Dispatch Supervisor -Interagency Dispatch Assistant Center Manager

This position may be eligible for a statutory $1.50 an hour base pay increase effective July 1, 2024.

Applicants will be reviewed on a weekly basis

The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.

Position Overview:

This position is located in the Billings Interagency Dispatch Center and is the primary dispatch position responsible for the implementation of all directed dispatch activity. The incumbent acts as a Dispatch Leader over a team of interagency personnel primarily in support of wildland fire suppression, as well as in support of other emergency related functions and other resources. The Dispatch Center Manager (U.S. Bureau of Land Management) and the Southern Land Office Assistant Fire Management Officer supervise this position.

Major Duties or Responsibilities:

Dispatch Center Coordination

This position directs and coordinates the daily operations and activities within the interagency dispatch center boundaries to ensure effective responses as well as compliance with interagency agreements and requirements affecting Dispatch Center operations. The incumbent develops short- and long-range work plans; monitors and evaluates operational effectiveness; prioritizes and oversees the work of interagency dispatch staff; trains and oversees dispatch staff in various systems and procedures; provides incident situational reports to a variety of cooperators and others; and maintains and monitors resource inventories and information. This requires knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of wildland fire assessment and tactical and strategic suppression methods; fire behaviors under various circumstances; geographical and climatic features of the interagency dispatch area; adult education and training techniques; and a working knowledge of available and appropriate suppression resources. These duties also require the ability to evaluate the appropriateness of fire suppression methods and resources within complex environmental and geographic variables; coordinate and motivate dispatch staff toward common goals and objectives; and prioritize human and material resources of the dispatch center.

Dispatch Support

This position performs a variety of technical dispatch services to provide critical support for fire suppression actions. This includes operating advanced communication and tracking systems; processing fire suppression resource orders; identifying and explaining resource alternatives to field personnel; examining and maintaining local maps and agreements for dispatch of cooperator resources; executing demobilization plans and supplemental action plans as appropriate. This requires knowledge of tactical and strategic fire suppression methods; fire behaviors under various circumstances; state and federal regulations, policies, standards, and procedures related to dispatching incident resources (e.g., personnel, aircraft, supplies, equipment, etc.); geographical and climatic features of the Interagency Dispatch Center Area; crisis communications, including emergency protocols, terminology, and code commands used in dispatching; and a working knowledge of the capabilities, limitations, varieties, and contracting policies of unit aircraft. The incumbent must also apply extensive skills in operating two-way radios under emergency conditions; map analysis and interpretation; and exemplary written and verbal communication skills.

Fire Management Program Support

This position provides a variety of specialized support services to assist in the implementation and ongoing administration of program activities. The incumbent reviews interagency resource listings; trains interagency personnel in dispatch center operations; and performs a variety of other duties in support of ongoing fire and aviation program functions. These duties require knowledge of state and federal regulations, policies, standards, and procedures related to dispatching incident resources; geographical and climatic features of the dispatch center area; and adult education and training techniques.

What are some benefits that you can expect from working at DNRC?

• Health Care & Benefits

• Retirement

• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays.

Please apply through the state of Montana website mt.gov Home (mt.gov)

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE:

• Online State of Montana application

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• If you are interested in a complete job description, please contact HR at Makayla.Mangold@mt.gov.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

The required knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a High School Diploma and 3 - 4 years experience.

Required knowledge includes, but is not limited to: Fire management practices and techniques, agency regulations, policies, standards and procedures of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, individual counties in the Eastern Land Office, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, as related to dispatching of incident resources (personnel, aircraft, supplies, and equipment), fire protection systems, agency jurisdictions, land ownership, and affidavit protection. Thorough knowledge of the availability, capability, and limitations of resources within the Eastern Zone. Thorough knowledge of aircraft types and capabilities, various ground implements (fire engine types and capabilities, dozer types and limitations, ground transportation types and capabilities, as well as various personnel types and capabilities). In addition to this knowledge, the position requires awareness of the various agencies' legal requirements, obligations, and reporting methods pertinent to dispatch operations.

Considerable knowledge and skill in written and verbal communications, and a thorough knowledge of fire management and agency terminology are also required.

The ability to plan for, coordinate and supervise dispatch activities frequently under stressful conditions for long periods of time often without complete information for guidance. The dispatcher must be able to function during times of critical incidents when the lives and safety of others are threatened.

Skilled in operation of computerized radio systems, multi-key telephones, paging systems, FAX machines, U.S. Forest Service, and IBM compatible personal computers. Knowledge of and skill in using computer software such as Windows, Microsoft Office software, WIMS (weather), Irwin, WildCad, State IQS, and Federal IQCS.

Other education, training, certification, or licensing desired:

• I-100 ICS General Familiarization
• S-110 Basic Fire Suppression Orientation
• S-130 Firefighter Training
• S-190 Introduction to Fire Behavior
• I-200 Basic Incident Command System
• S-248 Status Check-In Recorder
• D-110 Dispatch Recorder
• S-260 Fire Business Management
• S-270 Basic Air Operations
• J-252 Ordering Manager
• D-310 Support Dispatcher
• D-311 IA Dispatcher

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

ELIGIBILITY TO WORK:

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver's license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card".