FOREST FIRE EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST 1

Code: 02647 State Competitive Range: O17 (FY 2027) Work week 40: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $54,672.91 - $79,523.11/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the direction of a Supervisor, Forest Fire Equipment Maintenance, or other supervisory official in the Bureau of Forest Fire Management, Department of Environmental Protection, performs various tasks involving the construction, maintenance, transportation, operation and preventive maintenance of firefighting vehicles, heavy equipment and small equipment and stationary Forest Fire specialized equipment either in the shop, field or on-site of an emergency incident; may be required to assist firefighting personnel in preparedness, suppression, prevention and other functions of the Forest Fire Service pursuant to N.J.S.A. 13:9; when required responds to emergencies around the clock and function as an emergency responder within National Incident Management System (NIMS); does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Constructs forest fire trucks starting with a chassis and cab, constructs tanks, plumbing, valving, and reinforcement required to complete the vehicle; installs pump, body, and all other equipment on chassis
• In the shop, field, or on the site of incident location, performs mechanical work on all forest fire suppression vehicles and equipment, including heavy duty fire trucks, bulldozers, fireline plows, tracked and wheeled front end loaders, portable pumps of various sizes and complexity, automobiles and various types of support vehicles
• Inspects and determines the nature of mechanical failure or malfunctioning in shop, field or on site at the incident location and works with other support personnel to restore equipment to efficient and safe operating order
• Operates and performs minor maintenance on two-way radio communications equipment
• Overhauls gasoline and diesel engines, installs pistons, rings, connecting rods, crankshaft and rod bearings, valves, valve seats, camshafts, cylinder liners and other related parts
• Overhauls tracked vehicle undercarriage and drive trains, removes, overhauls, and replaces differentials, steering components, track rollers, track pins and bushings, and tracks
• Overhauls and repairs various types of high pressure, volume, gear centrifugal specialized fire pumps; repairs various types of small fire suppression mechanical equipment, back tanks, pumps, handheld and pressurized backfire torches, chain saws, and leaf blowers
• Repairs and reconditions small hand tools, fire rakes, axes, shovels, pulaski's, fire nozzles, hose and hose ends
• Repairs computerized fuel, ignition and electronic management systems and environmental sensors, valves and modules to ensure vehicles are performing economically and in accordance with state and federal clean air standards
• Repairs, straightens, adjusts, and paints vehicles requiring body repair work
• Welds various types of iron, steel and aluminum required in the construction and maintenance of fire suppression vehicles using MIG and TIG welding machines, plasma type metal cutting torches plus acetylene and oxygen welding, cutting and brazing torch
• Performs emergency on-site mechanical work during active forest fires and when necessary retrieves disabled fire suppression vehicles or heavy equipment and when possible, relocate it to a safer working environment
• Transports firefighting equipment and apparatus during an emergency incident
• Establishes a remote site at the incident to facilitate equipment repair; under emergency fire conditions will serve in the logistics section of the Incident Management Team (IMT)
• Operates specialized firefighting equipment and vehicles, including, wildland engines, tractor/plow units, chainsaws, water tenders, pumps, backfire torches, etc., to assist in the suppression of wildfires or other emergencies. May operate high volume pumps during wildfire suppression. Transports, sets up and assists in the operation of mobile incident command posts during emergency actions
• Participates in exercises and other training courses
• Assist in establishing remote air bases or helispots to prepare, repair and operate equipment to support air attack operations
• Supports fire prevention and educational outreach activities; by preparing, loading and setting up displays and providing input to the staff in the safe demonstration of equipment to the public
• Prepares reports
• Maintains essential records and files
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units

Requirements

<b>TRAINING:</b>

Successful completion of one (1) year of training in automotive technology at an accredited community college or vocational school

Experience

One (1) year of experience in the maintenance and repair of gasoline and diesel engines, motorized vehicles and equipment in a forest fire management organization or other recognized fire apparatus construction and maintenance shop.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the use, care and maintenance of automotive tools and equipment as well as fire suppression tools and equipment.
• Knowledge of auto mechanics, diesel engine and fire equipment repair.
• Knowledge of welding techniques.
• Knowledge of the basic reasons of engine and equipment failure.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in forest fire suppression, preparedness and prevention.
• Ability to interpret and apply appropriate rules and regulations, and follow procedures.
• Ability to diagnose engine, drive train and other related problems.
• Ability to assist firefighting personnel in forest fire suppression, preparedness, and prevention, and other functions of the Forest Fire Service.
• Ability to perform maintenance and repair tasks in the shop, field or at the on-site incident location under stressful and hazardous conditions.
• Ability to assist in the training and instruction of fire suppression staff on the use of specialize vehicles and equipment.
• Ability to prepare reports of time, parts and cost used to perform repairs.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Applicants who do not possess the required year of formal training may substitute one (1) additional year of experience as outlined above.

An Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification in one of the following specialties from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence may be substituted for the formal training: A-1 Engine Repair; A-6 Electrical/Electronic Systems, A-8 Engine Performance.

<b>LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS:</b>

Appointees must possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.

Appointees must possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated.

The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles operated, rests with the Appointing Authority.

In accordance with Federal Regulation 82:40, appointees responsible for the repair of servicing of motor vehicle air conditioners will be required to obtain and maintain a valid Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician Certification, commensurate with the type of equipment services, issued by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.

In accordance with the New Jersey Occupational Safety and Health Administration Regulation 29 CFR 1910.178(l) (1), appointees responsible for the operation of industrial trucks (powered forklifts) will be required to obtain and maintain a current certification as a Powered Industrial Truck Operator issued by the New Jersey Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Appointees may be required to successfully complete retraining.

In accordance with NJAC 13:20-45.16, applicants responsible for performing emissions repairs to gasoline-fueled vehicles must possess a current certification as an Emissions Repair Technician.

In accordance with NJAC 13:20-43.17, applicants responsible for performing emissions inspections to motor vehicles must possess a current certification as a Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspector.

Affected appointees are required to maintain valid certifications, and successfully complete the re-certification processes within the timeframes mandated by statute.

<b>SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:</b>

Appointees will be required to obtain and maintain National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) certification as a forest fire fighter and Equipment Manager (NIMS) issued by the Department of Environmental Protection.

In accordance with N.J.S.A. 13:9-7.1 appointees will be required to obtain and maintain certification as a Wildland Fire Instructor as issued by the Department of Environmental Protection.

Appointees will be required to meet, obtain and maintain forest fire fighting requirements in accordance with the Department of Environmental Protection position training guidelines on an annual basis. Failure to maintain requirements will result in progressive disciplinary action.