POSITION TITLE: Forest Protection Assistant BRANCH / REGION / DISTRICT: Protection Program, Fire Zones NOC CODE: 2223 SUPERVISOR S POSITION TITLE: Forest Protection Officer CURRENT CLASSIFICATION / GRID: STO N18 DIVISION: Operations SUPERVISOR S CLASSIFICATION / GRID: STO N24 POSITION #: Various LOCATION: Various POSITION #: Various PURPOSE OF UNIT: The Protection Program protects the province s forest and rural communities from destruction by forest fire. Fire suppression duties are among the most dangerous occupations combining helicopter flying, chainsaw use, rugged terrain and physically demanding tasks. Between $70 and $90 million are spent each year in B.C. managing up to 2500 wildfires.. PURPOSE OF POSITION: Under the direction of the Forest Protection Officer or his/her designate, the seasonal Forest Protection Assistants are responsible for performing the core set of fire response functions including suppression and command. As well, fire season permitting each FPA will be involved in several other protection activities as outlined in this job description. The time allocated to other protection programs activities will vary with the fire season, workload, staffing levels and geographic location. Other protection activities include: - Initial Attack Base Manager; - aviation including safety, fuel management, training and aircraft acquisition; - fire preparedness including safety, training, enforcement; - fire prevention including public awareness, fire determination and cause investigation; and, - fire detection. POSITION DUTIES AND TASKS: 1. Performs fire response and fire command roles and functions: 50% fights fires as a fire fighter or Single Resource Leader on small fires overseeing an IA crew and/or helicopter or piece of equipment on small fires as required; as an Incident Commander 3 oversees and monitors complex or high risk small fires such as interface fires, licensee fires or suspected arson fires including issuing stop work orders and setting up/participating on unified command teams with local fire departments where required; as an Incident Commander 3, analyzes the fire situation and determines the various resources required to suppress small to moderate fires and requests crews (ministry & contract) and aerial support as well as hires emergency fire fighters and contracts/leases heavy equipment and supplies; directs, supervises and coordinates the multiple resources required to suppress small to moderate fires; POSITION #: Page 1
i) j) k) l) m) BCGEU JOB DESCRIPTION participates in the incident command structure for moderate to large fires as an Operations Chief overseeing and coordinating all personnel, aircraft and heavy equipment; participates in the incident command structure for large fires as a Division Supervisor responsible all the resources and strategic fire action in a geographical area including overseeing crews from: out of province, the military and the forestry industry; completes required fire records, time keeping forms, fire reports and submits to Fire Centre; monitors and evaluates fire suppression activities for safety, cost-effectiveness and efficiency; as a designated forest official under the Forest Practices Code ensures compliance with prevention and suppression regulations and issues tickets where required; as a designate forest official investigates fires causes where non-compliance or arson are suspected within scope of training and experience; participates in the development and implementation of wildland/urban interface fire strategies; provides internal and external (community, medi communication support for fire action; and; oversees multiple fire crews or fights fires in other jurisdictions when deployed out of Province. Duty Blocks 2-6 45% The % of time FPAs will spend on duty blocks 2-6 will vary depending on individual circumstances including the fire season, workload, staffing level and geographic location. 2. 3. i) 4. Supervises 1 to 6 initial attack or parattack crews (2 firefighters and a crew leader): plans, organizes and monitors crew and support staff workloads and schedules; briefs, dispatches and coordinates initial attack/parattack crews during fire suppression work; oversees preparedness activities and safety standards and evaluates crew effectiveness; assigns work, sets goals, appraises performance and metes out disciplinary action; plans and organizes project work with program and forest regional/district staff; and, administers the human resource, facility and administration functions for the fire base. Participates in aviation management including: delivers informal briefings to operational & administrative staff on deployment and safety procedures and monitors aircraft operations; delivers instructions to ground personnel on aerial projects like water delivery and long lining; conducts briefings for pilots on familiarization and compliance with protection operations; organizes temporary operating sites, maintains, monitors and recommends improvements; establishes and monitors field fuel caches for stock levels, equipment conditions, potential environmental impacts and recommends improvements; negotiates acquisitions of bulk, portable and mobile supply services with suppliers; inspects aircraft equipment and specifications, analyzes data and reports status; participates in coordinating and delivering aviation training sessions such as rotary wing safety or emergency response/aircraft occurrence training; and, acts as an aviation safety officer and duty officer for the fire centre or on projects (i.e. fir. Participates in fire preparedness including: compiles, tracks and updates pre-organization information in a complete and timely manner; assists with the maintenance of Network Weather Stations and construction of new sites; maintains zone fire suppression equipment to fire readiness standards; prepares zone resources for standby in accordance with Fire Centre preparedness levels; establishes and monitors fire suppression tool caches, stocking levels, equipment conditions; places zone s resources on standby as directed by the Fire Control Officer; assists with hiring, coordinating and reviewing work of temporary employees such as Fire Wardens, detection persons, timekeepers and expediters; and, delivers specific wildland fire training to fire crews, temporary employees and fire department personnel. POSITION #: Page 2
