OPS WILDLAND FIRE DISPATCHER - 42902772

State of Florida • BONIFAY, FL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service, is hiring an OPS Wildland Fire Dispatcher (class title: OPS Duty Officer) in an open competitive opportunity. This full-time OPS position supports fire suppression and other emergency response operations through a communications center. The dispatcher coordinates firefighters, supervisors, pilots, and law enforcement personnel; receives reports about wildfires and smoke obscuring highways; determines the appropriate response; and dispatches personnel or aircraft as needed. The role also includes approving or denying outdoor burning authorizations, advising landowners about burning laws and safety precautions, maintaining computer records and reports, and tracking the locations of crews and equipment. The position may respond to emergencies and requires occasional travel for training. The incumbent must live within 30 miles of the assigned headquarters at 2889 Forestry Drive, Bonifay, Florida, throughout employment. Work may be scheduled across a variety of shifts, and the incumbent may frequently remain on duty or be called in beyond the assigned schedule.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and one year of experience in radio-teletype operations, sworn law enforcement, dispatching, forestry, firefighting, or other public contact work; alternatively, college education from an accredited institution may substitute at a rate of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours for the required experience.
• Possession of a valid Class E driver license.
• Must live within 30 miles of the assigned headquarters at 2889 Forestry Drive, Bonifay, Florida, throughout employment.
• Must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.
• Occasional travel for training is required.
• May be required to travel in response to emergencies, including natural disasters and other incidents.
• Work may include a variety of shifts and frequent duty beyond the assigned work schedule.

Responsibilities

• Directly support fire suppression and other emergency response operations.
• Coordinate emergency responses involving firefighters, supervisors, pilots, and law enforcement personnel through a communications center.
• Exercise independent judgment in critical situations involving operational fire control and support duties.
• Receive radio and telephone information from fire towers, law enforcement personnel, aircraft, fire crews, supervisors, and the general public about wildfires and smoke obscuring highways.
• Determine the required response and dispatch emergency personnel and/or aircraft when necessary.
• Help ensure the security of law enforcement investigators conducting arson, timber theft, surveillance, and other operations, including investigators on solo patrol in remote locations.
• Approve or deny outdoor burning authorizations by telephone using informed judgment, advise landowners about burning laws and safety precautions, and maintain computer records of authorizations.
• Use a computer to transmit, receive, and store district fire reports, burning authorizations, fire readiness reports, daily weather information, and other district records and reports.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the locations of crews and equipment, including firefighters and patrol aircraft engaged in fire suppression.
• Perform other related work as assigned, which may include handling revenue.

Benefits

• Participation in state group insurance, subject to eligibility requirements.
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b).
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan, a tax-deferred retirement savings plan, with the stated exception for previous FRS retirees.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED