CHIEF BUREAU OF FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT-STATE FOREST FIRE WARDEN

Definition

Under direction in the Department of Environmental Protection, plans, organizes and directs the activities of the Bureau of Forest Fire Management the statewide fire suppression program, pre-suppression program, and forest fire prevention program to provide protection to life and property from wildfire; does other related work.

Examples of work

• Plans, organizes and supervises the Bureau of Forest Fire Management, which is comprised of three (3) geographic land areas of various forest fire suppression and prevention densities and a central staff headquarters.
• Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Functions as State Firewarden as provided by NJSA Title 13 Chapter 9.
• Develops conceptual forest fire policy, targeted goals, objectives, projects, programs and cooperative endeavors in the interest of and applicable to the Bureaus pre-suppression, suppression and prevention program.
• Provides forest fire management input in the integrated land management planning process occurring within the Department and with outside agencies and individual landowners.
• Supervises the application of forest fire management techniques to land management activities as requested.
• Directs and administers the preparation of fire management workload analysis, program planning and budgeting and financial planning.
• Monitors work quality, cost effectiveness, Bureau progress and accomplishment reports utilizing modern computerized system.
• Directs the planning and participation in investigations, work programs and studies related to forest fire management including the scientific examination of the silvicultural aspects, the ecological effects, chemical effects, physical effects, behavioral characteristics of fire and the relationship of meteorology, micrometeorology, forest soils, hydrology and wildlife populations to wildfire control.
• Initiates review and development of policies applicable to the reduction of general and special forest fire hazards; consults with various resource specialists, local fire and police officials, representative associations and industry regarding smoke management plans, the use of prescribed fire and other wildlife fuel modification practices.
• Directs, plans and supervises the collection, compilation, statistical analysis and interpretation of field and office data related to wildfire and prescribed fire to provide input as to its effect on vegetative communities and other natural resources.
• Maintains close liaison with Middle Atlantic Compact States, U.S. Forest Service, Civil Defense, National Guard and State Police; coordinates and supervises efforts of all intrastate and interstate cooperators in forest fire emergencies, reciprocal agreements or situations that become competitive for suppression resources.
• Directs and is responsible for the application and enforcement of forest fire laws and regulations.
• Directs and supervises preparation of departmental fire bans and gubernatorial woods closure proclamations, provides recommendations regarding exceptions and established standards for restricted woodland use and enforcement criteria.
• Directs research to determine program needs, evaluates cost benefit potential, initiates acquisition of specific fire management tools and equipment, recommends personnel needs and develops the operational policy for special fire fighting elements to meet consistent with the availability and capability of personnel, equipment and technology.
• Investigates, evaluates and reports on current developments in Fire Management.
• Has custodial responsibility for the multi-million dollar inventory utilized by the Bureau in the execution of its mission.
• Prepares and presents lectures before lay and professional groups and societies on the subject of fire management, weather and forest fire control, the effects of fire on recreation, wildlife, fuels and forest resources, and other subjects indigenous to Bureau programs.
• Directs the preparation of official documents, illustrations, exhibits and training aids.
• Determines the need for telecommunications system improvement and implements refinements and additions to the existing network to achieve greater communication efficiency and effectiveness; acts as State Forestry Conservation Communication Radio Frequency Coordinator and New Jersey representative to the Forestry Conservation Communications Association.
• Prepares the annual budget for the Bureau.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of clear, technical, sound, accurate and informative statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Directs the establishment and maintenance of the Bureau's 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.

Education

Graduation from a an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree in Forestry, Forest Management, Forest Science, Natural Resources Management, Forest Resources, or Fire Science.

<b>AND</b>

Experience

Seven (7) years of experience in forest fire prevention and control work; three (3) years of which shall have involved responsibility for program planning, implementation, and supervision relative to forest fire prevention, presuppression and suppression.

License

Appointees must possess a driver's license valid in NJ. 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.

NOTE: 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.

Appointee may be required to obtain a commercial pilot's license.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of modern forest fire prevention, presuppression, and suppression methods and their application to specific cases.
• Knowledge of forest fires causes.
• Knowledge of the methods used to prepare environmental impact statements as they affect a statewide fire management program.
• Knowledge of the methods used to plan and direct the research, investigation and studies relating to forest fire management.
• Knowledge of geology, topography, forest types, and forest fire behavior in various fuel types and their effects on natural resource yields.
• Knowledge of the tools, equipment, and instruments utilized in a modern forest fire management organization.
• Knowledge of basic radio procedures, rules, regulations, and capabilities to plan and supervise the bureau's radio communications program.
• Knowledge of fire apparatus and testing equipment.
• Knowledge of the Incident Command System as applied to all risk emergency responses.
• Ability to read, interpret, apply, and administer the laws of New Jersey and the rules, regulations, and policies of the Forest Fire Service.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply appropriate statutes, laws, and the administrative code pertaining to the Forest Fire Prevention and Control Act (Title 13).
• Ability to plan, organize and direct the activities of a forest fire prevention, suppression and control program.
• Ability to analyze interstate and national forest fire management developments.
• Ability to determine actual values at risk, potential resource damage, alteration of ecosystem, weather processes, topographic influences, fuel management techniques, fire behavior phenomena, resistance to control, rehabilitation and cost effectiveness, and management limitations and resource capabilities relative to forest fire control and prevention.
• Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, sound and accurate reports and correspondence containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with local government, civic associations, fire companies, civil defense, interstate compacts and others interested or concerned with forest fire control.
• Ability to supervise the collection, compilation and analysis of data used for program activities.
• 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.

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.

Additional college credits in the above fields, up to the level of a Bachelor's degree, may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required experience. (Thirty (30) credits is equivalent to one (1) year of experience.)

CERTIFICATION

In accordance with NJAC 5:73-1.6 (b), 8 &amp; (d), effective February 17, 2000, applicants for this position must possess a valid Incident Management Level 1 certification issued by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs.

<b>SPECIAL NOTE:</b> Appointees will be required to complete an internal forest fire-training course administered by the Department of Environmental Protection involving the administration of laws covering the protection of forests from wildfire.

Appointees must maintain qualifications as forest fire fighter and/or show proof of Red Card Certification as a General Headquarters (GHQ) Fire Manager under the National Interagency Fire Qualification Systems (NIFQS) standards as established by the National Wildlife Coordinating Group. Failure to maintain qualifications will result in progressive disciplinary action.