Environmental Protection Fire Control Officer

Looking to advance in your career?

If so, we invite you to check out this opportunity!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Division of Forestry is seeking to hire a full-time, permanent Environmental Protection Fire Control Officer assigned program responsibility on a statewide basis.

JOB DETAILS

The Forest Protection Program is within the Division of Forestry. 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.

Primary duties of this position include assuming lead responsibility for specific Forest Protection Programs or coordinating administration of assigned programs with other Fire Control Officers. Programs may include Fire Weather, administration of Volunteer Fire Assistance or other grant programs, Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew, Training, Prescribed Burn Program, Insect and Disease, Forest Health, or other programs as needed. Other duties include wildfire suppression, acting as State contact and coordinator on wildfire response, acting as a program liaison, conducting training for fire departments statewide, performing equipment operation and maintenance duties, and assisting other fire control officers as needed.

Other key information:

• Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours-per-week. Work week is unscheduled, but most business is conducted between 8:00am and 4:00pm. This position works occasional nights and weekends. Potential for overtime.
• Location: To be determined.

We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year!

For an inside look at what it is like to Make an ImpaCT as a State of Connecticut employee, check out the video below:

ABOUT US

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.

Incumbents in this class 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. 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. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

You may be requested to submit college transcripts (if applicable), and a copy of current Incident Qualification Card (red card) issued by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (if certified).

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13F (3a) and 13G (3a).

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 

Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board  (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

Questions about this recruitment should be directed to Jake Ferrari via email at jake.ferrari@ct.gov.

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.

WHEN ASSIGNED SPECIFIC PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES ON A STATEWIDE BASIS: Drafts and proposes specific forest fire program procedures and policies to state Fire Control Officer; coordinates administration of assigned programs with other Fire Control Officers; participates in Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission activities; may assume lead responsibility for specific programs such as Federal Excess Personal Property, Training, Prevention, Safety or others; may supplement, temporarily replace or render assistance to Fire Control Officers who have been assigned a geographic area; may perform emergency first aid as needed; performs related duties as required.
WITHIN AN ASSIGNED GEOGRAPHIC AREA: See class spec.

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.

• Experience utilizing principles and practices of forest fire suppression and control, and forestry.
• Experience with operation and maintenance of forest fire equipment.
• Experience using and working with National Wildfire Coordinating Group qualifications, Incident Command System, and the Incident Qualification System.
• Experience as an instructor
• Experience in administering or acting as the lead for specific programs (forestry or fire programs preferred).
• Experience using judgement to make sound decisions.
• Experience communicating in person, on the phone, and in writing with a variety of constituents, including co-workers and the public.

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.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.