DFPC Firefighter (Temporary Aide) Module Crewmember

CDPS commits to cultivating an equitable diverse and inclusive work environment. We ensure that we recruit retain and promote engaged employees. Our approach to diversity is simple - its about embracing everyone! We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a reflex not an initiative. Our strength is our promise to be inclusive with intentional strategies to welcome and uplift our employees to thrive - while building a more equitable workplace.CDPS is an equal opportunity employer. See our CDPS 2022 Equal Employment Opportunity Plan

At CDPS we nurture a centric culture driven by our commitment of creating a safer Colorado an inclusive workplace where everyone can be their own authentic self. We model a culture of collaboration support and growth to our employees. Our culture has public service focus and we strive to provide innovative solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans!

If you are passionate about public safety service and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans this is the organization you want to join!

We are committed to providing public safety services to our fellow Coloradans in their times of greater needs such as: safety on our roads preparing and mitigating environmental disasters disaster recovery combating crime school safety and victim recovery.

Youll have the opportunity to challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career while making a difference in our community!

When you join CDPS you are joining a team of exceptional individuals and together you will be inspired motivated and supported to become the best you can be.

The Temporary Aide Module Crewmember serves as part of a firefighting resourcetypically a suppression or fuels module but may also be assigned to a helicopter module or engine crew to provide a wide range of firefighting and related services. As a crewmember the primary purpose of this position is to function at a minimum as a NWCG Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) in support of fire suppression operations and mitigation projects (i.e. prescribed fire hazardous fuel reduction resource management).The position operates in alignment with DFPCs core values of honor integrity service and loyalty.

Module Crews regularly support diverse missions including wildfire suppression response mitigation projects (i.e. prescribed fire hazardous fuel reduction and resource management) and prevention and education. As assigned equipped and qualified this position may assist with all-hazard incident operations such as search and rescue and other incident response. This role will assist with training programs qualification and dispatch systems and other preparedness activities in support of WFMS and DFPC.

Individuals assigned specifically to a Fuels Module perform all of the duties of a Firefighter but their primary focus and majority of their time is spent on prescribed fire and fuels projects and/or facilitating work on the state owned Air Curtain Burner.

About the Position

These are temporary positions (9 months or less) with a tentative 8 month schedule between March and November 2026 this will vary depending on location.

• Employees appointed in these positions are considered non-permanent employees in theTemporary Aide class series.

• Temporary aides are noteligible for benefits and paid leave (including holiday and/or administrative leave) except as required by law.

  • Temporary aides willearn paid sick leave accruing one (1) hour of sick leave for every thirty (30) hours worked (balance is capped at 48 hours).

• During time of employment these positions will work at least 40 hours a week and are eligible for paid overtime. Length of employment may be amended by DFPC (not to exceed 9 months) and school schedules may be accommodated.

• To meet response readiness needs DFPC resources in a region may stagger their schedules for 7 day coverage. This will mean a normal 40 hour work week schedule could include weekend days holidays and extended shifts.

• Requires being available for assignments that may last for two weeks or longer in austere living and working conditions. Work schedules will be expected to be flexible and modified at times to fit the need.

• Requires working long hours (up to 16 hours per day) in outdoor settings and performing strenuous manual labor under extreme environmental conditions.

Fire Suppression & Incident Response

• While providing for their individual safety the employee works as a crewmember during fire suppression and incident response. Fire suppression and incident response work includes but is not limited to:

  • constructs fireline utilizing hand tools;

  • cuts and clears vegetation utilizing power saws;

  • performs structure protection;

  • conducts mop up and patrol operations;

  • assists with ignition operations;

  • operates pumps;

  • installs hose lays and water delivery systems;

  • performs and assists with rescue operations;

  • operates and travels in vehicles on and off-road;

  • hauls and packs fire related equipment and supplies;

  • uses various tools and equipment such as chainsaws shovels drip torches fusees pulaskis;

  • uses various communication methods including radios;

  • assists with safety inspections maintaining and repairing of tools and equipment;

  • assists and follows demobilizing duties including required incident documentation.

• Based on location and business needs the position will perform non-wildfire and all-hazard incident response and support functions as trained qualified and equipped including but not limited to: structure fire hazmat search and rescue medical etc.

• Requires use of basic fire experience and knowledge rudimentary skill in firefighting tasks and the ability to recognize and communicate safety considerations and other factors (fire intensity fuel conditions weather observations etc.) used by higher qualified firefighters in their decision making process. This knowledge skill and ability is shown by being qualified as an National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firefighter 2 (wildland)

• Follows established processes and chain of command for collecting producing and distributing information.

• As qualified on an incident the employee may temporarily work as a Firefighter II

• Incident response may require travel to active fires severity assignments and pre-position assignments throughout Colorado and across the nation.

• Incident response may require travel in rotor and/or fixed-wing aircraft for detection reconnaissance communication coordination command and control purposes prior to during and following wildland fire and all-hazard incidents.

• Incident response may require crews to be assigned to an incident for two weeks or longer in austere living and working conditions.

• Incident response may require working long hours (up to 16 hours per day) in outdoor settings and performing strenuous manual labor under extreme environmental conditions.

