Battalion Chief - Wildland

Aspen Fire Protection District•Aspen, CO

12d

About The Position

The Battalion Chief of Wildland (BC-W) is a senior command-level position responsible for the strategic leadership, oversight, and coordination of all operational wildland fire management, and fuels management, activities for the Aspen Fire Protection District (AFPD). This position provides department-wide leadership for wildland response preparedness, operational readiness, project management, contractor relations, fuels crew and mitigation management, community education, and comprehensive wildland training programs. The Battalion Chief of Wildland ensures AFPD’s wildland program is aligned with district values, interagency standards, and best practices while fostering a people-first, safety-driven, and highly professional wildland organization. The BC-W serves as AFPD’s principal subject-matter expert for wildland fire and represents the District at the local, state, and federal levels. The Battalion Chief of Wildland is expected to exemplify AFPD’s core values, with a strong emphasis on people, safety, integrity, service, and professionalism. This position, and the division they manage must remain completely and seamlessly integrated with the remainder of AFPD. This position plays a critical role in shaping a resilient, prepared, and community-focused wildland fire program.

Requirements

Be at least 21 years old
High school diploma, GED or higher from an accredited educational institution
Minimum of 10 years of firefighting and/or EMS service with increasing responsibility in fire suppression, emergency medical response or fire prevention.
Possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License with satisfactory driving record or be able to obtain within 30 days of employment.
Ability to successfully pass a background check commensurate with the position of public trust associated with firefighters and the fire service.
Extensive, progressive experience in wildland fire operations, management, and leadership at the local and national level.
NWCG Engine Boss (ENGB) or higher
NWCGFAL3 Classes: S-211, S-212, S-215, S-219, S-230, S-231, S-260, S-270, S-290 and L280
Demonstrated experience in wildland training coordination, fuels management, and interagency operations.
Valid Colorado Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or National Registry EMT certification and be able to obtain Colorado licensure within (2) months of hire
Valid BLS for Healthcare Provider card or equivalent
ICS 100, 200, 300, and NIMS 700 & 800 certifications
Any equivalent combination of experience, training, or education which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for this position may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Associates degree or higher from an accredited educational institution, preferably within Fire Science, Public Administration, Business or Emergency Services
NWCG RXB2 (or higher)
NWCG qualifications appropriate to command and general staff roles (e.g., ICT3, DIVS, TFLD, or higher).
Experience in WUI-focused fire districts or mountain environments.
Valid Colorado, IFSAC or ProBoard Firefighter I certification (or higher)
Valid Colorado, IFSAC or ProBoard Fire Officer I certification (or higher) or approved equivalent.
Valid Colorado, IFSAC or ProBoard Fire Instructor I certification (or higher) or approved equivalent
Valid Colorado, IFSAC or ProBoard Hazardous Materials Operations certification or approved equivalent
ICS 400
Knowledge of fire modeling and/or GIS systems

Responsibilities

Wildland Response Preparedness & Operations
Ensure year-round wildland response preparedness, including staffing models, equipment readiness, pre-plans, and seasonal scaling.
Serve in command or general staff roles during all phases of a wildland incident: initial attack, extended attack, Type 3 incident management and all-hazard events as assigned.
Create, develop and oversee AFPD fuel management program including personnel, division development, contractor management, and execution of strategic and planning goals.
Oversee development and execution of wildfire response plans, evacuation planning coordination, and interagency operational alignment.
Oversee development and management of Aspen Fire’s wildland fire crew. Including full-time employees, seasonal crew members, and others, including hiring and management.
Maintain AFPD readiness for initial attack, extended attack, and Type 3 incident management responsibilities.
Evaluate after-action reviews and implement continuous improvement strategies.
Create a daily briefing program to be used during fire season that communicates fire weather, fire activity, resource status, national, state, and local situation reports, safety topics and other applicable topics. These briefings must be made available to the entirety of our operational personnel whenever possible.
Coordinate closely with the AFPD shift commander daily to ensure operational alignment and excellent communication.
Manage and oversee the fire department’s wildland firefighting drone program, including all applicable training, compliance, maintenance and operational aspects.
Mitigation, Fuels Management & Community Risk Reduction
Collaborate closely with our Wildfire Resilience program to lead AFPD’s wildland mitigation and fuels management programs, including defensible space, prescribed fire (where applicable), mechanical treatments, and grant-funded projects.
Coordinate with local, state, and federal partners on cross-boundary fuels reduction initiatives.
Oversee Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) risk assessments and community wildfire protection planning.
Ensure mitigation efforts align with AFPD’s Community Risk Reduction (CRR) philosophy.
Communicate programmatic needs effectively for grants and fundraising efforts of the Aspen Wildfire Foundation.
Participate in robust projects, operations, and other planning processes during months of lower fire activity, ensuring readiness and preparation.
Education & Community Engagement
Provide executive oversight of wildland fire education initiatives for residents, visitors, and stakeholders, in collaboration with the Wildfire Resilience program.
Support public education programs related to defensible space, wildfire preparedness, evacuation readiness, and fire-adapted communities.
Represent AFPD in community meetings, boards, interagency task forces, and public forums related to wildland fire.
Training & Professional Development
Oversee all wildland training programs, ensuring compliance with NWCG, state, and AFPD standards.
Ensure personnel are properly trained, qualified, and credentialed for assigned wildland positions.
Support mentorship and career development pathways for wildland personnel.
Coordinate simulations, drills, and joint training with partner agencies.
Supports and participates in a culture of fitness and wellness by taking personal initiative to maintain physical fitness and overall wellness appropriate to the demands of the position.
Create and implement a crew fitness program specifically tailored to the needs of a wildland fire crew ensuring excellent physical fitness for all members while focusing on injury prevention and operational readiness.
Personnel Leadership & Culture
Lead with a people-first philosophy emphasizing health, safety, professionalism, accountability, and respect.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate assigned wildland officers and personnel.
Foster collaboration between wildland and all-hazard divisions to support an integrated all-hazards response model.
Address performance, discipline, and wellness matters in accordance with AFPD policy.