Job Specification 02664
SUPERVISING FOREST FIREWARDEN
DEFINITION
Under direction of the Chief, Bureau of Forest Fire Management,
Department of Environmental Protection, plans and supervises
staff and field operations of the Forest Fire Management Program
including implementation of the statewide fire suppression
program, presuppression program, and forest fire prevention
program to provide effective protection of life and state owned
and private property from wildfire; a) in the Field Operations
Unit, directly supervises three (3) field divisions of the bureau
to ensure implementation of prevention, pre-suppression, and fire
suppression plans; b) in the Plans, Prevention, and Enforcement
Unit, prepares and supervises the implementation of long and
short range presuppression and suppression plans and cooperates
with law enforcement agencies in securing compliance with forest
fire regulations; or c) in the Maintenance and Equipment Unit,
develops engineering specifications for and supervises the
construction and maintenance work on forestry and fire fighting
vehicular, mechanical, and small hand equipment; assumes command
of the bureau during the State Firewarden's absence; does other
related duties.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative
purposes only. A particular position using this title may not
perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely,
all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Supervises three (3) field divisions of the Forest Fire Service
and ensures the implementation of prevention, presuppression, and
fire suppression plans.
Supervises, reviews, and develops systematic damage reporting
criteria and benefit-cost ratios for the various values at risk;
conducts reviews of special fire problems and provides for the
establishment and dissemination of procedural information.
Supervises planning and implementation of state aerial attack and
aerial detection programs; reviews the standards for fire
observation by ground and tower units; reviews contracts and
agreements pertaining to air operations.
Conducts continuous inspections of field operations and prepares
reports presenting constructive criticisms and recommendations
for improvement.
Controls and develops permits pertaining to open burning
regulations and assists with the compilation of scientific data
pertinent to fire risk; provides and disseminates daily fire
danger rating measurements and meteorological reports.
Supervises standby alerts in accordance with provisions of the
New Jersey Bureau of Forest Fire Management Alert Plan and
interprets risk and hazard information to fire staff and actively
participating parties.
Approves special patrol activities in high hazard and risk areas
and supervises the organization and direction of suppression
forces actively engaged in fire control activities.
Communicates and cooperates with various public and private
agencies in the pursuit of improved overall performance regarding
fire service goals and objectives.
Prepares and supervises the implementation of long and short
range presuppression and fire suppression plans utilizing
studies, resource inventories, organization plans, attack plans,
and cooperative agreements.
Supervises the assistance to local, state, and federal law
enforcement agencies in apprehension actions and court settlement
actions; cooperates with law enforcement agencies in securing
compliance with forest fire regulations.
Makes recommendations to courts regarding the severity of
penalties with values lost and threatened in accordance with fair
market value.
Administers the National Fire Danger Rating System.
Plans and supervises the distribution and maintenance of radio
equipment and makes recommendations for the communications
network improvement; reviews contracts and agreements for radio
maintenance and frequency allocation ensuring that contract
provisions and FCC rules and regulations are followed.
Initiates and assists in the implementation and training of
proper investigative procedures in connection with high fire
frequency or violations of state forest fire laws and supervises
enforcement procedures and related training.
Plans, reviews, and supervises the implementation of statewide
protective burning programs and coordinates with state/private
owners in the application of prescribed fire for the purpose of
hazard reduction and fuel modification.
Supervises the spectrum of work and activity required to reduce
hazards in high risk areas; prepares plans for prescribed fire,
control of highway and railroad hazards, and fuel reduction.
Prepares reports and supervises the cataloging, filing, and
maintenance of all research records, correspondence, and training
programs essential to continuity between related functions.
Takes the lead in the specification and planning stage of
building construction, firelines, airfields, and property
maintenance.
Prepares and/or reviews and supervises the preparation of
reports, and performance of administrative tasks.
Organizes and directs the gathering and review of damage
appraisal data with respect to mechanical, structural, or other
problems or losses due to mechanical failure.
Supervises the periodic testing, inspection, and equipment
studies required to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of
forest fire equipment.
Supervises the Federal Emergency Equipment Interchange Program
involving the development of written cooperative agreements with
public and private agencies, and the monitoring of federal excess
equipment use and any transfer arrangements.
Establishes priorities necessary for the maintenance and physical
improvement of bureau maintenance shops and grounds; surveys
these areas to evaluate repair and improvement needs; develops
and revises comprehensive preventive maintenance plans; keeps
apprised of new equipment development.
Develops plans and engineering specifications for equipment
construction and maintenance; makes periodic field inspections of
utilization and field installations to investigate problem areas
and to develop corrective design measures; integrates equipment
research findings into design and construction operations.
Oversees the construction and maintenance work on forestry and
fire fighting vehicular, mobile, engine driven, and related major
mechanical and small hand equipment and the maintenance, storage,
acquisition, and minor repair and replacement of all fire control
equipment and weather instruments.
Supervises the investigation of all accidents involving bureau
vehicles; prepares and activates plans to reduce physical hazards
in shop operations; provides aggressive and prompt investigation
of human-caused equipment accidents, complaints, or other
complementary problems.
Prepares detailed purchase applications for forest fire vehicles,
equipment, repair parts, and for buildings and grounds
maintenance work to be scheduled with private contractors.
Conducts and/or participates in agency and US Forest Service
reviews; inspects and evaluates forest fire equipment maintenance
personnel and organization as a whole to ensure compliance with
state and federal regulations and standards.
Plans and supervises the distribution and maintenance of small
hand tools, mobile, and other related equipment.
Administers and supervises accomplishments through workload
analysis, program planning, budgeting, and work plans.
Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit
and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the
effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and
disciplining of subordinates.
Plans and develops safety, administrative, and other training
programs for all personnel; supervises and/or participates in
individual and group training activities including the
preparation of lesson plans, exhibits, posters, photographs, or
related visual aids.
Collects data and prepares portions of the budget for the Bureau
Chief's review and approval.
Maintains proficiency as a supervisor in wildfire suppression in
accordance with standards established by the National Wildfire
Coordinating Group at the Class I level; serves as a member on
the wildfire overhead suppression team for the Middle Atlantic
Forest Fire Compact; may be required, at the direction of the
State Forest Firewarden, to assume command of a major fire or
area of the state during an emergency.
Prepares and supervises the preparation of clear, technically
sound, accurate, and informative reports, studies, surveys, and
correspondence containing findings, conclusions, and
recommendations of labor and monetary costs involving fighting
forest fires.
Supervises the administration of training and certifications to
new recruits and verifies their eligibility to volunteer their
services to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Supervises the coordination efforts with public and private
agencies to establish a plan designed to respond to emergency
incidents.
Supervises the establishment and maintenance of records and
files.
Attends training courses established by the National Wildfire
Coordinating Group to keep abreast of the most current techniques
required in fire suppression and relays new techniques to and
trains subordinates.
Maintains proficiency in forest fire suppression at the level
mandated by national standards under the Incident Command System.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic
and/or manual recording and information systems used by the
agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:
Graduation from an accredited college or
university with an Associate's degree in Forestry, Forest
Management, Forest Science, Natural Resources Management, Forest
Resources, or Fire Science.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
Six (6) years of experience in forest
fire prevention and control work; two (2) years of which shall
have involved responsibility for program planning,
implementation, and supervision relative to forest fire
prevention, presuppression, and suppression.
NOTE: Additional college credits in the
above fields, up to the level of a Bachelor's degree, may be
substituted for up to two (2) years of the required experience.
(Thirty (30) credits is equivalent to one (1) year of
experience).
CERTIFICATION
In accordance with NJAC 5:73-1.6(b), c & (d), effective
February 17, 2000, applicants for this position must possess a
valid Incident Management Level 1 certification issued by the New
Jersey Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs.
SPECIAL NOTE
Appointees will be required to complete
an internal forest fire training course administered by the
Department of Environmental Protection involving the
administration of laws covering the protection of forests from
wildfire.
Appointees must maintain qualifications
as forest fire fighter and/or show proof of Red Card
Certification as a General Headquarters (GHQ) Fire Manager under
the National Interagency Fire Qualification Systems (NIFQS)
standards as established by the National Wildlife Coordinating
Group. Failure to maintain qualifications will result in
progressive disciplinary action.
LICENSE:
Appointees must possess a driver's license valid in New
Jersey. Appointees may also be required to possess a valid
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for
the class and type of vehicle being operated.
NOTE: The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess
the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class
and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing
Authority.
Appointee may be required to obtain a
commercial pilot's license.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of modern forest fire prevention, presuppression, and
suppression methods and their application to specific cases.
Knowledge of forest fire causes and their effect on achieving
program goals and objectives.
Knowledge of the methods used to prepare environmental impact
statements as they affect a statewide fire management program.
Knowledge of geology, topography, forest types, and forest fire
behavior in various fuel types and their effects on natural
resource yields.
Knowledge of the tools, equipment, and instruments utilized in a
modern forest fire management organization.
Knowledge of basic radio procedures, rules, regulations, and
capabilities to plan and supervise the bureau's radio
communications program.
Knowledge of the principles, methods, and procedures used to
evaluate program activities.
Knowledge of the methods useful in enlisting the cooperation of
paid and voluntary fire fighters and residents of wooded areas.
Knowledge of fire apparatus and testing equipment.
Knowledge of the Incident Command System as applied to all risk
emergency responses.
Ability to read, interpret, apply, and administer the laws of New
Jersey and the rules, regulations, and policies of the Forest
Fire Service.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply appropriate statutes, laws,
and the administrative code pertaining to the Forest Fire
Prevention and Control Act (Title 13).
Ability to plan and supervise a program for the acquisition,
maintenance, operation, and repair or replacement of equipment
used in a forest fire management program.
Ability to plan and supervise a program of building and structure
(fire tower) maintenance and construction or reconstruction as
necessary to serve the forest fire management program needs.
Ability to assist in statistical analysis and the development of
fuel models applicable to the various forest types in New Jersey.
Ability to prepare cost benefit analyses for various approaches
to forest protection from fire.
Ability to provide professional advice and guidance in all
matters concerning forest fire management.
Ability to supervise the operation of motorized fire suppression
equipment.
Ability to plan, organize, delegate, and control forest fire
management activities throughout the state and to evaluate
progress towards achieving program continuity and success.
Ability to explain the effects of forest fires on the various
ecological communities.
Ability to organize assigned technical and supervisory work.
Ability to prepare reports justifying the adoption of work
methods utilized to maintain progress in prevention,
presuppression, or suppression endeavors.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working
relationships with local government, civic associations, fire
companies, civil defense, interstate compacts, and others
interested or concerned with forest fire control.
Ability to prepare reports containing findings, conclusions, and
recommendations.
Ability to supervise suppression activities.
Ability to act as a representative of the State Firewarden.
Ability to operate audio/visual and fire simulation equipment in
the development of training programs.
Ability to supervise the preparation of studies and the
establishment and maintenance of essential records and files.
Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or
related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in
English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as
acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long
as they can perform the essential functions of the job after
reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If
the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the
employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
CODES: 29/S29-02664 CGS 3/07/00
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