DFPC WFMS Firefighter IV: Module Captain - Cortez

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

18d•Onsite

About The Position

The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s Wildland Fire Management Section is hiring a Module Captain for the Grizzly Peak module in Cortez, Colorado. This operational, field-level position supervises firefighting resources and serves as a NWCG Single Resource Boss in wildland fire suppression and mitigation projects, including prescribed fire, hazardous-fuels reduction, and resource management. The position also supports all-hazard response, preparedness, training, qualification and dispatching systems, and other DFPC programs as assigned. The Module Captain supervises assigned personnel and day-to-day operations, including work planning, scheduling, training, safety oversight, performance evaluation, hiring recommendations, timekeeping, travel and purchasing approvals, and incident documentation. The captain maintains crew, vehicle, equipment, tool, and PPE readiness; develops training plans; mentors firefighters; and may support training courses, community outreach, and other DFPC functions. Field duties include fireline construction, vegetation clearing, structure protection, ignition, pump and hose operations, mop-up and patrol, rescue support, and use of vehicles, tools, communications equipment, maps, GPS, and other incident technology. Mitigation duties include planning and implementing fuels-treatment, prescribed-fire, and natural-resource projects; collecting and documenting project and fire-behavior information; and preparing project plans. Depending on assignment and qualifications, the position may support search and rescue, low-angle rescue, swift-water rescue, and other all-hazard incidents. The position is 100% in person. It may involve extensive travel throughout Colorado and elsewhere, incident assignments of two weeks or longer, austere conditions, outdoor work, strenuous labor, and shifts of up to 16 hours per day. Work schedules may include weekends, holidays, extended shifts, callback, and days-off staffing, based on fire conditions and operational needs. The employee must maintain fitness required for applicable NWCG qualifications.

Requirements

At least five years of documented wildland firefighting experience.
NWCG Crew Boss—Single Resource (CRWB) qualification, or Engine Boss—Single Resource (ENGB) or Helicopter Manager—Single Resource (HMGB) qualification plus significant experience serving on and leading five-person squads, ten-person modules, or twenty-person hand crews.
Submit an IQS or IQCS master record or incident qualification card documenting the required NWCG Single Resource Boss qualification or higher in the Operations Section.
General knowledge of natural-resource management applicable to fuels management, wildland fire, and prescribed fire.
General knowledge of fire effects on natural resources and fire ecology principles applicable to local fuel and vegetation types, weather, fire behavior, and methods for monitoring, analyzing, and predicting fire behavior.
Provide a complete training file upon initial employment documenting qualifications, including course certificates, position task books, personnel evaluations, and incident experience history.
Obtain any additional training or certifications required within the specified period under DFPC qualification and professional-development policies.
Hold a valid driver's license at hire and obtain a Colorado-issued driver's license within six months of hire.
Be able to operate motor vehicles and travel extensively in varied weather conditions.
Be willing to travel to wildfire incidents, severity assignments, and pre-position assignments in Colorado and elsewhere; assignments may last two weeks or longer.
Meet background-screening requirements, including polygraph, fingerprint-based criminal-history search, reference checks, driving-history review, medical physical examination, and drug screen.
Maintain NWCG-required fitness levels for applicable wildland-fire qualifications throughout employment.
Be able to work outdoors, perform strenuous manual labor in extreme environmental conditions, and work shifts of up to 16 hours when required.
Be willing to work weekends, holidays, extended shifts, callback, extended staffing, and days-off staffing as operational needs require.
Be familiar with and frequently use flammable liquids and solids for prescribed-fire and tactical-firing tasks, including preparing, implementing, and storing specified firing materials.
Submit a complete online application, supplemental questionnaire, NWCG qualification documentation, and detailed chronological resume.

Nice To Haves

Six or more years of documented wildland firefighting experience and/or additional fire-service experience, including fireline supervision.
Experience designing, planning, implementing, and monitoring prescribed fire, fuels-treatment, and natural-resource management projects.
Bachelor’s degree or higher in forestry, natural-resource management, rangeland management, or a related field.
Previous supervisory or team-lead experience.
Experience with state-level fire programs, preferably Colorado state fire programs.
NWCG Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) or higher qualification.
NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3) or higher qualification.
NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 3 (RXB3) or higher qualification.
NWCG Strike Team or Task Force Leader qualification.
Additional NWCG Single Resource Boss qualifications.
Colorado DFPC Structural Firefighter I, Structural Firefighter II, or equivalent qualification.
Wilderness First Responder, Emergency First Responder, or Emergency Medical Technician certification or qualification.
Colorado Class B CDL or ability to obtain one.
Demonstrated commitment to public service and community involvement.

Responsibilities

Supervise module operations during wildland fire suppression and incident response while prioritizing the safety of assigned personnel.
Perform and oversee fireline construction, vegetation clearing, structure protection, ignition, pump and hose operations, mop-up, patrol, and rescue support.
Support qualified all-hazard response, including search and rescue, low-angle rescue, and swift-water rescue as assigned.
Supervise assigned staff and daily operations; provide direction, oversight, training, and safety guidance.
Develop employee professional-development plans, work plans, schedules, and training plans; adjust workloads as conditions require.
Conduct employee performance evaluations and make recommendations regarding hiring, promotion, transfer, remediation, and advancement.
Manage informal grievances and provide documentation supporting corrective actions when needed.
Maintain incident records, including crew time reports, equipment shift tickets, and resource orders; approve timekeeping, overtime, travel, and purchase forms as specified.
Maintain crew readiness by inspecting and maintaining vehicles, tools, equipment, communications equipment, and PPE; coordinate repairs and replacement and manage inventories.
Plan and deliver preparedness training, support qualification and dispatching systems, and mentor and validate the readiness of firefighters.
Coordinate and support courses, training events, community outreach, and instruction for DFPC personnel and external partners.
Plan and implement mitigation, hazardous-fuels treatment, prescribed-fire, and natural-resource management projects.
Use and maintain project equipment and vehicles; conduct or oversee safe tool and equipment maintenance, cleaning, and storage.
Collect and document information on fuels, vegetation, weather, fire behavior, and work completed; prepare plans for fuels, prescribed-fire, and resource-management projects.
Assist other DFPC programs and duties as assigned.
Maintain the physical fitness necessary for strenuous field work and applicable NWCG qualifications.

Benefits

Medical and dental coverage options for permanent employees and dependents.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
State-paid Basic Life and AD&D insurance, with legal resources and discounts.
State of Colorado wellness program with coaching and a potential monthly health-insurance premium discount.
Employee discounts and programs through BenefitHub.
State contribution to a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.
Medical leave under FMLA and Colorado FAMLI, subject to eligibility.
Hybrid or other flexible work arrangements may be available based on the role; this position is specified as 100% in person.
PERA defined-benefit or defined-contribution retirement plan, with optional 401(k) and 457 plans.
Eleven paid holidays annually, accrued annual and sick leave, and four annual wellness days.
Employee Assistance Program offering short-term counseling, referrals, resources, training, and organizational-development services.
Tuition reimbursement and reduced tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
Eligibility for Credit Union of Colorado membership.