• Work schedules will be expected to be flexible and modified at times to fit the business need based on fire conditions.

• Work duties include participation in physical conditioning activities for up to one hour each day.

Mitigation Fuels Treatment and Resource Management Projects

• While providing for his/her individual safety the employee works as a crewmember in implementation of mitigation fuels treatment and resource management projects including but not limited to:

  • cuts clears piles and disposes of treated vegetation;

  • uses tools and equipment such as chainsaws firing equipment portable pumps chippers air curtain burners and more;

  • constructs firelines and prescribed fire burning as assigned;

  • performs ignitions and holding operations;

  • conducts mop up and patrol operations;

  • uses various communication methods including radios;

  • uses and maintains on and off-road vehicles;

  • hauls and packs fire related equipment and supplies;

  • assists with safety inspections maintains and repairs tools and equipment;

  • cleans reconditions and stores properly.

• Follows instructions to assist with gathering data and records information on fuels sampling fuel types weather conditions fire behaviors and status of work accomplished.

• Follows established processes and chain of command for collecting producing and distributing information.

• Work duties include participation in physical conditioning activities for up to one hour each day.

Fire Preparedness and Support and Other Duties as Assigned

• Establishes and maintains the physical fitness level necessary to effectively perform hard physical labor for extended periods under adverse climate fuel and terrain conditions.

• Assists with inspection & maintenance of assigned crews response equipment vehicles tools PPE and more; assists with maintaining inventory of tools PPE equipment.

• Assists with collecting compiling and calculating various wildland fuels and fire danger rating indices.

• On-going training in the basic understanding of multichannel radio operations including plain language and incident command system (ICS) terminology.

• On-going training and professional development in the State of Colorado; CDPS DFPC & WFMS standard operating policies procedures & guidelines. This includes time-keeping systems time & leave policies incident documentation requirements travel & purchasing policies and more.

• Assists with the logistics and instruction of various courses trainings and events such as wildfire suppression incident management structural firefighting medical and first aid job fairs and community outreach to DFPC employees and external agency personnel.

• Assists other DFPC programs (reports data entry filing training and testing inspections research fire billing logistics etc.) as needed and available to support the mission of CDPS and DFPC.

• Other duties as assigned.
  

Required Minimum Qualifications

This must be specifically documented in your application submission. Additional information submitted after the closing date of this announcement will not be considered in the review of your application.

• Qualification to NWCG standards as a Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2)

  • Please upload a copy of your IQS or IQCS Master record or incident qualification card showing your NWCG qualification to a Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) with this application

    • If you are awaiting the issuance of your IQS or IQCS Master record or incident qualification card you may submit your certificate(s) showing completion of S-130 S-190 & L-180 courses in its place

      
      

Exceptional candidates may possess the following preferred qualifications and experience:

• Previous wildland fire fire service or related experience

• NWCG wildfire qualifications of: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) Basic Faller (FAL3) or higher Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) Helicopter Crewmember (HECM)

• State of Colorado/DFPC or equivalent: Structural Firefighter I or equivalent

• Medical certifications and qualifications including Wilderness First Responder Emergency First Responder or Emergency Medical Technician.

• Demonstrated commitment to public service and community involvement.

Complete Applications must include the following documents:

• A complete CDPS Application for announced vacancy (please submit online using the link in this announcement).

• A complete supplemental questionnaire (must submit online as a part of the application).

• A copy of your NWCG qualification (IQS or IQCS master record and/or incident qualification card).

• Detailed chronological resume of experience.

• Upon initial employment individuals will be required to provide a complete training file to DFPC that contains all necessary qualification documentation (course certificates position task books personnel evaluations and incident experience history) to demonstrate that NWCG and other requirements have been met.

• Position may be required to attain additional training and/or certifications within a specified period of time per current DFPC qualifications and professional development Standard Operating Guidelines and Policies.

• Current valid drivers license at time of hire and must obtain a Colorado-issued drivers license within 6 months of hire. Ability to operate motor vehicles and to travel extensively throughout the state in a variety of weather conditions.

• Must be 18 years of age at time of hire

• This position is a public safety officer as defined by 42 U.S.C. 3796b Sec. 1204 (9).

• Must be willing to travel to wildfire incidents severity assignments and pre-position assignments throughout Colorado and across the nation at times. Assignments may last for two weeks or longer.

• Wildland Firefighters need to be familiar with and frequently use flammable liquids and solids in the performance of aviation operations and various prescribed fire and tactical firing tasks. This includes the preparation implementation and storage of drip torch fuel Fire Retardant Water Enhancers Aluma Gel Phosphorus and cleaning chemicals.

• Applicants must be willing to be fingerprinted successfully pass a polygraph drug screen and a medical physical exam as a condition of hire.

• Must maintain an Arduous Fitness Level rating (based on NWCG standards) throughout the entire employment period. Must be able to obtain an Arduous Fitness Level rating within 2 weeks of hire.
  
  

Recruitment Timeline Information

• Applications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore additional information may not be solicited or accepted after your application has been received.

• All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement.

• For those candidates referred to interview tentative timeframe will bethe end of December/Early January

• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process