Fuels Technician IV

Fuels Technician IV

Fuels Management

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $19.14/Regular/Full-Time

Position functions under the Yakama Nation (YN), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Fuels Management Program. The primary purpose of this fuels position is to lead fuels crew/firefighters in the performance of prescribed fire and fuels treatment projects and perform a variety of complex mechanical fuels treatment and prescribed fire management technical support functions, including leading other employees in the preparation, layout and monitoring of mechanical fuels treatment and prescribed fire projects and data collection. This position directly affects the design, outcome and adequacy of hazardous fuels treatments and proscribed fire implementation, project monitoring and evaluation of field activities.

Examples of Work Performed:

Serves as a lead for the fuels data collection for the Fuels Management projects, compiles various resource data, prepares data summaries, generates graphs, and charts, and prepares maps of project areas. Utilizes existing data collection systems., databases, documentation at the agency, identifies and prioritizes treatment needs based on information available, within the context of broader goals and objectives. Monitors and conducts surveys to assure proper and consistent application of Fuels Management prescriptions.

Leads and participates in the data collection, summarization, and reporting of live and dead fuel loading, fuel moisture, and fire behavior and weather data relating to spread rate, flame length and other prescriptions elements.

Assists in recommending and/or selecting treatment sites, locates survey points and establishes treatment effects, observation cycles/intervals according to established protocols, using temporary or permanent plots.

Assist resource professionals in field survey efforts such as archeology, vegetation surveys, resource inventories, and data analysis.

Designs, implements, and assesses stand data and inventories in order to formulate and develop fuels management prescriptions. Analyses fire weather, fire behavior, fire history, stand exam data, prepares data summaries, statistical analysis, maps, and graphs for prescriptions. A variety of computer software and programs are utilized including Microsoft Word and Excel as well as Geographic Information System (GIS) including ArcView and Global Positioning System (GPS). Works with fire behavior computer models such as the BEHAVE software program.

Trains and leads technicians to establish and layout treatment areas in a variety of fuel/vegetation types. Monitors work progress, analyze and solve operational problems, recognizes and reports system design flaws, and recommends solutions or alternatives.

Provides technical guidance and assistance to other employees; provides or identifies training needed; monitors work progress; ensures needed equipment and materials are available; resolves technical problems; and reports on work accomplishments and problems encountered to supervisor.

Assists in planning work schedules including timetable for seasonal work to be completed and logistics of field crews. Coordinates activities with natural resource management and/or fire management staff. Coordinates and communicates project activities with tribe and various neighboring federal, State, and Local cooperators.

Acts as Prescribed Burn Boss on projects as assigned. Develops prescribed fire plans and mechanical fuels treatment projects, identifying needs, limitations, and considerations concerning the operation. Technically implements and leads all aspects of the prescribed fire and mechanical fuels treatment operations including preparation and scope of prescribed fire (control lines, burn plans), and fuel treatments (project design and layout), implementation of prescribed fires (ignition, burning) and mechanical fuels reduction projects (thinning, chipping, pruning, and piling for burning).

Uses and/or directs firefighting techniques, equipment and tools such as aviation resources, pumps, engines, axe, Pulaski, McLeod, crawler tractors, and chippers, ect., in treating fuels or controlling fire and mop-up activities. Determines the best method of control fires, and makes judgments regarding location and width of fire line in relation to fuel types, topography, and weather. Analyzes hazards involved and determines safety procedures and personal protective equipment required for project implementation.

Performs tasks to control and extinguish wildfires as needed.

Responsible for the operation of a tribal or federally owned/leased motor vehicle.

Other Duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of the Yakama Nation resources including forest, range, water, wildlife and culture and understanding of the Yakama Nation policy plans, resource plans, tribal regulations and tribal ordinances.

Knowledge of the effects of fire on natural resources, knowledge of fire ecology principles as they apply to local

fuel vegetation types, fire research methods and procedures, and fire behavior and weather relationships. General

knowledge of the methods of fire behavior modeling, including the development of fuel modes, the generation of fire behavior predictions, and the methods of integrating fire behavior predictions into fire planning process.

Knowledge of the techniques, policies, and practices of firefighting as obtained through substantial service as a primary firefighter. Maintains or in pursuit of, as a minimum, qualifications as an Incident Commander Type IV and Single Resourced Boss-Crew on Engine and prescribed Burn Boss Type II.

Knowledge of the principles, limitations, uses, and development of prescriptions for mechanical fuels treatment projects and prescribed burns, and burning techniques.

Thorough knowledge of fire behavior monitoring and documentation techniques, and the ability to work safely around all fire situations and in unfamiliar terrain. Knowledge of word processing, database management, and specialized software programs essential to data collection, project modeling, and project evaluation and reporting. Knowledge of GPS in order to locate field plots map project areas and boundaries. Knowledge of methods for collection, storage retrieval, and analysis of results from fire effects monitoring activities.

Ability to research fire and resources management issues and effectively communicates this information orally and in writing in the form of reports, statistical data, basic assessments of findings and observations, and supporting graphic materials.

Knowledge of bureau and departmental wildland fire policies, directives, and guidelines. Skill in interpreting and applying this guidance to wildland prescribed fire operations and mechanical fuels treatments.

Knowledge of Fuels Management practices, including mechanical fuels reduction, prescribed burning, timber stand improvement, and other activities designed to protect, maintain, or enhance the natural resources of the Yakama Nation.

Knowledge of Forest Management practices on the Yakama Nation lands.

Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with supervisors, subordinates, and co-workers.

Minimum Requirements:

Incumbent must have a minimum of one year Forestry, or Fuels Technician experience.

Incumbent must be red card qualified as a Burn Boss (RXB2), Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4), and Engine Boss (Single Resource), or be in pursuit of and have a minimum of three years wildland firefighting experience.

Must be physically fit and able to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions. Must be able to pass the work capacity test for Wildland firefighting arduous.

Must be physically and mentally capable and willing to endure extended periods of work under a wide variety of environmental conditions and be in good physical condition, be able to ascend and descend steep topography through rough forest terrain.

Must be able to pass the National Wildfire Coordinating Group national standard fitness test for arduous work level.

Must pass the Yakama Nation drug testing policy.

Must have or be able to obtain a Washington State driver's license and be insurable under the Yakama Nation insurance guidelines.

Preferred Requirements:

Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.