Wildland Firefighter

Job Description

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 26919
Agency: Department of Public Safety - Wildland Fire
Location: Rapid City, SD
Salary: $20.06 per hour, depending on experience
Pay Grade: GF
Closing Date: 05/22/2024

This is a full-time position with the Department of Public Safety. For more information on the Department of Public Safety, please visit https://dps.sd.gov/ .

The Wildland Firefighter is the first-level worker and serves on a hand crew performing wildfire suppression and fuels reduction duties. The Wildland Firefighter may respond to wildland fires and to other emergencies, both locally and nationally, and provide Emergency Response to Wildland Fire and All-Hazard Incidents.

Establish and maintain the physical fitness standard necessary to effectively perform hard physical labor for extended periods under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions. Respond to wildfire and all-hazardous incidents such as floods, winter storms, hurricanes, tornadoes.

This position works on wildfires and is exposed to burns, smoke inhalation, heat exhaustion, and extensive hard labor. This position also works in emergency situations and may be exposed to uncertain conditions, bad weather, hazardous materials, etc.; works on fuels reduction projects requiring the use of power and hand tools which have an element of risk, hard labor, and exposure to falling trees; and works in rough terrain and adverse weather conditions. Works in all types of weather and on all types of terrain, and is exposed to hazards and strenuous work activity while fighting fires. Also works in a typical office environment.

Must live within one hour of the Rapid City Crew Office.

Refer to SD Wildland Recruitment Video Link for details- https://youtu.be/5lsmBmPP7-k?si=G62UNgbD1ffC5RRF .

Information about the Rapid City Area:
Rapid City, at an elevation of 3,200 feet, lies along the eastern edge of the Black Hills. It is the major population and retail center for the region. Rapid City has a population of over 70,000 and is a rapidly growing and vibrant community. This modern city offers a Regional Hospital, the Regional Eye Clinic, Neurology Center and Cancer Center, 27 parks with many connected by a 20 mile city bike path, Ellsworth Air Force Base, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, National American University, scores of local and national chain restaurants, 90 churches, two public high schools, four public middle schools, 17 public elementary schools, 2 private school systems K-12, and several shopping malls.

Rapid City, bisected by Interstate I-90, serves as the hub for dozens of tourist destinations in the Black Hills and is a popular stopping point for visitors passing through on their way to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming and Montana. Three major airlines serve the Rapid City Regional Airport.

The climate is great - sunny, low humidity, with summer daytime highs in the 80's and winter daytime highs in the 30's. Rainfall averages 17 inches per year and snowfall 32 inches. Five National Park system destinations are adjacent to or within 50 miles of the Black Hills National Forest. These include Mount Rushmore National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Badlands National Park, and Devils Tower National Monument. In addition, the nation's second largest state park, Custer State Park, is in the southeastern Black Hills area.

Additional Websites about the area:

• http://rapidcitypubliclibrary.com
• http://www.visitrapidcity.com/
• www.rcgov.org
• www.rcas.org
• Black Hills & Badlands - South Dakota | The Home of Mount Rushmore ( www.blackhillsbadlands.com/ )
• 2016 Bear Mountain and Black Hat Handcrew - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDQEts8fMZ0

Licenses and Certifications:
Applicants must have a valid driver license and must be able to pass the NWCG Arduous Work Capacity Test.

List of preferred education:

• S-130/190 Basic Wildland Fire Fighter;
• S-131 Advanced Fire Fighter;
• S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaw.
• Current Fire Training and Qualification Master Record, Current Incident Qualification Card (red card)
• Minimum National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)Firefighter Type 2 qualification.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
Qualifications as Type 1 Firefighter, Type 5 Incident Commander, and Type 3 Faller are preferred.
At least two seasons of wildland fire experience, at least one season of wildland fire experience on a hand crew, and experience performing fuels mitigation/reduction projects will be beneficial.

NWCG qualifications: FFT2,FAL3

Effective communicator both orally and written.

Highly motivated and can work independently.

Passion for development of future leaders.

Knowledge of:

• power tools and equipment typically used in fire and emergency situations such as chain saws, axes, shovels, picks, etc.;
• equipment maintenance and safety practices;
• fuels, terrain, weather, and fire behavior to make decisions and take actions;
• use of the Incident Command System terminology, organization, and command structure;
• acquire, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make more informed decisions, and to take appropriate actions;
• address actions based on changing information and evolving situational awareness;
• communicate changing conditions to supervisor;
• packing heavy loads of fuel, food, water, and tools, for miles over rough terrain in hot and smokey conditions to get to the work site;
• operate handheld and mobile radios, navigate using maps, compass, GPS, etc;
• engages in low complexity fireline chainsaw operations, including tree felling, bucking, brushing, and limbing.

Ability to:

• communicate effectively;
• maintain required physical fitness standards;
• ability to support chainsaw operations such as removing brush, falling smaller diameter trees, limbing, bucking, and brushing;
• completing all required physical fitness test at arduous level each year. Arduous level is walking three miles in 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack;
• participates in proficiency, career development courses, and physical fitness training to remain job ready;
• implements and completes fuels reduction treatments on private land in the Black Hills Fire Protection District;
• participate in prescribed burn projects. (including pile burning in the winter);
• maintain tools, equipment, and able to operate various power tools;
• building and ground maintenance;
• able to work weekends, holidays, and be on call for response to wildfires;
• work extended periods of time (up to 21 days straight);
• comfortable sleeping outside in the wilderness;
• must be able to proficiently work in a team setting;
• operation of small pumps and hoselays.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.

Other required documents: Current Fire Training and Qualification Master Record, Current Incident Qualification Card (red card)

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers employer paid health insurance plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/ . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1443/lmghr/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=PNK
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"