DFPC Firefighter III: Module Lieutenant, Granby

Full Job Description

Our Mission - Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities

Our Vision - Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado

Our Core Values – Unity, Honor, Service

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

At CDPS we nurture a centric culture driven by our commitment of creating a safer Colorado, an inclusive workplace where everyone can be their own authentic self.

We model a culture of collaboration, support and growth to our employees. Our culture has public service focus, and we strive to provide innovative solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans!

If you are passionate about public safety service, and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, this is the organization you want to join!

We are committed to providing public safety services to our fellow Coloradans in their times of greater needs such as: safety on our roads, preparing and mitigating environmental disasters, disaster recovery, combating crime, school safety, and victim recovery.

You’ll have the opportunity to challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career while making a difference in our community!

When you join CDPS, you are joining a team of exceptional individuals and together you will be inspired, motivated and supported to become the best you can be.

Unmatched Benefits

We highly value work life balance and offer excellent work-life programs, training and enriching professional development opportunities and a wide range of benefits.

• Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.

• State contribution into Health Savings Account when enrolled in HDHP.

• Job protected medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI).

• Paid medical leave benefits provided by the State of Colorado.

• Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.

• We offer unmatched retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans. For information on mandatory employee salary deferral (in lieu of contribution to Social Security), visit Colorado PERA for details.

• CDPS provides generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave and annual wellness days.

• The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state. It is our effort to support the well-being of employees and the workplace. EAPs provide short-term counseling, referrals and resources, as well as training and organizational development services.

• Additional benefits offered include tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.

• Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.

Requirements

The mission of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property, resources, environment, and quality of life in Colorado.

DFPC’s vision is to be the Nation's premier state fire organization by acting with foresight, providing bold leadership, enhancing our partnerships, and exemplifying the highest level of professionalism in fire prevention and protection, while building a safe and supportive work environment for our employees.

The Division achieves this mission and vision through its four (4) Sections: Center of Excellence, Fire and Life Safety, Professional Qualifications and Training, and Wildland Fire Management.

Each of the four sections serve Colorado’s fire community in a different capacity- from training firefighters to technological advancements in public safety, responding to and managing wildfires to building code enforcement, DFPC is dedicated to serving and safeguarding the people of Colorado while protecting property, resources, environment and quality of life.

One of the Wildland Fire Management Section’s (WFMS) primary roles is to assist and support local agencies with a range of wildland fire management programs including administrative, technical, preparedness, planning, response, and prescribed fire and fuels functions.

Wildland fire management in Colorado is a cooperative, interagency partnership between local, county, state, tribal, and federal entities.

Wildland fire protection responsibilities on non-federal lands in Colorado follow a hierarchy of: local jurisdiction > county sheriff > and finally to the State of Colorado (DFPC).

WFMS plays a crucial role in coordinating with external partners and representing Colorado at both regional (multi-state) and national levels.

This position is an operational, field level position with supervisory responsibilities whose primary purpose is to: provide wildland fire suppression response and incident response; assist in mitigation, fuels, and prescribed fire functions; assist in fire-preparedness support including training; and provide response and support in other all hazard incident response as qualified.

About the Position

The Module Lieutenant is a work lead of a firefighting resource - typically a suppression module, but may also be assigned to a helicopter module, Engine or squad/hand crew – to provide a range of firefighting and related services.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a work lead and provide leadership and direction to suppression module personnel in alignment with the DFPC values of honor, integrity, service, and loyalty; and serve as an NWCG Crew Boss - Single Resource (CRWB) in incident response.

Suppression modules regularly support diverse missions, including wildfire suppression response, mitigation projects (i.e.

prescribed fire, hazardous fuel reduction, and resource management), and prevention and education.

As assigned, equipped, and qualified, this position may assist with all-hazard incident operations such as search and rescue and other incident response.

The Module Lieutenant must have prior supervisory or work lead experience in addition to previous wildland firefighting experience. Additionally, this role assists with training programs, qualification and dispatch systems, and other preparedness activities.

