DFPC Firefighter V: Prescribed Fire & Fuels Specialist

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

The mission of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property, resources, environment, and quality of life in Colorado. DFPC’s vision is to be the Nation's premier state fire organization by acting with foresight, providing bold leadership, enhancing our partnerships, and exemplifying the highest level of professionalism in fire prevention and protection, while building a safe and supportive work environment for our employees. The Division achieves this mission and vision through its four (4) Sections: Center of Excellence, Fire and Life Safety, Professional Qualifications and Training, and Wildland Fire Management. Each of the four sections serve Colorado’s fire community in a different capacity- from training firefighters to technological advancements in public safety, responding to and managing wildfires to building code enforcement, DFPC is dedicated to serving and safeguarding the people of Colorado while protecting property, resources, environment and quality of life. One of the Wildland Fire Management Section’s (WFMS) primary roles is to assist and support local agencies with a range of wildland fire management programs including administrative, technical, preparedness, planning, response, and prescribed fire and fuels functions. Wildland fire management in Colorado is a cooperative, interagency partnership between local, county, state, tribal, and federal entities.Wildland fire protection responsibilities on non-federal lands in Colorado follow a hierarchy of: local jurisdiction > county sheriff > and finally to the State of Colorado (DFPC). WFMS plays a crucial role in coordinating with external partners and representing Colorado at both regional (multi-state) and national levels. Under the general guidance of the Director of the DFPC, the Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist directs Wildland fire and Prescribed fire and fuels management programs and related program assistance to private landowners, as well as local, County, and State Fire agencies within their assigned geographic area. This position, reporting directly to the Prescribed Fire and Fuels Unit Chief, Branch Chief of Fire Planning, and ultimately the Chief of the Wildland Fire Management Section (WFMS). The Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist is a critical link in the provision of prescribed fire and fuels management in the State of Colorado by providing programmatic oversight and delivery, providing subject matter expertise (including but not limited to prescribed fire and fuels project planning, funding, prescribed fire training, Certified Burner Program, etc.), and managing assigned and temporary prescribed fire resources within the State of Colorado. The Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist position is responsible for ensuring that prescribed fire and fuels programs are coordinated and implemented within their assigned geographic area of the state (typically will be two (2) DFPC Districts). The Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist acts as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and liaison in their assigned geographic area for prescribed fire and fuels projects between federal government agencies, other state government agencies, and local jurisdictions on prescribed fire and fuels projects. Primary focus areas include: representing CDPS and DFPC in their assigned geographic area, serving as subject matter experts to private entities, counties and local fire agencies; influence and implementation of state prescribed fire management policy, agreements, process, guidelines, and programs in assigned geographic area; and coordinating with state and federal agencies in prescribed fire and fuels project implementation and planning. Program areas of emphasis include: prescribed fire, prevention, preparedness, hazardous fuels mitigation, fire behavior modeling, interagency prescribed fire and fuels agreements, grants, and local cooperator agreements.

Requirements

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

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
Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Forestry, natural resource management, rangeland management or related field
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.
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).

Responsibilities

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.
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.

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 their annual earnings subject to a minimum benefit of $50,000 and a maximum of $250,000.
Basic Life and AD&D are provided by the State of Colorado at no cost to employees.
The State of Colorado's Wellness Program, State of Health, is a no-cost, year-long program that supports an employee’s health and wellness goals.
Participants can earn a $20 per month health insurance premium discount.
Through BenefitHub, State of Colorado employees have access to discounts, promotions and special programs from hundreds of retailers, restaurants, travel and entertainment venues throughout Colorado and across the country.
State contribution into a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.
Eligible employees have access to 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.
Excellent retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans.
Generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave and four annual wellness days.
The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state.
Tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.