DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

In partnership with local, county, state, and federal agencies, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) protects Arizona’s people by: providing coordination and resource response for the suppression and management of wildland fire; delivering education to aid in wildland fire prevention; providing integrated management strategies, technical assistance and information through various Department programs; collaborating in forest restoration projects; and ensuring fire and life safety through permitting, plan reviews and building inspections.

Address:  

3625 S. Winchester Rd.
Apache Junction, AZ 85119

Salary: $29.6109 - $32.3840 hourly 

Grade: 21

Closing Date:  September 9, 2026

Under the direction of the Division Chief, this position will be responsible for fire operations, field safety, fire personnel and equipment management, filling fire operations or support positions within the Incident Command System. The Battalion Chief position will function as a DFFM mid-level manager and may fill the Duty Officer role as needed throughout the State.

***This position is only open to current DFFM employees***

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Respond to wildfires as an incident commander or agency representative within the assigned district.
• Suppress fire with appropriate strategies and cost effectiveness.
• Act as district duty officer to field wildfire reports and direct appropriate initial suppression actions. Schedules, maintains fiscal accountability and supervises seasonal district fire preparedness resources.
• Supervises full time district fire crew Captain(s). Assures district fire crews are trained, equipped, and fire ready.
• Works with local agencies and communities to utilize crews for mitigation and natural resource projects. Coordinates and presents wildland fire training courses to cooperating fire departments and other interagency partners. Assist cooperating agencies and fire departments with NWCG qualification processes.
• At the direction of the Division Chief, Initiates cooperative agreements with fire departments and other local agencies with fire suppression responsibilities.
• Coordinates with local federal land management agencies in the development of annual fire operating plans. Provides fire season assessment data.
• Prepares various natural resource management plans including prescribed fire plans, forest management plans, community fire protection plans, and Firewise Plans. Provides natural resource and forestry related technical expertise to landowners and local governments.
• Drive on State business
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

• Wildfire Strategy, Tactics, and Fire Behavior and Incident Management/Incident Command System
• Wildland Fire Safety procedures
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group and Arizona State Forester Wildfire Training Standards and Qualification Requirements.
• Prescribed Fire Management and Fire Effects
• State wildland fire business procedures and related inter agency agreements
• Principles and practices of leadership and supervision.
• Purchasing and contract principles.
• Forestry, Natural Resource, and Ecosystem Management
• Emergency response communication systems

Skills in:

• Effective oral and written communication.
• Instruction techniques to train and teach internal and external personnel in Division applicable subject matter.
• Interpreting fire weather and fire behavior.
• Natural resource inventory.
• Effectively using computers and applicable software

Ability to:

• Work and communicate effectively with diverse governmental wildland firefighting agencies and recognize their differences in authorities and capabilities.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Forestry Division personnel and outside cooperators.
• Plan and stay organized.
• Remain focused during emergency incidents.
• Work weekends and holidays.
• Travel on State Business.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

National Wildfire Coordinating Group Qualified as a Type 4 Incident Commander

• NWCG Single Resource Boss
• A valid Arizona Driver's License

Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program, learn more at hr.az.gov/family-leave-expansion).
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
• Participation is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria as defined in statute.
• Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.
• The current contribution rate is 11.98%

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Selene Rojas at [email protected] for assistance.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (623) 236-6664. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.