Forestry Technician III, Wildland Squad Boss

Attention Applicants: To ensure your application is considered, please read this job announcement in its entirety. It contains essential information about the role, our organization, and specific instructions on how to apply. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application being disregarded. We value attention to detail and adherence to our application process, so please carefully review all sections and submit all necessary documents with your electronic application. Your thorough understanding and compliance with these guidelines are key to advancing in our selection process.

Why Come Work for Clackamas Fire

Join the forefront of emergency response with Clackamas Fire, one of Oregon's largest and most dynamic fire protection districts. We are at the heart of community safety, proudly serving nearly 250,000 residents across a diverse 303-square-mile area.

Our expansive service area is a tapestry of vibrant communities, including Gladstone, Happy Valley, Johnson City, Milwaukie, Oregon City, and Sandy, along with numerous thriving unincorporated areas. This diversity not only enriches our work but also challenges and hones our skills in unique ways, making us adaptable and proficient in a wide range of emergency scenarios.

Our team includes dedicated individuals that serve across a variety of disciplines, providing high-quality internal and external customer service. Our firefighters expertly handle tens of thousands of incidents annually from 24 strategically located fire stations. The fire marshal's office, public education, and wildland personnel protect our communities through community risk reduction activities. Our support and administrative personnel are the backbone of our mission, using their technical expertise and skills to keep our systems, infrastructure, equipment, and people functioning efficiently and enable our firefighters to perform at their best.

At Clackamas Fire, our commitment goes beyond the call of duty:

• We are a family of professionals, united by our purpose, " Sworn to Serve, Dedicated to Save, " driving us to excel in saving lives and protecting property.

  • Innovation, accountability, and teamwork are not just concepts but the pillars of our operational excellence, ensuring we remain at the cutting edge of fire and emergency services.

  • Our values are embodied in " TEAMS": Trust, Empowerment, Accountability, Mindset, and Service . These values are the compass guiding our actions, fostering a culture where open communication, critical thinking, and exceptional service are the norms.

  • We are deeply invested in the personal and professional growth of our team, understanding that their well-being directly translates to the quality of service we provide to our community.

  • Our relentless pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our work is driven by a singular goal: to earn and maintain the unwavering trust of the communities we serve, ensuring their safety and resilience.

By choosing a career with Clackamas Fire, you're not just joining a team; you're becoming part of a family dedicated to making a significant impact in the lives of others and the safety of our community. ## Job Opening Description General Job information  

Fighting wildland fire is extremely demanding both physically and emotionally. Wildland firefighting consists of long and stressful days of arduous work. Crewmembers are expected to participate in all aspects of fire suppression while we are on a fire assignment. These include initial attack, extended attack, fire line construction, hose lay operations, firing operations, and mop-up. When not on a fire assignment the crew participates in daily physical training, fire training, and other project work.

Additionally, the time commitment can be enormous, but the rewards are equally gratifying. Working upwards of 1000 to 1500 hours during the summer can be both satisfying and lucrative. It is important that applicants be able to commit to working these long hours for the duration of the Wildland fire season which typically lasts from late spring to early fall. 

If you are interested in obtaining a position you need to be a team player, self-motivated, self-disciplined, and a hard worker.

Overview  Forestry Technician III / Squad Boss - complete wildland firefighting activities included in preparedness, response, and mitigation/recovery of wildland fires and other natural and manmade disasters. Distinguishing Features  Position at this level assists with the completion of the tasks outlined within the series concept. The work at this level is planned and facilitates the training needs of a Forestry Technician III. Will direct a squad of 4-10 seasonal crewmembers at the discretion of the forestry supervisor or other supervisor,  toward the accomplishment of tasks associated with forestry activities. This is a full time, seasonal position, not to exceed 18 pay periods in a 12-month period. ## Duties and Responsibilities Job Duties Duties include preparing for, responding to, and recovering from wildland fires by;