5. 6. 7. Participates in fire prevention including: assists with developing fire safety awareness packages for schools, general public, etc.; promotes wildland/urban interface projects with local authorities, agencies and responders; monitors, enforces and issues orders on restricted forest areas; conducts surface patrols of industrial/recreation sites and advises on fire regulations/risks; completes fire hazard assessments on industrial operations i.e. land clearing sites; issues notices or orders restricting, prohibiting and extinguishing the use of open fires; inspects burn sites and provides instructions on compliance with open burning regulations; participates in, monitors and audits fuel modification projects and other interface projects; Participates in fire detection functions conducts and coordinates surface/aerial patrols, reports fires and initiates response; conducts lookout inspections for maintenance of standards and safety regulations; and, coordinates and organizes fire wardens, lookout observers, air observers, detection personnel, compliance & enforcement staff and conservation officers for detection activities. Performs other general duties including: 5% prepares and submits reports and records including a daily diary; maintains facilities and assigned equipment and vehicles; conducts, monitors and audits other projects including fire rehabilitation projects; and, performs duties safely in compliance with WCB and current Operational Safe Work Standards. ORGANIZATION CHART POSITION #: Page 3
Fire Centre Manager ML5 Forest Protection Technici STO 4 Looks outs,patrol Persons Fire Wardens, Time Keepe Various Classifications Forest Protection Assistan Proposed STO STO N18 CHIPS # Various Fire Crew Supervisor STO N18 Leaders STO R 13 Leaders STO R 13 CHIPS# Variou Leaders STO R 13 Intial Attack Crew Person FT R7 Person FT R7 POSITION #: Page 4
JOB DESCRIPTION CERTIFICATION: I have read this job description: Incumbent s Signature Name (print) Date This job description is an accurate statement of the position s assigned duties, responsibilities, and reporting relationships, as indicated in the preceding organization chart, effective, 20 Supervisor's Signature Name (print) Date Excluded Manager s Signature Name (print) Date I am accountable for and approve the salary costs that result from this position s classification: Spending Authority s Signature Name (print) Date This Job Description is in the appropriate format and contains sufficient data for its evaluation in the Public Service Job Evaluation Plan: Human Resources Officer s Name (print) Date Signature POSITION #: Page 5
STAFFING CRITERIA/QUALIFICATIONS: BCGEU JOB DESCRIPTION Education, Training and Experience secondary school graduation with minimum four (4) seasons related fire experience or technical institute graduates require only two years related fire experience or equivalent combination of education and experience; successful completion of the Ministry of Forests Fire Suppression S-Series courses, levels 100 and 200 courses as follows: S-130/S-190/S-210/S-211/S-213/S-214/S-221/S-230/S-232/S-235/S- 241/S-260/S-270/S-271/S-281/S340/S390/S411/S470/WDTA/S510; successful completion of Incident Command System courses as follows: l-100/l-200/l-300 or of Incident Commander 3 Training; safety oriented first aid or equivalent; demonstrated experience with wildfire behaviour and in fire suppression techniques; some supervisory experience, preferably in an unionized workforce (12 months continuous or two field seasons supervisory exp. required of field crews preferably); and, experience with small engine operation and repairs. Certification Class 5 drivers license; and, Current certification as a Incident Commander 3. Additional Certification - Parattack FPA Parattack Spotter certification Knowledge working knowledge of fire behaviour; working knowledge of CFFDRF, FWI and FBP including fuel types and fire intensity; working knowledge of fire suppression methods and techniques; working knowledge of aviation resources; and, working knowledge of applicable Environmental Management Systems requirements. Additional Knowledge Parattack FPA working knowledge of parattack, operations including parachuting techniques and emergency procedures; and, working knowledge of training requirements, equipment, safety requirements, proficiency testing and monitoring. Technical Skills demonstrated ability to fight wildfires; demonstrated ability to provide and obtain clear and complete oral and written information; demonstrated ability to perform routine instructions, observe, report and maintain records demonstrated ability to identify and assess critical issues and implement a course of action. demonstrated ability to use computer applications to enter/retrieve data and create correspondence and reports. ability to apply and enforce legislation, regulations, collective agreements and policies; must be physically fit and able to withstand the rigors of field assignments; must act in a professional manner at all times; and, demonstrated ability to read and interpret maps and GPS devices as well as operate radio and satellite phones. Additional Technical Skills Parattack FPA POSITION #: Page 6
demonstrated ability to action remote fires by parachuting out of an airplane. Interpersonal Skills demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with a variety of people; and, ability to plan, prepare and deliver effective information/training sessions; Organizational Skills demonstrated ability to plan and manage own and others' workload taking into consideration shifting priorities, limited resources and impacts of decisions. Willingness Statements willingness to work under adverse conditions such as smoke, extreme heat, mountainous terrain, in remote and isolated locations; willingness to work extended hours with limited notice; willingness to be flexible regarding ongoing changes in responsibilities, assignments and corporate structure. willingness to work extended hours and shiftwork during the period from April to October, including overtime, on call and standby and work from May to September without holidays. willingness to travel with limited notice for extensive periods of time; willingness to be on standby for extended periods of time in accordance with operational plans. willingness to live in a camp-style environment with many others and sleep in shared tent accommodations; and, willingness to spend extensive periods of time in aircraft in adverse flying conditions. Appointment Criteria Lesser qualified candidates that do not have the required knowledge, skills and abilities as required for the STO 3 classification, may be appointed at a lower classification. For example, a candidate that possesses the knowledge, skills and abilities that exceed those of an Boss but does not possess the STO3 required qualifications, could be under-implemented at the STO 2 level. Once they meet the STO 3 qualification requirements, they could be eligible for full implementation at the STO 3 level. All the Fireline Certification records will have to reflect the required qualifications and experience. PREPARED BY: Excluded Manager's Signature Name (print) Date REVIEWED BY: Human Resources Advisor's Name (print) Date Signature POSITION #: Page 7