Wildfire Mitigation Fuels Technician (Senior Maintenance Technician)

Salary: $25.87 - $31.06 hourly

Location: Fire Department - City of Colorado Springs, CO
Full-time, non-exempt position

About the Role

In this position, you will perform semi-skilled equipment operations and support the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) Wildfire Mitigation Section as a Senior Maintenance Technician.

Responsibilities

• Support the Wildfire Mitigation Section’s neighborhood chipping program by safely operating high-powered and specialized equipment, including dump trucks, woodchippers, chainsaws, power tools (e.g., brush cutters, leaf blowers, mowers), and hand tools.
• Assist with wildfire mitigation projects by thinning brush, chipping woody debris, removing biomass, marking trees for removal, flagging project boundaries, creating maps, and collecting data.
• Perform maintenance and upkeep of the Section’s tools and equipment, including troubleshooting, scheduling basic maintenance and repairs, and overseeing a regular maintenance schedule.
• Manage and lead daily wildfire mitigation crew operations, including task management, project planning, timekeeping, and progress tracking.
• Plan, implement, and oversee the program’s 2-week onboarding and training session for the annual wildfire mitigation crew.
• Conduct wildfire mitigation education appointments, including onsite consultations, cost-share stipends, and other appointments.
• Perform fire prevention code compliance inspections and pre-frame inspections; complete related reports.
• Assist the neighborhood chipping program with administrative tasks, including chipping registration, customer support, chipping list preparation, data entry, waitlist management, site inspections, and program support.
• Motivate the wildfire mitigation crew and foster a team dynamic to better serve the program and community.
• Make real-time decisions regarding personnel management, safety, and overall program efficacy.
• Track, document, and report crew progress and accomplishments.
• Manage the program’s cache and workshop, including equipment, inventory, cleanliness, security, and maintenance.
• Train Wildfire Mitigation Section staff on high-powered and specialized equipment.
• Collect fuel moisture samples, monitor moisture percentages, and track and report fuel moisture data.
• Assist with data collection and entry for wildfire risk assessments; maintain records and prepare reports.
• Provide courteous service and assistance to City residents.
• Assist with wildfire mitigation education and presentations in various forums.
• Perform clerical duties, tracking, and logistic support in an office setting.
• Conduct media interviews and represent the CSFD Wildfire Mitigation Section on committees and at workshops.
• Create a safe workplace environment in both field and office settings.
• Track and monitor grant activity for the section as needed.
• Assist with assigned wildland fire response-related assignments and training as needed.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED, plus additional specialized training related to this position.
• Five years of full-time responsible experience in a field related to wildfire mitigation or forestry.
• Possess, or obtain upon hire, a valid, non-probationary driver’s license not subject to restrictions related to alcohol and/or drug violations or pending charges.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six months of direct supervisory experience.
• National Wildfire Coordination Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type II certification.
• National Wildfire Coordination Group (NWCG) Wildland Fire Chainsaw Certification.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Skills

• Knowledge of wildfire mitigation principles, defensible space, structure hardening, and fuels management.
• Knowledge of fire behavior, wildland fire response, and vegetative fuels.
• Knowledge of safe operation and field use of high-powered and specialized equipment.
• Exceptional public speaking, presentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with citizens, customers, and staff.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to perform routine and preventive maintenance on equipment, troubleshoot mechanical issues, and coordinate repair schedules.
• Ability to maintain an organized and functional workshop environment.
• Ability to provide courteous and professional service.
• Ability to perform administrative and clerical duties.
• Ability to maintain a safe workplace in both field and office environments.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work primarily outdoors around moving vehicles and heavy equipment, with some time spent in an office environment.
• Frequent exposure to extreme temperatures, wetness, humidity, respiratory hazards (odors, fumes, dust, gases), noise, vibrations, and physical hazards (forestry-related equipment).
• Rare exposure to communicable diseases.
• Ability to lift, carry, and drag up to 50 pounds frequently.
• Ability to distinguish colors, pull, reach, bend, climb, and kneel for extended periods.

Pay

$25.87 - $31.06 hourly

Schedule

Full-time, non-exempt position