Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors

Supervise fire fighters who control and suppress fires in forests or vacant public land.

Median Annual Wage: $70,670

Education: Associate's degree (30%); High school diploma or equivalent (19%); Some college, no degree (18%)

Projected Growth: Slower than average (3% to 7%)

Related Job Titles: Fire Captain; Engine Boss; Fire Management Officer; Squad Boss; Crew Boss; Firefighter Type One (FFT1); Assistant Unit Forester; District Fire Management Officer; Forest Fire Specialist Supervisor; Section Forest Fire Warden

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors.

More Protective Service Careers

  • Evaluate size, location, and condition of forest fires.
  • Serve as a working leader of an engine, hand, helicopter, or prescribed fire crew of three or more firefighters.
  • Maintain fire suppression equipment in good condition, checking equipment periodically to ensure that it is ready for use.
  • Train workers in skills such as parachute jumping, fire suppression, aerial observation, or radio communication, in the classroom or on the job.
  • Request and dispatch crews and position equipment so fires can be contained safely and effectively.
  • Operate wildland fire engines or hoselays.
  • Recruit or hire forest firefighting personnel.
  • Maintain knowledge of forest fire laws and fire prevention techniques and tactics.
  • Monitor prescribed burns to ensure that they are conducted safely and effectively.
  • Schedule employee work assignments and set work priorities.
  • Identify staff training and development needs to ensure that appropriate training can be arranged.
  • Direct and supervise prescribed burn projects and prepare postburn reports, analyzing burn conditions and results.
  • Monitor fire suppression expenditures to ensure that they are necessary and reasonable.
  • Drive crew carriers to transport firefighters to fire sites.
  • Inspect stations, uniforms, equipment, or recreation areas to ensure compliance with safety standards, taking corrective action as necessary.
  • Regulate open burning by issuing burning permits, inspecting problem sites, issuing citations for violations of laws and ordinances, or educating the public in proper burning practices.
  • Perform administrative duties, such as compiling and maintaining records, completing forms, preparing reports, or composing correspondence.
  • Review and evaluate employee performance.
  • Recommend equipment modifications or new equipment purchases.
  • Investigate special fire issues, such as railroad fire problems, right-of-way burning, or slash disposal problems.
  • Lead work crews in the maintenance of structures or access roads in forest areas.
  • Educate the public about forest fire prevention by participating in activities such as exhibits or presentations or by distributing promotional materials.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors.

  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors.

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