Wildland & Special Rescue Technician I

Posting number: 202600293

Department: Fire

Job classification: Wildland & Special Rescue Technician I

Posting type: Open

Categories: Fire & EMS

SummaryUnder the direction of the Fire Chief or designee, this position will serve as a crew member supporting wildland fire suppression, prevention, and fuel mitigation efforts. This position may also assist with technical rescue operations across Santa Fe County. Examples of duties

• Crewmember on a fuels/suppression crew performing fuel reduction on Santa Fe County Open Space using a variety of hand and power tools.
• Perform duties operating a variety of 4x4 vehicles, chippers, and other heavy equipment necessary for wildland hazard fuel reduction projects.
• Perform duties as a crewmember responding to wildland fires as a crewmember on an engine or hand crew.
• Will operate GPS data collectors to map project areas for tracking and monitoring of project.
• May participate in prevention projects with homeowners and communities in the wildland urban interface.
• Assist in technical rescue operations under the direction of qualified personnel, including rope rescue, swiftwater rescue, and low-angle evacuations.
• Assist in the transportation and deployment of rescue equipment using department vehicles and trailers.
• Respond as part of a technical rescue support team when activated for incidents within Santa Fe County.
• Crewmember will attend training, perform regular preventative maintenance on chainsaws, hand tools, and perform safety inspections on all vehicles and equipment.
• May travel for up to 18 days on a wildland fire as a crewmember on an engine or hand crew on assignment through the Resource Mobilization Plan.
• May participate in prescribed fire in or around the county.
• May be required to support fire, rescue, and emergency medical services in or around the county.
• Additional duties may be assigned by the Fire Chief.

Knowledge/ Skills:

• Knowledge of wildfire suppression strategy and tactics.
• Knowledge of fuel reduction procedures.
• Ability to operate chainsaws, chippers, hand tools, 4x4 vehicles
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED or Bronze level ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).
• One (1) year of experience in fire mitigation.
• Must possess or obtain National Wildfire Coordination Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualification within two (2) months of hire.
• Must pass the NWCG Work Capacity Test (Pack Test) at the arduous level (3-mile hike carrying a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes) within two (2) months of hire, then again annually.
• Must complete the following within one (1) year of hire:
  • Santa Fe County or International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Ropes Awareness and Operations certification.
  • Santa Fe County or IFSAC Emergency Vehicle Driver (EVD) certification.
  • Santa Fe County Exterior Operations certification.

Supplemental informationWorking Conditions:
Work is performed both indoors and outside, in varied weather conditions. Work schedule may vary including extended hours and irregular shifts and being called back to work under emergency situations. May be on call for emergencies. Travel is required. Arduous physical exertion is required in unusual situations. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Manual and finger dexterity required. May be subject to exposure to heat, smoke, cuts, bruises, scrapes, burns, broken bones, insect and/or animal bites, germs, bacteria, viruses, environmental allergens, gases, fumes, contagious diseases, mental anguish under emergency conditions. May be subject to life threatening situations.

Conditions of Employment:
Selected candidate must submit to and pass a County paid pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening. Additionally, selected candidate must submit to and pass a county paid criminal background screening. Selected candidate must possess and
maintain a valid New Mexico Class D Driver’s License as incumbent shall be appointed to drive a County vehicle during the performance of his/her duties.