OPS WILDLAND FIRE DISPATCHER - 42903050

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

18h • Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time Other Personal Services (OPS) position with the Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The role of the Duty Officer is in direct support of fire suppression and other emergency response operations. The incumbent coordinates the emergency response of firefighters, supervisors, pilots, and law enforcement personnel through a communications center, dealing with critical situations that require independent and sound judgment. The work involves both operational fire control and other support duties, and may be scheduled over various shifts, often requiring work beyond the assigned schedule.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent.
• One (1) year of experience in radio-teletype operations, sworn law enforcement, dispatching, forestry, firefighting, or other public contact work.
• College education from an accredited institution can substitute at the rate of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours for the required experience.
• Requires a valid class E driver license.
• Must live within (30) thirty miles of the headquarters located at 865 Geddie Road Tallahassee, Florida, throughout employment in this position.
• Must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Occasional travel for training required.
• Position may respond to emergencies, including natural disasters or other type incidents requiring travel, as needed.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates emergency response of firefighters, supervisors, pilots, and law enforcement personnel through a communications center.
• Dispatches crews to wildfires, smoke complaints, and other incidents.
• Operates computer, radio, and telephone systems for transmitting, receiving, and storing information.
• Maintains up-to-the-minute knowledge of the locations and status of all personnel and equipment used in fire suppression activities and investigations.
• Requests and coordinates assistance with other state, federal, and local agencies, as well as area cooperators.
• Approves or denies issuance of burn authorizations throughout six counties.
• Maintains landowner and certified burner contact information and advises landowners of burning laws and predicted weather.
• Gathers information for on-site inspections and compliance checks.
• Maintains paper and electronic files, records, and reports relating to the communication center's responsibilities.
• Receives and responds to electronic mail.
• Receives and handles or transfers incoming telephone calls.
• Gathers and relays daily fire weather information and fire weather predictions.
• Acts as a weather observer and reports unusual weather activity.
• Successfully completes all training requirements for the Duty Officer position within the designated timeframe.

Benefits

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements)
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b)
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

What This Job Offers

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