Lead Firefighter - Wildland

Job Description

SUMMARY OF JOB PURPOSE The Lead serves as a crew leader of a fuels management crew and/or a wildland fire suppression crew; and is responsible for the direct supervision of a Module and assigned personnel. Hazard Mitigation Module; may serve as daily supervisor personnel and may supervise incident personnel while operating on all hazard incidents; may act as Wildland/Risk Reduction Captain; may serve as work leader for cooperating agencies; and performs related duties as assigned.    ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions:

• Performs and leads fuels management and wildland firefighting crew engaged in fuels management, including broadcast burning, hand piling, pile burning, and other brush disposal techniques.  
• Serve as a member and leader of a fire crew assigned to suppress the full range of wildland fires independently performing recurring fire suppression duties.  
• Gathers data and records information on fuel types, weather conditions, fire behaviors, and status of work accomplished.  
• Responsible for observing the rules of fire safety and fire behavior while on the fireline.  
• Perform assignments as a wildland firefighter in developing a working knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices and terminology.  
• May work in and around aircraft such as helicopters and must be able to observe all safety regulations 
• Searches out and extinguishes burning materials by moving dirt, applying water by hose or backpack pump, etc. Chops brush, fells small trees, and moves dirt to construct fireline using various hand tools.  
• Patrols fireline to locate and extinguish embers, flareups, and hotspot fires that may threaten developed firelines.  
• Cleans, reconditions, and stores fire tools and equipment. 
• Assist and lead trained personnel in more specialized assignments, such as backfire/burnout, mobile/stationary engine attack, construction of helispots, helitack operations, and performing hover hookups. 
• Participate in fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression and in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment and vehicles used in fireline activities. 
• Participate in crew proficiency checks and drills.  
• Participate in safety sessions and fire critiques.  
• Ensures own and others' welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignments.  
• May support all hazard incidents. 

      ## Education and Experience Education: High school diploma or equivalent 

Experience: To qualify for this classification, an individual must possess any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge and abilities.

Certifications/Qualifications Required at the time of application:

Education:  ** High school diploma or equivalent Experience : To qualify for this classification, an individual must possess any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge and abilities. Certifications/Qualifications Required at the time of application: Firefighter I  Firefighter II certification. Nevada CDL Class A or B driver’s license.  State of Nevada EMT or NREMT Incident Command Systems – ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 300, ICS 700 and ICS 800. NWCG ICT5 (Incident Commander Type 5) NWCG ENGB (S-230/231 Class) NWCG (Single Resource Engine Boss within 24 months) District Approved Ice/ Water Rescue Technician District Approved Rope/ Slope Rescue Technician Fire Instructor 1 ## Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities   REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA’s) An employee in this position must have the following knowledge, skills, abilities upon application:   Knowledge**

• Policies and procedures of the City/ County/ District.  
• Geography of the City/ County/ District, including major streets and landmarks.  
• Basic tree, brush, and vegetation identification.  
• Fuels reduction and wildland firefighting methods, tools, and equipment.  
• Basic mathematics  
• Fire behavior and fire control techniques.  
• Fire line terminology.  

• Principles and practices of fuels reduction.    **Skills **

• Directing, assigning, directing, and motivating employees and planning their work assignments effectively. Creating a fair, unbiased, cooperative work atmosphere.

• Demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills especially in dealing with the public.
• Understanding and carrying out complex written and oral communications.
• Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks.
• Using the tools and equipment required.

• The use of two-way radio communications.   Abilities

• Perform a variety of fuels reduction and wildland firefighting assignments.  

• Provide lead direction for fuels management / fire crew  
• Construct fire line  
• Use two-way radio equipment  
• Learn a variety of fuels reduction and firefighting duties, methods, tools, and equipment.  
• Analyze situations quickly and reach logical conclusions in emergencies.  
• Plan, organize, and prioritize daily activities.  
• Read and comprehend laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.  
• Read and follow maps.  
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.  
• Maintain records and prepare reports.  
• Exercise good judgment and safe work practices.  
• Exercise emotional control and work under stressful situations.  
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental personnel, other agencies, the public, and others contacted in the course of work.  

• Ability to participate in and lead daily physical training program consisting of 30 to 45 min. of cardiovascular challenge and 15 to 20 min. of strength training exercises. 

  Physical Demands and Working Environment

  PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods. Ability to hike, lift, bend, and carry heavy loads in mountainous terrain on steep slopes varying between 30 to 90%. Ability to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, and climb. 

• Corrected hearing and vision to normal range. Verbal communication and reading ability. 
• Ability to work at considerable heights. Ability to perform sustained and vigorous activities in a variety of environmental conditions. Ability to tolerate exposure to extreme weather conditions, heat, fumes, smoke, pressurized water, and chemicals. 
• This position requires lifting up to 65 lbs. unassisted. 
• While performing the duties of this position in the office, the employee may work in a generally clean office environment with limited exposure to conditions such as dust, fumes, odors, or noise.
• In the field, the employee will be frequently exposed to outside environmental conditions inherent with Northern Nevada such as altitudes in excess of 5000' above sea level, extreme cold and heat, wet and/or humid conditions, high winds, high and/or precarious places, smoke, fumes, airborne particulate matter, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock.  
• May be exposed to the bodily fluids of other humans.  May be exposed to environments that are immediately dangerous to life and health while wearing proper personal protective equipment.  The noise level may be loud and require hearing protection.
• The employee may have periodic contact with angry or upset individuals, frequent interruptions of planned work activities by telephone calls, office visitors, and response to emergencies or other unplanned events. 
• Position requires occasional strenuous work and long hours, and the ability to attend and/or manage an emergency incident at any time.  

• Participation in wildland fires may require the employee to remain on the incident for several days.

• OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• This position has been identified as safety sensitive and is subject to pre-employment and random drug and alcohol screening pursuant to county policy.
• SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
• An employee in this position must meet the following physical requirements upon application:
• All licenses and certifications required to be current and maintained for continued employment.  
• Incumbents may work irregular hours, weekends, holidays, or evenings overnight in outdoor and rural environments.  
• Travel to county, state, and national incidents as required for fuels reduction and wildland fires.   
• Ability to participate in and lead daily physical training program consisting of 30 to 45 min.  
• Applicants will be required to undergo a background investigation prior to being considered for employment.  
• Applicants will be required to pass a thorough medical examination which may include, a physical agility test prior to appointment and for continuing employment (Pack Test).  
• May work in and around aircraft such as helicopters. 
• This position may have a furlough period of up 8 Pay periods.    
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