Prescribed Fire Single Resource Boss - Seasonal

The Suffolk County Water Authority is seeking on behalf of the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission an individual with experience/qualifications in fire suppression and management, heavy equipment operation, and supervision to provide leadership and oversight of prescribed fire management/control crew. This position exercises supervisory responsibilities in the coordination, use, maintenance, and training of prescribed fire equipment and fleet including engines, heavy equipment, power, and hand tools etc. This position will be based in the Central Pine Barrens Commission office located in Westhampton Beach. This position reports directly to the Fire Management Specialist or Science and Stewardship Manager.

11/18/2025

Full Time

Central Pine Barrens

 

Responsibilities include:

• Operate and maintain various specialized equipment used to perform prescribed fire operations. This includes identifying necessary repairs, conducting gear inventory, and procurement of replacement parts or gear to ensure all equipment is functioning properly throughout the season.
• Assist in the preparation of hazardous fuels treatment and burn plans based on predicted fire behavior and risk assessment.
• Draft prescribed fire perimeter maps and supporting data such as fuel loading, fuel moisture, and descriptive habitat characteristics. 
• Coordinate with state and county landowners and assist in site preparation prior to and during prescribed fire operations including brush clearing, selective thinning, hazard tree removal, ignition, monitoring, holding, mop-up and patrol.
• Assist in the evaluation of prescribed fire operations and wildfire situations by monitoring fire behavior, effects, and weather including monitoring smoke dispersal, identifying potential hazards, or other safety issues and provides guidance on appropriate response tactics and best approaches to achieve operational goals. 
• Supervise subordinate activities based on operational priorities while ensuring quality and safety standards are met.
• Ensure the safety and welfare of all prescribed fire staff and that all operations are in compliance with organizational policy and local regulations in all aspects of the assignment. This includes mentoring staff; conducting crew proficiency checks and drills; holding safety sessions, and providing constructive critiques related to the techniques, practices, and methods of subordinate fire crew.
• Assist in developing and revising fire reports and records as well as seasonal operating procedures, budget requests, and fire management plans pertaining to prescribed fire management activities.
• Collaborate with local homeowners, community stakeholders, various local, state, and federal agencies to increase awareness of pine barrens ecology, prescribed fire, and wildfire mitigation practices to help facilitate understanding of ecosystem management and wildfire preparedness.
• Provides staff support at public events.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma with experience in landscaping, agriculture, mechanics, heavy equipment use, forestry, arboriculture or other similar trade or academic degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, or related field.  
• Meets or exceeds Interagency Standards for Firefighting Operations as a Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss (minimum) with preference as a Single Resource Boss qualified (Qualifications required).
• Experience in supervisory policies, procedures, and methods especially related to wildland firefighters and prescribed fire operations.
• Manage, instruct, and supervise subordinate staff operating fire engines, water pumps/hose lays, and performing hand-crew duties with at least 90 days (preferred) experience on prescribed fire or wildland fire serving in a FFT1 or higher leadership position.
• Knowledge, qualification, and ability to operate and maintain; four-wheel drive pickup trucks; Type 6 and Type 7 fire engines; heavy equipment (ex. forestry mowers, brush hogs, walk behind mower); power and hand tools (chainsaws, Pulaski, shovel, McLeod); UTV/ATV operation and trailering; portable pumps and water conveyance systems; and communication systems (Record of Qualifications preferred).
• Experience in and knowledge of advanced strategies, tactics, and suppression methods used in containment and control of prescribed and wildland fires. This includes providing clear assignments to crew members, ability to accurately evaluate changing fire conditions and behavior, identify when/if additional resources are needed, and determine when circumstances warrant withdrawal of crew to a safe location.
• Strong foundational knowledge and expertise in fire behavior including influence of temperature, humidity, wind, topography, slope, fuel type, and fuel moisture conditions related to safely conducting prescribed fire operations and wildfire suppression (building fire lines, positioning, hazard identification, staff safety).
• Ability to communicate fire management methods, terminology, site conditions, and safety procedures clearly and accurately to aid staff in analyzing fire circumstances to prevent injury and loss of life.
• Ability to implement tactical methods for water use in controlling, suppressing, and mopping-up fires to efficiently and effectively accomplish operations if water is in short supply.
• Standard first aid, CPR, and AED training with qualifications sufficient to perform preliminary first aid and triage as necessary with higher level qualifications preferred.
• Understanding of cooperative interagency fire organizations such as federal, state, and local governmental partnerships to facilitate prescribed fire operations in a multi-jurisdictional setting.
• Possess oral and written communication skills sufficient to effectively interact with people at all levels, internal and external to the organization, including the public.
• Ability to perform basic computer and smart phone/tablet technology skills such as word processing, electronic mail, internet use, ARC Online Google Earth, ArcGIS/ArcOnline or QGIS, AVENZA and/or other specialized fire information databases and programs.
• Ability to perform physical field work in variable environmental conditions (e.g. high temperatures; high insect exposure especially to ticks; rain; variable terrain and muck).
• Ability to pass the moderate level work capacity test (carrying of 25lbs/2 miles in 30 minutes) or arduous level work capacity test (carrying of 45lbs/3 miles in 45 minutes; preferred).
• Must be available to work from March – May, up to 37.5 hours/week. 
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

*The Authority may accept an equivalent combination of education and experience to meet the requirements*

 

Interested candidates should submit their application, resume, and transcripts, including salary requirements via the SCWA website (www.scwa.com) and click on “Career Opportunities.” Salary is $29.50-$60.00/hour with no benefits based on experience and federal certification level.
Housing may be available for candidates outside of Long Island.

(The Authority shall not employ relatives of employees as defined to mean an employee's spouse, child, stepchild, stepparent or direct descendant of grandparents of the employee as defined in the New York State General Municipal Law 810.)