Wildland Fire Dispatcher - 42003270

State of Florida • South Orange, NJ

8h • Onsite

About The Position

The Wildland Fire Dispatcher works in direct support of fire suppression and other emergency response operations. The dispatcher coordinates the response of firefighters, supervisors, pilots, and law enforcement personnel through a communications center, handling critical situations that require independent judgment. The position includes operational fire-control and support duties, with rotating shifts and the possibility of being held over or called to duty beyond the assigned schedule.

The dispatcher sends crews and other personnel to wildfires, smoke complaints, and other incidents; maintains current information on personnel and equipment; coordinates assistance with state, federal, local, and cooperating agencies; and keeps supervisors informed of incident status. The role also processes burn authorizations across five counties, maintains related records and maps, advises landowners about burning laws and weather, and relays information for inspections and compliance checks.

Administrative work includes maintaining records, reports, and standard operating procedures; using office equipment and software; responding to email; preparing reports; and ordering supplies. The dispatcher handles and transfers calls, communicates with government agencies, cooperators, news media, and the public, and maintains contact information. The position also gathers and relays fire-weather information, serves as a weather observer, completes required training, and performs related duties as assigned.

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; or college education from an accredited institution may substitute at 30 semester or 45 quarter hours for the required experience.
• Possess a valid Class E driver's license.
• Live within 30 miles of the headquarters at 8431 South Orange Blossom Drive, Orlando, Florida, throughout employment.
• Complete all training requirements for the Wildland Fire Dispatcher position within the designated period and according to established performance standards.

Responsibilities

• Operate computers, radios, and telephones to dispatch fire crews, supervisors, aircraft, and law enforcement personnel to wildfires and other incidents.
• Follow protocols for “Smoke on the Highway” issues and maintain current knowledge of the locations and status of personnel and equipment involved in fire suppression and investigations.
• Enter incident information, request and coordinate assistance from government agencies and cooperators, and keep supervisors informed of wildfire status.
• Use county maps, websites, and software to provide incident locations to responding personnel, drawing on knowledge of local landmarks, roads, rivers, lakes, and power lines.
• Approve or deny burn authorizations across five counties; update maps, maintain landowner and certified burner contacts, record special burning restrictions, and advise landowners about burning laws and predicted weather.
• Gather information for Forest Rangers and supervisors conducting on-site inspections and compliance checks, and track landowner assistance.
• Maintain paper and electronic files, records, reports, and Standard Operating Procedures; use computer programs and office equipment; respond to email; prepare reports; order supplies; and reconcile vehicle logs.
• Receive, handle, or transfer incoming calls and relay information among supervisors, crews, agencies, cooperators, news media, and the public.
• Maintain current contact information for fire departments, government agencies, and cooperators.
• Gather and relay daily fire-weather information and predictions, observe weather, and report unusual weather activity.
• Complete required position training within the supervisor-designated period and performance standards.
• Perform other related work as assigned.

Benefits

• Annual uniform allotment
• Annual and sick leave
• Nine paid holidays and one personal holiday each year
• State group insurance options, including health, life, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance
• Retirement plan options with employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

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