ARE YOU A WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER SEARCHING FOR A NEW OPPORTUNITY?

Join one of the largest wildfire agencies in the nation in service to protecting residential and commercial properties from loss or impacts due to wildfire. Become part of a team building an industry that adds new resources to the wildfire problem. Help to provide services across 20 states with wildfire seasons starting in April and running through December. Be a part of the largest expansion of wildfire services currently occurring.

WDS is perfect for you if…

• You want help people in time of crisis
• You want to improve yourself and your skills
• You want to work as part of a team that works together to combat the losses from wildfire
• You have a passion to help people, to work wildfire, to be professional, to learn and improve, to lead people
• You want to be part of an organization where you can earn qualifications and promote

WHAT WDS PROVIDES TO FIELD EMPLOYEES:

• Career Full Time Seasonal Positions, Career Full Time Annual Positions
• Full NWCG compliant Engines and Tenders
• Ability to Maintain and Advance NWCG qualifications
• Task Books Can Transfer to Future Career Positions
• Daily Diversity of Tasks
• Work Center Based Locations when not deployed on fire assignments or on-call assignments
• Career Advancement from FF2-FF1-ENGB-TFLD-LOFR-RFO-DO
• Competitive Wages Exceeding Federal Standards
• Overtime Opportunities

The Crew Boss leads a hand crew of up to 20 people and is responsible for their safety on wildland incidents. The Crew boss supervises assigned squads and personnel and reports to a WDS supervisor, Strike Team/Task Force Leader, Liaison, senior Engine Boss, or other assigned supervisor. This position will work closely with all other WDS apparatus to achieve maximum efficiency in the insurer response model.

Duties and Responsibilities

Train, Maintain Personal/Equipment Readiness, and Mobilize

Build the Team

• Identify assigned resources and maintain accountability. Confirm that IAP or relevant plan has all assigned resources listed. Report any missing resources up chain of command.
• Assemble and validate readiness of assigned personnel and equipment.
• Verify that employees (FFT1/FFT2/ENGBT*), meet English language/crew language comprehension requirement.
• Establish and communicate chain of command, reporting procedures, risk management processes, and radio frequency management.
• Establish a common operating picture with supervisors and subordinates.
• Participate in operational briefings as directed.
• Obtain and distribute IAPs, other relevant plans, maps, and local area information.
• Brief assigned personnel using IAP and/or IRPG briefing checklist.

Lead, Supervise, Direct

• Model leadership values and principles. Provide positive influence. Emphasize teamwork.
• Establish and communicate objectives, priorities, work assignments, and performance expectations.
• Identify, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make more informed decisions and take appropriate actions.
• Adjust actions based on changing information and evolving situation awareness. Develop and implement contingency plans. Communicate changing conditions to assigned resources and supervisor.
• Ensure WDS IAP or WDS ICS-204 objectives and performance standards are met.
• Monitor performance and provide immediate and regular feedback to assigned personnel.

Perform Crew Boss-Specific Duties

• Ensure crew vehicles readiness:
• Daily preventative maintenance checks
• Daily pump tests id applicable
• Engine maintenance
• Ensure Normal Unit Stocking (NUS) levels
• Adhere to Gross Vehicle Weight Requirements
• Ensure engine is inspected prior to being used and released using the WDS engine checklist and WDS vehicle inventory checklist (use Fleetio).
• Confirm driver/operator qualifications, including pertinent Department of Transportation (DOT), agency, state, and local operating requirements
• Confirm personnel gear meets weight, and manifest requirements
• Effectively lead and perform crew operations techniques, including:
• Squad location assignments
• Coordination of squads with various other resources (engines, tenders, other crews)
• Sprinkler deployment and maintenance
• Simple and progressive hose lays
• Effectively use fire suppressant agents (e.g., water, foam, gel, blankets)
• Maintain at least 25 percent water capacity in tank for emergency engine protection and drafting id applicable.
• Maintain a supply of water and chemical agent for the fire, particularly on critical areas of the fireline.
• Locate water sources and check for volume and cleanliness and coordinate with engines when applicable.
• Develop contingency plans/alternatives in case of vehicle/equipment breakdown or failure.
• Ensure proper refurbishing and resupply of tools, vehicles, water and supplies.

