Northern Colorado Interagency Fuels Squad Senior Crewmember

  • Full-time

Company Description

The Ember Alliance is a national organization of wildland fire practitioners, researchers, analysts, and instructors dedicated to increasing the pace and scale of prescribed fire. The Ember Alliance is dedicated to supporting fire as a natural process in fire-adapted ecosystems on a landscape scale to improve ecosystem function and health and increase wildfire resilience.  

The Ember Alliance provides an open, transparent, and just organization and workplace. We strive for clear, open, and kind communication and are committed to centering, recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and supporting fire practitioners from traditionally underserved and underrepresented communities. We are dedicated to building a better way to do fire management, that recognizes the inherent value of our employees, that supports work / life balance, and provides an environment that supports growth.

Job Description

The Ember Alliance is hiring for a seasonal, full time fuels reduction and prescribed fire position in Loveland, Colorado! The Fuels Squad Senior Crewmember position will play an integral role in reducing wildfire risk in northern Colorado. This position focuses on thinning forests, burning slash piles, and assisting partners on their prescribed fire projects while working in an efficient, cohesive team environment. This position is nearly entirely outdoors and potentially at remote locations. Candidates should have a passion for increasing the pace and scale of prescribed fire, increasing diversity and inclusion in the fire practitioner community, and creating operational excellence. 

This is a senior level position and is an excellent opportunity for those who have some chainsaw or fire experience and would like to start developing leadership and mentoring skills.

A successful candidate will have a passion for developing chainsaw operation and prescribed fire skills and experience, the ability to embrace adversity and uncertainty, and a clear commitment to working with diverse populations in an inclusive environment. The position will primarily focus on fuels management, chainsaw operations and prescribed fire operations, as part of a 4-person team on various projects.

Duration of employment will be a minimum of 6 months, beginning February 2022, with the potential to extend depending upon workload and funding.

Responsibilities:

  • Serve as the Senior of a 4-person squad on daily operations for a minimum of 6 months.
  • Participate in best practices to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Directly support the Crew Leader in administrative and logistical tasks.
  • Provide leadership and mentorship for Crewmembers in daily operations, including  supervising chainsaw use.
  • Work with crew members and partners to complete a variety of fire and fuels management tasks.
  • Operate and maintain chainsaws for felling and brushing on thinning and piling fuels reduction projects.
  • Complete burn operations as directed by the Squad Leader to implement safe low complexity prescribed burning (i.e. pile burning) with minimal smoke impacts.
  • Support other agencies’ prescribed burns as needed while professionally representing your own agency.
  • Manage vehicles, equipment, and supplies to complete burning and fuels reduction work.
  • Travel for extended periods of time and work outside of normal business hours.
  • Occasionally camp at remote work sites and contribute to crew meals and camp management.
  • Demonstrate a strong work ethic, including a commitment to principles of Duty, Integrity and Respect.
  • Actively participate in creating a kind, safe and healthy work environment which encourages the diversity, equity, and inclusion of all people.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Ability to complete an arduous pack test (carry a 45lbs backpack for 3 miles in 45 minutes).
  • Qualified as a Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).
  • Qualified as an Intermediate Faller (FAL2) or Basic Faller (FAL3) with extensive procedural felling operations experience.
  • Ability to complete various outdoor tasks, such as operating chainsaws, using hand tools, and implementing prescribed burns for up to 16 hours a day.
  • Ability to work in difficult environmental conditions such as inclement weather or steep and broken terrain.
  • Experience working in small teams, mitigating interpersonal conflicts, and communicating effectively.
  • An understanding of the risk management process and dedication to a culture and practice of safety.
  • Ability to work as part of a team in challenging circumstances and occasionally fast-paced environments.
  • An understanding that prescribed fire may necessitate irregular and flexible schedules.
  • A commitment to inclusion, embracing diversity, and supporting the team.
  • Ability to evaluate changing circumstances and make effective and safe operational decisions.
  • A growth-oriented mindset and ability to give/receive constructive feedback.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Valid state-issued driver’s license.
  • Must be 18 years in age or older.
  • Legally eligible to work in the U.S. and participate in a background check.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience leading or teaching small groups in related fields.
  • Willingness to develop leadership skills and adapt to a variety of personalities and learning types.
  • Experience in prescribed fire and maintaining firefighting tools, equipment, and pumps.
  • Qualified as Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) or current FFT1 trainee.
  • Strong mechanical inclination.
  • First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, or higher medical qualifications.

Candidates meeting 75% of the requirements are encouraged to apply. 

Additional Information

All applicant information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Fitness and Red Card Requirements: You must pass the arduous pack test annually (walk 3 miles with a 45lb pack in under 45 minutes). For Firefighter and Faller currency, copies of NWCG course certificates and position taskbooks will be required upon selection.

Employees must abide by The Ember Alliance’s current Covid policies, which as of date of this posting, proof of vaccination is required.


Schedule Requirements:
This is an at-will, full time 6-month term position, with potential to renew and/or extend.
Preferred start date is February 2022.

Up to 25% of the job may require extended overnight travel. The average work week is 40 hours, but the schedule may vary and will be weather dependent. 10-12 hour days may be frequently required. Projects may require working during weekends and/or up to 14 days continuously. Travel for extended periods of time, stay overnight near project locations, and work outside of normal business hours with no notice is possible.


Pay and Benefits:
Pay: $17/hr.
Overtime will be based on operational needs and is not guaranteed.

Paid leave and paid holiday benefits are provided. Employer-sponsored health and dental care coverage is available as soon as employment begins. Employer-matched retirement plan is available after 3 months of employment, with no vesting period required. Housing is not provided.


Location:
Duty location is Loveland, Colorado, but work site locations will vary.
Expect an average of two hours per day commuting to work sites on the clock in company vehicles.


How to Apply:
Interested applicants should review The Ember Alliance website and submit a resume and three professional references on SmartRecruiters. A brief cover letter is optional. Questions can be sent to Cheyanne Quigley (cheyanne[at]emberalliance.org).

This position is open until filled, with candidate assessment beginning January 7, 2022. Please specify your earliest available start date.

The Ember Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.