Fire & Aviation Technician

Job Summary:

MN DNR—Division of Forestry (DOF) is hiring a talented individual to join its dynamic wildfire aviation team as their  Fire & Aviation Technician. Based in Cambridge, MN, this position exists to implement DOF fire aviation and training tasks at the statewide and Area administrative levels to ensure wildfires are suppressed in a safe, efficient, and effective manner in accordance with division policy and procedure.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist with statewide helicopter operations, fire training, pre-suppression and suppression activities to promote safety, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Implement pre-suppression tasks at the Area administrative level in preparations for routine fire suppression operations.
• Suppress wildfires at the statewide and Area administrative level to minimize losses to human life, property, and natural resources.
• Lead helicopter modules and other fire personnel in fire suppression, training, and pre-suppression activities.
• Coordinate and conduct natural resource management activities such as aerial Application.
• Conduct silviculture activities and maintenance of roads/trails.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• 4 seasons of wildland fire suppression experience.

PLUS

National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualified prior to appointment:

• Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) (or ICT4 Trainee)
• Single Resource Boss – Helicopter Manager (HMGB)

Completed training prior to appointment: 

• S-130 Basic Wildland Firefighter
• S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
• S-131 Advanced Firefighter/Squad Boss
• S-200 Initial Attack IC
• S-230 Crew Boss
• S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior
• S-271 Helicopter Crew Member
• S-372 Helicopter Manager

Additional minimum qualifications:

• Knowledge of wildland firefighting techniques, fire equipment, fire behavior, fuel models.
• Knowledge of fire and incident management including fire line leadership, suppression techniques, wildfire behavior, initial attack, extended attack, air operations, fire-line control, equipment operation and capabilities, personnel capabilities, mop-up, and fire line safety so that fires can be effectively suppressed.
• Ability to use maps, legal descriptions and GPS so that fires and access routes can be quickly located.
• Ability to maintain and organize the operation and maintenance of fire line equipment (including chainsaws) so that the equipment functions well in fire suppression activities.
• Ability to complete assigned trainings.
• Computer skills sufficient to keep records, write reports, and communicate and collaborate with partners and colleagues using various applications (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, OneDrive, SharePoint, Adobe, ArcGIS).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Helibase Manager (HEBM).
• Extended Attack Incident Commander (ICT3).
• M-410 Facilitative Instructor.
• Experience coordinating aerial application projects.