Job Opening: Wildfire Operations Specialist

Organization: Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians

Job Description

The Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians is excited to announce an opening for a dedicated and skilled Wildfire Operations Specialist. This full-time, non-remote position is ideal for someone with a passion for environmental conservation and wildfire management. The Wildfire Operations Specialist will play a crucial role in safeguarding tribal lands and communities from the threat of wildfires by utilizing traditional and modern firefighting practices. This role requires a hands-on approach to fire suppression and mitigation activities alongside maintaining the cultural, ecological, and historical values of the tribal territories.

As an integral member of the Cow Creek Tribal Fire Management team, the Wildfire Operations Specialist will report directly to the Fire Chief. The position encompasses responsibilities both in the field and administrative, requiring a robust balance of practical wildfire operations skills and management capabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participates in fuels mitigation, wildfire prevention, and wildfire suppression activities on Tribal and non-Tribal lands.
• Organizes and leads fuels mitigation projects, including but not limited to defensible space projects, landscape scale mitigation projects, pre-planned strategic fuels breaks, and road brushing.
• Develop and maintain pump water sources.
• Supervises 3 – 10 people on a frequent basis and up to 20 people on occasion.
• Coordinate and oversee prescribed burning operations on Tribal lands. May assist other agencies with prescribed burning operations on non-Tribal lands.
• Responds to wildfires that are on or threatening Tribal Lands and/or Tribal interests.
• May be deployed to wildfires, prescribed burning exchanges, and other all hazard events throughout the state or country when local fire conditions allow.
• Operates department vehicles/equipment including but not limited to cars, trucks, forklifts, fire cache trailers, chippers, All Terrain Vehicles, and fire engines.
• Performs maintenance and annual inventory on fire tools and equipment.
• Advances CCTFM as a leader and model for wildfire response and mitigation.
• Seeks educational opportunities to increase skill set to accomplish goals.
• May fill in for other qualified roles in their absence.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Have a combination of education and practical experience in wildfire fire prevention, mitigation, suppression, and control. A Bachelor’s or Associate Degree is desirable, but not necessary if the applicant has the appropriate wildfire field and administrative experience.
• Qualified as NWCG Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB).
• Qualified as NWCG Incident Commander 3 (IC3)
• Qualified as NWCG Division Supervisor (DIVS) or higher
• Hold or obtain within two years NWCG qualification as Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).
• FEMA IS-100, IS-200, IS-700.
• Must have the experience and capability to direct fire tactics and suppression.
• Pass the Work Capacity Test (Arduous) on an annual basis and have the ability to perform instant and/or sustained arduous physical activity on fires.
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Must have administrative abilities to complete appropriate projects, reports, and paperwork. Basic computer experience required (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Current Valid Oregon driver’s license (Class “C” or higher).
• DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• FEMA ICS-300, ICS-400.
• NFPA Assessing Structural Ignition Potential training (or equivalent).
• Wildfire Investigation.
• Working knowledge of maps, compasses, and GPS.
• Demonstrates strong leadership and mentoring skills and has the ability to direct a crew of diverse individuals.
• Experience with ArcGIS and Collector.
• Oregon Class “B” CDL.