Wildland Firefighter

Responsibilities

• Under direct supervision, performs fire protection duties including fire prevention and suppression, but not exclusively with complex heavy mechanized equipment.
• Performs operator maintenance necessary to maintain fire suppression equipment in a state of readiness.
• Performs various forestry services including firebreaks, prescribed burns, and water bar construction and assists in other forestry operations.
• Responds to forest fire calls as required by the readiness plan.
• Performs forest fire suppression duties utilizing bulldozer tractor, handline tools, and water handling equipment.
• Assists with fire prevention efforts.
• Determines cause/origin of wildland fires to complete fire reports.
• Performs operator preventive maintenance on all assigned equipment and maintains equipment in a state of readiness.
• Exercises equipment in accordance with SCFC policy and procedures.
• Performs maintenance and construction duties at Forestry Commission facilities.
• Performs forestry services, such as firebreak plowing, waterbar construction and prescribed burning assistance.
• Assists foresters and Sector FMO's with forest management activities such as timber marking, tree planting, survival checks, forest insect and disease work, acreage measurements, and other landowner services.
• Maintains an awareness of the cost-sharing assistance and services provided by the SCFC.
• Works with fire departments, the US Forest Service, civic groups, and other local, state, and federal agencies to promote sound forestry and fire management practices.
• Participates in training annually.
• Prepares monthly administrative reports to include time sheets, equipment reports, services reports and fire-related documentation.
• Participates in activities in support of the agency's mission and goals and performs related other duties as required.

Requirements

• High school diploma and experience in forest fire protection duties, forestry management, operation of heavy mechanized equipment, or relevant work experience.
• Must pass the agency’s initial physical fitness test (2‑mile walk carrying a 25 lb. pack in 30 minutes) or meet the agency’s physical fitness program requirements.
• Must obtain firefighter registration with the Office of State Fire Marshal.
• Criminal background check required.
• Drug and alcohol test required.
• Position requires a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
• Must have a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) prior to employment; obtain CLP by taking the official written test at any SCDMV branch (manual: https://scdmvonline.com/Driver-Services/Drivers-License/Beginner-Permits).
• Must complete CDL Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) Theory training within 15 working days of hire and obtain a Commercial Driver's License within 90 working days.
• Must be a resident of South Carolina and live in Orangeburg County or surrounding areas.
• Must be able to lift, walk, squat, climb and carry objects up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in changing environmental conditions.
• Knowledge of practices and principles of forest fire control.
• Ability to operate heavy mechanized firefighting equipment.
• Ability to gather information on forest fires and to prepare reports.
• Knowledge of the primary and surrounding areas of responsibility and operation of wildland fire control equipment.
• Ability to act effectively in emergency or stressful situations.
• Knowledge of South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) forest management programs, policies, and procedures.
• Subject to random, post‑incident/accident, reasonable suspicion and rehabilitation monitoring and drug and alcohol testing consistent with SCFC Drug‑Free Workplace‑CDL Drug and Alcohol Testing.
• Position is designated as essential.

Schedule

Works a rotating schedule, 40 hours / 5‑day work week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule; requires on‑call duty and weekend work; overnight travel required for extensive periods (up to 18 days) on large fire incidents or other natural disasters in‑ or out‑of‑state.