Heavy Fire Equipment Operator (Fire District)

Heavy Fire Equipment Operator

The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District has an exciting opportunity for a Heavy Fire Equipment Operator to oversee and operate the equipment used in our Wildland Dozer Program.

The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, is recruiting for Heavy Fire Equipment Operator (HFEO) to oversee and operate a variety of heavy construction motorized equipment, such as bulldozers and motor graders used in wildland fire control, forest protection, conservation work and other projects. HFEOs are also responsible for building, maintaining and repairing fire roads and breaks for firefighting and rescue activities in emergencies such as fire, flood, earthquake, and other disasters. These duties are typically performed in back country wildland areas and involve regularly operating equipment under hazardous conditions during wildland fires.

When not called to perform Equipment Operator duties, HFEOs may be assigned structure demolition, debris and vegetation removal, and participate in fuels reduction projects in addition to performing light maintenance of equipment used in fire suppression activities.

Essential duties include :

• Oversee and operate heavy construction bulldozers, motor-graders, heavy duty transports, frontend loaders, dump trucks, scrapers, fire engines and other types of equipment on steep, narrow, mountain roads on rough terrain under hazardous conditions; perform light maintenance on equipment used.
• Read maps to understand type of terrain to be worked on, fire roads and breaks; survey terrain, weather and soil conditions to determine the type of equipment to be used based on suppression / prevention requirements and adopt an effective course of action; report ground fire situation and equipment and crew locations to command personnel; recommend deployment of equipment.
• Perform light maintenance of hydraulic lines, lubing parts and replacing filters on heavy equipment in the field; tow auxiliary equipment; change equipment parts as needed and assist in loading and unloading heavy construction equipment.
• Locate and build fuel breaks in tactically advantageous areas; maintain roads that are regularly utilized for fire equipment access.
• Maintain cooperative relations with other organizations and agencies.
• Maintain records of construction activities and submits related reports.
• Participate in drills and provide training relative to wildland fires or other fire types that require specialized heavy construction equipment; assist with the training of new HFEOs and related personnel.
• Perform structure demolition work, debris and vegetation removal and participate in fuels reduction projects.

For more detailed information, refer to the Heavy Fire Equipment Operator job description.

Competitive salary range of $116,858.56 - $149,676.80 annually, depending on qualifications.

Health benefits : Medical & Dental : Family Coverage, Vision : Employee Coverage, Premium subsidies to offset health costs - Up to $874, Flexible Spending Account : Pre-tax account for qualified healthcare expenses.

Paid Time Off : Up to 292 Paid Time Off (PTO) hours with cash-out option, 154 Holiday Hours.

Retirement : Generous pension, Retirement reciprocity may be available!, 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan, Retirement Medical Trust (RMT).

DCAP Account - County Paid Life Insurance - 529 Savings Plan, Wellness Program - Commuter Services - Employee Discounts.

Applicants will be fingerprinted and must pass a thorough background investigation which may include, but is not limited to, the following : fingerprinting for a Department of Justice criminal background check, DMV driving record check, military record check, reference checks, and review of prior employment history check. An applicant may be automatically disqualified for misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in the screening / selection / background check process. Job offers are made contingent upon passing a medical examination. Applicant must successfully pass a pre-employment drug test. Failure to meet medical standards may result in the withdrawal of employment offer.

A valid Commercial Class A Driver License is required to carry out the essential job-related functions of this position. Proof of automobile liability insurance must be maintained. Mileage reimbursement is available.

Must be willing to work on weekends and holidays and to remain on duty 24 hours a day, as required.

Must be able to perform during high stress situations. Must be able to work in a variety of environmental conditions and be able to wear self-contained breathing apparatus, and do so with mobility and flexibility without jeopardizing the safety of self or other members. Employees hired after January 29, 2002 must abide by the non-smoking provision of the MOU.

Applicants must be willing to work anywhere within San Bernardino County. Travel within and outside of the County may be required.

All new employees must adhere to the provisions of the County Fire and Special Districts Dress Code, which prohibits visible tattoos.

San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future.

Must meet ALL of the following requirements :

The ideal candidate will possess :

There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on the information provided in the Application and the Supplemental Questionnaire. You are encouraged to include detailed descriptions of your qualifying experience and skills, as only the most highly qualified applicants will be referred to the Department.

To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire by the stated deadline. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and / or supplemental questionnaire.

All communications regarding the selection process will be via email. Applicants are encouraged to check their e-mails frequently to obtain any correspondence associated with this recruitment.

San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants.

Eligible veterans and their spouse or widow(er) who are not current County employees may be awarded additional Veterans' Preference points.