Introduction
We are dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations; DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.
The Wisconsin DNR's Division of Forestry is recruiting for multiple LTE (Limited Term Employee) – Wildland Firefighters/ Fire Rider Technicians and Fire Rider Technician Advanced throughout the state.
Full-time, 12-week positions are available as well as part-time, on call positions.
Selected candidates will be required to report for orientation on Monday, February 24th, 2025. The start date for these positions is not negotiable.
- Please Note: Additional positions may become available at workstations not currently listed in this announcement. All interested parties are encouraged to apply. This recruitment will be used to fill future vacancies.
To see all opportunities currently available at DNR, follow this link: DNR (wisc.jobs).
Position Summary
Fire Rider Technician
These positions perform prescribed fire activities and supports wildland firefighting work as part of a prescribed and wildland fire crew. The positions perform work directly related to prescribed burning and wildland fire suppression: including prescribed burn unit prep, prescribed burning, suppression, preparedness, prevention, monitoring, and hazardous fuels reduction. This position may also perform duties in other fuels related or ecosystem restoration projects.
Travel may be required occasionally and/or overnight. Incumbents of this position are required to meet and maintain eligibility to drive a state vehicle.
This position works under the general guidance and supervision of the Team Leader. The work is performed with significant delegation and under general direction from the local foresters. The position works within teams, with external agencies and with the general public.
70 % Wildland Fire and Prescribed Fire
- Serve as a member of fire crew assigned to prescribed fire and wildland fire suppression efforts.
- Crew members perform assignments as a prescribed burn or wildland firefighter in developing a working knowledge of prescribed fire techniques, fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices and terminology.
- This consists of burn unit and fire line construction, use of pumps and engines, hose lays using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustments in the effective use of water and additives, safety rules, and basic fire behavior.
- Support the fire line suppression efforts by burning out the line behind the equipment, holding the fire line and mopping up the fire.
- Assist with all aspects of prescribed burning including ignition, patrol, monitoring fire line and mopping up.
- Searches out and extinguishes burning materials by moving dirt, applying water by hose or backpack pump, etc.
- Chops brush, fells small trees, and moves dirt to construct fire line using various hand and may use power tools including chainsaws and portable pumps to control spreading of wildland fire and/or to prepare control lines prior to burning.
- Patrols fire line to locate and extinguish embers, flare-ups, and hotspot fires that may threaten developed fire lines.
10% Safety
- Participates in fire and prescribed fire safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression and in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment and vehicles used in fire line activities.
- Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills.
- Participates in safety sessions and fire critiques. Ensures own and others' welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignments.
20% Additional Duties
- May perform project work such as fuel inventory, preparing associated reports, and hazard fuel reduction projects.
- May perform project work such as road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, and miscellaneous equipment and facilities maintenance.
- Performs the full range of standardized forestry support duties for fire/fuels activities.
- Performs standard maintenance and safety checks and safe operation of fire trucks, tractor plows and associated fire equipment.
- Cleans, reconditions, and stores fire tools and equipment.
Fire Rider Technician Advanced
The primary purpose of these positions is to perform prescribed fire activities and support wildland firefighting work. This position serves as a part of a wildland and prescribed fire crew. The position performs work directly related to prescribed burning and wildland fire suppression: including prescribed burn unit prep, prescribed burning, suppression, preparedness, prevention, monitoring, and hazardous fuels reduction. This position may also perform duties in other fuels related or ecosystem restoration projects. Travel may be required occasionally and/or overnight.
The incumbent of this position is required to meet and maintain eligibility to drive a state vehicle. The position is also required to obtain and maintain all qualifications required to operate a tractor plow initial attack (TPIA) for use on wildland fire suppression and prescribed fire efforts. This includes maintaining proficiency as required by the Department’s Fire Qualification Guide.
Reports To
This position works under the general guidance and supervision of the Team Leader. The work is performed with significant delegation and under general direction from the local foresters. The position works within teams, with external agencies and with the general public.
Goals And Activities
70 % Wildland Fire and Prescribed Fire
- Serves as a member of a fire crew assigned to wildland fire suppression and prescribed burn efforts. Performs assignments as a prescribed burn or wildland firefighter such as burn unit and fire line construction, use of pumps and engines, hose lays using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustments in the effective use of water and additives, safety rules, and basic fire behavior.
- Supports the fire line suppression efforts by burning out the line behind the equipment, holding the fire line and mopping up the fire.
- Assists with all aspects of prescribed burning including ignition, patrol, monitoring fire line and mopping up.
- Searches and extinguishes burning materials by moving dirt, applying water by hose or backpack pump, etc.
- Constructs fire lines (e.g. chop brush, fell small trees, move dirt) primarily through operating a tractor plow, or by the use of hand or power tools including chainsaws and portable pumps to control spreading of wildland fire and/or to prepare control lines prior to burning.
- Patrols fire line to locate and extinguish embers, flare-ups, and hotspot fires that may threaten developed fire lines.
- Provides training and mentorship to other tractor plow operators, and other fire line staff as needed.
10% Safety
- Participates in wildland and prescribed fire safety trainings on topics such as the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression in fire line activities, including the operation and use of tools, equipment, and vehicles.
- Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills.
- Participates in safety sessions and fire critiques.
- Ensures own and others' welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignments.
20% Additional Duties
- May perform project work such as fuel inventory, preparing associated reports, and hazard fuel reduction projects.
- May perform project work such as road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, and miscellaneous equipment and facilities maintenance.
- Performs the full range of standardized forestry support duties for fire/fuels activities.
- Performs standard maintenance and safety checks and safe operation of fire trucks, tractor plows and associated fire equipment.
- Cleans, reconditions, and stores fire tools and equipment.
Salary Information
Fire Rider Technician positions pay $15.92 per hour and are in pay schedule and range 06-12.
Fire Rider Technician Advanced positions pay $21.51 per hour and are in pay schedule and range 06-14.
Compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan.
Job Details
This is a Limited Term Employment (LTE) position and will not automatically lead to permanent state employment or be entitled to the same benefits as permanent employees.
About
More about LTE positions:
- Offer a great opportunity to gain experience and learn about careers at the WI Department of Natural Resources.
- Provide opportunities for individuals to enhance their resumes with skills learned on the job.
- May accommodate flexibility for part-time or full-time work hours and seasonal schedules. Work schedules are dependent on business needs.
- Allow individuals to hold multiple LTE appointments concurrently. If both LTE positions are at the same agency, the positions must be bona fide different positions. Each individual LTE position allows for maximum of 1039 hours in a twelve-month period.
Requirements
Special Requirements:
- Residency: To be considered for this position, you must be a resident of the State of Wisconsin.
A Wisconsin Resident Is a Person Who
- Has established a residence, as defined in s. 6.10(1), in this state not less than 10 days earlier;
- Has resided in this state for not less than a total of one year out of the immediately preceding 5 years;
- Is eligible to register to vote in this state; or
- Is the spouse of a person meeting the requirements of par. (a), (b), or (c).” s.230.03(12), Wis. Stats.
- Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to a job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.
- Eligible to work in U.S.: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility I-9 form upon hire.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The DNR is an equal opportunity employer that promotes and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.
Qualifications
In addition to the required qualifications below, selected candidates must be eligible to drive a state vehicle and meet the following criteria:
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a minimum of two years licensed driving experience
- Have not had three (3) or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two (2) years
- Have no OWI/DUI violations within the past year
Applicants qualified for Fire Rider Technician positions will have the following:
- Familiarity with techniques and skills needed to conduct maintenance on fire suppression equipment and facilities.
- Familiarity with radio communication, equipment, and generally accepted procedures.
- Knowledge of forest fire behavior, suppression tactics and techniques, fire line safety standards, incident command system and communication systems.
- Knowledge of prescribed fire planning, implementation and evaluation.
- Ability and willingness to travel independently and on a timely basis
Special Requirements For Fire Rider Technicians
- Meet and maintain physical fitness standards required by the Department, per Manual Code 9124.20.
- Taking and passing WCT at the moderate level is a condition of employment. The moderate fitness test requires completing a two (2) mile hike within thirty (30) minutes, while carrying a twenty-five (25) pound pack.
- Qualified as FFT 2 or FFT2FD
Applicants qualified for Fire Rider Technician Advanced positions will have the following:
- Working knowledge of prescribed fire techniques, fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices and terminology.
- Familiarity with techniques and skills needed to conduct maintenance on fire suppression equipment and facilities.
- Familiarity with prescribed fire planning, implementation and evaluation.
- Familiarity with radio communication, equipment, and generally accepted procedures.
- Knowledge of forest fire behavior, suppression tactics and techniques, fire line safety standards, incident command system (ICS) and communication systems.
- Ability and willingness to travel independently and on a timely basis.
Special Requirements For Fire Rider Technician Advanced
- Meet and maintain physical fitness standards required by the Department, per Manual Code 9124.20.
- Taking and passing Work Capacity Test (WCT) at the moderate level is a condition of employment. The moderate fitness test requires completing a two (2) mile hike within thirty (30) minutes, while carrying a twenty-five (25) pound pack.
- Qualified as fire fighter type 2 (FFT2), engine operator (ENO4), and tractor plow operator (TPOP) qualifications.
- Obtain and maintain all qualifications required to operate a tractor plow initial attack (TPIA) for use on wildland fire suppression and prescribed fire efforts. This includes maintaining proficiency as required by the Department’s Fire Qualification Guide.
How To Apply
Click the “Apply for Job” button and follow the directions. You will be able to save your application as many times as needed and make edits up until the point you submit your application.
Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted.
Please note that the Wiscjobs system will time you out after 30 minutes of activity, so be sure to save your work often to avoid having to re-start the application process.
For any position-related questions, please feel free to contact Anthony.Palladino@wisconsin.gov.
For technical questions and troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please visit Commonly Asked Questions.
Your resume and letter of qualifications are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click
here.
Deadline to Apply
Applications must be received by 11:59pm, Central Time, on January 16th, 2025 in order to be considered.
