How to Be Fire/Forestry Technician Lead - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 5, 2023 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The Fire/Forestry Technician Lead is a critical role in the management of forest and wildland fire-related resources. This position is responsible for providing technical direction, leading crews, and implementing prescribed fire plans. As a result, the Fire/Forestry Technician Lead plays a key role in ensuring fire safety, improving forest health, and reducing wildfire risks.

The Lead must also be familiar with fire weather, burn plans, and wildfire suppression techniques, making them a valuable asset to the team. Furthermore, their expertise in managing hazardous fuel loads, wildfire prevention, and firefighting tactics can help protect both local communities and the environment.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or GED to start a career as a Fire/Forestry Technician Lead.
Enroll in a post-secondary educational program in forestry or wildfire management. Programs can be found at community colleges, universities, and private technical schools.
Consider earning an associate's or bachelor's degree in forestry, fire science, or natural resources management. These programs provide a solid foundation in the principles of fire and forest management and often include classes in fire ecology, silviculture, and fire behavior.
Pursue a certificate or diploma program in fire science. These are typically offered at community colleges or technical schools and provide specialized training in fire safety, firefighting tactics, and fire prevention.
Participate in an internship or hands-on training program with a government agency or private organization that focuses on fire and forest management. Internships provide valuable practical experience and a chance to network with professionals in the field.
Acquire certification from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). This certification is required for many positions in the field of fire and forest management.
Get hired as an entry-level Fire/Forestry Technician. With experience and additional education, you can apply for positions as a Fire/Forestry Technician Lead.
Obtain additional certifications to increase your chances of promotion to Fire/Forestry Technician Lead. Certifications may include hazardous materials management, public education, incident command system, fire investigation, and more.

The ideal and efficient Fire/Forestry Technician Lead should possess a variety of technical and leadership skills. They should understand the complexities of fire and forestry management, possess excellent communication and organizational abilities, and have the capacity to work effectively with multiple personnel. Equally important is the ability to motivate and lead a team of technicians, as well as assess and respond to situations quickly and safely.

A competent lead technician should have a broad knowledge base of fire and forestry science, be able to use specialized equipment, and be aware of local, state, and federal regulations. Effective management of personnel and resources requires strong decision-making skills, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to think on their feet. With these skills, a Fire/Forestry Technician Lead will be able to identify potential risks, develop plans for mitigating those risks, and successfully lead their team to complete the necessary tasks.

You may want to check Fire/Forestry Biologist, Fire/Forestry Manager, and Fire/Forestry Educator for alternative.

Job Description

Manage Fire/Forestry Technician Team: oversee daily activities and coordinate work assignments to ensure all team members meet safety, quality and productivity standards.
Develop and implement fire/forestry technician training programs to ensure team members are up to date on the latest techniques and best practices.
Monitor and document fire/forestry technician performance, providing feedback and disciplinary action when necessary.
Maintain fire/forestry technician equipment, ensuring proper maintenance and repair of all necessary tools and machinery.
Monitor fire/forestry technician productivity, ensuring tasks are completed on time and within budget.
Conduct safety inspections of equipment and work areas on a regular basis.
Research and develop new fire/forestry technician procedures and protocols to ensure efficient operations.
Analyze data to identify trends and make recommendations for improved operations.
Prepare and submit reports to management on team performance and progress.
Create and maintain records of fire/forestry technician activities, including training materials, certifications, time cards and other documents.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of fire and forestry management principles and practices
Ability to interpret and apply policies, regulations and laws related to fire and forestry management
Ability to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate fire and forestry projects
Knowledge of hazardous fuels management and related operational techniques
Ability to identify hazardous fuel sources and create plans for their reduction
Skilled in the use of hand tools, power tools, and other specialized equipment related to fire and forestry management
Strong leadership skills, including the ability to manage and supervise staff
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Knowledge of applicable safety protocols and procedures
Ability to identify, analyze, and solve problems
Proficiency in the use of computers and associated software applications
Knowledge of budgeting and cost control principles

Being an effective Fire/Forestry Technician Lead requires a wide range of skills and abilities. The most important skill is the ability to lead and motivate a team of technicians. A Fire/Forestry Technician Lead must be able to manage and coordinate the activities of the team in order to ensure successful completion of their tasks.

They must also have excellent communication skills, as they need to be able to relay technical information effectively to their team. Furthermore, a Fire/Forestry Technician Lead needs to be organized and have strong problem-solving skills in order to deal with any unexpected obstacles or difficulties that arise. Finally, they should possess a thorough understanding of fire and forestry safety protocols, as well as the necessary knowledge and experience to manage vegetation management projects.

By having these skills and abilities, a Fire/Forestry Technician Lead is able to ensure that every project is completed safely and efficiently.

