Wildfire Dispatcher
Employment
The Oregon Department of Forestry hires seasonal Wildland Fire Dispatch positions each year. These positions generally work from June through October; however, the duration of the season and job conditions vary by location.
Minimum Requirements
No experience required, but must be a minimum of 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license.
Job Duties
Seasonal dispatchers coordinate with dispatch leads to determine the appropriate response to wildfires based on pre-planned procedures. Dispatchers play an integral role in the chain of communication that is vital for the safety of resources and also support wildfire operations by tracking and mobilizing resource orders, receiving, recording, and relaying written and verbal requests, editing and updating documents, receiving and relaying information requests from the public, and other duties as assigned.
Work Environment
Work is performed in a high stress office environment and seated at a desk for long periods of time managing multiple assignments with varying priorities. Required to work irregular, overtime, holiday and overnight hours. Required to travel in-state or out-of-state by motor vehicle or aircraft to attend meetings, training opportunities, or fire assignments. Assignments to emergency incidents may require employee to be away from duty station for up to 21 days. May be required to work in an interagency environment where there may be multiple policies, plans, and procedures.
Additional Information and Application
For local job information call Grants Pass Unit 541-474-3152 or Medford Unit 541-664-3328. To apply, visit Oregon Department of Forestry’s Jobs page.
Wildland Fire Suppression Specialist
Employment
The Oregon Department of Forestry hires seasonal Wildland Fire Suppression Specialist positions each year. These positions generally work from June through October; however, the duration of the season and job conditions vary by location.
Minimum Requirements
Two years of Wildland firefighting experience. (One 3-6 month season is equivalent to one year of experience). Applicant must be a minimum of 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license, and pass the Work Capacity Fitness Test, which requires resources to walk 3 miles with a 45 pound pack in 45 minutes or less without running. Click here for additional information about the required fitness test.
Job Duties
Responsible for locating wildfires using maps, GPS, and compass wildland as well as fire suppression as a member of a crew, engine or dozer. Suppression Specialists will contain active wildfires by constructing fire line using hand tools or power equipment and participate in mop-up duties to control and extinguish wildfire after it has been contained. Duties may require operation of firefighting vehicles/equipment in support of wildfire suppression. Suppression Specialists are expected to participate in safety briefings and fire training as necessary and maintain positive working relationships with landowners and the public.
Work Environment
Suppression Specialists are required to work various shifts including holidays, nights, weekends, and long hours on short notice. Assignments to emergency incidents may require employee to be away from duty station for up to 21 days. Occasionally required to work under adverse conditions such as noise, smoke, heat, rough terrain, dust, inclement weather and exposure to poison oak, bees and poisonous snakes. Requires occasional exposure to heavy equipment operations, aircraft, hazards of burning and/or falling material, and chemical and biological pesticides.
Additional Information and Application
For local job information call Grants Pass Unit 541-474-3152 or Medford Unit 541-664-3328. To apply, visit Oregon Department of Forestry’s Jobs page.
Forest Officer
Employment
The Oregon Department of Forestry hires seasonal Wildland Fire Suppression Specialist positions each year. These positions generally work from June through October; however, the duration of the season and job conditions vary by location.
Minimum Requirements
Four years in wildland fire suppression OR a Bachelor’s degree in forestry or closely related natural resources field and one year of wildland fire suppression, OR two years in wildland fire suppression and an Associate’s degree in forestry or closely related natural resource field. (One 3-6 month season is equivalent to 1 year of experience). Applicant must be a minimum of 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license, and pass the Work Capacity Fitness Test, which requires resources to walk 3 miles with a 45 pound pack in 45 minutes or less without running. Click here for additional information about the required fitness test.
Job Duties
Forest Officers participate in wildland fire suppression, pre-suppression, fire prevention and safety activities. They are responsible for serving as incident commander during initial attack, directing resources and making strategic and tactical decisions. Forest Officers are also responsible for enforcing Oregon forest fire laws and implementing public outreach programs. Forest Officers are expected to participate in safety briefings and fire training as necessary and maintain positive working relationships and regular contact with forest operators, landowners and the public involving explanation or interpretation of forest laws and fire programs.
Work Environment
Forest Officers are required to work various shifts including holidays, nights, weekends, and long hours on short notice. Assignments to emergency incidents may require employee to be away from duty station for up to 21 days. Occasionally required to work under adverse conditions such as noise, smoke, heat, rough terrain, dust, inclement weather and exposure to poison oak, bees and poisonous snakes. Requires occasional exposure to heavy equipment operations, aircraft, hazards of burning and/or falling material, and chemical and biological pesticides.
Additional Information and Application
For local job information call Grants Pass Unit 541-474-3152 or Medford Unit 541-664-3328. To apply, visit Oregon Department of Forestry’s Jobs page.