The Position

What you'll be doing: Under direct supervision, the Fuels Crew Member performs physical tasks related to hazardous wildland fuel reduction to meet the requirements of the Wildfire Hazard Reduction and Resources Management Plan and performs related duties as assigned at various park locations.

We Are Looking for People That:

• Are Passionate about protecting the urban wildland interface;
• Are Excellent communicators and leaders.
• Are Organized individuals who take initiative;
• Enjoy working outdoors and in a team setting.

A Few Reasons Why You May Love This Job:

• Meaningful and valued work combating fire danger in the East Bay;
• Solving challenges daily while working with an excellent team;
• Working with a purpose for a better world today and in future generations through the preservation of open space, public access to the outdoors, and a commitment to the conservation of the natural world found east of the San Francisco Bay across 33 cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
• Excellent benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and pension benefits through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Click here (Download PDF reader) for details regarding additional benefits.
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development.
• Free on-site parking.
• Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles).
• Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch).

• Respect: We honor each other, the park users we serve, and the land we steward.
• Resilience: We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.
• Relationships: Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.
• Responsiveness: We communicate openly, honestly and reliably.
• Transparency: We hold the public's trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and unfettered access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.

Essential Functions

• Ensures own safety in all aspects of assignment;
• Cut and remove brush, small trees, and other vegetation using chainsaws, weed-eaters, trimmers, handsaws, polesaws, rakes, McLeods, Pulaskis, pruning shears, broom pullers, shovels, walk behind mowers etc. to reduce hazardous wildland fuels and create a fuel break;
• Operate wood/chipper machine to chip small trees and other vegetation and spread chips with hand tools;
• Assist to prepare control lines and serve as holding crew during controlled burn and mop up hot spots utilizing backpack pumps, chainsaws and/or other hand tools to effectively control prescribed burns;
• Apply herbicides to help control undesirable vegetation, using backpack or hand-held sprayer;
• Lay out and stake erosion control fiber rolls, blankets, and netting;
• Spread straw, plant small trees, shrubs, and spread grass seed to help restore sites after vegetation removal;
• Cut fireline, mop-up hot spots, and support hoselays by using chainsaws and/or other hand tools to assist with wildland fire suppression;
• Drive crew carriers or other park district vehicle to transport Fuels Crew Members and tow portable toilet to work sites;
• Attend fire department training and meetings including safety trainings;
• Monitor fire weather conditions using hand-held kestrel weather kit;
• Communicate with the District's emergency dispatch center via hand-held radio or vehicle radio to report daily work site location or to report emergencies;
• Inspect, clean and repair chainsaws and other tools and equipment;
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade; AND

Age: At least 18 years of age by time of appointment; AND

License or Certificate: A valid California Class C Driver's License is a condition of initial and continued employment.

Additional Information

Knowledge of:

• Landscape and/or grounds maintenance methods;
• Principles and practices of wild land fire suppression/prevention;
• Native and non-native plant species
• Use and maintenance of power saws and hand tools.

Ability to:

• Perform heavy physical work and walk for extended periods of time;
• Follow oral and written instructions;
• Use sound judgment;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Safely and effectively operate various power tools, and hand tools;
• Utilize two-way radio;
• Maintain manual and automated records and create reports;
• Establish and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service to internal and external customers;
• Work in a team setting to achieve goals and objectives;
• Drive to various locations within the East Bay Regional Park District.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pass level 1 background check which includes employment history verification, employment reference check; DOJ fingerprinting and criminal history review and a medical examination;
• Pass the following within three (3) months of initial employment:
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification;
  • First Aid Certification;
  • S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaw Level A courses;
  • S-130 Firefighter Training;
  • S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior;
• Must maintain RT-130 Annual Fireline Safety Refresher;
• Work under adverse and/or hazardous conditions including working in poison oak and on steep terrain;
• May be required to work unusual or long hours, weekends and holidays;
• May be required to perform duties in a District issued uniform;
• May be required to use respirators in accordance with CAL-OSHA regulations;
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as necessary.
• Fuels Crew Member and Fuels Crew Leader classifications are not eligible for the special assignment of On-Call Firefighter.
• All East Bay Park Regional District employees are required to be vaccinated as a condition of employment.

Union Affiliation: East Bay Regional Parks Employees, Local 2428, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, represents these classifications. Wages, hours, and other terms of conditions of employment are covered in an Agreement between the Park District and Local 2428.

Application materials for these positions consist of two (2) required parts:

• A current East Bay Regional Park District application submitted online, and
• Completed supplemental questions.

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system. If you have previously applied on GovernmentJobs.com, please take care to update your existing profile. Applications are accepted online only. Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you encounter problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov Help Desk toll-free at (855) 524-5627.

Notification: All applicants will be notified of the disposition of their application via email, generally within two to three weeks after the closing date. You may also sign into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view your current application status and notifications.

Selection Process: The application materials for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for testing or interview. The District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment procedures before or after the interview process. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or invitation to test. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment. The individuals chosen for hire must be able to pass a background check, including fingerprint check, and District medical examination prior to employment. The probationary period for these classifications is nine (9) months.

Salary Range: The starting salary for this vacancy will be at Step A of the salary range.

Special Testing Arrangements: If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at (510) 544-2154.