Job Summary:

The Forest Firefighter will work to suppress and control wildfires using specialized knowledge and tools.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Extinguishes fires in forest areas in collaboration with crew members.
• Controls and contains wildfires using various strategies, such as digging ditches and coordinating aerial drops of fire suppressors.
• Creates a fire line by cutting down trees and clearing brush that could catch or spread fire.
• Collaborates with a team of firefighters to implement backfire or burnout operations.
• Creates landing spots for fire suppression helicopters.
• Establishes water supplies, connects hoses, and directs water toward and onto fires.
• Activates and controls water and chemical hoses and/or pumps.
• Uses tools such as shovels or engine or hand-driven pumps to extinguish flames and embers as needed to suppress fires.
• Through constant contact with fire dispatchers, advises when additional firefighters or supplies are needed and provides detailed information on status of operation.
• Searches for, rescues, and administers emergency first aid to victims of fire or other catastrophic events.
• Patrols and oversees burned areas after a fire to identify and extinguish hotspots that could reignite.
• Reviews and carefully analyzes weather and topographical data to predict fire behavior or risk areas.
• Drives and operates vehicles and equipment used in fighting fires.
• Wears appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Actively participates in ongoing training, seminars, conventions, and conferences to maintain knowledge of current firefighting practices.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Thorough understanding of relevant equipment, tools, policies, procedures, and strategies used in firefighting.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm and exercise good judgment during hazardous fire-suppression activities.
• Ability to listen, understand, and respond quickly to directions.
• Works well with others, particularly in highly stressful situations.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma required.
• Successful passage of physical exam and fitness test.

• Existing, or desire to complete, training from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).

• Additional on-the-job training provided.

Physical Requirements:

• Highly dangerous work with the possibility of extremely prolonged periods working in high heat, high-stress situations.
• Must possess the ability to perform high-intensity physical labor including the ability to carry, drag, climb, and crawl, often across uneven terrain.
• Must be able to lift at least 150 pounds at a time.
• May need to be on shift for days at a time with very little rest.
• Exposure to fire and smoke, and dangerous chemicals and poisonous gases.