DUTY OFFICER

at  The State of Florida

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent and one (1) year of experience in radio-teletype operations, sworn law enforcement, dispatching, forestry, firefighting or other public contact work.
College education from an accredited institution can substitute at the rate of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours for the required experience.
Requires a valid class E drivers license.
Please Note: There will be a numerically based work sample administered with an established minimum required passing score to all eligible candidates as part of the hiring process for this position.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Occasional to moderate travel required.
Position may respond to emergencies, including natural disasters or other type incidents requiring travel, as needed.
The incumbent must live within 30 miles of the headquarters, which is located at 3315 College Ave, Davie, Florida, throughout employment in this position.

The duty officer’s work is in direct support of fire suppression and other emergency response operations. The incumbent coordinates emergency response of firefighters, supervisors, pilots and law enforcement personnel through the use of a communications center. The duty officer deals with critical situations requiring independent and sound judgment. The incumbent has both operational fire control and other support duties. Work may be scheduled over a variety of shifts and may frequently remain or be called to duty beyond the assigned work schedule.
Dispatch Crews to Wildfires, Smoke Complaints and other Incidents – Operates a computer, radio and telephone for the purpose of transmitting, receiving and storing information used to dispatch fire crews, supervisory personnel, aircraft and law enforcement personnel to wildfires and other incidents. Follows protocol on ‘Smoke on the Highway’ issues. Keeps up-to-the-minute knowledge of the locations and status of all personnel and equipment used in fire suppression activities and investigations. Triggers 209s as needed and enters information available. Requests and coordinates assistance with other state, federal and local agencies, as well as, area cooperators with wildfire suppression and other emergency situations. Keeps supervisors, Center Manager, Center Officer in Charge (OIC) and State OIC abreast of wildfire status as necessary. Reads and uses county maps, as well as, various websites and/or software programs (FMIS, County Property Appraiser, ArcGIS, Spider Tracks, Mapquest, etc.) to provide incident locations to responding emergency personnel. Has a good general knowledge of the lay of the land (landmarks, highways, major roads, rivers, lakes, power lines).
Burn Authorizations, On-Site Inspections, Compliance Checks, and Landowner Assistance – Operates a computer, radio and telephone for the purpose of transmitting, receiving and storing information used to approve or deny issuance of burn authorizations throughout six counties. Continually updates map with new burning authorizations. Maintains landowner and certified burner contact information. Notates landowner accounts regarding any special burning restrictions. Advises landowners of burning laws and predicted weather. Gathers information to relay to Forest Rangers, Senior Forest Rangers and supervisory personnel that is needed to conduct on-site inspections and compliance checks. Tracks landowner assists.
Administrative Functions – Maintains paper and electronic files, records and reports relating to the communication center’s responsibilities. Uses a variety of computer programs, software, copiers, scanners and fax machines to carry out administrative functions. Receives and responds to electronic mail as required. Prepares reports and assists supervisor and other personnel. Orders uniforms, cleaning and office supplies. Reconciles vehicle logs. Maintains Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’.
Active member of the Communications Center – Receives and handles or transfers incoming telephone calls. Regularly gathers and relays a variety of information to and from supervisors, crews, other governmental agencies, cooperators, news media personnel and the general public. Maintains up-to-date contact information for fire departments, other governmental agencies, cooperators, etc.
Fire Weather Forecasts – Gathers and relays daily fire weather information and fire weather predictions to crews, supervisory personnel, certified burners and landowners. Acts as a weather observer and reports any unusual weather activity to all personnel.
Performs other related work as assigned. Successfully completes all training requirements for the Duty Officer position, within the time period designated by the supervisor and in accordance with the established training performance standards.