DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

Address:  

3700 E. 16th Avenue
Apache Junction, AZ 85119
or
316 W. White Mountain Blvd., Unit A
Lakeside, AZ 85929
or
1133 West Road 3 North
Chino Valley, AZ 86323
or
3650 Lake Mary Rd.
Flagstaff, AZ 86005

Salary: $21.1449 - $28.1600 Hourly 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: April 17, 2025

Under the direction of the Deputy State Fire Management Officer, this position will be responsible for fire operations, field safety, fire personnel and equipment management, filling fire operations or support positions within the Incident Command System. The Suppression Battalion Chief position will function as a DFFM mid-level manager and may fill the Duty Officer role as needed throughout the State.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, shall be performed within Arizona.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

- Respond to wildfires as an incident commander or agency representative within the assigned district.
- Suppress fire with appropriate strategies and cost effectiveness.
- Act as district duty officer to field wildfire reports and direct appropriate initial suppression actions. Schedules, maintains fiscal accountability and supervises seasonal district fire preparedness resources.
- Supervises full time district fire crew coordinator(s). Assures district fire crews are trained, equipped, and fire ready.
- Works with local agencies and communities to utilize crews for mitigation and natural resource projects. Coordinates and presents wildland fire training courses to cooperating fire departments and other interagency partners. Assist cooperating agencies and fire departments with NWCG qualification processes.
- At the direction of the Deputy State Fire Management Officer, Initiates cooperative agreements with fire departments and other local agencies with fire suppression responsibilities.
- Coordinates with local federal land management agencies in the development of annual fire operating plans. Provides fire season assessment data.
- Prepares various natural resource management plans including prescribed fire plans, forest management plans, community fire protection plans, and Firewise Plans. Provides natural resource and forestry related technical expertise to landowners and local governments.
- Drive on State business
- Other duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

Wildfire Strategy, Tactics, and Fire Behavior and Incident Management/Incident Command System
Wildland Fire Safety procedures
National Wildfire Coordinating Group and Arizona State Forester Wildfire Training Standards and Qualification Requirements.
Prescribed Fire Management and Fire Effects
State wildland fire business procedures and related inter agency agreements
Principles and practices of leadership and supervision.
Purchasing and contract principles.
Forestry, Natural Resource, and Ecosystem Management
Emergency response communication systems

Skills in:

Effective oral and written communication.
Instruction techniques to train and teach internal and external personnel in Division applicable subject matter.
Interpreting fire weather and fire behavior.
Natural resource inventory.
Effectively using computers and applicable software

Ability to:

Work and communicate effectively with diverse governmental wildland firefighting agencies and recognize their differences in authorities and capabilities.
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Forestry Division personnel and outside cooperators.
Plan and stay organized.
Remain focused during emergency incidents.
Work weekends and holidays.
Travel on State Business.

National Wildfire Coordinating Group Qualified as a Type 4 Incident Commander

NWCG Single Resource Boss

A valid Arizona Driver's License.

Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program, learn more at hr.az.gov/family-leave-expansion).
Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).

Participation is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria as defined in statute.

Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

The current contribution rate is 12.29%

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Lisa Ross at lross@dffm.az.gov for assistance.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 771-1427. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.