Definition: Under the direction of the South Lake Tahoe Fire Fuels Crew Lead, crew members safeguard the community by performing manual fuels reduction projects within the Tahoe Basin. This is an entry level position for the South Lake Tahoe Fire Fuels Division Chipping Crew.

Reports to: Fuels Division Crew Lead

Essential Functions

Operate heavy machinery (wood chipper), hand tools, and chainsaws to remove vegetation.

Create burn piles in the summer and monitors during burn season.

Operate fire Department 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:

Wildland fire operations and Urban Interface wildland firefighting techniques sufficient to determine strategy and tactics

The principles and practices of fuels reduction work

The Incident Command System

Federal, state and local fire regulations

Defensible Space and Living with Fire guidelines

Operation and maintenance procedures for chippers, chainsaws, and hand tools

Safety procedures

Skill to:

Operate and maintain various types of Fire Department equipment

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Interpret, explain and apply policies and procedures

Ability to:

Organize time effectively

Fall hazard trees safely in adverse conditions

Decide on an appropriate course of action within the scope of assigned duties

Acquire knowledge of wildland fire management, planning and practices including prescribed fire, fuel management, fire histories, and fire hazard analysis

Acquire knowledge of local fire contracts and agreements

Operate and maintain various types of Fire Department equipment

Maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work activities

Contribute to and maintain a positive and safe work environment

Work in a team environment as a member of the South Lake Tahoe Fire Fuels Reduction Division

Distribute wildfire prevention educational materials to raise wildfire awareness.

Deliver excellent customer service

Establish effective working relationships with crew members, other agencies and the public

Attend and participate in meetings and training sessions.

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

General fire maintenance experience is desired

Required Certifications and Licenses:

Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Completion of S-130, S-190 and ICS-100 within 90 Days of employment

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

Preferred Certifications and Licenses:

S-131, S-133, S-212, ICS-200 and FAL2.

Ability to obtain a California or Nevada Commercial Driver’s License, California “Firefighter” endorsement or Nevada “F” endorsement.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Indoor work to perform record keeping and computer tasks; outdoor work in all types of weather including extreme heat and humidity, cold and rain and snow; work in and around heavy traffic conditions and very loud noise of construction equipment; continuous exposure to moving mechanical parts, electrical shock, and vibration from equipment and tools; occasional exposure to hazardous materials and substances including chemicals, blood borne pathogens, and animal bites; positions may require working at heights above the ground, work below ground, and/or in confined spaces.

Physical: Incumbents in this class must be in good physical condition and able to exert physical strength for prolonged periods of time. Due to the physical nature of this position, the majority of tasks performed by incumbents involve a combination of two or more simultaneous physical operations requiring but not limited to the following:

CONTINUOUS: sitting, standing, walking, climbing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, handling, fingering, and hearing; lifting and carrying of tools and equipment weighing up to 75 lbs.; pushing/pulling of tools and equipment up to 25 lbs.

FREQUENT: balancing, crouching and talking; pushing/pulling of tools and equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.

OCCASIONAL: crawling, smelling; lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling of tools and equipment weighing up to 100 lbs.; lifting and carrying tools and equipment weighing over 100 lbs. with assistance.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to see work orders and service requests, field conditions, equipment dials and gauges; operate vehicles and equipment; monitor telephone traffic conditions and mix chemicals.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction; ability to monitor sounds for traffic control and equipment malfunction; hear back-up alarms on trucks and other equipment, telephone and radio transmissions, and calls for assistance from others.

Speaking: Communicate in English in person, by phone and radio to communicate with both the public and co-workers.

FLSA Designation: Non-Exempt