Environmental Protection Fire Control Officer

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is charged with conserving, improving and protecting the natural resources and the environment of the state of Connecticut as well as making cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy available for the people and businesses of the state. The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in rebuilding Connecticut’s economy and creating jobs and to fostering a sustainable and prosperous economic future for the state.

DEEP's Division of Forestry, within the Bureau of Natural Resources (BNR), has a current opportunity for an Environmental Protection Fire Control Officer. This position is in the Forest Protection Program. The Forest Protection Program staff maintain an active forest fire prevention program and a specially-trained force of firefighting personnel to combat fires that burn an average of 500 acres of woodland per year in Connecticut. Program staff also train and mobilize crews and individuals to assist the US Forest Service in controlling large fires across the nation. Fire Departments depend on Program staff for wildland fire training, equipment, assistance and expertise.   The state is divided into two geographic regions for response and management. 

This position is located in the Western District (primarily west of the Connecticut River), servicing the entire western region.  The office location is the Joseph W. Bigwood Forest Fire Control Headquarters (Middlebury Garage) in Middlebury, CT.  

Primary duties include overseeing the maintenance of the Bigwood Forest Fire Headquarters and the fire equipment and apparatus associated with the Western District, training of DEEP staff who have wildfire response in their job duties, liaison and trainer for fire departments located in the western district region, training Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew members, and acting as State contact and coordinator on wildfire response in western Connecticut. There may be other duties assigned on a statewide basis.

This is a full time, 40 hour per week position with the potential for overtime. The workweek is unscheduled, with most business being conducted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. This position works occasional nights and weekends.

Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.

Questions regarding the required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  DEEP.HumanResources@ct.gov or (860) 424-3006. 

This position is competitive. Open to the public.

The selected candidate will have to reside in Western CT or be willing to relocate there within a designated timeframe of 6 months.

The selected candidate will be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license, obtain and retain a standard First Aid certificate and CPR certificate. May be required to travel.

Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include:  Resume, college transcripts if applicable, and if certified, copy of current Incident Qualification Card (red card) issued by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.  

Applicants must have and maintain the agility, endurance and physical ability to perform the required work. A physical examination may be required prior to and/or during employment in this class. Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury or personal harm from on-site field conditions and a moderate degree of discomfort from year round weather conditions.

Please Note:  You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bureau of Natural Resources this class is accountable for a program of forest fire prevention and control in an assigned area or on a statewide basis.

WITHIN AN ASSIGNED GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Develops and implements plans for forest fire prevention and control; implements a program of forest fire suppression related instruction and training for area employees, fire wardens, volunteer fire departments and trained specialist crews; coordinates and assists with forest fire suppression and prescribed burn activities on state, town, and private lands; collects, analyzes and approves forest fire reports and bills submitted by fire wardens and fire departments; makes recommendations concerning equipment, methods and operating policies to state Forest Fire Supervisor; cooperates with department and local law enforcement personnel in enforcement of state statutes pertaining to forest fires; develops and implements an active and effective forest fire prevention program including, but not limited to, talks and demonstrations at schools, churches, service clubs and other interested groups and the Smokey Bear Forest Fire Prevention Program; orders and distributes forest fire prevention literature; works in cooperation with departmental Office of Communication and Education concerning forest fire prevention and control programs; assists state land managers in design and implementation of state forest management operations to minimize forest fire hazard conditions; assists in location, layout and construction of access roads and water holes for forest fire control purposes; works with media in dissemination of forest fire prevention information and other information related to forest fire issues; participates in Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission activities; may conduct or assist in investigations regarding cause of forest fires including gathering evidence concerning incendiarism, may provide specific expertise to others on a statewide basis; may perform emergency first aid as needed; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of principles and factors involved in combustion, particularly in relation to forest fires, including weather, fuel types, fuel density and heat transfer; knowledge of principles, methods and equipment used in fire prevention and control in Connecticut; knowledge of forest and forest fire laws and regulations in Connecticut; knowledge of techniques of forest fire investigation including gathering evidence; knowledge of principles and practices of forest management; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to develop and direct a large scale program of instruction and training in forest fire prevention and control; ability to utilize computer software.

Seven (7) years of experience in a large scale program of forestry and forest fire control.

College training in forestry or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

Previous experience as an instructor, using a variety of training aids and methods.

Incident Qualification Card (red card) issued by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).

Experience with Microsoft Office Suite products and modern mapping or data collection technology.

Familiarity with operation and maintenance of forest fire equipment.

Experience with chainsaws: qualified as a Faller 3 under NWCG, Game of Logging participant, or equivalent experience.

Experience with prescribed burn planning and implementation.

Considerable interpersonal skills, ability to make sound decisions and excellent judgment.

Additionally, the preferred candidate will have or would be willing to become single resource boss qualified under National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) or comparable operational leadership role.

1. Incumbents in this class will be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
2. Incumbents in this class must be willing and able to accept assignments or transfer to any area of the state.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to obtain and retain a standard First Aid certificate and CPR certificate.
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to live on or near work site.
5. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

1. Incumbents in this class must be in good health and must have and retain sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility, visual and auditory acuity to effectively perform the duties of the class.
2. A physical examination may be required prior to and/or during employment in the class.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury in performing the duties of the class and to unpleasant and/or uncomfortable environmental conditions.