You will be asked to provide three (3) professional references and the past five (5) years of education and employment history.  The application is 9 steps and typically takes 9-11 minutes.

This description is intended to describe the essential job functions and the essential requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned, and management may, with or without notice, add or change the duties at any time. Employees are employed “at will”.

Notice to Applicants: All applicants offered employment with Chugachmiut will be subject to a background investigation. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background investigation conducted in accordance with Chugachmiut policy and Public Law 101-630. Every offer of employment with Chugachmiut will be made contingent on a background investigation. The nature and extent of the investigation will depend on the job duties of the position for which an offer is made.

USE OF INFORMATION OBTAINED IN A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

Information obtained from a background investigation will be considered for employment purposes as permitted by federal and state law and in accordance with Chugachmiut’s policy. Information will be reviewed to determine:

• Whether an individual made false statements or material omissions on an application for employment or during an interview;
• Whether an applicant or employee, based on the job duties of the position in question, poses a threat to security and/or employee safety in the workplace; and
• The likelihood of an applicant or employee being successful and productive on the job.

Squad boss leads a small group (usually not more than seven members) and is responsible for their safety on wildland and prescribed fire incidents. The Squad boss supervises crewmembers that are at the FFT2 level and reports to Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent or assigned supervisor. The Squad boss works in the Operations functional area.

Fireline Duties:

• Always carry an Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG) at all times and use it to guide actions.
• Request, direct, and provide feedback to aerial resources through established chain of command
• Provide status updates on conditions affecting operations, hazardous conditions, unresolved conflicts, air operations, etc. to supervisor.
• Through established chain of command, assist the responsible land management agency and/or assigned Resource Advisor, with the protection of natural, cultural and other resources. Communicate when such resources are discovered and document suppression impacts.
• Use maps, compass, Global Positioning System (GPS) and other tools and applications to gather information and navigate on incident.
• Collect, document and report weather observations utilizing the Belt Weather Kit or electronic weather meter such as a kestrel or similar.
• Contribute to the planning process by providing accurate information and recommendations through established chain of command.

Prepare and Mobilize: 

• Ensure Individual Readiness.
• Gather critical information pertinent to the assignment.
• Review Incident Action Plan (IAP) and obtain briefing, objectives, and intent from supervisor.

Squad Boss Specific Duties: 

• Mentor and train assigned resources in safe firefighting practices (e.g., tool maintenance, fire line construction techniques).
• Adhere to the Chain of Command as it applies to crew configuration.
• Locate fireline and implement appropriate fireline construction methods (e.g., mineral soil scrape, cup trenching, and removal of ladder fuels) necessary to stop fire spread and ensure completion to acceptable standards.
• Utilize appropriate fireline tactics, including indirect and direct attack strategies.
• Verify driver/operator qualifications and ensure adherence to vehicle safety procedures when transporting personnel and equipment.
• Use firing devices under supervision on a firing operation according to the ignition/firing plan (verbal or written).
• Maintain and inspect tools, equipment, and supplies required to complete assigned task for amount, serviceability, and safety. Notify supervisor if corrective action is needed.

Physical Demands:

• Duties involve rigorous fieldwork requiring above average physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning. Work requires prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar strenuous activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity.
• Duties include demands for strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time. Operation of some specialized fire equipment can place extended physical stress on incumbent during fire activities.
• Due to the complexity of the position, each fire incident presents varied and unique problems. The work may be performed on a small initial attack fire up to a highly complex fire involving large acreage, multiple camps, numerous people, and air operations. Work may be performed for extensive periods of time and physically removed from the immediate supervision of Chugachmiut and DNR Department of Forestry Soldotna duty station.

• Qualified as a Firefighter Type 1 and an Incident Commander type 5
• The incumbent must pass the arduous duty work capacity test (“Pack Test”) which consists of carrying a 45 pound pack for 3 miles in 45minutes.
• Must pass a Physical Training Test (PT Test) which consists of 1.5 mile run in 11:40 or better.
• 40 Sit ups in 60 seconds.
• 25 push-ups in 60 seconds.
• Pull/Chin ups based on body weight:
  • 170lbs or more = 4
  • 135lbs – 170lbs = 5
  • 110lbs – 135lbs = 6
  • 110lbs or less = 7

Hours of work are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with one hour for lunch. Be prepared to work 14 - 16 hours during fire assignments. Chugachmiut maintains a drug/alcohol and non-smoking work environment. 

Benefits: Chugachmiut offers its employees a generous and robust benefits package. Please visit www.chugachmiut.org for a complete list of our benefits.