WILDLAND FIRE DISPATCHER - 42003084

State of Florida • Spring Hill, FL

3d • $48,235 - $49,440 • Onsite

About The Position

This is work in direct support of fire suppression and other emergency response operations. The incumbent coordinates emergency response of firefighters, supervisors, pilots and law enforcement personnel through the use of a communication center. The Wildland Fire Dispatcher deals with critical situations requiring independent judgment. The incumbent 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 Wildland Fire Dispatcher works in communication center that serves as a 24-hour center. All other communication centers divert their calls to this Center after hours. The Wildland Fire Dispatchers share 24-hour rotation with statewide responsibility. If emergencies are called in from other districts, the Wildland Fire Dispatcher on duty calls the Officer-In-Charge or On Call Wildland Fire Dispatcher in the affected unit and starts the emergency response action.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent and one (1) year of experience in radio-teletype operations, sworn law enforcement, dispatching, forestry, firefighting or other public contact work; or College education from an accredited institution can substitute at the rate of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours for the required experience.
• 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

• Has a good general knowledge of the lay of the land (landmarks, highways, major roads, landowners, rivers, lakes, major power lines, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Receives radio and telephone information from law enforcement personnel, aircraft, fire crews, state lands and recreation personnel, supervisors, and public concerning wildfires and smoke obscuring highways.
• Determines action required, and dispatches emergency response personnel and/or aircraft if necessary.
• Operates a computer for the purpose of transmitting, receiving, and storing Center fire reports, burning authorizations, fire readiness report, and daily weather information.
• Keeps up-to-the minute knowledge of location of all crews and equipment including firefighters, state lands and recreation personnel, patrol aircraft directly engaged in fire suppression or on routine patrol.
• Approves or denies outdoor burning authorizations through a thorough knowledge of state laws and agency rules for open burning by telephone using informed judgment.
• Advises landowners of burning laws and safety precautions.
• Responsible for collecting accurate information on weather conditions, crew readiness and area supervisors’ readiness levels so that supervisory personnel can make informed judgment on setting the Center readiness levels.
• Maintains updated dispatch map that displays the location of fire crews, current wildfires, and daily authorized open burning.
• Acts as a weather observer and reports any unusual weather occurrences to all employees.
• Coordinates assistance with state, federal and local agencies in emergency situations.
• Makes landowner contacts, compiles landowner maps, and researches landowner information.
• Relays administrative communications to proper personnel.
• Performs routine typing by use of a computer.
• Prepares reports for supervisor and other office staff.
• Handles routine correspondence.
• Uses computer for data collection, storing, transmitting and receiving Center records and reports.
• Responsible for maintaining communications office files.
• Assists in processing of recurring fiscal paperwork, permits and other administrative items as assigned.
• Updates information on all fire departments in area.
• Receives telephone calls, and radio messages, and routes to appropriate person or agency, keeps abreast of Federal Communication Commission Rules and Regulations.
• Provides information to general public on Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service programs.
• Performs other related work as assigned, which may include the handling of revenue.

Benefits

• Annual Uniform Allotment
• Annual and Sick Leave benefits
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

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