Squad Boss

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

In partnership with local, county, state, and federal agencies, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) protects Arizona’s people by: providing coordination and resource response for the suppression and management of wildland fire; delivering education to aid in wildland fire prevention; providing integrated management strategies, technical assistance and information through various Department programs; collaborating in forest restoration projects; and ensuring fire and life safety through permitting, plan reviews and building inspections.

Squad Boss

Job Location:

Address:

3700 East 16th Avenue

Apache Junction, AZ 85119

Posting Details:

Salary: $15.3408 - $21.4500 hourly

Grade: 17

Closing Date: June 22, 2025

Job Summary:

This position serves as a team lead on the Phoenix Crew. The primary responsibility is for leadership and direction on wildland fire suppression and wildland urban interface/intermix situations as well as fuels mitigation projects including hand, mechanical and prescribed fire treatments. The primary purpose of this position is to lead a small hand crew of highly effective and trained firefighters in wildland fire suppression and wildland urban interface/intermix incidents. This position may also serve as a Captain as needed on the assigned crew.

***This position is only open to current DFFM employees***

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serves as a fire suppression team leader on a hand crew of firefighters in wildland fire suppression situations. Anticipates fire behavior, determines strategy and tactics, directs on-line activities, and takes action to accomplish incident objectives.

• Directs and coordinates all types of related aircraft, fire line personnel and equipment. Uses a variety of specialized tools, equipment, and techniques to actively suppress fires. Operates a variety of motor vehicles. May serve as a Captain as needed.

• Has responsibility for numerous technical decisions concerning hand crew readiness and deployment without technical advice and assistance.

• Leads a crew on prescribed fire implementation projects. Uses prescribed fire tools and equipment. Coordinates with project leaders, obtains briefings, weather forecasts, reviews and/or prepares job hazard analysis, previews burn units, project objectives, and burn plans. Responsible for the maintenance and repair of tools and equipment to meet crew needs to ensure assigned personnel meet fire readiness standards.

• Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent, assigns work to crew members. Trains, observes, corrects, and evaluates crew members. Identifies, distributes, and balances workload among crew members.

• Presents formal and informal training programs and other related field courses. Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques. Ensures own and other's welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignment.

• Prepares reports and maintains records of work accomplishments and administrative information.

• Drive on State business.

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Wildland fire suppression and control techniques, tactics, and strategy.

• Thorough knowledge of fire behavior and fire management.

• Knowledge of and understanding of cooperating agency and state land management objectives, policies, and practices.

• Structure triage, tactics of structure protection, and safety hazards associated with electrical lines, gas lines, propane tanks, and other hazardous materials.

• Fire suppression aircraft missions, capabilities, water drop methods, aerial indicators, and related communication techniques.

• Resource considerations such as Threatened and Endangered Species, fire management areas, forest management plans, forest conditions, fuel mix, and urban interface.

• Prescribed burning techniques, procedures, and policies.

• First aid procedures, equipment and CPR.

• Thorough knowledge of radio protocol.

Skills in:

• Interpersonal dynamics, human resource management.

• Leadership in a hand crew environment.

• The use and management of a variety of specialized fire equipment such as fire engines, bulldozers, retardant air tankers, helicopters, firing (ignition) devices, chainsaws, fire line explosives, water pumps and hydraulic equipment.

• The use, maintenance, and repair of hand, power, and fire related equipment.

Ability to:

• Apply resourcefulness, initiative, and independent judgment to wildfire incidents, all-risk incidents and fuels mitigation projects.

• Obtain efficiency and cost effectiveness of hand crew operations.

• Effectively manage a crew of post-release personnel.

• Make decisions independently from and/or in conjunction with the entire fire organization.

• Accurately evaluate rapidly changing fire situations and conditions, determine when additional forces may be needed, or determine when safety circumstances warrant withdrawal of crew to safe locations.

• Operate communication hardware including multi-channel two way radios and computers for accessing fire weather and fire modeling programs, and Global Positioning System (GPS) units.

• Drive on State Business

Selective Preference(s):

NWCG qualified Strike Team Crew and Incident Command Type 4

Pre-Employment Requirements:

NWCG FFT1 and Incident Commander Type 5 qualified or trainee. Must have completion of ICT5 and FFT1 within 12 months of hire.

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).

Benefits:

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

Retirement:

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%

Contact Us:

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Lisa Ross at 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 . Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.