Prescribed Fire Crewmember (FFT2) - Seasonal

Summary:

The Suffolk County Water Authority on behalf of the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission is seeking six (6) individuals with experience/qualifications/course work in fire suppression and fire management heavy equipment use or related fields, to serve as a seasonal crew member for Prescribed Fire Operations conducted under the Commission’s comprehensive prescribed fire program for the Central Pine Barrens region. This position reports directly to the Science and Stewardship Manager. Activities and approvals are subject to the discretion of the Executive Director, Interim Executive Director and/or Department Head. (This seasonal position extends from March through May, up to 37.5 hours/week)

Job ID/Number:

Posted Date:

9/30/2026

Job Location:

Position Type:

Full Time

Division:

Central Pine Barrens

Description:

Responsibilities Include:

• Performing fireline duties on prescribed fire operations including but not limited to using hand tools to construct fireline; ignite; patrol; mop-up and as necessary suppress wildland fires.
• Carrying supplies and using heavy equipment for extended hours in rugged terrain with exposure to excessive heat; direct and indirect flame; smoke; insects (especially ticks); and other irritants or hazards while performing fireline duties.
• Working in close coordination with other crew members including close verbal communications regarding safety and work assignments and activities.
• Staging, inventorying, maintaining, and operating or working in close coordination with mechanical fireline equipment such as pumps and other water delivery equipment, fire engines, ATVs, UTVs, dozers, excavators or other heavy equipment.
• Assisting with fire weather, fire behavior vegetation and invasive species monitoring and management in prescribed fire units including the installation and maintenance of fire breaks.
• Assisting with development of education and outreach programming including conducting wildfire risk assessments.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma (with experience in landscaping, agriculture, mechanics, heavy equipment use, forestry, arboriculture or other similar trade/interest) or associates, undergraduate, graduate student, recent graduate degree in Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Natural Science, or related field.
• Meets or exceeds Interagency Standards for Firefighting Operations as a Firefighter Type 2 (Successful completion National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) S130 Firefighter Training/190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior).
• Ability to pass moderate (carrying of 25lbs/2 miles in 30 minutes) or arduous (carrying of 45lbs/3 miles in 45 minutes; preferred) level work capacity test and be able to perform physical work in variable environmental conditions
• Experienced and qualified in the operation of UTVs with successful completion of UTV Operating Training Course (preferred) and operation of chainsaws with completion of training course (S212 preferred).
• Experience and knowledge in the monitoring of fire weather and behavior (preferred).
• Familiar with prescribed fire related data monitoring or similar natural resources data collection (i.e. fire weather, fire behavior).
• Field experience with general data collection, basic navigation skills and GPS.
• Basic computer skills and familiarity with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Earth, and AVENZA maps or GIS such ArcGIS or ArcGIS Pro.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must adhere to SCWA and Commission policies and procedures and organizational structure.

*The Authority may accept an equivalent combination of education and experience to meet the requirements*

Interested candidates should submit their application, resume, and transcripts, including salary requirements via the SCWA website

(www.scwa.com) and click on “Career Opportunities.” Salary is $26.00-$28.00/hour with no benefits.

Housing may be available for candidates outside of Long Island.

(The Authority shall not employ relatives of employees as defined to mean an employee's spouse, child, stepchild, stepparent or direct descendant of grandparents of the employee as defined in the New York State General Municipal Law 810.)