State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Environmental Protection Fire Control Officer (3475PS)

$38.60-$48.60 Hourly / $3,087.55-$3,887.51 BiWeekly /
$80,585.00-$101,464.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bureau of Natural Resources this class is accountable for a program of forest fire prevention and control in an assigned area or on a statewide basis.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of an employee of a higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May lead employees as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

WITHIN AN ASSIGNED GEOGRAPHIC AREA:
  • Develops and implements plans for forest fire prevention and control; 
  • Implements a program of forest fire suppression related instruction and training for area employees, fire wardens, volunteer fire departments and trained specialist crews;
  • Coordinates forest fire suppression and prescribed burn activities of town fire departments with those of department;
  • Collects, analyzes and approves forest fire reports and bills submitted by fire wardens and fire departments;
  • Makes recommendations concerning equipment, methods and operating policies to state Forest Fire Supervisor;
  • Cooperates with department and local law enforcement personnel in enforcement of state statutes pertaining to forest fires;
  • Develops and implements an active and effective forest fire prevention program including, but not limited to, talks and demonstrations at schools, churches, service clubs and other interested groups and Smokey the Bear Forest Fire Prevention Program;
  • Orders and distributes forest fire prevention literature;
  • Works in cooperation with departmental Office of Communication and Education concerning forest fire prevention and control programs;
  • Assists state land managers in design and implementation of state forest and management operations to minimize forest fire hazard conditions; 
  • Assists in location, layout and construction of access roads and water holes for forest fire control purposes;
  • Works with media in dissemination of forest fire prevention information and other information related to forest fire issues;
  • Participates in Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission activities;
  • May conduct or assist in investigations regarding cause of forest fires including gathering evidence concerning incendiarism, may provide specific expertise to others on a statewide basis;
  • May perform emergency first aid as needed;
  • Performs related duties as required.
WHEN ASSIGNED SPECIFIC PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES ON A STATEWIDE BASIS: 
  • Drafts and proposes specific forest fire program procedures and policies to state Fire Control Officer;
  • Coordinates administration of assigned programs with other Fire Control Officers;
  • Participates in Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission activities; 
  • May assume lead responsibility for specific programs such as Federal Excess Personal Property, Training, Prevention, Safety or others;
  • May supplement, temporarily replace or render assistance to Fire Control Officers who have been assigned a geographic area;
  • May perform emergency first aid as needed;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • principles and factors involved in combustion, particularly in relation to forest fires, including weather, fuel types, fuel density and heat transfer; 
    • principles, methods and equipment used in fire prevention and control in Connecticut; 
    • forest and forest fire laws and regulations in Connecticut; 
    • techniques of forest fire investigation including gathering evidence;
    • principles and practices of forest management; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • develop and direct a large-scale program of instruction and training in forest fire prevention and control;
    • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of experience in a large-scale program of forestry and forest fire control.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training in forestry or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class will be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
  • Incumbents in this class must be willing and able to accept assignments or transfer to any area of the state.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to obtain and retain a standard First Aid certificate and CPR certificate.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to live on or near work site.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must be in good health and must have and retain sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility, visual and auditory acuity to effectively perform the duties of the class.
  • A physical examination may be required prior to and/or during employment in the class.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury in performing the duties of the class and to unpleasant and/or uncomfortable environmental conditions.

COMPENSATION GUIDELINES

In accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreement's compensation guidelines.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(14)-Inspection-Investigation

BARGAINING UNIT

(09)-PROTECT SERV (NP-5)

EEO

(4)-Protective Service

SALARY INFORMATION

PS 15

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Environmental Protection Fire Control Officer in Salary Group PS 15 approved effective October 07, 2022. (Reviewed in accordance with Connecticut General Statute § 5-200a. Revised to modify content and add Acknowledgement section) Final No. 24-096

EFFECTIVE DATE

07/30/2024
CLASS: 3475PS; EST: 9/23/1977; REV: 7/31/2024;