Battalion Chief

Under the direction of the Division Chief, this position will be responsible for fire operations, field safety, fire personnel and equipment management, filling fire operations or support positions within the Incident Command System. The Battalion Chief position will function as a DFFM mid-level manager and may fill the Duty Officer role as needed throughout the State.

***This position is only open to current DFFM employees***

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to: • Respond to wildfires as an incident commander or agency representative within the assigned district. • Suppress fire with appropriate strategies and cost effectiveness. • Act as district duty officer to field wildfire reports and direct appropriate initial suppression actions. Schedules, maintains fiscal accountability and supervises seasonal district fire preparedness resources. • Supervises full time district fire crew Captain(s). Assures district fire crews are trained, equipped, and fire ready. • Works with local agencies and communities to utilize crews for mitigation and natural resource projects. Coordinates and presents wildland fire training courses to cooperating fire departments and other interagency partners. Assist cooperating agencies and fire departments with NWCG qualification processes. • At the direction of the Division Chief, Initiates cooperative agreements with fire departments and other local agencies with fire suppression responsibilities. • Coordinates with local federal land management agencies in the development of annual fire operating plans. Provides fire season assessment data. • Prepares various natural resource management plans including prescribed fire plans, forest management plans, community fire protection plans, and Firewise Plans. Provides natural resource and forestry related technical expertise to landowners and local governments. • Drive on State business • Other duties as assigned

Knowledge of: • Wildfire Strategy, Tactics, and Fire Behavior and Incident Management/Incident Command System • Wildland Fire Safety procedures • National Wildfire Coordinating Group and Arizona State Forester Wildfire Training Standards and Qualification Requirements. • Prescribed Fire Management and Fire Effects • State wildland fire business procedures and related inter agency agreements • Principles and practices of leadership and supervision. • Purchasing and contract principles. • Forestry, Natural Resource, and Ecosystem Management • Emergency response communication systems Skills in: • Effective oral and written communication. • Instruction techniques to train and teach internal and external personnel in Division applicable subject matter. • Interpreting fire weather and fire behavior. • Natural resource inventory. • Effectively using computers and applicable software Ability to: • Work and communicate effectively with diverse governmental wildland firefighting agencies and recognize their differences in authorities and capabilities. • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Forestry Division personnel and outside cooperators. • Plan and stay organized. • Remain focused during emergency incidents. • Work weekends and holidays. • Travel on State Business.