The Oak Creek Fire Protection District is hiring an Engine Captain for the

2023 fire season.  There are 1 position available. 

Job Title: Wildland Engine Captain

Reports to: Battalion Chief (Wildland Division)

Starting Date: June 1, 2023

Ending Date:  November 30, 2023. (Potential for year around employment)

NOTE: THIS IS A PERMANENT SEASONAL POSITION.

Overview

The Oak Creek Fire Protection District is in the Northern Rockies just south of Steamboat Springs.  It services the community of Oak Creek and the neighborhoods of Stagecoach.  The district covers approximately 278 square miles.  The wildland fire division is responsible for responding to wildland fires withing the district as well as providing wildland firefighting mutual aid support to Routt County and the State of Colorado.  The wildland division also deploys type 3 engines, type 6 engines, and single resources to national incidents. 

All personnel are trained in chainsaw operations.  During non-fire operations, crew members will work in the district performing fuel mitigation work. 

Compensation:

Engine Boss - $30hr to $35hr depending on experience.

·       During deployment on national incidents there is an additional 30% differential pay when on a fire.  For example – An Engine Boss on a fire earns $35/hr + 30% (or $10.50) for a total of $45.50 per hour.

·       Nomex workpants, t-shirts, sweatshirt, hat, beanie, work gloves, PPE, fire line pack, gear bag, sleeping bag, ground pad, and tent are all issued upon hire.  Crew members are responsible for their own boots.

Paid Time Off, Flextime, and Sick Leave:

All employees earn 2 hours per month Flextime and 6 hours per month of Sick Leave.

Vacation time starts at 3.079 hours per pay period.

Time is not accrued during seasonal layoff period.

Retirement Benefits:

This position qualifies for Colorado FPPA retirement benefits.  Currently the department deducts 12% from the employees’ bi-weekly checks.  The department matches 8%. 

After being employed for a one-year period the employee may elect to purchase additional time served. See FPPA website or talk with FPPA representative for details.

Employees are vested after 5-year period.

Insurance:

Oak Creek Fire Protection provides medical, dental, vision, long term disability, and life insurance.

Family members can be added to employee’s policy.  The cost of additional family members will be deducted from the employee’s payroll (pretax).

Insurance coverage does not start until 30 days after the hiring date.

Details of insurance coverage available upon request.

Employees may elect to be covered during the seasonal layoff period.  This cost will be deducted from employees’ pay prior to seasonal layoff or can be paid month to month.

Employee Housing

The district will have seasonal housing available for crew members who need it.  The cost will be $450 per month.  The crew housing is ½ mile from the district wildland station. Housing consists of personal bedrooms, shared private bathrooms, laundry, kitchen, dining, and living room.

Work Hours:

The is a full-time position (40 hours per week), consisting of four 10-hour workdays per week. 

This position is also a Wildland Deployment Position.  Employees may be assigned to wildland fires both in and out of the fire district. The employee must be able to be away from home up to 30 days at a time (not including travel time).

Physical Requirements/Testing:

 You must pass an initial pre-employment physical work capacity fitness test. You are required to carry a 45 lb pack for 3 miles within 45 minutes. Failure to pass this test will disqualify you for employment. Any condition, (medical, physical, or mental) which would cause you to be a hazard to yourself or to others, will disqualify you for employment.

Position Summary:

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This position exercises the full range of supervisory duties by assigning, directing, and reviewing the work of seasonal fuels management and wildland fire crews. The incumbent must consider personnel capabilities, weather, terrain, and priorities and proceed independently. Must make frequent critical decisions under time pressures and emergency conditions. Decides placement of crew attack methods, etc., and is responsible for crew safety and welfare.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises supervision over seasonal fuels management and wildland firefighter staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES (The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.)

Supervises and directs the seasonal fuels management and wildland firefighting staff in duties that include work associated with fuels management such as brush clearing, tree trimming and falling, vegetation removal, etc.; and in fire suppression efforts using such firefighting tools as an axe, shovel, falling saws, etc., in initial attack, fire line construction and mop-up activities; may operate slip-on or portable pumping units, laying out hose lines as appropriate.

Supervises and performs assignments related to fuel management and oversees the use of specialized fuels management tools such as a motorized chipper and chain saws; the use of fire suppression techniques and practices such as fire line construction, backfiring methods, safety rules, and fire and fuels management terminology; participates in the fire District’s hazardous fuels reduction program.

Supervises and engages in arduous, physical, manual labor with the use of power and specialized hand tools to reduce, remove or otherwise modify forest and brush vegetation or fuels; assist in wildland and structural fire suppression operations; lay hose and direct hose streams; construct fire control lines; raise and climb ladders; use fire extinguishers; ventilate structures; perform overhaul and salvage work in order to preserve lives, property, and resources.

Supervises and directs seasonal crew in the movement of dirt, chopping of brush, or slashing of small trees to build fire line using hand tools such as axe, shovel, and power saws to control spreading wildland fire and to prepare lines prior to controlled burning; chops, carries and piles brush and timber slash.

Supervises the patrol of the fire line to locate and extinguish sparks, flare-ups, and hot spot fires that may threaten loss of control of the fire line developed for controlled burning as to control wildfire.

Provides supervision in the use of power tools, specialized hand tools, and fire suppression equipment to construct fire line; install and remove hose lays; performs fire suppression and mop-up operations after fire is controlled; receives training in maintenance and routine fire line operation of heavy equipment as needed.

Monitor the daily physical training program and strength training exercises.

Participates and provides direction in delivery of fuels management and wildland fire prevention programs to public, fire safe councils, school children, etc.

