, power, and hand tools, etc. This position will be based in the Central Pine Barrens Commission office located in Westhampton Beach. This individual will report directly to the Fire Management Specialist. This will be a term position that exists as long as the commission receives NYS funding to implement a prescribed fire program.

• Job Location: Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
• Position Type: Full Time
• Division: Central Pine Barrens 

Responsibilities include:

• Direct and conduct the operation, inventory, maintenance, and procurement of various specialized equipment used to respond to prescribed and wildland fire situations. Accomplish emergency repairs as necessary to permit continued use of equipment.
• Assist in the preparation of hazardous fuels treatment and burn plans based on predicted fire behavior and risk assessment.
• Draft prescribed fire perimeter maps. Collect fire data such as fuel loading, tree stand density, fuel moisture, etc.
• Direct and perform prescribed fire preparation and implementation including brush clearing, selective thinning, hazard tree removal, ignition, monitoring, holding, mop-up and patrol.
• Assist in the initial evaluation of prescribed fires and wildfires situations by monitoring fire behavior, effects, and weather; smoke dispersal on; potential hazards to property and other improvements and determines appropriate response tactics and best approaches to achieve operational goals.
• Assist, plan, assign, and supervise subordinate activities based on priorities while ensuring timeliness, form, procedure, accuracy, quality and quantity standards are met.
• Ensure the safety and welfare of self and subordinate staff and compliance with policy and regulations in all aspects of the assignment by mentoring staff; conduct crew proficiency checks and drills; host safety sessions and provide critiques related to the techniques, practices and methods of fire management and the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment, and vehicles used in fire management activities.
• Assist in developing and revising fire reports and records as well as annual operating plans, annual budget requests, fire management plans and operating procedures pertaining to fire management activities.
• Collaborate with local homeowners, community stakeholders, various local, state, and federal agencies to increase awareness of pine barrens ecology, prescribed fire and wildfire mitigation practices to help facilitate understanding of ecosystem management and wildfire preparedness.
• Provides staff support at public events.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma (with experience in landscaping, agriculture, mechanics, heavy equipment use, forestry, arboriculture or other similar trade/interest) or degree in Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Natural Science, or related field. 
• Meets or exceeds Interagency Standards for Firefighting Operations as a Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss (minimum) with preference as a Single Resource Boss qualified (Qualifications required).
• Training and experience in supervisory policies, procedures, and methods especially related to prescribed and wildland firefighting in order to manage, instruct, and supervise a diverse workforce, fire engines and pump operations/hose lays, hand-crew operations in and to instruct or supervise others with experience of 90 days (preferred) on prescribed fire or wildland fire serving in a FFT1 or higher leadership position.
• Specialized knowledge, qualification and ability to operate and maintain four-wheel drive pickup trucks; Type 6 and Type 7 fire engines; heavy equipment (forestry mowers, brush hogs, walk behind mower); power and hand tools (chainsaws, Pulaski, shovel, McLeod); UTV/ATV trailering and operation; portable pumps and water conveyance systems and communication systems (Record of Qualifications preferred).
• Experience and ability to advance strategies, tactics and suppression methods used in containment and control of prescribed and wildland fires in order to relay assignments to crew members, accurately evaluate rapidly changing fire circumstances, determine when/if additional forces may be needed, or determine when circumstances warrant withdrawal of crew to a safe location.
• Strong foundational knowledge and expertise in fire behavior including influence of temperature, humidity, wind, topography, slope, fuels, and fuel moisture conditions as it pertains to conducting prescribed fire operations and wildfire suppression (building fire lines, positioning, hazard identification, safety).
• Ability to implement fire management techniques, methods, terminology, conditions and safety procedures to accurately analyze fire circumstances, determine when additional forces may be needed; determine when circumstances warrant disengagement; communicate with module/crewmembers, agencies, and public and ensure application of appropriate fire safety practices and procedures to prevent injury and loss of life.
• Ability to implement tactical methods and techniques for use of water in controlling and mopping-up fires to efficiently and effectively accomplish operations where water is in short supply.
• Standard first aid training and qualifications sufficient to perform preliminary first aid and triage as necessary with higher level qualifications preferred.
• Knowledge of the organization and the function of cooperative interagency fire organizations such as federal, state and local governments to facilitate prescribed fire operations in a multijurisdictional setting.
• Possess oral and written communication skills sufficient to effectively interact with people at all levels, internal and external to the organization, including the public.
• Ability to perform basic computer and smart phone/tablet technology skills such as word processing, electronic mail, internet use, ARC Online Google Earth, ArcGIS/ArcOnline or QGIS, AVENZA and specialized fire information databases and programs.
• Ability to perform physical field work in variable environmental conditions (e.g. high temperatures; high insect exposure especially to ticks; rain; variable terrain and muck).
• Ability to pass the moderate level work capacity test (carrying of 25lbs/2 miles in 30 minutes) or arduous level work capacity test (carrying of 45lbs/3 miles in 45 minutes; preferred).
• Must be available to work from March – May, up to 37.5 hours/week.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Note: The Authority may accept an equivalent combination of education and experience to meet the requirements.

Compensation:

• Salary is $29.50-$31.50/hour with no benefits.
• Housing may be available for candidates outside of Long Island.

Application Information:

Interested candidates should submit their application, resume, and transcripts, including salary requirements via the SCWA website (www.scwa.com) and click on “Career Opportunities.” 

(The Authority shall not employ relatives of employees as defined to mean an employee’s spouse, child, stepchild, stepparent or direct descendant of grandparents of the employee as defined in the New York State General Municipal Law 810.)