Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors

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Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors

Careers / Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors

Summary Description


	Supervise fire fighters who control and suppress fires in forests or vacant public land.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Assistant Unit Forester

2.	Burn Crew Member

3.	Crew Boss

4.	Damage Prevention Coordinator

5.	Dispatch Lead

6.	District Fire Management Officer

7.	Engine Boss

8.	Fire Captain

9.	Fire Coordinator

10.	Fire Management Officer

11.	Fire Supervisor

12.	Firefighter Type One (FFT1)

13.	Forest Fire Management Officer

14.	Forest Fire Specialist Supervisor

15.	Forest Manager

16.	Forest Officer

17.	Forestry Technician

18.	Hotshot Superintendent

19.	Incident Commander

20.	Prevention Coordinator

21.	Section Forest Fire Warden

22.	Single Resource Boss

23.	Smoke Jumper Supervisor

24.	Squad Boss

25.	Supervisory Forester

Job Tasks

	Communicate fire details to superiors, subordinates, or interagency dispatch centers, using two-way radios. Relay information about incidents or emergencies to personnel using phones or two-way radios.

	Evaluate size, location, and condition of forest fires. Assess characteristics of fires.

	Serve as a working leader of an engine, hand, helicopter, or prescribed fire crew of three or more firefighters. Operate firefighting equipment. Direct fire fighting or prevention activities.

	Maintain fire suppression equipment in good condition, checking equipment periodically to ensure that it is ready for use. Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning. Maintain fire fighting tools or equipment.

	Train workers in skills such as parachute jumping, fire suppression, aerial observation, or radio communication, in the classroom or on the job. Train employees in proper work procedures.

	Request and dispatch crews and position equipment so fires can be contained safely and effectively. Communicate situation details to appropriate personnel. Request emergency personnel.

	Operate wildland fire engines or hoselays. Operate firefighting equipment.

	Recruit or hire forest firefighting personnel.

	Observe fires or crews from air to determine firefighting force requirements or to note changing conditions that will affect firefighting efforts. Monitor environmental conditions to detect hazards.

	Maintain knowledge of forest fire laws and fire prevention techniques and tactics. Maintain professional knowledge or certifications.

	Monitor prescribed burns to ensure that they are conducted safely and effectively.

	Direct and supervise prescribed burn projects and prepare postburn reports, analyzing burn conditions and results. Write operational reports. Direct fire fighting or prevention activities.

	Schedule employee work assignments and set work priorities. Prepare activity or work schedules.

	Identify staff training and development needs to ensure that appropriate training can be arranged. Direct employee training programs.

	Monitor fire suppression expenditures to ensure that they are necessary and reasonable. Direct fire fighting or prevention activities.

	Direct investigations of suspected arson in wildfires, working closely with other investigating agencies. Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to share information. Direct criminal investigations.

	Drive crew carriers to transport firefighters to fire sites. Drive vehicles to transport individuals or equipment.

	Inspect stations, uniforms, equipment, or recreation areas to ensure compliance with safety standards, taking corrective action as necessary. Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with security or safety regulations. Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning.

	Regulate open burning by issuing burning permits, inspecting problem sites, issuing citations for violations of laws and ordinances, or educating the public in proper burning practices. Educate the public about fire safety or prevention. Issue permits or other legal documents. Issue warnings or citations.

	Perform administrative duties, such as compiling and maintaining records, completing forms, preparing reports, or composing correspondence. Maintain operational records. Write operational reports.

	Review and evaluate employee performance. Evaluate employee performance.

	Appraise damage caused by fires and prepare damage reports. Assess characteristics of fires. Record information about environmental conditions.

	Recommend equipment modifications or new equipment purchases. Recommend improvements to increase safety or reduce risks.

	Investigate special fire issues, such as railroad fire problems, right-of-way burning, or slash disposal problems. Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with fire regulations.

	Lead work crews in the maintenance of structures or access roads in forest areas. Direct fire fighting or prevention activities.

	Educate the public about forest fire prevention by participating in activities such as exhibits or presentations or by distributing promotional materials. Educate the public about fire safety or prevention.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

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The U.S. industry whose workers have the lowest unemployment rate is Government (2.8%).

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