What are the responsibilities and job description for the Hand Crew Member (LimitedTerm) position at City of Chula Vista?
The Chula Vista Fire Department is looking for highly motivated Hand Crew Members to fill limited term, grant-funded hourly full-time positions. These limited-term, grant-funded positions are expected to conclude by December 31, 2026, unless the grant is renewed.
These hourly, full-time positions will work 40 hours per week and are eligible for an Aetna Whole Health SoCal HMO employee-only medical insurance healthcare plan and a $5 per day transportation stipend.
Hand Crew Member positions are unclassified and exempt from Civil Service Rules but remain subject to all other City policies and procedures. These positions are at-will, meaning employment can be terminated at any time, and do not receive benefits except for those noted above.
DESCRIPTION
To perform a variety of tasks involving fire prevention, hazardous fuel management/mitigation, and related duties as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives supervision from professional firefighter personnel. May provide training/orientation to entry-level fuels crew members.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: perform various types of semi-skilled labor in support of fire prevention; cut and remove brush from roadsides, fire roads, and fuel breaks using hand and power tools; serve as a crew member in implementing projects, including but not limited to use of chainsaws and other tools for cutting and clearing vegetation, piling and disposing of treated vegetation, operation of chippers, heavy equipment, and other material handling equipment; assist with the development and delivery of public material/presentations events focused on wildfire preparedness and mitigation; participate in the development of work plans for fuel reduction projects; constructing fireline using hand tools and power tools; conducting mop up and patrol operations; gather data and records information on fuels sampling, fuel types, weather conditions, fire behaviors, and status of work accomplished; assist with the documentation of project activities for report writing and project record keeping; clean, maintain, recondition and store tools and equipment; perform maintenance work on fire department equipment and minor vehicle service and repair; perform maintenance work on City and Fire department facilities such as landscaping, carpentry, masonry, paving, plumbing, fabrication, demolition, painting and paint preparation; operate vehicles and specialized equipment and work as a Fire Equipment Operator's aide; perform flood control activities such as trenching, sandbagging, and debris removal; provide functional supervision to laborers assigned to the Fire Department by the courts or other untrained individuals; may be transported to emergency work sites by various means, including fixed wing and rotary aircraft; perform non-wildfire and all-hazard incident response and support functions as trained, qualified, and equipped including, but not limited to: HAZMAT, search and rescue, medical, etc.; assist with other programs including equipment management and maintenance, fire prevention programs, fire reimbursement and billing, management of fire caches and supplies, etc.; assist with other Fire Department tasks (e.g., reports, data entry, filing, training and testing, inspections, research, etc.) as needed and available to support the mission of the Chula Vista Fire Department; assist with the logistics and instruction of various courses and trainings, such as wildfire suppression, incident management, structural firefighting, medical and first aid, etc. as qualified; participate in a departmental physical fitness program; may provide training/orientation to entry-level fuels crew members; build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service; perform related duties as assigned.Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: one (1) year of experience as a Fuels Module Crew Member or equivalent AND training equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented with the following coursework:
• IS-100
• IS-700
• S-130 (NWCG or Equivalent)
• S-190 (NWCG or Equivalent)
• L-180 (NWCG or Equivalent)
License or Certificate
Possession of a valid California Class "C" driver's license is required at the time of appointment. The ability to obtain a California Class C Driver’s License with Firefighter endorsement capable of operating a vehicle with air brakes, a tank, transporting hazardous materials, and transporting passengers (>10) within 12 months of completing department-provided training.
Special Requirements
Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of: Fire Department operations to include radio communications, Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS); minor maintenance and repair of vehicles, apparatus, and equipment; principles and practices of Standard Firefighting Orders and Watch Out Situations; Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES) as it relates to wildland firefighting; communication methods and tools used for collecting, producing, and distributing information; various methods, standards, tools and equipment used in fireline construction; methods for extinguishing a fire with or without the use of water; basic terminology used in wildfires; characteristics of the wildfire environment specific to fuels, weather, and topography; extreme fire behavior factors including critical fire weather and receptive fuel beds; safe work methods and safety regulations; use and minor maintenance of commonly used hand and power tools and equipment related to assignment; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Ability to: follow proper work methods of maintenance, construction, and repair techniques; use and maintain hand and power tools and equipment related to assignment; construct firelines; drive City vehicles observing legal and defensive driving practices; follow pertinent rules, laws, and policies relative to area of assignment; operate hand and power tools in a safe manner; perform a variety of maintenance tasks; recognize extreme fire behavior factors which will allow for optimal hazardous fuels reduction; work under hazardous conditions for prolonged periods performing extremely physical tasks; establish effective working relations with others and function as part of a team; be available for assignments that may last for two weeks or longer in austere working conditions. Work schedules will be expected to be flexible and modified at times to fit the need; work long hours (up to 16 hours per day) in outdoor settings and performing strenuous manual labor, under extreme environmental conditions; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
On a continuous basis walk, stand, bend, twist, or sit in jolting cab for varying periods of time; use hands and fingers to grasp tools; make repetitive hand and body motions; twist and reach below and above shoulder, and perform sustained heavy physical labor on a continual basis; verbal ability to communicate in person and use a two-way radio; frequently lift over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting or working on irregular surfaces; lift or carry weight of 50 pounds without assistance and up to 100 pounds with assistance. See in the normal vision range with or without correction; hear in the normal range with or without correction. Must be able to pass the arduous level pack test within three (3) months of employment, which consists of a three (3) mile walk over level terrain in 45 minutes or less while carrying a 45-pound pack. Work is performed primarily in an outdoor environment, in a variety of weather conditions (hot, cold, rain, wind, dust, etc.) and involves moderate and heavy activities for prolonged periods.
