Department Information
This position is open only to current residents of the state of Colorado.
Current Vacant Position Location: Battalion Chief 23 - Headwaters Region: Grand, Jackson, and Summit Counties
An eligibility list may be established with this recruitment and could be used to fill similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.
Our Mission - Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities.
Our Vision - Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado.
Our Core Values – Unity, Honor, Service.
CDPS commits to cultivating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment. We ensure that we recruit, retain, and promote engaged employees. Our approach to diversity is simple - it's about embracing everyone! We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a reflex, not an initiative. Our strength is our promise to be inclusive with intentional strategies to welcome and uplift our employees to thrive - while building a more equitable workplace.
Why Do I Love My Job at CDPS
At CDPS we nurture a centric culture driven by our commitment of creating a safer Colorado, an inclusive workplace where everyone can be their own authentic self. We model a culture of collaboration, support and growth to our employees. Our culture has public service focus, and we strive to provide innovative solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans!
Careers with a purpose: If you are passionate about public safety service, and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, this is the organization you want to join!
We are committed to providing public safety services to our fellow Coloradans in their times of greater needs such as: safety on our roads, preparing and mitigating environmental disasters, disaster recovery, combating crime, school safety, and victim recovery.
You’ll have the opportunity to challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career while making a difference in our community!
Unmatched Benefits:
- Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.
- State contribution into Health Savings Account when enrolled in HDHP.
- Job protected medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI).
- Paid medical leave benefits provided by the State of Colorado.
- Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.
- We offer unmatched retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans.
- CDPS provides generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave and annual wellness days.
- The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state.
- Additional benefits offered include tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
- Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.
To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit State of Colorado benefits.
Description of Job
ABOUT THE WORK UNIT
The mission of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property, resources, environment, and quality of life in Colorado. DFPC’s vision is to be the Nation's premier state fire organization by acting with foresight, providing bold leadership, enhancing our partnerships, and exemplifying the highest level of professionalism in fire prevention and protection, while building a safe and supportive work environment for our employees.
One of the Wildland Fire Management Section’s (WFMS) primary roles is to assist and support local agencies with a range of wildland fire management programs including administrative, technical, preparedness, planning, response, and prescribed fire and fuels functions.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Under the general guidance of the Director of the DFPC, the Battalion Chief directs wildland fire management programs and related program assistance to state, county and local fire agencies within their respective region. This position is a public safety officer as defined by 42 U.S.C. § 3796b Sec. 1204 (9); reporting directly to the District Chief, and ultimately the Chief of the Wildland Fire Management Section (WFMS).
The Battalion Chief can commit State resources, including financial assistance, to the local government agencies. The Battalion Chief acts as both facilitator and liaison between federal government agencies, other state government agencies, and local jurisdictions on wildland fire and all hazard fire incidents. Primary focus areas include: representing the Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS), Division of Fire Prevention & Control (DFPC) in their assigned region, serving as subject matter experts to counties and local fire agencies; influence and implementation of state fire management policy, agreements, process, guidelines, and programs in assigned region; and coordinating with state and federal agencies in wildland fire and all-hazard fire incident response.
- Directs the State’s wildland fire programs within their assigned region;
- Acts as State’s subject matter expert for wildland fire response, incident business management practices including State cooperator reimbursement process;
- Interprets existing policies, rules and legislation related to wildland fire and incident response and implements/communicates to external agencies and internal personnel;
- Determines need for specific resources, staffing, and equipment based on preparedness levels;
- Provides operational and technical wildland fire assistance and coordination to federal, state, local agencies and DFPC staff in support of emerging incidents;
- Maintains and communicates situational awareness of fire conditions and potential, as well as local and large-scale emergency incidents in the State and Nation;
- Represents the DFPC, other state agencies, counties, and local fire agencies on interagency regional groups, committees, meetings etc.
Minimum Qualifications
- Currently or previously qualified to National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards as a Single Resource Boss qualification or higher in the Operations Section.
- Eight (8) years’ of documented experience in professional wildland or structural firefighting.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Current valid driver's license at time of hire, and must obtain a Colorado-issued driver's license within 6 months of hire.
- Applicants must be willing to be fingerprinted, successfully pass a polygraph, drug screen, and a medical physical exam as a condition of hire.
- Position must maintain the NWCG required fitness levels for the employee’s NWCG wildland fire qualifications throughout the employment period.
APPEAL RIGHTS
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
ARE YOU IN NEED OF AN ACCOMMODATION?
If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at cdps_hr@state.co.us.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.
