DFPC Firefighter V: Battalion Chief - San Juan River Region

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) is seeking a Battalion Chief to direct wildland fire management programs and provide related assistance to state, county, and local fire agencies within their assigned region. This public safety officer role reports to the District Chief and ultimately the Chief of the Wildland Fire Management Section (WFMS). The Battalion Chief is a key liaison, providing programmatic oversight, subject matter expertise in areas like fireline operations and funding, and managing assigned state fire resources. Responsibilities include ensuring coordinated fire programs and response within the region, supervising employees during daily operations, and potentially leading other DFPC resources during emergency incidents. This role involves representing the DFPC, influencing state fire management policy, and coordinating with state and federal agencies on wildland fire and all-hazard incidents. Key program areas include prevention, preparedness, mitigation, suppression, interagency agreements, grants, and local cooperators.

Requirements

Currently or previously qualified to National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards as a Single Resource Boss qualification or higher in the Operations Section. Please upload a copy of your IQS or IQCS Master record or incident qualification card showing your NWCG qualification to Single Resource Boss qualification or higher in the Operations Section.
Eight (8) years of documented experience in professional wildland or structural firefighting, or a combination of related education and/or relevant experience can be substituted: Bachelor's Degree AND Four (4) years of documented experience in professional wildland or structural firefighting. Associates Degree AND Six (6) year of documented experience in professional wildland or structural firefighting.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including speaking to groups.
Current valid driver's license at time of hire, and must obtain a Colorado-issued driver's license within 6 months of hire.
Ability to operate motor vehicles and to travel extensively throughout the state in a variety of weather conditions.
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.
Firefighters need to 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.
Pre-employment physical exam and maintenance of a physical fitness rating will be commensurate with employee's current wildland fire qualifications and agency needs.
Position must maintain the NWCG required fitness levels for the employee’s NWCG wildland fire qualifications throughout the employment period.

Nice To Haves

Ten (10) or more years documented experience in professional firefighting, with increasing program management, supervisory responsibility, and documented leadership skills and abilities.
Five (5) or more of those years supervising multiple personnel and sub-units.
Currently or previously qualified to National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards as: Task Force Leader (TFLD) or higher in the Operations Section; Incident Commander, Type 3 (ICT3) or higher; NWCG Unit Chief or higher in one of the other Incident Command System (ICS) Sections; Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, Type 3 (RXB3) or higher.
Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Forestry, natural resource management, rangeland management or related field.
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.
Experience in writing operating plans, governmental agreements, and technical papers.
Demonstrated commitment to public service and community involvement.

Responsibilities

Directs, manages, supervises, evaluates, organizes and provides technical assistance to fire management and operations within the region.
Acts as the State’s subject matter expert for wildland fire response and incident business management practices, including the State cooperator reimbursement process.
Interprets and implements existing policies, rules, and legislation related to wildland fire and incident response, communicating them to external agencies and internal personnel.
Identifies issues and areas for improvement in policy, guidelines, and operating plans, and recommends changes.
Determines the need for specific resources, staffing, and equipment based on preparedness levels and develops a plan for their utilization.
Represents DFPC in local and regional multi-agency operating plans and mutual aid agreements, compiling input, reviewing, updating, and applying changes to cooperative plans annually.
Secures and assigns adequate resources to meet region and district staffing needs and response configurations.
Provides operational and technical wildland fire assistance and coordination to federal, state, local agencies, and DFPC staff in support of emerging incidents.
Performs incident complexity analysis to determine needed resources and management levels.
Provides DFPC leadership with recommendations for the use of Enhanced State Assistance (ESA) resources, Emergency Fire Fund (EFF), State Responsibility Fire (SRF) declarations, and implementation of FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG).
Maintains and communicates situational awareness of fire conditions, potential incidents, and local/large-scale emergency incidents.
Evaluates fire-based conflicts between federal, state, and local government agencies and provides mediation where appropriate.
Represents DFPC, other state agencies, counties, and local fire agencies on interagency regional groups, committees, and meetings.
Serves as the primary point of contact representing DFPC and its authorities for local agencies in the assigned regions.
Maintains relationships with Interagency partners in assigned regions, including Federal, State, county, and local fire representatives and agencies.
Directs action and provides oversight to fire preparedness and prevention programs within their assigned region.
Oversees the overall readiness of response in the region, including equipment and PPE, and assists with repair/replacement as needed.
Coordinates interagency, cooperative fire programs within the assigned region.
Evaluates weather conditions, fire indices, and resource availability to determine local fire danger levels and needed response resources.
Directs the use of Incident Qualification System (IQS) and Incident Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) or their successor systems within the region, facilitates audits, provides technical assistance, and communicates changes to regional cooperators.
Oversees, plans, and implements mitigation (prescribed fire and fuels treatment) programs within the assigned region.
Develops, implements, and directs operations, training, and professional development programs based on regional and agency needs.
Implements annual operational preparedness training following the WFMS Resource Operations and Standards Guide.
Coordinates with other agencies to determine training needs and assists in the development and implementation of effective fire training.
Identifies and communicates regional and Statewide wildland fire protection issues.
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.
May serve as or represent the WFMS District Chief in the district during their absence.
May serve as a work lead or supervisor for assigned DFPC or cooperator resources in the assigned region during prepositioning, incident response, or in the absence of another Battalion Chief.
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.

Benefits

Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents.
Short and long-term disability coverage.
Life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.
Basic Life and AD&D insurance equal to annual earnings (minimum $50,000, maximum $250,000) provided at no cost to employees.
State of Colorado's Wellness Program, State of Health, offers personalized health coaching, skill groups, and a $20 per month health insurance premium discount for participants.
Access to discounts, promotions, and special programs through BenefitHub.
State contribution into a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.
Medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI).
Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.
PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan.
Optional 401K and 457 plans.
Generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave.
Four annual wellness days.
Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) provides short-term counseling, referrals, resources, and training.
Tuition reimbursement.
Reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.