Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.

The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.

Core Values:

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservations Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana.

• We value and respect each other. 
• We create collaborative work environments. 
• We build and maintain strong relationships. 
• We practice accountability. 
• We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work. 

We offer competitive pay with opportunities for growth and additional compensation. 

NEW: We have added assignment pay of 10% in addition to your regular hourly rate for employees assigned to and supporting authorized emergency work.

Job Overview:

This position of Senior Engine Boss is responsible for directing a Fire Engine Module with primary responsibility for preparation for wildland fire suppression and the detection and suppression of wildland and wildland/urban interface fires.

Duties include overseeing initial attack personnel and equipment coordination for fire pre-suppression; and directing fire suppression operations as Incident Commander on wildland and wildland interface fires with multiple resources as a Type 4 IC, and on larger fires until a higher qualified IC arrives.  The position is also responsible for coordinating and performing fire prevention work including supervising forest fuels reduction projects, disseminating prevention information, installing and maintaining prevention signs, and ensuring compliance with regulations to prevent or mitigate the risk of fires in the assigned jurisdiction; and for providing and overseeing field support for forest improvement/maintenance and building and grounds maintenance activities.  The position reports to the Assistant Fire Management Officer (AFMO) or Unit Fire Management Officer (FMO) and is responsible for providing line supervision of the engine module crew.

Major Duties or Responsibilities:

Fire Pre-suppression and Readiness:
Oversees initial attack personnel and equipment coordination for fire pre-suppression to provide safe, effective, and economical fire suppression capability.  This work requires knowledge of wildland fire tactical methods, fire behavior, related state rules and regulations, local fire prevention needs, and the incident command system (ICS).  The work requires skill in reading maps, planning and organization, using and maintaining a variety of specialized forestry tools and equipment, and operating all types of fire suppression equipment.

Fire Suppression:
Directs fire suppression operations as Incident Commander on wildland and urban/wildland interface fires with multiple resources as a Type 4 IC, and on larger fires until a higher qualified IC arrives. This requires knowledge of suppression tactics; incident organization; logistics; wildland fire management plans for a variety of jurisdictions; wildland fire engine use and operation; techniques for leading others in driving and/or operating a wildland fire engine; hydraulics; rural water supplies (e.g., fold-a-tanks, water shuttles, hydrants, etc.); progressive hose lay methods; fire suppression principles and practices (e.g., fire behavior, fire assessment, tactical methods, rotary and fixed-wing aviation operations, etc.); the Incident Command System (ICS); fireline safety procedures; hazardous material responses and precautions; and radio use policies and procedures.  The work requires skill in driving off-road and on unimproved road systems; the use of a map and compass; the use of hand (e.g., axe, shovel, Pulaski) and power (e.g., chainsaw) tools; the use of hoses, and water handling accessories (e.g. nozzles, valves, couplings, and hose clamps); and in communicating clearly with others using correct terminology and processes.

Fire Prevention:
Oversees and performs technical fire prevention activities to prevent or mitigate the risk of fires in the assigned jurisdiction.  This work requires knowledge of fire prevention regulations, forest and land management practices and procedures, and skill in written and verbal communication.

Supervision:
Directly (line) supervises seasonal firefighters and squad bosses.  This involves recruitment and selection, assigning and reviewing work, training, establishing performance standards and evaluating performance.  This work requires knowledge of supervisory principles and practices, DNRC and State Personnel policies, procedures, and precedents, organizational theory, employment law, and program requirements.

Field Support:
Provides and oversees field support for forest improvement/maintenance and building and grounds maintenance activities. This requires knowledge of basic vehicle maintenance, and mechanical, carpentry, and painting procedures and methods and skill in using tools and equipment, cleaning, and making minor repairs.

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE: 

• Online State of Montana application
• Resume 
• Cover Letter

HELPFUL HINT: You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.

Benefits:

• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays
• Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage
• Retirement Plans
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.  Look here, https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service to learn more and see if you may qualify!

The position requires a high school diploma or G.E.D. and full qualification as a Single Resource Engine Boss (ENGB).

The position requires knowledge of how to quickly and accurately assess a wildland fire situation and determine strategy and tactical methods to control wildland and residential/wildland fires. No two fires are the same. Guidelines specifically outlining how to handle every situation are not feasible or available. Knowledge of fire behavior, Montana forest fire rules and regulations (contained in Administrative Rules of Montana), Montana burning permit requirements, local fire prevention needs, Incident Command System, CPR, first aid, hazardous materials awareness, and radio use.

The position requires skill in reading maps, using a hand compass, hand tools, chainsaws and other firefighting or project-related equipment; planning, organizing and conducting safe, cost-effective control of wildland fires; properly completing agency paperwork; driving off-road and on unimproved road systems; the use of hoses, and water handling accessories (e.g. nozzles, valves, couplings, and hose clamps); communicating clearly with others using correct terminology and processes; and skill in using tools and equipment, cleaning, and making minor repairs.

The position requires a valid Class C Montana Driver’s License.

The employee must be at least 18 years old at the time of appointment.

The position requires three (3) years of related experience including three full seasons of experience in wildland firefighting and in driving and operating a wildland fire engine.  Must have successfully performed on two (2) qualifying uncontrolled fires as an Initial Attack Incident Commander (IC Type 5).

Applicants must be able to meet the fitness level required of the job and complete a work capacity test (pack test) prior to hire.

SPECIAL INFORMATION: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card"