Fuel Reduction Crew Lead; Seasonal

Overview

The City of South Lake Tahoe is recruiting for two Fuel Reduction Crew Leads for the Summer season.

The start date for this position is anticipated to start around April 15 - April 30, 2026 depending on weather conditions, and will go for 6 months at 40 hours per week, or 960 hours total. The anticipated end date for this position is mid to late October 2026.

Applications will be accepted until February 20, 2026. Interviews will take place in late February. For questions regarding this role, please contact Jay Manning, Fire Division Chief at JManning.

Under the direction of the South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief and Fuels Division personnel, assists in the supervision of the day-to-day operations, management, and administration of the Wildland Fire and Fuels Reduction Crew. This is a lead position for the Fuels Division chipping crew.

Crew Lead is distinguished from other positions with the fire service by the responsibility to oversee the daily work assignments for the crew on fuels reduction projects.

• The functions listed below are examples of the work typically performed by an employee in this position. An employee may not be assigned all functions listed and may be assigned functions which are not listed below.

• Determines when additional resources are required and/or when circumstances require withdrawal of crew to a safe location.

• Organizes and directs chainsaw work

• Prepares documentation related to assigned staff such as time cards; assists in developing budget figures for sign materials, projects or programs.

• Ensures that chain saws are always maintained and in proper working order.

• Assists with the implementation of the Curbside Chipping program.

• Monitors and reviews quality of work performed.

• Evaluates performance and completes performance appraisals for crew members.

• Assists Fuels Division Personnel in establishing crew policies and procedures.

• Ensures employees comply with all Department personnel policies and procedures.

• Directs employees to accomplish their daily tasks.

• Assists in development and presentation of training for crew members.

• Directs crew members in the maintenance and repair of fire tools and equipment.

• Ensures the development of crew safety procedures and crew member performance in a safe manner.

• Aids Fuels Division Personnel in maintaining an inventory of all property and equipment assigned the crew.

• Ensures the crew is following operational directives and specifications for assigned task.

• Performs fire prevention and education duties as assigned.

• Operates heavy machinery (wood chipper), hand tools, and chainsaws.

• Operates fire department vehicles

Knowledge of:

• Sufficient wildland fire operations and Urban Interface wildland firefighting techniques to determine strategy and tactics

• The principles and practices of fuels reduction and wildland firefighting

• The Incident Command System

• Federal, state and local fire regulations

• Defensible Space and Living with Fire guidelines

• Operation and maintenance procedures for chippers, chainsaws, and hand tools

• Safety procedures

• Supervisory techniques

• Purchasing guidelines and procedures

Skill to:

• Operate and maintain various types of Fire Department equipment

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

• Interpret, explain and apply policies and procedures

• Analyze complex situations identifying potential dangers, alternative courses of action, project consequences of proposed actions, and ensure crew safety

Ability to:

• Organize time effectively

• Fall hazard trees safely in adverse conditions

• Think and act quickly and analyze emergency situations

• Decide on an appropriate course of action within the scope of assigned duties

• Acquire knowledge of wildland fire management, planning and practices including prescribed fire, fuel management, fire histories, and fire hazard analysis

• Acquire knowledge of local fire contracts and agreements

• Operate and maintain various types of Fire Department equipment

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing

• Lead others

• Maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work activities

• Contribute to and maintain a positive…