Forestry Planner, Forestry Researcher, and Fire/Forestry Ranger are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in leading a Fire/Forestry Technician team?
How have you managed and organized a Fire/Forestry Technician team in the past?
What challenges have you faced leading a Fire/Forestry Technician team?
How do you handle difficult situations with Fire/Forestry Technician teams?
What have been your most successful Fire/Forestry Technician team initiatives?
Describe your experience in training and developing Fire/Forestry Technicians.
What safety protocols do you feel are most important when leading a Fire/Forestry Technician team?
How do you ensure that all Fire/Forestry Technician team members are meeting performance standards?
How do you motivate and engage Fire/Forestry Technician teams?
What strategies do you use to manage competing priorities for Fire/Forestry Technician teams?

Common Tools in Industry

Firefighting Gear. Protective clothing and equipment used for firefighting, such as helmets, gloves, and boots (e. g. Wildland Firefighter Pro Gear).
Firefighting Tools. Equipment used to extinguish fires, such as shovels, axes, and hoses (e. g. Kochek Firefighting Nozzles).
Chainsaws. Tools used to cut down trees and clear brush (e. g. Husqvarna 365 Chainsaw).
Brush Cutters. Motorized tools used to trim and mow vegetation ( e. g. Stihl FS 130 Brush Cutter).
GIS Software. Geographic Information System software used to create maps and analyze data (e. g. ArcGIS Pro).
GPS Units. Portable navigation devices used to track location and monitor conditions (e. g. Garmin GPSMAP 64sx).
Radios. Communication devices used to stay in contact with other firefighters (e. g. Motorola CLS1110 Two-Way Radio).
Ladders. Tools used to access high areas and perform elevated rescue operations (e. g. Werner 20 ft. Extension Ladder).
Firefighting Foams. Solutions used to suppress flammable liquid fires (e. g. Buckeye Synthetic AFFF Foam).
Protective Clothing. Specialized clothing designed to protect against extreme temperatures and irritants (e. g. Carhartt Flame-Resistant Coveralls).

Professional Organizations to Know

International Association of Fire Chiefs
Fire Department Safety Officers Association
National Fire Protection Association
International Fire Service Training Association
Wildland Fire Management Association
Society of Fire Protection Engineers
National Association of State Foresters
Association for Fire Ecology
International Association of Wildland Fire
International Union of Forest Research Organizations

We also have Forestry Manager, Forestry Director, and Forestry Program Analyst jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Fire Ecology. The study of the interactions between fire and its environment, including the physical, biological and social elements.
Fire Management. The practice of managing the resources, risks and impacts of fire on the environment, including planning, prevention, suppression and rehabilitation.
Fire Suppression. The process of extinguishing or controlling a fire.
Fire Prevention. The practice of reducing the risk of fires occurring in the first place, through education, public awareness campaigns, regulations and fuel management.
Firefighting. The act of fighting and containing a fire, either in the wild or in a built environment.
Fire Investigation. The process of determining the cause and origin of a fire, which can be used to identify potential liability or legal matters.
Wildland Firefighting. The act of fighting and suppressing wildland fires, which are fires that occur in natural habitats and may include grasslands, forests and deserts.
Smoke Management. The practice of managing smoke from wildland fires to reduce air pollution and protect public health.
Fire Behavior Analysis. The study of how fires spread and interact with their environment, including factors such as wind speed and direction, terrain, fuel type and moisture content.
Fire Weather Forecasting. The practice of predicting fire weather conditions in order to anticipate and manage wildfires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What qualifications are required to be a Fire/Forestry Technician Lead? A1: To be a Fire/Forestry Technician Lead, you must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in fire suppression, prevention, and forestry management. You must also possess a valid drivers license and have the ability to carry out physical labor. Q2: What duties does a Fire/Forestry Technician Lead typically perform? A2: Fire/Forestry Technician Lead duties typically include supervising and coordinating the work of other technicians, performing firefighting, fire suppression, and forestry management activities, conducting prescribed burns and assisting with wildfire suppression activities, preparing reports, and participating in outreach and education programs. Q3: How many hours can a Fire/Forestry Technician Lead work in a week? A3: A Fire/Forestry Technician Lead is typically required to work 40 hours a week. However, depending on the needs of their employer, they may need to work additional hours during wildfire season or other times of increased activity. Q4: What is the average salary for a Fire/Forestry Technician Lead? A4: The average salary for a Fire/Forestry Technician Lead can vary depending on experience and location, but generally ranges from $40,000 to $60,000 per year. Q5: What type of organization typically employs Fire/Forestry Technician Leads? A5: Fire/Forestry Technician Leads are typically employed by state or federal agencies such as the United States Forest Service, state fire departments, or state forestry service organizations.

Web Resources

Forestry Technician (Fire) (Senior Firefighter) - career.arizona.edu career.arizona.edu
Forestry Tech | Natural Resources Job Board - wfscjobs.tamu.edu wfscjobs.tamu.edu
Forestry, Fire, & Rangeland Management ffrm.humboldt.edu