• Serves as an experienced firefighter (FFT1) and squad leader on a hand crew or other related fire suppression crews performing fire suppression and/or fuels management duties under the most adverse conditions of climate, fuels, and terrain. 
• Determine fire size-up, resource needs, and direct firefighting crews.
• Using hand tools or power equipment by cutting, scraping, digging, and chopping or burning out to remove flammable materials. 
• Participate in mop-up duties by scraping, digging, chopping, and applying water to remove heat. Operate and monitor firefighting vehicles in support of wildfire suppression. 
• Conduct fire cause investigation, evidence collection, and witness identification. 
• Collect and tabulate fireline suppression metrics throughout incidents. 
• Direct and complete pre-suppression/readiness duties such as road brushing, live-fire training, water hole location, and develop knowledge of firefighting equipment, protection district; roads, topography, and landowners. 
• Participate in post-fire activities by identifying hazard trees, operating chainsaws, and brush removal equipment such as chippers, grinders, and masticators.
• Direct or complete weather observations. Determine initial fire cause by protecting the origin, evidence collection, and witness identification, and determines the need for wildland fire investigators. Responsible for Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) suppression activities.
• Operate vehicles including cars, trucks, cache vans, ATVs, and crew vehicles. Operate fire engines, Type 5 (400 gallons) and larger (12,500-26,000 GVW). Complete safety inspections, submitting requests for maintenance, and maintain general upkeep to ensure all firefighting equipment is fire ready to support fire suppression activities.
• Assist in public outreach activities such as home shows, civic groups, fairs, and parades. Conducts fire patrol activities within the assigned geographic areas including contacts with recreationists and the public. Ensures proper posting of fire prevention signs and communicates general public education of fire prevention statutes and rules. Use portable and mobile radios.
• Complete landscape and fire effects repair activities such as mowing, weeding, pruning, spreading bark or rock using hand tools and power equipment. Complete building maintenance activities such as; minor repairs, roofing, painting, concrete work, and custodial duties. 
• Responsible for vehicle maintenance activities such as fire readiness, daily safety inspections, fluid checks, wash and wax, fire engine inventories. Complete equipment maintenance by cleaning saws, pumps, and mowers; cleaning, inspecting, and sharpening hand tools such as Pulaski, shovel, and hazel hoe; cleaning and inspection of firefighting equipment such as hose and appliances. Complete vehicle inspection checklist.
• Participate in the coaching of experience-based ongoing fire training for engine/hand crew. Complete fire report forms from gathered info, preliminary investigation reports, vehicle logs, and shift tickets. Purchase needed materials for approved projects.
• Maintain positive relationships with landowners, cooperators, and the public. 
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.  Skills
• Perform physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Provide information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, radio, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Observe, receive, and otherwise obtain information from all relevant sources.
• Monitor and review information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Use hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Ability to navigate using maps, GPS, and compass 
• Excellent decision-making skills in high-pressure situations 
• Leadership qualities to manage crews and coordinate firefighting operations

• Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes. (not including computers or vehicles).

  Qualifications

  Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of four ( 4 ) years of documented Wildland firefighting experience with at least, two ( 2 ) years experience at the Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), or higher, certification.

• Knowledge of wildland fire suppression tactics and fire behavior recognition.
• Certified at the following NWCG positions:
• Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1)
• Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5)
• ICS 200 and ICS 800
• -AND- Successfully completed the following NWCG courses :
• Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290)
• Crew Boss (Single Resource) (S-230)

• Wildland Powersaws (S-212)

• In order to be considered for this position, copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification; All supporting documentation must accompany certifications including course completion certificates, task book pages and incident evaluations if applicable. 

• Successful applicants must take and pass the physical fitness Work Capacity Test at the arduous level.
• Requires a valid driver’s license at the time of hire, successful passage of pre-employment drug screening, and criminal background check.
• Must be at least 18 years of age at time of employment. Preferred Qualifications
• Valid US Passport for possible international travel
• M-410 Facilitative Instructor Instructor or Fire Instructor I certification
• NWCG S-212 saw certification, carded at the FAL2 level or above.
• ICS 300 and 400
• S-219
• Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
• Experience driving manual transmission.
• Other NWCG course completions that support the FFT1 or single resource position
• Other Specialized Experience:

• Examples of specialized experience are: ** Patrolling areas of controlled fires to mop-up by searching out and extinguishing any remaining burning material and/or Serving on a specialty crew (hotshot, helitack, engines, etc.) to suppress the full range of difficult and complex fires and/or Operating specialized fire suppression equipment such as portable pumps or drip torches.  This position may be underfilled if applicant does not meet minimum qualification. Underfilled hourly compensation and/or benefit package will be modified until minimum qualifications are met. ** ** **

  Supplemental Information

  PLEASE READ CAREFULY- Application Checklist:

• Completed electronic application including supplemental questions.

• Resume. Please make sure that your attached resume clearly meets the qualifications outlined above including dates of employment and comprehensive duties lists.
• Certifications and Documentation. Please read all supplemental questions carefully and attach all applicable documentation requested.

• Cover Letter. Short 1 page letter stating your relevant skills or qualifications, why you would be a good candidate for hire and your developmental goals for the season if hired.  

  Important Notes: The top candidates will be notified and requested to continue onto the following components:

• Online or in-person interview.
• Conditional candidates will need to conduct and pass pre-employment physicals prior to employment start date. Background/pre employment physicals will be conducted. 
• Offers of employment contingent on passing a drug screening.
• Criminal backgrounds will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
• Employee hire will be subject to successful completion of the work capacity test administered on first day of work. This consists of the individual walking 3 miles on level ground with a 45# weight vest/pack in 45 min or less. **This is a pass/fail component. **
• Work Start date is:  Flexible based on candidate's needs. Can be between Monday March 2 - April 15, 2026 .  

• Seasonal duration tentatively March 30  - October 1

  Additional information:

• During the recruitment process, and until the eligibility list has been established, observer ride-alongs will not be permitted.

  • Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes. 

  • Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources. NOTE: If claiming veterans’ preference please be sure to attach your DD214 or Disability letter from the VA. 

  • Clackamas Fire does not offer VISA sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Clackamas Fire District will review these documents to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. 

  • If you wish to identify yourself as an individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and will be requesting accommodation, please contact the Clackamas Fire Human Resources Division by calling 503-742-2669.  

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Clackamas Fire is an equal opportunity employer committed to work force diversity, fair employment practices and non-discrimination, including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income.

Clackamas Fire is a drug free workplace.