• While providing for their individual safety and the safety of assigned employees, the employee leads module operations during fire suppression and incident response work. Fire suppression and incident response work includes, but is not limited to:
  • constructs fireline utilizing hand tools;
  • cuts and clears vegetation utilizing power saws;
  • performs structure protection;
  • conducts mop up and patrol operations;
  • carries out ignition operations;
  • operates pumps;
  • installs hose lays and water delivery systems;
  • performs and assists with rescue operations;
  • operates and travels in vehicles on and off-road;
  • hauls and packs fire related equipment and supplies;
  • uses various tools and equipment such as chainsaws, shovels, drip torches, fusees, pulaskis;
  • uses various communication methods including radios;
  • uses maps, compass, GPS, and other technology and tools to gather information and navigate an incident;
  • performs safety inspections, maintaining and repairing of tools and equipment;
  • briefs crew on demobilization procedures,
  • compiles all required incident documentation including Crew Time Reports, Equipment Shift Tickets, resources orders.
• Based on location and business needs, the position will perform and oversee non-wildfire and all-hazard incident response and support functions as trained, qualified, and equipped including, but not limited to: search & rescue, low-angle rescue, swift water rescue and other all hazard incident response

Requires intermediate fire knowledge and experience, skill in the application of firefighting tasks, and the ability to recognize and communicate safety considerations and other factors (fire intensity, fuel conditions, weather observations, etc.) used by higher qualified firefighters in their decision making process.

This knowledge, skill, and ability is shown by being qualified as a NWCG Single Resource Boss (CRWB, ENGB, HMGB) qualification.

• On a limited basis, the employee may temporarily work as a Firefighter IV if appropriately qualified, or may be required to supervise other single resources such as a squad, handcrew, engine or helitack crew, and/or service in another ICS role if appropriately qualified.
• Incident response may require travel to active fires, severity assignments, and pre-position assignments throughout Colorado and across the nation.
• Incident response may require travel in rotor and/or fixed-wing aircraft for detection, reconnaissance, communication, coordination, command and control purposes prior to, during, and following wildland fire and all-hazard incidents.
• Incident response may require personnel to be assigned to an incident for two weeks or longer in austere living and working conditions.
• Incident response may require working long hours (up to 16 hours per day) in outdoor settings and performing strenuous manual labor under extreme environmental conditions.
• Work schedules will be expected to be flexible and modified at times to fit the business need based on fire conditions.
• Participates in regular physical training and conditioning during work hours to maintain fitness levels as directed by the supervisor.

• While providing for his/her individual safety, the employee serves as a work lead and crewmember in planning and implementation of mitigation, fuels treatment and resource management projects, including but not limited to:
  • cuts, clears, piles, and disposes of treated vegetation;
  • uses tools and equipment such as chainsaws, firing equipment, portable pumps, chippers, air curtain burners and more;
  • constructs firelines and prescribed fire burning as assigned;
  • performs ignitions and holding operations;
  • conducts mop up and patrol operations;
  • uses various communication methods including radios; may pre-program radios for assignments;
  • uses and maintains on and off-road vehicles;
  • hauls and packs fire related equipment and supplies;
  • performs and mentors others in safety inspections, maintains and repairs tools and equipment; cleans, reconditions, and stores properly.
• Identifies and provides training needs of crew to support prescribed fire and fuel management programs.
• Collects, documents and gathers data and records information on fuels sampling, fuel types, weather conditions, fire behaviors, and status of work accomplished.
• Designs, develops, and writes plans for various resource management projects, including but not limited to: hazardous fuels reduction projects, prescribed fire projects and natural resource management projects.
• Implements defined processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information.
• Work duties include participation in physical conditioning activities for up to one hour each day.

• Provides direction, oversight, support and training to assigned employees; evaluates employee schedules and work load, communicates with Captain to make adjustments as needed
• Based on general guidance from the DFPC Director, by and through the WFMS Chief, assists the Captain in developing professional development plans for assigned employees while implementing the goals and mission from the District leadership to support all WFMS programs and incident response.
• Based on general guidance from the DFPC Director, by and through the WFMS Chief, assists the Captain in developing work plans and schedules for subordinate staff including, but not limited to, training programs for staff and customers, community outreach and education, statistical reporting, and overall preparation for emergency response.
• Schedules, coordinates tasks and logistical needs, evaluates, and provides safety guidance and oversight to assigned employees.
• Provides input on performance evaluations of all assigned employees, makes recommendations on remediation or advancement;
• Assists with the hiring process, including interviews of applicants, makes recommendations to hire, promote or transfer;
• Assists with informal grievances, provides documentation to support corrective actions when needed;
• Oversees and reviews work products and employee health, and adjusts deadlines and plans of work accordingly, communicates concerns with Captain as needed;
• Compiles all required incident documentation including but not limited to tracking Crew Time Reports, Equipment Shift Tickets, resource orders and more.
• Approves time in state timekeeping systems, verifies employees are following best practices related to time entry, incident documentation, receipts, travel documents etc.; signs and approves all overtime, travel and purchase forms.

