Fuels Specialist

Participates in planning and assigning priorities and tasks for prescribed fire, fuels management, fuels monitoring, smoke management, and wildfire response. Provides professional advice and assistance to meet resource management objectives within the department. Coordinates with the Fire Management Officer, other agencies, cooperators, and stakeholders to develop interagency fuel strategies. Represents the organization in multi-agency fuels management activities. Adheres to all prescribed policies and procedures to ensure own and others’ welfare and safety in all assignments.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT 

Associate's degree from a 2-year college or technical school; or two (2) years (60 credit hours) coursework from a 4-year college or university; or three (3) years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT 

An additional six (6) years of experience in a related field.

COMPUTER SKILLS 

An individual should have knowledge of Internet software, Spreadsheet software, and Word Processing software.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

Must possess a valid driver's license with a driving history verified through a motor vehicle report that meets the requirements for Cherokee Nation underwriting rating. Must possess and maintain registration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and meet their requirements to qualify to perform firefighter duties. Must possess and maintain CPR and First Aid Certification. If not certified, must obtain within six (6) months of hire. Must possess and maintain a current Incident Qualification Card (Red Card) with the following qualifications: Firing Boss (FIRB), Engine Boss (ENGB), Heavy Equipment Boss (HEQB), and Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4). Trainee status is acceptable for ICT4. Must complete Fireline Leadership (L-380) course within one (1) year of hire. Must complete requirements to become a Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2) Trainee within three (3) years of hire. These requirements include the completion of Smoke Management Techniques (RX-410) and Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (S-390).

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

The employee must not be and will not be under sanction by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) or by the General Services Administration (GSA) or listed on the OIG's Cumulative Sanction Report, or the GSA's List of Excluded Providers, or listed on the OIG's List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Ability to develop and deliver written, oral, visual, and signed communication in a non-discriminatory manner that is sensitive to all employees and the public. Must pass a standard federal firefighter physical examination (AKA Medical Standards), and physical test, and meet the minimum training requirements for NIMS-ICS positions as prescribed by the B.I.A. and Wildland and Prescribed Fire Qualification Guide (PMS 310-1).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to correct/adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may regularly be exposed to working in wet or humid conditions (non-weather), near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outdoor weather conditions, extreme cold (non-weather), and extreme heat (non-weather). The employee may frequently be exposed to vibration. The employee may occasionally be exposed to risk of electrical shock, working with explosives, and radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud.

Responsibilities:

Performs all aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations including preparation, marking timber, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop-up. Prepares forest development sites by marking boundaries and measuring sections to be treated.  Collects fire weather data, fuel and/or soil moisture samples, map projects, and maintains records. Maintains tools, equipment, and vehicles. Designs and conducts fuels management inventory analyses, utilizing results to prioritize projects.  Assists with fire dispatch. Assists with fire detection patrols and initial attacks on discovered fires. Instructs in basic fire control techniques and equipment use. Assists in development and design and participates in wildland fire, safety training, crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques. Ensures work conditions conform to department/Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) safety standards. Identifies and recommends corrections actions for job safety, health hazards, and violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act standards. Represents the organization in multi-agency fuels management activities and coordinates interagency fuel strategies. Provides leadership and implements activities to accomplish multicultural organization direction and Equal Opportunity requirements, goals, policies, and objectives. Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Minimal supervisory responsibility (i.e. lead position).