Fuel Reduction Crew Member; Seasonal

Overview

The City of South Lake Tahoe is hiring multiple Fuel Reduction Crew Members 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 Fuels Crew Lead, crew members safeguard the community by performing manual fuels reduction projects within the Tahoe Basin. This is an entry level position for the South Lake Tahoe Fire Fuels Division Chipping Crew.

Reports to:

Fuels Division Crew Lead.

• Operate heavy machinery (wood chipper), hand tools, and chainsaws to remove vegetation.
• Create burn piles in the summer and monitors during burn season.
• Operate Fire Department vehicles.
• Clean, maintain, and store fire tools.
• Provide defensible space and fuels reduction activities.
• Ensure all daily, weekly and monthly and equipment inspection, test records and logs are properly filled out and submitted in a timely manner.
• Perform general maintenance work on the upkeep of the crew facilities, vehicles, and equipment.

Knowledge of:

• Wildland fire operations and Urban Interface wildland firefighting techniques sufficient to determine strategy and tactics
• The principles and practices of fuels reduction work
• 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

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

Ability to:

• Organize time effectively
• Fall hazard trees safely in adverse conditions
• 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
• Maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work activities
• Contribute to and maintain a positive and safe work environment
• Work in a team environment as a member of the South Lake Tahoe Fire Fuels Reduction Division
• Distribute wildfire prevention educational materials to raise wildfire awareness.
• Deliver excellent customer service
• Establish effective working relationships with crew members, other agencies and the public
• Attend and participate in meetings and training sessions.

Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A typical way to gain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is:

High school diploma or equivalent

General fire maintenance experience is desired

Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Completion of S-130, S-190 and ICS-100 within 90 Days of employment

All required certifications and licenses must be maintained and current throughout duration of employment.

S-131, S-133, S-212, ICS-200 and FAL
2.

Ability to obtain a California or Nevada Commercial Driver’s License, California “Firefighter” endorsement or Nevada “F” endorsement.

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Indoor work to perform record keeping and computer tasks; outdoor work in all types of weather including extreme heat and humidity, cold and rain and snow; work in and…