THE FIRE DISTRICT: The Carpinteria–Summerland Fire Protection District is an independent Special District formed in accordance with Section 13800 of the California Health and Safety Code. The District is in Southern California along the “Gold Coast” strip of land between the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean and the majestic mountains of Los Padres National Forest.  The Fire District serves the incorporated beachside City of Carpinteria and the southern Santa Barbara County foothills, including the exclusive community of Summerland. A total population of approximately 23,000 residents live in the Fire District. The District’s population swells during the summer months as a tourist destination and is home to Carpinteria Beach State Park and the annual California Avocado Festival. The Fire District currently operates out of two fire stations, employs 37 career members, and has an annual operating budget of over $10 million.  In 2018, the Fire District responded to nearly 2000 alarms.

THE POSITION:  This is a non-safety, non-exempt position and is eligible for overtime compensation in accordance with the Fair Labors Standards Act.  Under the Supervision of the Fire Marshal the Wildland Fire Prevention Officer conducts inspections for residences living in the high fire hazard areas, providing information, advice, and assistance to property owners. Initiates defensible space inspections and develops and maintains a positive and productive dialog with the community. Identifies and coordinates hazard abatement projects to mitigate the effects of wildfire within the District. Develops plans and projects, maintains records of contacts and activities. Creates written information for public distribution, writes grants, and represents the District at public meetings and events. Provide for continuity to the complaint and hazard abatement process by assisting in the coordination and in followup contacts with property owners. Provide technical and planning support during wildland fires. Assist in the development of regulations, planning documents, standards, and ordinances. Assist in the District’s Occupancy Inspections and Special Events through authorizing permits.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:  The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
• Develop policies and procedures for the District to mitigate the effects of wildland fire
• Obtain funding for implementation and oversee the budget of the Vegetation Management Program
• Assess the need for vegetation management activities by consulting with fire suppression officers, conducting site surveys, and consulting with other government officials and property owners
• Administer, supervise, and direct community fuels management projects
• Evaluate environmental impacts of proposed fuel management projects
• Coordinate with the County and the State to meet required CEQA/NEPA standards for project development and environmental review
• Write grant proposals, prepare estimates of project costs, supervise/administer, and maintains financial records associated with grant and assessment revenue.
• Implement, supervise, and/or write updates to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
• Develop public education information and material and make public presentations. Meet with property owners, community groups, and representatives of other government organizations to explain the wildland fire program; gather information regarding needs, concerns, and regulations; respond to community and property owner concerns
• Represent the District at the Fire Safe Council and Multi?Agency wildland fire meetings
• Develop request for proposals and contract specifications to accomplish program goals
• Supervise cooperating agency and private contractor work crews
• Respond to emergencies as requested by the department as a technical specialist
• Respond under Mutual Aid Agreements to state and nationwide emergency incidents
• Provide GIS products and guidance for the department
• Provide expertise in enforcement of high fire hazard area brush clearance requirements for prevention/operations
• Represent the District on interagency wildland fire issues for both operations and prevention
• Develop and present wildland fire training as requested
• Conduct district occupancy inspections assigned
• Recommend authorizing special events through the District’s Film, and Tent Permit Process
• Assist in wildland fire investigation activities
• Responds to citizen complaints of hazardous vegetation; works with landowners to remove such hazards.
• Assures that vegetation and combustible vegetation fuels are maintained along community escape routes in the District’s high fire hazard zones.
• Supervise and process annual burn permits

ABILITY TO:  Learn and follow departmental rules, regulations, and policies; Understand and follow oral and written directions, communicate clearly; Learn new materials, concepts, and techniques; Safely and effectively operate hand and power tools used in the reduction and removal of live and dead vegetation material; Extensive knowledge and experience in wildland firefighting and fire prevention principles and techniques; Extensive knowledge and experience in fuels management, techniques, practices, and effects; Considerable knowledge of and experience in wildland fire/arson investigation and laws relating wildland/interface fire prevention; Knowledge of local, state, and federal land use laws and regulations; Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports; Able to interpret and write competitive grants; Work and communicate in a professional manner with the public, other government agencies, and local government officials; Able to resolve issues and complaints through conflict resolution practices; Maintain positive working relationships with the public, supervisors, and co-workers and perform work independently; Ability to implement the District’s fuel vegetation management plan; Respond to emergency situations and perform duties as required

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS: Minimum Qualifications  High school graduate or GED  Four years of varied fire prevention experience  Extensive experience in wildland fuel reduction programs  Knowledgeable with firefighting techniques and fire science California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record at time of appointment
Preferred Qualifications  Associates degree in Fire Technology, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or related field Federal or state agency fuels management experience Experience in fire suppression  I?200 Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents  S?215 Wildland Urban Interface S?290 Wildland Fire Behavior

 WORKING ENVIRONMENT:  Office and field environment; travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dust, fumes, inclement weather conditions and varied topographic conditions, operate computers and office equipment.  Perform repetitive duties, wear protective equipment, and operate a motorized vehicle.  Move and operate various types hand and power tools.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:  Essential functions required: maintaining good physical condition necessary to remain in a stationary position, move and work on uneven surfaces for periods of time.BENEFIT PACKAGE: • Membership in the Santa Barbara County Employees Retirement System • Health and Dental Plan for employee and family up to $1,600 month • Vacation up to 200 hours per year • Sick Leave 96 hours per year • Education Bonus • Longevity Pay • Deferred Compensation Plan

SELECTION PROCESS:  The selection process will consist of the following elements: Application and Resume review; Community Oral Panel Interview (40%), Internal Oral Panel interview (60%), and written exercise (pass/fail). Candidates must pass all phases of the examination process with a score of at least 70% to be placed on the eligibility list.  Depending on the needs of the District, successful candidates will be invited to a Fire Chiefs interview for final selection.   Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District reserves the right to modify the above stated components and/or weights.  Should this be necessary, candidates will be notified of the specific components and/or weights prior to the selection process.  Interviews are scheduled to take place the week of February 3, 2020.  The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract.

EXAMINATION APPEAL PERIOD:  All appeals regarding perceived unfairness or lack of job relatedness must be filed in writing with the Fire Chief by the end of the third workday immediately following the interviews and before the results are published.

HOW TO APPLY:  Interested applicants must submit a completed hard copy of the CarpinteriaSummerland Fire Protection District Application, cover letter, resume, and proof of qualifications no later than 4:00 pm on Friday, January 24, 2020. Applications can be obtained at: www.carpfire.com or Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District 1140 Eugenia Place Suite A Carpinteria CA 93013 805.684.4591The Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District conforms with State and Federal obligations to make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.  Please notify the District at least 7 days prior to the interview date of a reasonable accommodation request.  We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, politics, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, presence of a disability, or any other legally protected status.