Fire Engine Operator/Highway Maintenance...

Job Description

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE Job ID: 27198
Agency: Department of Public Safety - Wildland Fire and Department of Transportation
Location: Custer
Salary: $22.47 per hour
Pay Grade: GF
Closing Date: 06/19/2024 This is a Full-Time position shared between the Department of Public Safety and Department of Transportation. For more information please visit and . This is a shared position between DPS/Wildland Fire and Department of Transportation (DOT). May through October with Wildland Fire and November through April with DOT. This job will be a class B retirement. While fulfilling wildland fire work responsibilities your reporting station will be Custer District, while fulfilling DOT job responsibilities you will be reporting to the Custer DOT yard. Wildland Fire:
The Wildland Firefighter, Fire Engine Operator (FEO) is a first-line lead worker to a wildland fire engine module in suppressing wildfires. They ensure appropriate work and safety practices are implemented at wildland fires and other emergencies, and to ensure successful completion of fire prevention and remediation projects according to project plans. The FEO performs or directs others in starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose, appropriate nozzle use, effective use of water and additives. Inspects, checks, services and adjusts the pump, hose lays, tank and reels for equipment readiness. The FEO reports to a Wildland Firefighter Engine Captain. Provides direction to firefighters; does not supervise. Other responsibilities include:

• Provides work direction to a crew of firefighters to ensure appropriate responses in fires and other emergencies, and to ensure the safety of crew members in conjunction with the Engine Captain.
• Provides work direction to a crew of firefighters to ensure non-fire assignments such as hazardous fuels mitigation and reduction, building and grounds maintenance, equipment maintenance and readiness, etc., are accomplished according to plans and directions.
• Assists the Engine Captain with general and daily administrative tasks to maintain crew readiness.
• Performs other work as assigned.

Department of Transportation:
This position performs highway maintenance activities such as plowing and hauling snow, applying snow and control materials, patching asphalt surfaces, filling roadway joints and cracks, flagging and directing traffic, setting up traffic signs, hauling materials and supplies, mowing, clearing brush, spraying weeds, removing trash from roadways and ditches, repairing and replacing road signs and guard rails, etc. Work involves operating electronic and computerized applications and equipment such as truck-mounted snowplows, sanders, loaders, dump trucks, pickups, deicing liquid trucks, and tractor-mounted mowers. Other responsibilities include:

• Performs roadway rehabilitation activities to maintain and extend the service life of existing roads and rights-of-way.
• Installs and replaces signs, traffic control devices, and pavement and roadway marking to provide direction and safety for users and builders of the state highway system.
• Performs winter-time highway maintenance to allow public mobility and safer traveling conditions.
• Maintains and repairs department facilities, rest areas, and roadside parks.
• Performs preventive maintenance and equipment repair to ensure compliance with scheduled maintenance requirements or as needed to accomplish assigned tasks.
• Respond to emergency calls such as stranded motorists, hazardous material spills, and accidents.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must be able to achieve Firefighter Type 1 according to National Wildfire Coordinating Group PMS-310-1,
• must be certified in CPR.
• Must be able to successfully complete S-290.

The duties of this position require that the incumbent meet prescribed physical requirements as measured by the Work Capacity Fitness Test at the arduous level. The Class B CDL must have the tanker endorsement and no restrictions in order to operate any Class B vehicle that is a with a manual transmission. The CDL must include an N endorsement (tank vehicle) for specific positions and must have no transmission restrictions. Incumbent must have a valid driver's license and be able to obtain their CDL within 120 days of starting work with DOT to retain employment. Employee will be subject to pre-employment, random, reasonable-suspicion, post-accident, follow up, and return-to-duty drug and alcohol testing. Incumbent must be willing and able to report to work for inclement weather conditions and other highway emergencies; and must be able to report to their home station within 30 minutes, under normal driving conditions, from the time of notification. Pursuant to SDCL 32-12A, applicants will be required to authorize the Department of Transportation to obtain a complete driving record. The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• NWCG Firefighter Type 1, ICT5;
• a valid commercial driver's license (CDL).

Wildland Fire: Knowledge of:

• power tools and equipment typically used in fire and emergency situations such as chain saws, pumps, axes, shovels, picks, etc.;
• equipment maintenance and safety practices;
• perform vehicle inspections and to perform minor preventive maintenance;
• weather, fuels, and fire behavior;
• fireground hydraulics and water handling equipment.

Ability to:

• provide work direction and assignment to others;
• communicate information clearly and concisely;
• maintain required physical fitness standards;
• continuously assess the weather conditions and fire behavior, communication via digital radio and other methods, and mitigation of hazards during fire incidents;
• lead the implementation of tactical objectives set by the engine captain to suppress the fire safely and efficiently;
• operate or direct others in operating a specialized wildland fire engine, which includes starting pump engine, priming the pump, etc;
• act as an engine captain if qualified and when required;
• function as a look out who is expected to relay fire behavior, fire weather, changing conditions. A look out has no direct supervision and is trusted to make decisions independently.

Department of Transportation: Knowledge of:

• safe operation, maintenance and repair of equipment;
• operation and maintenance of a wide variety of hand and power tools;
• preventive maintenance methods such as changing oil, rotating tires, and lubricating parts;
• on-the-job safety practices as they relate to operating equipment and tools, and handling chemicals such as weed spray, road oils, deicing chemicals;
• use and application of various construction materials;
• work zone traffic control procedures;
• weather conditions and the effect on roadway surfaces;
• computer applications;
• electronic systems to operate various equipment and devices.

Ability to:

• drive and operate manual transmissions;
• operate and maintain a variety of road construction equipment safely and effectively;
• use and maintain hand tools such as chain drags, drills, jackhammers, epoxy guns, pressure washers, sand blasters, power drills and saws, impact wrenches, etc.
• lift and carry as much as 75 pounds routinely, push and pull heavy objects;
• sit for extended periods in rough riding equipment and walk or stand for extended periods;
• routinely kneel, bend, stoop, and twist to perform work activities; climb on and crawl under equipment;
• assess changing weather conditions and their effect on the work at hand;
• work outdoors in all weather conditions;
• work around hazardous materials, dust, traffic, and noise; and at high elevations over ground and water;
• work extended hours for an extended period of time;
• be on call and report to work at unusual times of the day or night;
• communicate sufficiently to read and understand written directions and follow and convey instructions;
• provide on-the-job training to seasonal employees and trusties;
• learn and utilize computer applications to complete time forms, receive material recommendations, enter road conditions, document material usage, and monitor weather forecasts;
• operate multiple complicated electronic systems.

Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume, cover letter, and references.
This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08. Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening. NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered. The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire. The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at . This position is a member of Class B retirement under SDRS. Must apply online:
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: Email: "An Equal Opportunity Employer"