OPS WILDLAND FIRE DISPATCHER - 42902772

State of Florida • BONIFAY, FL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time Other Personal Services (OPS) position with the Florida Forest Service, under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The role involves direct support of fire suppression and other emergency response operations, coordinating emergency responses of various personnel through a communication center, and dealing with critical situations requiring independent judgment. The position has both operational fire control and other support duties. Work may be scheduled over a variety of shifts, and the incumbent may frequently remain or be called to duty beyond the assigned work schedule. The dispatcher receives radio and telephone information concerning wildfires and smoke, determines necessary actions, and dispatches emergency response personnel and/or aircraft. They also ensure the security of law enforcement investigators, approve or deny outdoor burning authorizations, and operate a computer for transmitting, receiving, and storing various reports and information. Maintaining up-to-the-minute knowledge of the location of all crews and equipment is crucial. The position may also handle revenue and perform other related duties.

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 possession of a valid class E driver license.
• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.
• Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• This incumbent must live within thirty (30) miles of the assigned headquarters located at 2889 Forestry Drive, Bonifay, Florida, throughout employment in this position.

Responsibilities

• Direct support of fire suppression and other emergency response operations.
• Coordinates emergency responses of firefighters, supervisors, pilots and law enforcement personnel through the use of a communication center.
• Deals with critical situations requiring independent judgment.
• Has both operational fire control and other support duties.
• Receives radio and telephone information from fire towers, law enforcement personnel, aircraft, fire crews, supervisors, and general public concerning wildfires and smoke obscuring highways.
• Determines action required, and dispatches emergency response personnel and/or aircraft if necessary.
• Ensures the security of law enforcement investigator conducting arson, timber theft, surveillance operations, etc., who is frequently on one-man patrol in remote locations.
• Approves or denies outdoor burning authorization by telephone using informed judgment and advises landowners of burning laws and safety precautions.
• Maintains computer records of all burning.
• Operates a computer for the purpose of transmitting, receiving, and storing district fire reports, burning authorizations, fire readiness report, and daily weather information.
• Uses computer for storing, transmitting and receiving district records and reports.
• Keeps up-to-the-minute knowledge of location of all crews and equipment including firefighters and patrol aircraft directly engaged in fire suppression.
• Performs other related work as assigned, which may include the handling of revenue.

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