Perform Wildland Urban Interface Duties

Manage Risk

• Apply the Risk Management Process as stated in the IRPG:
• Identify Hazards
• Assess Hazards
• Develop Controls and Make Risk Decisions
• Implement Controls
• Ensure Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES) are established and known to all firefighters before they are needed. Refer to guidelines stated in IRPG.
• Use Look Up, Down and Around in IRPG to help maintain situational awareness. Adjust actions accordingly. Develop and communicate contingency plans and trigger points.
• Utilize adjoining forces or WDS supervisor to assist with risk management process and provide input into safety of operations.
• Plan for medical emergencies. Ensure that assigned resources are prepared to execute the WDS Medical Plan (activation of local 911). May inform incident of an incident as necessary for incident support. Manage the medical emergency based on procedures stated in the WDS IRPG, or other relevant guidelines.
• Monitor for signs and symptoms of fatigue, illness, or injury. Mitigate appropriately.
• Account for location, health, safety, and welfare of assigned personnel.
• Submit “first report of injury” form as necessary through established chain of command and WDS HR.

Communicate and Coordinate

• Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information.
• Ensure all relevant information on client properties is documented and relayed through the app on a “as real time basis” as possible.
• Ensure clear understanding of expectations and timely communication within and across ICS functional areas and chain of command.
• Establish communications and exchange necessary briefings/information with the following:
• Support resources, Adjacent resources, Supervisor
• Communicate effectively using multichannel radios. Prepare and program radios for assignment. Ensure effective radio communications when assigned resources are using multiple frequencies during incident operations. Use plain language and ICS terminology.
• Conduct and/or participate in After Action Reviews (AAR).

Basic Firefighter Training:

• Introduction to ICS (ICS-100)
• Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (L-180)
• Firefighter Training (S-130 – Field Day Required)
• Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190)
• NIMS: An Introduction (IS-700)
• Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) (RT-130)

• ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS-200)
• Crew Boss (Single Resource) (S-230)
  • Engine Boss (S-231) preferred
• Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290)
• Satisfactory performance as a Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1)
• Performance as a fully qualified CRWB
• Ability to pass a WCT (Work Capacity Test/Pack Test) at Arduous Level (Complete a 3 mile walk wearing a 45 pound pack in less than 45 minutes)

Other Training Which Supports Development Of Knowledge And Skills

• Basic Air Operations (S-270)
• Engine Boss (Single Resource) (S-231)
• Firing Operations (S-219)
• Followership to Leadership (L-280)
• Interagency Incident Business Management (S-260)

Physical Fitness Level:

• Duties involve fieldwork requiring physical performance calling for above-average endurance and superior conditioning. These duties may include an occasional demand for extraordinarily strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time. Requirements include running, walking, climbing, jumping, twisting, bending, and lifting more than 50 pounds; the pace of work typically is set by the emergency situation.

Other Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Patrol while on dedicated service tour
• Monitoring of wildfire activity within tour region
• Conduct WUI operations according to guidelines stated in IRPG, WDS Field Guide, incident-specific objectives and guidelines, and agency-specific guidance.
• Ensure proper refurbishing and resupply of tools, vehicles, water and supplies.
• Responsible for modeling values and principles and organizational policies and procedures with firefighters on hand crews.
• Train and delegate duties appropriately to Firefighter 1 and 2s
• Monitor performance and provide immediate and regular feedback to Firefighter 1 and 2s after each assignment
• Present insurer response service, including demonstration of tactics, to client agencies, designated representatives and local fire officials as assigned
• Attend and participate in daily Physical Training
• Complete daily shift tickets
• Utilization and completion of tasks required on WDS mobile applications
• Participation in After Action Reviews (AAR)
• Completion of WDS specific forms and reports as required/ assigned
• Attend daily safety meeting
• Complete all assigned safety training
• Operate vehicles within local laws, DOT standards, NWCG regulations, and WDS safe vehicle operating standards
• Complete daily pre-trip vehicle inspection reports
• Understand and follow vehicle ELD operations and standards
• Ensure compliance with all safety practices and procedures for self and those around you
• Account for health, safety, and welfare for self and those around you
• Use and maintain Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
• Technical aptitude to complete reporting
• Ability to use maps, GPS and other tools to gather information and navigate on incidents
• Outstanding customer service, ensuring client and team needs are met
• Ability to work in a team-focused environment
• Ability to adjust actions based on changing information and evolving situational awareness
• High level of professionalism
• Accountability and Dependability
• Accuracy and Attention to Detail
• Self-motivated
• Strong communication – both written and oral
• Employees must be 21 years of age or older.
• DOT Medical Examiner’s Certification (will be authorized by employer for qualified individuals)
• Current driver’s license with acceptable driving record

Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.