Squad Boss

Arizona Department of Administration•Apache Junction, AZ

2d•$22 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a team lead on the Phoenix Crew. The primary responsibility is for leadership and direction on wildland fire suppression and wildland urban interface/intermix situations as well as fuels mitigation projects including hand, mechanical and prescribed fire treatments. The primary purpose of this position is to lead a small hand crew of highly effective and trained firefighters in wildland fire suppression and wildland urban interface/intermix incidents. This position may also serve as a Captain as needed on the assigned crew.

Requirements

Wildland fire suppression and control techniques, tactics, and strategy.
Thorough knowledge of fire behavior and fire management.
Knowledge of and understanding of cooperating agency and state land management objectives, policies, and practices.
Structure triage, tactics of structure protection, and safety hazards associated with electrical lines, gas lines, propane tanks, and other hazardous materials.
Fire suppression aircraft missions, capabilities, water drop methods, aerial indicators, and related communication techniques.
Resource considerations such as Threatened and Endangered Species, fire management areas, forest management plans, forest conditions, fuel mix, and urban interface.
Prescribed burning techniques, procedures, and policies.
First aid procedures, equipment and CPR.
Thorough knowledge of radio protocol.
Interpersonal dynamics, human resource management.
Leadership in a hand crew environment.
The use and management of a variety of specialized fire equipment such as fire engines, bulldozers, retardant air tankers, helicopters, firing (ignition) devices, chainsaws, fireline explosives, water pumps and hydraulic equipment.
The use, maintenance, and repair of hand, power, and fire related equipment.
Apply resourcefulness, initiative, and independent judgment to wildfire incidents, all-risk incidents and fuels mitigation projects.
Obtain efficiency and cost effectiveness of hand crew operations.
Effectively manage a crew of post-release personnel. Make decisions independently from and/or in conjunction with the entire fire organization.
Accurately evaluate rapidly changing fire situations and conditions, determine when additional forces may be needed, or determine when safety circumstances warrant withdrawal of crew to safe locations.
Operate communication hardware including multi-channel two way radios and computers for accessing fire weather and fire modeling programs, and Global Positioning System (GPS) units.
Drive on State Business
NWCG FFT1 and Incident Commander Type 5 qualified or trainee.
Must have completion of ICT5 and FFT1 within 12 months of hire.
A valid Arizona Driver's License.
Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

NWCG qualified Strike Team Crew and Incident Command Type 4

Responsibilities

Serves as a fire suppression team leader on a hand crew of firefighters in wildland fire suppression situations. Anticipates fire behavior, determines strategy and tactics, directs on-line activities, and takes action to accomplish incident objectives.
Directs and coordinates all types of related aircraft, fireline personnel and equipment. Uses a variety of specialized tools, equipment, and techniques to actively suppress fires.
Operates a variety of motor vehicles. May serve as a Captain as needed.
Has responsibility for numerous technical decisions concerning hand crew readiness and deployment without technical advice and assistance.
Leads a crew on prescribed fire implementation projects. Uses prescribed fire tools and equipment. Coordinates with project leaders, obtains briefings, weather forecasts, reviews and/or prepares job hazard analysis, previews burn units, project objectives, and burn plans. Responsible for the maintenance and repair of tools and equipment to meet crew needs to ensure assigned personnel meet fire readiness standards.
Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent, assigns work to crew members. Trains, observes, corrects, and evaluates crew members.
Identifies, distributes, and balances workload among crew members.
Presents formal and informal training programs and other related field courses. Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques. Ensures own and other's welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignment.
Prepares reports and maintains records of work accomplishments and administrative information.
Drive on State business.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program, learn more at hr.az.gov/family-leave-expansion).
Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment
Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Participation is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria as defined in statute.
Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.