FOREST FIRE CONTROL TECHNICIAN
In New Jersey, Forest Fire Control Technician is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
Qualifying takes an associate's degree, 3 years of relevant experience, and a commercial driver's license. The FY 2027 range lands between $58,222 and $84,763, and state payroll currently lists 5 people in the title, most of them at Environmental Protection.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Forest Fire Control Technician appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Environmental Protection.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Environmental Protection | 5 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 5 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $56,253. The agencies employing the most are:
- Environmental Protection (5)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
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 direction of an Assistant Division Forest Firewarden or other supervisor in the Department of Environmental Protection, assists in the implementation of forest fire suppression, pre-suppression, and prevention programs designed to protect life and property from wildfire; and/or takes the lead and is responsible for the work operations of a key fire tower; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Actively engages in aggressive forest fire suppression actions requiring extreme physical exertion and stress for extended periods of time; activates action plans necessary to reduce section hazards in areas of excessive risk.
- Assists in the section forest fire protection and management effort and may assume responsibilities of the Section Forest Firewarden in his/her absence.
- May assist in section studies including fire protection analysis, damage appraisals, national fire danger rating systems, detection systems, logistics, fuel modification, and engineering projects.
- Supervises fire suppression crew(s) and participates in the use of prescribed fire, pre-suppression work, control of railroad hazards, roads and highways maintenance, dumping restrictions, brush and trash removal.
- May participate in and provides information at education programs, seminars, or conferences; conducts training of local citizens and volunteer fire company personnel in wildfire suppression.
- Trains and leads fire observers in the detection, location, and reporting of forest fires to include the operation of fire location devices and weather instruments, the application of necessary formulae, and daily reporting of meterological and fire danger data including but not limited to; wind velocity, temperature, relative humidity, spread index, build up index, fine fuel moisture, wet and dry bulb readings, and cloud formations in accordance with the National Fire Danger Reporting System.
- Activates plans with state and private landowners in the application of prescribed fire for the purpose of hazard reduction; inspects land area in preparation for issuance of burning permits for open burning, and to determine prescribed burning needs for hazardous forest litter accumulation; supervises a work crew to accomplish the burning.
- Serves as main reservoir of weather and fire information in the fire detection program; receives and relays communications relative to weather, fire locations, location of personnel, air craft, and equipment needed to fight a fire.
- Evaluates and makes recommendations relative to the installation, maintenance, and termination of fire weather stations.
- Patrols activities in high hazard and risk areas and directs suppression forces actively engaged in fire control activities to ensure compliance with performance standards set forth in suppression plans.
- When assigned, assists law enforcement officers and juvenile authorities in apprehension actions; may act as a witness in court to settle actions.
- Keeps cooperators informed of special fire situations, attends meetings, and helps correlate plans and multiple use policies of agencies involved.
- Assists in insect and disease control programs designed to decrease the risk of forest fire hazard.
- Inspects and directs the general maintenance of towers, grounds, and equipment; participates in vehicular programs to ensure safety and security standards.
- Conducts a sign program and maintains records on utilization.
- Assists in the construction and maintenance of firelines, roads and trails, and air bases.
- Maintains essential records and files.
- As required, trains volunteer forest fire fighters in basic forest fire behaviors and incident command courses.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Possession of thirty (30) semester hour credits from an accredited college which shall have included a minimum of fifteen (15) credits in fire science, environmental science, physical science, forestry, and/or mathematics.
AND
Experience
Three (3) years of experience involving the prevention, pre- suppression, and/or suppression of forest fires; and/or the detection and reporting of wildfires, recording of fire locations, and assisting in the prevention, pre-suppression, and/or suppression of forest fires.
License
Appointees must possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey. Appointees may also be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of modern forest fire prevention methods.
- Knowledge of the assigned area's topography, roads, trails, water resources, and fuel types after a period of training.
- Ability to read, interpret, and apply information on the Federal Communication Commission rules, regulations, and policies.
- Ability to read and interpret information on the National Fire Danger Reporting System.
- Ability to read, interpret, and apply information on state laws and department policy regarding the theories, practices, and procedures relating to fire prevention and control.
- Ability to attain the certification needed to train volunteers for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
- Ability to estimate the size, distance, and characteristics of a fire and to give clear, accurate reports.
- Ability to operate and read meteorological instruments and report findings.
- Ability to maintain state and national standards of physical fitness necessary to qualify for wildlife suppression as a firefighter.
- Ability to conduct wildfire damage appraisals through the application of scientific sampling and inventory methods of both understory and overstory species.
- Ability to immediately analyze wildfire suppression problems and to direct efforts toward the solution of such problems.
- Ability to plan, lay out, and direct basic fire management activities and conduct administrative work involved in personnel, financial, equipment, and other records.
- Ability to operate a two-way radio, telephone, fire location devices, fire, and weather stations.
- Ability to operate and maintain fire trucks, bulldozers, plows, and other specialized equipment.
- 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 the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- CODES: 17/A18- JMR 7/22/95
Note
An Associate's degree in Forestry, Forest Management, Forest Science, Natural Resource Management, Forest Resources, or Fire Science may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience.
SPECIAL
Appointees will be required to establish residence in an assigned area within thirty (30) days of appointment. (The appointee must live within the forest region assigned.)
Appointees will be required to obtain a certification as an Instructor-Trainer issued by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Appointees will be required to successfully complete forest fire training courses and maintain qualifications as a forest firefighter. Failure to maintain qualifications will result in progressive disciplinary action.
The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.