DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

In partnership with local county state and federal agencies the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) protects Arizonas people by: providing coordination and resource response for the suppression and management of wildland fire; delivering education to aid in wildland fire prevention; providing integrated management strategies technical assistance and information through various Department programs; collaborating in forest restoration projects; and ensuring fire and life safety through permitting plan reviews and building inspections.

Address:

3700 East 16th Avenue
Apache Junction AZ 85119

Salary: $12.2643 - $17.6000 Hourly

Grade: 13

Closing Date: July 31 2025

This position is established within the Department of Forestry and Fire Management to serve as a crew member on a 20 person Hand Crew. Serves as a firefighter on a hand crew or other related fire suppression crews performing fire suppression and/or fuels management duties under the most adverse conditions of climate fuels and terrain. Performs all aspects of wildland fire control fuels mitigation. Collects fire weather data fuel and/or soil moisture samples maps projects and maintains records. Maintains a variety of equipment small engines tools facilities and vehicles.

***This position is only open to current DFFM employees***

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Performs all aspects of wildland fire control fuels mitigation including line construction line preparation ignition monitoring holding and mop up. Collects fire weather data fuel and/or soil moisture samples maps projects and maintains records.
Gathers and considers information on weather data topography fuel types and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents.
Is responsible for operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland fire fuels mitigation and prescribed fire situations.
Participates in wildland fire and safety training. Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills safety sessions and fire critiques. Ensures own and others welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignment.
Provides for repairs general maintenance and preventative maintenance of all tools equipment small engines and facilities as directed.
Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

Fire behavior including causes of wildland fire influence of temperature humidity wind topography slope and fuel moisture conditions and fuels in order to know where to attack the fire build fire line where to be positioned to manage a wildland fire and to identify hazards.
Accepted fire safety practices and procedures to prevent injury and loss of life.
Wildland fire management techniques methods and conditions to accurately analyze fire circumstances.
Specific technical firefighting knowledge such as handcrew operations to enable the incumbent to function in assigned capacities and to instruct or lead others in those duties.

Skills in:

The use and operation maintenance repair and care of wildland firefighting hand tools chain saws small engines vehicles and facilities.

Ability to:

Work as a cohesive team member of a 20 person hand crew.
Practice fire suppression under the most adverse conditions of climate fuels and terrain.
Perform in specific fire assignments (i.e. chainsaw operator faller etc.) safely and efficiently.

Experience on a Department of Corrections wildfire crew.

NWCG Firefighter Type 2 qualified.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business then the following requirements apply:Drivers License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
Affordable medical dental life and short-term disability insurance plans
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program learn more at Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule employees enjoy improved work/life balance report higher job satisfaction and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).

Participation is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria as defined in statute.

Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

The current contribution rate is 12%

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Lisa Ross at for assistance.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling . Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.