Website California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Position Summary:
Under the general direction of the Assistant Deputy Director for Fire Protection Operations, Aviation and Fleet, the Staff Chief has the responsibility and authority to provide direction and oversight to the CAL FIRE Tactical Air Operations Program including both “ground” operations and training for Helitack and Air Attack Bases, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operations, the Wildland Fire Chemicals program and the coordination and liaison of training and deployment of the Military, California National Guard, Federal Fire agencies, Contract Counties, and other cooperating agencies when used by CAL FIRE
Key Responsibilities:
- Provides statewide program direction, coordination, research, development and implementation of program policies and procedures with Aviation Management Unit (AMU) Staff Chief, Region Operational Staff Chiefs and Unit Chiefs to maintain the highest level of safety and effectiveness of the departments aviation base operations.
- Participates as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on departmental and various cooperating agency committees.
- Prepares briefings and other presentations are required. Prepares other written and analytical projects assigned in support of the Fire Protection Executive staff such as reports to the Governor’s Office, Department of Finance, Legislative Analyst’s Office and other commissions and organizations as required.
- In addition to the listed duties, employee is subject to and available for assignment to emergency incident activities, which may include fire, flood, earthquake, or other emergencies
- Directs the work of the Assistant Chief that oversees CAL FIRE’s Wildland Fire Chemical program with AMU, Regions, and Units.
- Makes recommendations to Department for types of chemicals, and effective ground use and application of Wildland Fire Chemicals.
- Responsible to assure that CAL FIRE’s Wildland Fire Chemicals are tested according to accepted industrial and environmental standards.
- The Staff Chief is the contracting officer for the procurement of CAL FIRE’s Wildland Fire Chemicals.
- Directs Assistant Chiefs working as Region Aviation Coordinators at the Region Operations Command Center and coordinates with the Region Operations Staff Chiefs, Unit Chiefs, and Incident Management Team Air Operation Branch Directors to provide regional aviation coordination in support of safe and cost-effective use of Department aircraft.
- Coordinates with federal forest agencies, local government, California National Guard, Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense in deployment and strategic utilization of aviation assets; air space management and deconfliction.
- Assists with aviation frequency allocation; conduct cost-benefit analysis of aircraft utilization and the delivery of fire chemicals by aircraft; and logistical coordination of assigned aviation assets to meet operational needs.
- Directs the Assistant Chief who oversees the Department UAS program responsible for program administration, UAS Remote Pilot (RP) training and qualifications, approving unmanned aircraft systems, operational requirements and procedures, flight safety, and data collection systems, collaborating with allied agencies, cooperators, stakeholders and industry on research, analysis, development, and deployment of advanced applications.
- Directs the Assistant Chief who coordinates the statewide aviation training program with region staff, to assist in the course selection, student allocations/selections for national, state level aviation courses, participates as a cadre member and make cadre membership
recommendations for regional and state level aviation courses, assists in curriculum development for all levels of aviation training, as necessary. - Provides program oversight and support to the Region’s Air Tactical Group Supervisor Training program.
- Directs Assistant Chief that oversees department coordination with all Active, Reserve, and National Guard military branches to assure department obligations to training and operations with various military departments are met.
- Coordinates with other state, local and federal agencies, as needed, to plan for interagency aviation ground operations
Required Education & Experience:
- Occasional travel for emergency incident activity may be required