• Establishes and maintains the physical fitness level necessary to effectively perform hard physical labor for extended periods under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions; mentors and trains new firefighters and validates readiness of assigned personnel.
• Inspects & maintains crews response equipment, vehicles, tools, PPE and more; implements processes to inventory tools, PPE, equipment; accounts for any safety issues; coordinates repair/replacement needs.
• Ensures module & equipment readiness; includes daily maintenance checks;
• Determines crew qualifications needs within the resource, develops a crew training plan for the unit that best fits the response profile of the location.
• Implements annual operational preparedness training for assigned personnel following the WFMS Resource Operations and Standards Guide.
• Communicates effectively with multichannel radios, prepares and programs radios for assignments and repair and/or replacement.

Manages on-going training and professional development of the crewmembers in the State of Colorado; CDPS, DFPC & WFMS standard operating policies, procedures & guidelines.

This includes time-keeping systems, time & leave policies, incident documentation requirements, travel & purchasing policies and more.

• Oversees the logistics and instruction of various courses, training and events, such as wildfire suppression classes, incident management, structural firefighting, medical and first aid, job fairs and community outreach to DFPC employees and external agency personnel.
• Assists other DFPC programs (reports, data entry, filing, training and testing, inspections, research, fire billing, logistics etc.) as needed and available to support the mission of CDPS and DFPC.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of documented wildland firefighting experience.

• Qualification to the NWCG Crew Boss - Single Resource (CRWB)

  • May substitute Engine Boss - Single Resource (ENGB) or Helicopter Manager - Single Resource (HMGB) qualifications PLUS significant experience serving on and leading 5-person squads, 10-person modules, or 20-person hand crews.

  • Please submit a copy of your NWCG qualifications (IQS or IQCS master record and/or incident qualification card)

• General knowledge of natural resource management, where the knowledge is directly applicable to fuels management and both wildland fire and prescribed fire.

• General knowledge of the effects of fire on natural resources and fire ecology principles as they apply to local fuel and vegetation types, weather, fire behavior and the methods used to monitor, analyze, and predict fire behavior.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Four (4)+ years of documented wildland firefighting experience, and/or additional fire service experience, including fireline supervision.

• Exceptional candidates will have a well documented track record of multiple years of experience as a first level supervisor or work lead, and will be proven leaders whose management approach is fundamentally grounded in the DFPC values of honor, integrity, service, and loyalty.

• Previous experience designing, planning, implementing and monitoring prescribed fire, fuels treatment, and natural resource management projects

• Bachelor's degree or higher in forestry, natural resource management, rangeland management or related field.

• Previous experience with state level fire programs, with a preference for experience with the state of CO fire programs.

• Exceptional candidates will also have one or more of the following NWCG qualifications:

  • Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) or higher

  • Basic Faller (FAL3) or higher

  • Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 3 (RXB3) or higher

  • Strike Team or Task Force Leader

  • Additional Single Resource Boss qualifications

• State of Colorado/DFPC: Structural Firefighter I, Structural Firefighter II or equivalent.

• Medical certifications and qualifications including: Wilderness First Responder, Emergency First Responder, or Emergency Medical Technician.

• State of CO Class B CDL

• Demonstrated commitment to public service and community involvement.

• A complete CDPS Application for announced vacancy (please submit online using the link in this announcement).

• A complete supplemental questionnaire (must submit online as a part of the application).

• A copy of your NWCG qualifications (IQS or IQCS master record and/or incident qualification card).

• Detailed, chronological resume of experience.
  
  

• Upon initial employment, individuals will be required to provide a complete training file to DFPC that contains all necessary qualification documentation (course certificates, position task books, personnel evaluations, and incident experience history) to demonstrate that NWCG and other requirements have been met.

• Position may be required to attain additional training and/or certifications within a specified period of time, per current DFPC qualifications and professional development Standard Operating Guidelines and Policies.

• Current valid driver's license at time of hire, and must obtain a Colorado-issued driver's license within 1 month of hire. Ability to operate motor vehicles and to travel extensively throughout the state in a variety of weather conditions.

• Must be 18 years of age at time of hire.

• This position is a public safety officer as defined by 42 U.S.C. § 3796b Sec. 1204 (9).

• Must be willing to travel to wildfire incidents, severity assignments, and pre-position assignments throughout Colorado, and across the nation at times. Assignments may last for two weeks or longer.

Wildland Firefighters need to be familiar with and frequently use flammable liquids and solids in the performance of aviation operations and various prescribed fire and tactical firing tasks.

This includes the preparation, implementation and storage of drip torch fuel, Fire Retardant, Water Enhancers, Aluma Gel, Phosphorus and cleaning chemicals.

• Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam, a fingerprint based criminal history search, reference checking, driving history, drug screen.

• Must maintain an Arduous Fitness Level rating (based on NWCG standards) throughout the entire employment period. Must be able to obtain an Arduous Fitness Level rating within 2 weeks of hire.
  

Additional Information