Hand Crew Superintendent

Address: 3625 S Winchester Rd Apache Junction AZ 85119

Salary: $29.6109 - $35.4200 Hourly 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: November 19, 2026 

This position is only open to current DFFM employees.

This position serves as Superintendent of suppression handcrew which primarily responds to wildland fire emergencies. May be assigned to other fireline supervisory positions for which qualified, such as Incident Commander, Burn Boss, or other operations or prescribed fire positions. Determines preparedness and suppression needs, facilitates procurement, and formulates and prepares project plans for the IHC. Provides technical and administrative supervision. Plans and directs overall work to be accomplished by subordinate supervisors. Responsible for the on-the-job safety and health of all employees supervised.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serves as Superintendent of suppression handcrew which primarily responds to wildland fire emergencies; crew may function as an intact crew or in multiple modules.
  
• Responsible for making on-site evaluations of incident conditions, making tactical decisions, and determining appropriate responses.
  
• Recognizes, reacts to and communicates changes in weather and fire behavior; topography and fuel types; and adapts planned strategies and tactics to identify and relocate firelines, escape routes and safety zones.
  
• May be assigned to other fireline supervisory positions for which qualified, such as Incident Commander, Burn Boss, or other operations or prescribed fire positions.
  
• Identifies and analyzes suppression tactics and strategies employed on the fires, and revises and/or develops alternatives in view of such conditions as fuels, weather, and topography.
  
• Executes prescribed burn plans for complex burn projects in a wide variety of fuel types and executes complex firing operations on wildfire incidents.
  
• Determines preparedness and suppression needs, facilitates procurement, and formulates and prepares project plans for the IHC. Formulates annual IHC budget and maintains a system of accounts to track program expenditures. This includes managing the budget, approving material and supply orders, procuring capital equipment and providing property management oversight.
  
• Responsible for the maintenance of crew fleet equipment.
  
• Evaluates organizational training needs, develops, and implements both technical and agency specific training programs. Participates in the interdisciplinary planning.
  
• Applies appropriate agency incident business and resource management practices and policies to meet objectives.
  
• Provides technical and administrative supervision; plans and directs overall work to be accomplished by subordinate supervisors.
  
• Finds ways to improve production or increase the quality of work directed.
  
• Negotiates and coordinates work projects with other unit managers and supervisors.
  
• Develops and evaluates work performance standards.
  
• Advises, counsels, or instructs employees on both work and administrative matters.
  
• Hears and resolves minor complaints from employees. Refers group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to higher level supervisor or manager.
  
• Effects minor disciplinary measures such as warnings and reprimands and recommends other action in more serious cases.
  
• Identifies and provides for routine training needs and makes decisions on special, controversial, or costly training for subordinate employees.
  
• Manages the environmental and workplace hazards of the wildland fire environment and provides leadership and direction to subordinates in the recognition and mitigation of these hazards following applicable laws, policies, and guidelines.
  
• Personal accountability and zero tolerance for unsafe acts are paramount. Responsible for the on-the-job safety and health of all employees supervised.
  
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of:

• Firefighting and fire, prevention responsibilities and authorities.
  
• Wildfire strategy, tactics and fire behavior and incident management/incident command systems.
  
• Wildland Fire Safety procedures; National Wildfire Coordinating Group and Arizona State Forester Wildfire Training Standards and Qualification requirements.
  
• 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.
  
• Interpret fire weather and fire behavior.
  
• Natural resource inventory skills.
  
• Effective use of 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:

• NWCG Type 3 Incident Commander

• NWCG Type 4 Incident Commander
  
• Valid Arizona Drivers License

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

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.