Supervises and directs staff in determining best method of attack including initial attack, extended attack, makes judgments regarding location and width of fire line in relation to fuel types, typography, etc.; performs duties in all phases of wildland fire suppression including large incidents (project fires), rehabilitation, and staging for pre-position during high to extreme fire danger.

Assist with maintaining the fire station in a clean and orderly condition.

Directs and supervises the training of seasonal firefighters in fire control, prevention, hazardous materials, rescue, EMS and related life and property protection activities, study fire department rules, fire hazards, and firefighting and lifesaving techniques.

Ensure that assigned personnel perform duties and responsibilities in a safe and prudent manner that does not expose them or others to unnecessary harm or risk of on-the-job injury.

Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Full Performance (These may be acquired on the job and are needed to perform the work assigned.)

Knowledge of:

Policies and procedures of the Oak Creek Fire Protection District.

Geography of the district, including major streets and landmarks.

Countywide personnel policies.

Basic tree, brush, and vegetation identification

Ability to:

Perform a variety of firefighting and emergency rescue assignments using great independence.

Supervise personnel, including training, assigning and reviewing work, administering discipline, and conducting performance evaluations.

Plan, coordinate, and direct assigned functions and activities to accomplish established goals and objectives and optimize efficiency.

Implement work methods and procedures that promote a safe working environment and ensure proper staff training in work safety.

Entry Level (Applicants will be screened for possession of these through written, oral, performance, or other evaluation methods.)

Knowledge of:

Supervisory principles and practices.

Basic arithmetic computations and formulas.

Firefighting and rescue methods, tools, and equipment.

Work safety methods and procedures.

Fire behavior and fire control techniques to carry out assigned fuels and wildland fire tasks.

Fire line terminology required to communicate with other crew members.

Principles and practices of fuels reduction.

Firefighting and rescue methods, tools, and equipment.

Two-way radio communication.

Hand and power tools, and facilities maintenance

Ability to:

Construct fire lines.

Use two-way radio equipment.

Understand basic arithmetic elements using whole numbers, decimals, percentages, and fractions.

Develop and interpret fuels management plans and objectives.

Learn a variety of firefighting duties, methods, tools, and equipment.

Analyze information, project consequences of proposed actions, and develop appropriate actions.

Analyze situations quickly and reach logical conclusions in emergencies.

Plan, organize, and prioritize daily activities.

Read and interpret laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Maintain records and prepare reports.

Exercise emotional control and work under stressful situations.

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental personnel, other agencies, the public, and others contacted in the course of work.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

(Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment.)

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods. Ability to frequently stoop, bend, and kneel. Corrected hearing and vision to normal range. Verbal communication and reading ability. Ability to work at considerable heights. Ability to perform sustained and vigorous activities in a variety of environmental conditions. Ability to tolerate exposure to heat, fumes, smoke pressurized water, and chemicals. Ability to work in extreme weather conditions from the low teens during the winter to the high temperatures during summers.

The work requires strenuous physical exertion for extended periods including, but not limited to, walking, climbing, shoveling, chopping, throwing, lifting, and frequently carrying objects weighing 65 pounds or 1/3 of their total weight.

Positions are required to work varied shifts including evenings, weekend, and holidays.

Employees must maintain hairstyles and facial hair in a manner that will not interfere with the required use of self-contained breathing equipment in accordance with Oak Creek Fire Protection District policies and procedures.

Because of the strenuous nature of this job, the employee will be required to maintain fitness through daily physical training.

This class specification is used for classification, recruitment, and examination purposes. It is not to be considered a substitute for work performance standards.

Employment At-Will

It is Oak Creek Fire Protection District’s policy that employees are employed at the will of OCFPD and the employee (“at-will” employment).  Thus, either employees or OCFPD may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason not prohibited by law, with or without cause or notice.

Personnel Handbook

All employees of Oak Creek Fire Protection District are required to follow the guidelines, policies, procedures, practices, SOP’s, and SOG’s that are documented in the department’s Personnel Handbook. All employees will be held accountable for reading, understanding, and complying with all provisions of the Handbook.

Minimum Qualification for Employment

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

·       Graduation from high school or equivalent education

·       Two years of firefighting experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

·       NWCG Engine Boss qualified (supported by proper certifications, task books, and documented experience)

·       NWCG Type 5 Incident Commander (supported by proper certifications, task books, and documented experience)

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

Must be 18 years of age at the time of application.

A valid driver’s license is required at the time of appointment.

All applicants will be required to pass a thorough medical examination and physical agility test prior to appointment and for continuing employment.

Applicants may be required to undergo a background investigation prior to being considered for employment.

OPORTUNITIES

Position potential for year-round employment

EMS training

Structure fire training

NOTE: If applicant is currently in high school or GED program district will consider applicant for a later starting date to facilitate completion.

Desired Qualifications:

·       IFSAC Fire Officer 1 or equivalent

·       NWCG Crew Boss

·       NWCG Task Force Leader

·       NWCG Faller 2

·       National Registry or Colorado EMT or higher medical certification

Certifications / Licenses / Diplomas:

Applicant is to deliver to fire district copies of all fire and education certifications/licenses (both wildland and structural), educational diplomas, master record, and resume which includes complete work history, references (please include complete contact information) to be considered for this position.

Selection Process

All candidates will be scored on their minimum qualification, desired qualifications, additional qualifications and skills.  Additional points will be given to veterans. All candidates will also be interviewed and scored.  Candidates will be ranked according to their score.  The district will use this ranking to help in the hiring process.

The Oak Creek Fire Protection District does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.