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State of South Dakota · 6 days ago

Wildland Fire Chief of Operations/Deputy Director

Rapid City, SD

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$76K/yr - $91K/yr

The State of South Dakota is hiring a Chief of Operations/Deputy Director for the Wildland Fire agency. This role involves leading firefighting operations, developing fire management strategies, and providing direction to staff in various capacities.

CommunitiesGovernmentHealth CareMedicalPersonal Health

No H1B

Responsibilities

Leads firefighters in wildland fire suppression and other emergency management operations

Provides direction to the fire management program by ensuring safe and effective fire management operations. This includes development of annual operating plans, memorandums of understanding and joint powers agreements with other agencies and municipal and volunteer fire departments

Provide leadership and direction to operations staff, including the Training Program Manager, District Office Program Manager, Handcrew Program Manager

Lead strategic planning to guide the future of the agency and build firefighting capacity

Develops statewide wildfire management program goals and creates policies and procedures to accomplish those goals

Provides leadership for the agencies prescribed fire program to reduce fuel loading, improve wildlife habitat, and prevent catastrophic wildfire

Assist with the development of the agency budget for submission to the department secretary

Attend negotiations of cost-share agreements with federal land management agencies

Represent the agency at meetings with other state agencies to negotiate and review MOU's and JPA's

Represent South Dakota and agency on regional and national sub-committees

Act on the Director's behalf when the Director is not available

Qualification

NWCG certificationFire management expertiseLeadership skillsFire ecology knowledgeBudgeting skillsEmployee developmentEffective communicationTeamworkIndependent work

Required

NWCG certification as Division Group Supervisor and Incident Commander Type 3

Current Fire Training and Qualification Master Record

Current Incident Qualification Card (red card)

Copies of fire management plans, prescribed burn plans, annual operating plans or other fire management planning documents where you have been the primary author. Describe which portion of the plan you were responsible for writing if you did not author the entire plan

Knowledge of fire ecology, fire behavior, and fire management theories, concepts, principles, and standards in a wildland fire environment

Knowledge of policies, techniques and practices of wildland firefighting obtained through substantial service as a primary firefighter

Knowledge of principles, practices, and concepts of wildland fire management (e.g., fire effects, fire hazard and risk analysis, fuel and smoke management, incident management, prescribed fire, and fire use) sufficient to perform program development and oversight for the fire and aviation management programs

Knowledge of laws, regulations, and agency policies and procedures applicable to the use and protection of natural and cultural resources

Knowledge of accepted wildland fire safety practices and procedures

Knowledge of latest technological advances in fire management sufficient to evaluate their applicability to specific situations

Knowledge of budgeting policy, procedures and techniques sufficient to develop program budgets and annual work plans

Knowledge of capabilities, limitations, approved safety standards, and operating procedures of commonly used fixed and rotary wing aircraft

Knowledge of supervisory policies, procedures, and methods in order to manage a diverse workforce

Knowledge of contracting procedures and policies

Knowledge of basic computer applications and terminology

Ability to identify, recruit and develop employees for future leadership roles

Ability to interpret and implement department laws and policies

Ability to provide leadership that promotes teamwork and interpersonal relationships

Ability to organize and prioritize work activities

Ability to communicate information clearly and concisely both orally and written

Ability to establish effective working relationships with volunteer firefighters, land and business owners, the general public, local governments, federal agencies, other state agencies, seasonal employees, and others as situations arise

Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather and terrain, under physically and mentally demanding situations, and in hazardous conditions

Ability to present and promote division objectives and services