Fire​/Fuels Technician

Job Title: Fire/Fuels Technician 1-2 (FFT2)

Department: /Fire-Fuels Program

Reports To: Fire/Fuels AFMO Operation/Crew Lead

The incumbent helps with a variety of fire/fuels management activities; such as, fire suppression, prescribed fire, mechanical fuel treatments, project monitoring, and data collection (forestry or fuels) on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation. Incumbent functions as a fire/fuels technician, performing duties with more experienced co-workers and under the supervision of the crew lead or Supervisory Technician. This position is subject to medical screening and annual physical fitness testing at the arduous level as a condition of employment.

• Serves as a member of an engine or hand crew assigned to suppress wildland fires. Performs assignments as a wildland firefighter in developing a working knowledge of fire suppression strategies, tactics, and fuels management techniques, practices and terminology. This consists of Fireline construction, use of pumps and engines, hose lays using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustments in the effective use of water and additives, working in and around aircraft such as helicopters, safety rules, and basic fire behavior.
• Assists in fuels activities, working as part of a seasonal crew performing field work to accomplish thinning, pruning, mastication, and piling slash associated with wildland fuels projects. This will include operating equipment, such as: a chipper, DR mower, chainsaw and/or pruning equipment.
• Participates in fire/fuels and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression and in the safe, efficient operation and use of hand and power tools, equipment and vehicles used in Fireline activities.
• Participates in safety sessions and fire/fuels critiques (After Action Review).
• Ensures own and others welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignments.
• Ensures daily repairs and maintenance of equipment, such as: a chipper, DR mower, a pump, wildland engine, chainsaw and/or other equipment. Maintains equipment daily in an operable condition, troubleshoots equipment in need of repair.
• Assists preparing hazardous fuels reduction projects by flagging treatment areas, property ownership corners and lines, and riparian or wildlife management zones, cultural surveys, and GPS.
• Assists in collecting for a variety of fuel-monitoring projects, including stand exams and fuel line transects.
• Maintains electronic timesheet on a weekly basis.

• Assists forestry personnel in collecting data for forestry projects, including accurately identifying conifer and hardwood species present on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation, measuring tree diameter at breast heights and total tree heights and stand exams for survival, stocking surveys, and tree planting.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• No experience necessary.
• Able to lift and carry 50 lbs.
• Able to walk all day in steep and rugged terrain if needed.
• Ability to learn and operate fire suppression equipment, chainsaw, hand tools, and other equipment.
• Ability to learn and familiarize with local tree forestry practices.
• Ability to learn and familiarize with GPS units and computer.

• Must maintain a valid state driver’s license and be tribally insurable.
• Pass fire physical and able to pass the arduous work capacity test annually (45lbs. for 3 mile in 45 minutes or less).
• Must be 18.
• High school Diploma or GED preferred.
• Must take and successfully pass the following fire courses by June 30 of current year: I100, IS700, L-180, S-190 and S-130 in addition to the Annual Fireline Safety refresher (RT-130).
• Able to qualify as a FFT
  2.

Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Fire/Fuels Technician III, the designated project leader or Supervisory Technician. Other supervision may be designated on wildfire assignments of specific project. The supervisor specifies the immediate objectives, scope of the assignment, deadlines to be met, resources available, and works closely with employee in unusual situations that lack clear precedents. Work is reviewed by the Fire/Fuels Technician III or…