DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

Address: 2901 W Pinnacle Peak Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85027

Salary: $22.9807 - $27.1636 Hourly 

Grade: 18

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Initial Attack Dispatchers receive reports of incidents and initiate the initial response of appropriate fire resources. The position submits and processes requests to locate, allocate, and mobilize essential personnel, equipment, aircraft, and supplies to an incident and demobilizes resources following the conclusion of an incident. The work involves the coordination of numerous activities and functions into an overall efficient and effective support effort. At this level incumbents independently perform the full range of initial attack dispatch and logistical duties while ensuring compliance with standard methods, established contracts, rules, policies, procedures and guidelines. Incumbents routinely take action or make decisions without prior approval from higher level staff. Lead duties may be assigned.

• Implement and develop knowledge of standard logistical and administrative procedures, guidelines, Incident Command System (ICS) terminology, methods and procedures and safety requirements used in the dispatch of personnel, equipment and supplies to support the needs of requesting uniVincident.
  
• Practice proper dispatch policies, radio and communication procedures.
  
• Follow instructions without supervision, retain information, ask questions and elicit required information, speak and write clearly and effectively
  
• Operate computers and utilize the computer for inputting data and records, maintain records, generate reports, and process requests to facilitate fire management operations
  
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

• Standard initial attack, logistical, and administrative procedures, guidelines, Incident Command System (ICS) terminology, methods and organizational requirements, and safety requirements used in the dispatch of personnel, aircraft, equipment and supplies to support the needs of requesting unit/ incident.
  
• Multi-channel radio and phone system communications procedures.
  
• Fire behavior influences such as weather conditions, topography, and fuels.
  
• Wildland fire suppression tactics and strategies sufficient to provide initial attack and logistical support to fire management operations.
  

Skills in:

• Evaluating nature of calls received, determining proper response, prioritizing actions to be taken and dispatching appropriate response
  
• Communicating clearly and concisely under stressful situations
  
• Recognizing and analyzing hazardous conditions, making accurate decisions, and taking prompt effective action
  
• Operating the computers and utilizing the computer for inputting data and maintaining records, generating reports and processing requests to facilitate fire management operations
  
• Following instructions without supervision, learning and retaining information, asking questions and eliciting required information, speaking and writing clearly and effectively
  
• Accurately and effectively applying guidelines and references including state and federal policies, contracts, professional standards, policies, and procedures that are regularly used to perform logistics and dispatch duties
  
• Accurately analyzing fire detection reports
  
• Remaining calm under urgent and frequently changing conditions.
  

Ability to:

• Organize priorities
  
• Communicate clearly and concisely
  
• Work independently and supervise if needed.
  
• Work overnights and possible weekends and holidays.
  

• The ability to type 35-40 WPM
  
• FFT1 or FFT2
  
• Expanded Dispatch Recorder through NWCG
  

• Arizona Drivers License must be obtained within 6 months of employment
  
• High School diploma or GED
  
• Certification as an Initial Attack and Support Dispatcher from the National Incident Qualification System, must be obtained within 1 year of employment.
  
  And either:
  
  
• Six months of trainee or entry level wild land fire fighting or forestry related field experience. This can be at the federal, state or local level; Or
  
  One year of general office clerical, warehouse, supply, or retail experience; Or
  
  One year of radio dispatch experience; Or substitution
  
  College or vocational education may substitute for the firefighting or forestry work experience (3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours of college course work is equivalent to 1 month of experience; 150 hours of vocational education equals one month of experience).
  

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).

This position does not qualify for Benefits.

This position does not qualify for Retirement Benefits.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Selene Rojas at srojas@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 (623) 236-6664. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.