Recruitment No. 25576111L
To be considered, applicants must submit a completed City Application. This recruitment is open until filled or a sufficient number of applications are received and may close at any time without prior notice. Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via e-mail provided on the applicant's employment application.
These hourly, full-time positions will work 40 hours per week and are eligible for an Aetna Whole Health SoCal HMO employee-only medical insurance healthcare plan and a $5 per day transportation stipend.
Hand Crew Member positions are unclassified and exempt from Civil Service Rules but remain subject to all other City policies and procedures. These positions are at-will, meaning employment can be terminated at any time, and do not receive benefits except for those noted above.
DESCRIPTION
To perform a variety of tasks involving fire prevention, hazardous fuel management/mitigation, and related duties as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives supervision from professional firefighter personnel. May provide training/orientation to entry-level fuels crew members.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: perform various types of semi-skilled labor in support of fire prevention; cut and remove brush from roadsides, fire roads, and fuel breaks using hand and power tools; serve as a crew member in implementing projects, including but not limited to use of chainsaws and other tools for cutting and clearing vegetation, piling and disposing of treated vegetation, operation of chippers, heavy equipment, and other material handling equipment; assist with the development and delivery of public material/presentations events focused on wildfire preparedness and mitigation; participate in the development of work plans for fuel reduction projects; constructing fireline using hand tools and power tools; conducting mop up and patrol operations; gather data and records information on fuels sampling, fuel types, weather conditions, fire behaviors, and status of work accomplished; assist with the documentation of project activities for report writing and project record keeping; clean, maintain, recondition and store tools and equipment; perform maintenance work on fire department equipment and minor vehicle service and repair; perform maintenance work on City and Fire department facilities such as landscaping, carpentry, masonry, paving, plumbing, fabrication, demolition, painting and paint preparation; operate vehicles and specialized equipment and work as a Fire Equipment Operator's aide; perform flood control activities such as trenching, sandbagging, and debris removal; provide functional supervision to laborers assigned to the Fire Department by the courts or other untrained individuals; may be transported to emergency work sites by various means, including fixed wing and rotary aircraft; perform non-wildfire and all-hazard incident response and support functions as trained, qualified, and equipped including, but not limited to: HAZMAT, search and rescue, medical, etc.; assist with other programs including equipment management and maintenance, fire prevention programs, fire reimbursement and billing, management of fire caches and supplies, etc.; assist with other Fire Department tasks (e.g., reports, data entry, filing, training and testing, inspections, research, etc.) as needed and available to support the mission of the Chula Vista Fire Department; assist with the logistics and instruction of various courses and trainings, such as wildfire suppression, incident management, structural firefighting, medical and first aid, etc. as qualified; participate in a departmental physical fitness program; may provide training/orientation to entry-level fuels crew members; build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service; perform related duties as assigned.Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: one (1) year of experience as a Fuels Module Crew Member or equivalent AND training equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented with the following coursework:
• IS-100
• IS-700
• S-130 (NWCG or Equivalent)
• S-190 (NWCG or Equivalent)
• L-180 (NWCG or Equivalent)
License or Certificate
Possession of a valid California Class "C" driver's license is required at the time of appointment. The ability to obtain a California Class C Driver’s License with Firefighter endorsement capable of operating a vehicle with air brakes, a tank, transporting hazardous materials, and transporting passengers (>10) within 12 months of completing department-provided training.
Special Requirements
Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of: Fire Department operations to include radio communications, Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS); minor maintenance and repair of vehicles, apparatus, and equipment; principles and practices of Standard Firefighting Orders and Watch Out Situations; Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES) as it relates to wildland firefighting; communication methods and tools used for collecting, producing, and distributing information; various methods, standards, tools and equipment used in fireline construction; methods for extinguishing a fire with or without the use of water; basic terminology used in wildfires; characteristics of the wildfire environment specific to fuels, weather, and topography; extreme fire behavior factors including critical fire weather and receptive fuel beds; safe work methods and safety regulations; use and minor maintenance of commonly used hand and power tools and equipment related to assignment; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Ability to: follow proper work methods of maintenance, construction, and repair techniques; use and maintain hand and power tools and equipment related to assignment; construct firelines; drive City vehicles observing legal and defensive driving practices; follow pertinent rules, laws, and policies relative to area of assignment; operate hand and power tools in a safe manner; perform a variety of maintenance tasks; recognize extreme fire behavior factors which will allow for optimal hazardous fuels reduction; work under hazardous conditions for prolonged periods performing extremely physical tasks; establish effective working relations with others and function as part of a team; be available for assignments that may last for two weeks or longer in austere working conditions. Work schedules will be expected to be flexible and modified at times to fit the need; work long hours (up to 16 hours per day) in outdoor settings and performing strenuous manual labor, under extreme environmental conditions; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
On a continuous basis walk, stand, bend, twist, or sit in jolting cab for varying periods of time; use hands and fingers to grasp tools; make repetitive hand and body motions; twist and reach below and above shoulder, and perform sustained heavy physical labor on a continual basis; verbal ability to communicate in person and use a two-way radio; frequently lift over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting or working on irregular surfaces; lift or carry weight of 50 pounds without assistance and up to 100 pounds with assistance. See in the normal vision range with or without correction; hear in the normal range with or without correction. Must be able to pass the arduous level pack test within three (3) months of employment, which consists of a three (3) mile walk over level terrain in 45 minutes or less while carrying a 45-pound pack. Work is performed primarily in an outdoor environment, in a variety of weather conditions (hot, cold, rain, wind, dust, etc.) and involves moderate and heavy activities for prolonged periods.
Recruitment No. 25576111L
To be considered, applicants must submit a completed City Application. This recruitment is open until filled or a sufficient number of applications are received and may close at any time without prior notice. Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via e-mail provided on the applicant's employment application.
Salary : $20 - $25