WILDLAND FIRE DISPATCHER - 42002698

State of Florida • Orlando, FL

19h • Onsite

About The Position

The Wildland Fire Dispatcher works 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 communications center. This role involves dealing with critical situations requiring independent and sound judgment, encompassing both operational fire control and other support duties. Work may be scheduled over a variety of shifts and may frequently require remaining or being called to duty beyond the assigned work 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)
• Possession of a valid driver license
• Occasional to moderate travel required
• Ability to respond to emergencies, including natural disasters or other type incidents requiring travel, as needed
• Must live within 30 miles of the headquarters, which is located at 8431 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida, throughout employment in this position

Responsibilities

• Operate a computer, radio and telephone for the purpose of transmitting, receiving and storing information used to dispatch fire crews, supervisory personnel, aircraft and law enforcement personnel to wildfires and other incidents.
• Follow protocol on 'Smoke on the Highway' issues.
• Maintain up-to-the-minute knowledge of the locations and status of all personnel and equipment used in fire suppression activities and investigations.
• Trigger 209s as needed and enter available information.
• Request and coordinate assistance with other state, federal and local agencies, as well as, area cooperators with wildfire suppression and other emergency situations.
• Keep supervisors, Center Manager, Center Officer in Charge (OIC) and State OIC abreast of wildfire status as necessary.
• Read and use county maps, as well as, various websites and/or software programs (FMIS, County Property Appraiser, ArcGIS, Spider Tracks, Mapquest, etc.) to provide incident locations to responding emergency personnel.
• Possess a good general knowledge of the lay of the land (landmarks, highways, major roads, rivers, lakes, power lines).
• Operate a computer, radio and telephone for the purpose of transmitting, receiving and storing information used to approve or deny issuance of burn authorizations throughout five counties.
• Continually update map with new burning authorizations.
• Maintain landowner and certified burner contact information.
• Notate landowner accounts regarding any special burning restrictions.
• Advise landowners of burning laws and predicted weather.
• Gather information to relay to Forest Rangers, Senior Forest Rangers and supervisory personnel that is needed to conduct on-site inspections and compliance checks.
• Track landowner assists.
• Maintain paper and electronic files, records and reports relating to the communication center’s responsibilities.
• Use a variety of computer programs, software, copiers, scanners and fax machines to carry out administrative functions.
• Receive and respond to electronic mail as required.
• Prepare reports and assist supervisor and other personnel.
• Order uniforms, cleaning and office supplies.
• Reconcile vehicle logs.
• Maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Receive and handle or transfer incoming telephone calls.
• Regularly gather and relay a variety of information to and from supervisors, crews, other governmental agencies, cooperators, news media personnel and the general public.
• Maintain up-to-date contact information for fire departments, other governmental agencies, cooperators, etc.
• Gather and relay daily fire weather information and fire weather predictions to crews, supervisory personnel, certified burners and landowners.
• Act as a weather observer and report any unusual weather activity to all personnel.
• Perform other related work as assigned.
• Successfully complete all training requirements for the Wildland Fire Dispatcher position, within the time period designated by the supervisor and in accordance with the established training performance standards.

Benefits

• Uniform Allowance
• 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: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED