DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

Address:  

3700 East 16th Avenue
Apache Junction, AZ 85119

Salary: $17.6821 - $28.2348 Hourly 

Grade: 19

Closing Date:  August 6, 2025

This position will perform as a National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) Qualified Captain of a 20 person hand crew on fire suppression assignments, and may also serve in other fireline capacities and agency representative on wildfires. The incumbent will ensure fire emergency readiness of the crew by providing nationally recognized fire training and ensuring equipment is maintained and available. The incumbent will maintain NWCG qualifications. The incumbent may act as project manager for fuel treatment and natural resource conservation activities. The incumbent may implement "crew use agreements" with cooperators. Will act as Superintendent as needed.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

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

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

● Responsible for directing a module of a 10 or 20 person Hand Crew, and is qualified to assume full responsibility in the absence of the Superintendent.
● Perform as a National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) Qualified Captain of the crew on fire suppression assignments, and may also serve in other fireline capacities and agency representative on wildfires.
● Ensure fire emergency readiness of the crew by providing nationally recognized fire training and ensuring equipment is maintained and available.
● Maintain NWCG qualifications.
● May act as project manager for fuel treatment and natural resource conservation activities.
● The incumbent may implement "crew use agreements" with cooperators (other state agencies, county agencies, rural communities, homeowners associations, federal land management agencies, fire departments, universities, and tribal agencies).
● May act as Superintendent as needed.
● Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff members. Evaluates employee performance. Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of the safety regulations.
● Drive on State business
● Other duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

● Wildland fire suppression tactics and procedures.
● Fuel types and fire behavior, fire management objectives and policies, and firefighting strategies and tactics.
● Land use and resource management practices and policies. Fuels management practices and policies.
● Program management, supervision, and personnel practices and regulations.
● Safety practices in suppressing fires and various other incidents to prevent injury, property damage or loss of life.
● Instructional techniques and training development standards.

Skills in:

● Interpersonal dynamics.
● Leadership in a hand crew environment.
● Effective oral and written communication.
● Instruction techniques.
● Interpreting fire weather and fire behavior.
● Natural resource inventory skills.
● Effective use of computers and applicable software.


Ability to:

● Apply resourcefulness, initiative, and independent judgment to wildfire incidents, all-risk incidents and fuels mitigation projects.
● Obtain efficiency and cost effectiveness of hand crew operations.
● Effectively manage a crew of post-release personnel.
● Independently gather, analyze, and interpret data for the development of fuels treatment and burn plans; and to execute prescribed burn projects.
● Develop and implement a crew training program that meets nationally recognized fire training guidelines.
● Learn and adhere to employment laws.
● Adhere to State of Arizona and Department of Forestry and Fire Management Standards of Conduct, policies, procedures and practices.
● Drive and travel on State business with possible overnight stays.

NWCG qualified Task force Leader Preferred or NWCG qualified Strike Team Leader

Incident Commander Type 5

Incident Commander Type 4 or able to obtain within one year.

A valid Arizona Driver's License.

Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
● Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
● Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
● 10 paid holidays per year
● Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program, learn more at hr.az.gov/family-leave-expansion).
● Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
● Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
● Deferred compensation plan
● Wellness plans
● Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).

Participation is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria as defined in statute.

Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

The current contribution rate is 12%

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Lisa Ross at lross@dffm.az.gov for assistance.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 771-1427. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.