Forestry Technician; Lookout

This position is located within a National Forest. The purpose of the position is to provide fire detection services to district fire suppression personnel.

• Uses standard fire finders, compass, binoculars, protractors, and geographic maps to locate observed smoke.
• Estimates distance to smokes and probable size and characteristics of fires. Plots location of fires using specialized equipment.
• Reports azimuth, distance, location, volume, color, behavior of smoke, and other pertinent information by radio.
• Continues to observe the area and reports significant changes such as increased smoke, wind conditions, changes in color or volume of smoke, etc to dispatch.
• Evaluates changing conditions with the use of weather instruments to interpret fire weather data, then advises Fire Suppression personnel of those changes.
• Uses radio communications to warn personnel involved in the response to fires of changes that may affect them.
• Observes ground lightning strikes, reports resultant fires, and records storm path to assist in the observation for hold over fires.
• Records and reports daily weather observations and records. Maintains photo records and log books identifying the source and duration of smoke plumes.
• Makes minor adjustments to and maintains lookout equipment. Maintains station and grounds in a neat and orderly condition.
• Operates a radio communications center which connects to other lookout stations, lookouts, agencies, and two interagency dispatch centers.
• Receives and relays messages and information received relating to weather forecasts, fire hazard conditions, fire emergencies, accidents, and location of work crews and personnel.
• Communicates the location of known down strikes and fires to aircraft during recon activities.
• Serves as key contact at a lookout station visited by large numbers of people during the fire season.
• Promotes the fire prevention program by explaining State and Federal laws, policies, and regulations, as well as fire prevention methods and procedures and fire hazard conditions.
• Patrols district one day per week; maintains prevention signs; changes out prevention signs as needed; issues campfire permits; explains state and federal laws to visitors during patrol.
• Reviews documents and reports for completeness and enters pertinent information into an automated tracking system.
• Independently conducts the full range of database searches; reviews and processes documents and reports in accordance with established procedures.

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
• Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).