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East River Fire Management Officer

South Dakota State Government

Statewide, SD

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$29.23–$34.79 Per Hour
SKILLS
Acquisitions Management, Administrative Skills, Background Investigation, Budget Management, Budgeting, Communication Skills, Conservation, Emergency Management, Employee Retention, Equipment Replacement, Establish Priorities, Federal Government, Fire Prevention, Fire Safety, Fire Suppression/Control, Firefighting, Leadership, Local Government, Natural Resources, People Management, Program Planning, Project/Program Management, Public Safety, Quality Control, Risk Analysis, Simulation, Team Lead/Manager, Training Program, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Statewide, SD
POSTED
11 days ago
PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 35882
Agency: Department of Public Safety - Wildland Fire Division
Location:Eastern SDSalary: $29.23 - $34.79/hr, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: J
Closing Date: 06/01/2026

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

The East River Fire Management Officer leads firefighters in wildland fire suppression and other emergency management operations. The incumbent will function as a Division/Group Supervisor on larger wildland fire incidents.

Responsibilities:
  • Provides planning, direction, and leadership of a District Fire Management Program with a high complexity level by coordinating fire management planning with local communities, county government, and federal fire management agencies in managing wildland fire in a designated fire district.
  • Provides Work Direction, Support, and Quality Control.
  • Maintains and performs Program Budget Management and Acquisition Management.
  • Initiates suppression action on wildland fires in the district and directs and coordinates initial and extended attack forces to ensure immediate, effective, and economical response and control.
  • Assists the SD Wildland Fire Division with prescribed fire management to reduce fuel loading, improve wildlife habitat, and prevent wildfires.
  • Plans and coordinates fire prevention and education activities within the district to inform the public and other agencies of the benefits of a proactive approach to enhance fire suppression capabilities and reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire.
  • Assists the division's training program manager in planning and implementing wildland fire training in the district to ensure firefighters are trained in accordance with appropriate guidelines.
  • Performs supervisory and administrative functions to carry out the goals and objectives to maintain operational status.
  • Challenged to improve the resource capabilities of the fire district by representing the division at meetings with local governments, federal agencies, homeowner associations, volunteer fire departments, and others interested in natural resources conservation to provide information on programs available through the division and to organize and share resources.
  • Recruitment and retention of highly motivated and high performing personnel due to our wages that are not competitive with federal, other states, and private contracting companies. Staff move on to higher paying positions reducing our ability to operate safely and efficiently.
  • Development of an equipment replacement plan within the allocated budget.

This position works in a typical office environment as well as in the field in all types of weather and on all types of terrain and is exposed to hazards and strenuous work activity while fighting fires. This includes unpredictable fire behavior, exposure to burning material, smoke, dust, and extreme temperatures exacerbated by the need for and weight of protective gear. This position also requires an annual work capacity test at an arduous level which is a three mile fast paced walk carrying 45 pounds in under 45 minutes.

Must live in Eastern South Dakota. Office location will be determined within 30 minute radius of successful candidate.

Licenses and Certifications:
Minimum National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Task Force Leader qualification and Incident Commander Type 4.

Questionnaire: Applicants will be required to answer a series of job related questions when submitting an application for this position.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
  • NWCG qualifications: Division Group Supervisor, Incident Commander Type 3, Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2.
  • Effective communicator both orally and in writing.
  • Highly motivated and can work independently.
  • Passion for development of future leaders.

Knowledge of:
  • the principles, practices, and methods of forest and wildland fire management including presuppression, suppression, and post-suppression;
  • fire behavior and fire potential in various fuels, weather conditions, and terrain;
  • fire hazard and risk assessment in the wildland/urban interface;
  • prescribed burning including assessment of the burn area, use of computer fire behavior simulation, use of fire behavior information, and preparation of plans and prescriptions;
  • fiscal and personnel management;
  • basic computer applications and terminology.

Ability to:
  • identify, recruit and develop employees for future leadership roles;
  • interpret and implement department laws and policies;
  • provide leadership that promotes teamwork and interpersonal relationships;
  • organize and prioritize work activities for the district;
  • communicate information clearly and concisely both orally and written;
  • establish effective working relationships with volunteer firefighters, land and business owners, the general public, local governments, federal agencies, other state agencies, seasonal employees, and others as situations arise;
  • work outdoors in all types of weather and terrain, under physically and mentally demanding situations, and in hazardous conditions;
  • present and promote division objectives and services.

Additional Requirements:To be considered, please attach your:

  • Current Fire Training and Qualification Master Record.
  • Current Incident Qualification Card (red card).
  • Copies of any fire management plans, prescribed burn plans, annual operating plans or other fire management planning documents where you have been the primary author with your application. Describe which portion of the plan you were responsible for if you did not author the entire plan.
  • A resume will also be required at time of application.


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.

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 $0 premium employee health insurance option 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 here . This position is a member of Class B retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=3ZX
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

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South Dakota State Government

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