Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District is now accepting applications for its 2023 Seasonal Crew. Applications will be accepted through February 3, 2023.

DEFINITION

Under the direction of the Crew Superintendent and crew overhead, crew members safeguard the community by performing manual fuels reduction projects and performing wildland firefighting operations locally and nationally. This is an entry level position for the Wildland Fire and Fuels Division.

Reports to: Engineer/Squad Leader or Lead Firefighter

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The functions listed below are examples of the work typically performed by an employee in this position. An employee may not be assigned all functions listed and may be assigned functions which are not listed below.

• Operate heavy machinery (wood chipper), hand tools, and chainsaws to remove vegetation.
• Create burn piles in the summer and monitors during burn season.
• Perform wildland fire suppression and control activities.
• Construct and patrol fire lines.
• Operate fire District vehicles.
• Clean, maintain, and store fire tools.
• Provide defensible space and fuels reduction activities.
• Ensure all daily, weekly and monthly and equipment inspection, test records and logs are properly filled out and submitted in a timely manner.
• Perform general maintenance work on the upkeep of the crew facilities, vehicles, and equipment

QUALIFICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT

Knowledge of

• Defensible Space and Living with Fire guidelines
• Principles and practices of fuels reduction and wildland firefighting
• Operation and maintenance procedures for chippers, chainsaws, and hand tools and safety procedures

Skill to

• Operate and maintain various types of firefighting equipment
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Ability to

• Ability to pass Work Capacity Test at Arduous Level
• Organize time effectively
• Provide excellent customer service
• Follow verbal and written instructions
• Establish effective working relationships with coworkers, other agencies and the public
• Develop a working knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices and terminology
• Develop a working knowledge of tree and plant species within the District
• Remain flexible with and adaptable to constantly changing fire situations
• Operate hand tools in a wildfire environment for up to 24 hours
• Seek out and suppress hot spots

Experience and Training:

Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A typical way to gain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is:

• High school diploma or equivalent

Required Certifications and Licenses:

All required certifications and licenses must be maintained and current through the duration of employment.

• I-100, S-130, S-190, L-180 Certifications by first day of employment
• S-212 certification within one year of employment
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license

Preferred Certifications and Licenses:

• EMT Basic or Basic First Aid Certification, CPR

Special Requirements:

• 18 years of age or older
• Reside within seventy-five (75) road miles of Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District Station 22
• Must be willing to work outside the normal 40-hour per week work schedule to accomplish project objectives
• Respond within two hours to Station 22 when emergencies are dispatched
• Commit to fire assignments outside the District for up to twenty-one (21) days, exclusive of travel
• Possess and maintain a satisfactory driving record

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical and mental/intellectual requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, talk and/or hear, use hands/fingers to handle objects and operate tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell.

This position requires frequent lifting and/or moving of objects up to 50 pounds and occasional moving of objects up to 175 pounds. Strength, stamina, and agility to hike steep, uneven rocky terrain while carrying equipment. Specific vision abilities include close vision, night vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Physical fitness must be maintained to perform a variety of maintenance duties as well as rescue activities by successfully completing the Work Capacity Test at the “arduous level” per NWCG guidelines.

In compliance with applicable disability laws, reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with a disability who require and request such accommodations. Incumbents and individuals who have been offered employment are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations with a qualified Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District representative.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position functions indoors in an office type environment and in forested wildland environments. Position frequently travels by car to meetings and to conduct field duties. Field duties take place in forested environments with steep, uneven, rocky terrain and may be conducted during periods of snow, extreme heat, rain, wind or other inclement weather conditions. Employee may be exposed to dust, loud noises, and general outdoor conditions while performing field duties. Frequent interruptions to planned work activities occur. The noise level in the work environment varies from quiet office settings, to moderate during daily work routine, and to extremely loud on fire assignments. There is a risk of death or injury from falling trees and natural hazards.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District changes and/or requirements of the job changes.

The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, established in 1946, provides 24-hour emergency fire, rescue, emergency medical services and other all-risk response to areas of Douglas County, Nevada within the Lake Tahoe Basin. TDFPD responds to and mitigates a wide variety of incidents that include EMS calls, structure fires, wildland fires, boat fires, technical rope rescues, vehicle extrications, backcountry rescues, EOD calls and water rescues. The Fire District is made up of six stations including two Wildland Fire and Fuels stations.

Wildland Land Fire & Fuels began with the creation of the Zephyr Hand Crew in 2008 in response to the devastating Angora Fire in South Lake Tahoe. Since then, the Wildland Fire and Fuels Division has expanded to include the Shoreline Crew. Working together both crews provide wildfire protection, prevention and education to residents and protect the natural resources with the Lake Tahoe Basin . Wildland Fire and Fuels crew members are nationally recognized and respond to wildland fire incidents both locally and nationally.

TDFPD Wildland Fire & Fuels is looking for candidates who are physically and mentally tough, enjoy working outside in a team atmosphere and who are eager to gain knowledge and skills in fuels reduction and wildland firefighting all while upholding Zephyr and Shoreline Crews' high standards and reputation.

For additional information regarding the Crew Member position and/or required certifications, please contact Keegan Schafer.