Fire Management Development Program - University Seasonal Program.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) are recruiting individuals that have an interest in fire management to become part of the seasonal conservation employee crews.
Each year the department recruits seasonal employees to assist with prescribed burning and bushfire suppression. These frontline crews are integral to protecting the Western Australian community from bushfires and for the conservation of flora and fauna. The work involves a lot of team work, collaboration, skill development and manual labour.
The crews work with DBCA personnel, with other emergency management agencies and volunteers.
What’s the Fire Management Development Program – University Seasonal Program?
The Fire Management Development Program (FMDP) is an initiative by DBCA, Parks and Wildlife Service, that provides opportunity for personal and career development through mobility and exposure to a variety of fire related works programs across a range of work locations throughout the state. The FMDP vision is to develop future fire leaders and managers. FMDP participants are exposed to different landscapes and fire management experiences to fast track their development which is supplemented with structured learning (training courses and projects).
The University Seasonal Program targets undergraduate students for work placements over the university summer holiday period (November through to February). Placements provide students with valuable paid work experience in the industry whilst providing DBCA with an opportunity to assess participants’ suitability for future employment.
Students will be located in a South West forest district for up to 3 months each year. First and second year students will be targeted to ensure they gain experience over several summers and in varying locations. Each succussive year, students will be posted in a different location in the south west to experience fire management in varying landscapes.
Students will be employed in the role of Seasonal Conservation Employee and work with conservation work crews undertaking a range of duties focusing on fire management.
This program provides students the opportunity to gain practical skills and gain an understanding of the role of fire management in the department. It also enables students to make an informed decision regarding fire management as a career option.
This proposal is in line with the department’s initiative to enhance and expand the Fire Management Development Program and to recruit, train and develop staff to have the skills and knowledge required to fulfil the Department’s fire management goals.
The FMDP University Seasonal Program provides:
- up to 3-months full-time paid work placement in a district in the south west of WA
- exposure to fire management in the department
- exciting professional development opportunities
- practical and applicable skills and work experience
- networking opportunities in environmental management with a focus on fire management
- the ability to contribute to a diverse range of projects in fire management, conservation biology and parks and visitor services
- the ability to contribute to the community through bushfire mitigation activities and response
- exposure to incident management
- training opportunities and on the job learning
Positions will be advertised each year in September on the WA Government Jobs Board and university websites with the requirement for students to undergo a merit-based selection process. Successful applicants will need to be able to demonstrate a desire to learn about fire and be involved in fire suppression and prescribed burning activities. Successful applicants will be required to undertake mandatory fire fitness medicals and testing, fire training and an induction to the department.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply?
To be eligible to apply for the FMDP University Seasonal program you need to:
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (overseas students or students in Australia on exchange are not eligible to apply)
- be completing an undergraduate degree, that may include honours, from a recognised university
- be in your first or second year of undergraduate studies.
What university degrees are you targeting?
Typically Parks and Wildlife Services provides opportunities to graduates with qualifications in environmental and natural sciences.
What skills and experience are you looking for?
We understand that students often don’t have the opportunity to gain practical field experience while studying and this program aims to assist with providing skills and on the job experience to enhance your theoretical knowledge. We are looking for keen, motivated individuals with a passion for land management and an enthusiasm to learn about fire management. Individuals need to be fire fit and will undergo fire fitness testing prior to being deployed on a fire line.
All essential and desirable selection criteria are outlined in the Job Description Form and will be assessed during the selection process.
Are there attributes suited to the role?
Firefighting provides a set of unique challenges and it would suit both women and men that work well under pressure, are good decision makers and have a passion for protecting biodiversity and the community.
What training is provided?
Successful applicants will be provided with fire training that includes Mandatory Preseason Training and Crew Member Training. There are also opportunities to undertake further training such as Crew Leader and other fire related training.
What sort of work is involved?
The majority of work will be field based and will assist in developing practical and applicable skills. A large component is manual labour with some of the typical duties including;
- fire line duties actively fighting fires, patrolling and mopping up
- working with crew members in team situations
- construction and maintenance of infrastructure
- weed control, flora and fauna monitoring and feral animal control
- track and boundary maintenance and operation of machinery such as brush-cutters, hand tools, power tools, fire appliances and 4WD vehicles.
Some of the work can be remote, hot and dusty with long hours but it is very rewarding.
There is also a requirement to be on roster over the summer period in readiness for fires. The hours worked during fires can be unpredictable however rostered periods are compensated at an hourly rate and overtime is also paid. The role also includes all applicable training and development and opportunities to acquire licenses for MR trucks and chainsaws. There is a good cross section of work that will provide an insight and experience into the department and how we run.
What level of fitness is required?
Seasonal Conservation Employees are required to have a high level of fitness as firefighting can be strenuous. Individuals that are involved in sporting activities or manual work or that generally keep fit and healthy are likely to meet the fitness requirements of the positions. All employees involved in fire are required to undergo a medical assessment with a Doctor and also pass the department’s fire fitness test. The test involves a 3.22km walk carrying an 11.3kg backpack, within 30 minutes. The fire fitness standards are not designed to exclude employees from participating in fire management activities, but to ensure their safety and reduce the likelihood of injury.
When would I start?
Students will be expected to start either end of November or beginning of December depending when exams are. Work will be for roughly 3 months over the university break and will cease some time in February/March depending on which university you attend. There will be some flexibility with dates as each university varies slightly and each individual’s dates will be stipulated in the letter of offer. There will also be considerations of placements earlier in the year for prescribed burning work during university breaks if required.
How many hours per week do students work and what is my salary?
These positions are fulltime. A work week is 38 hours with 0.4 of an hour accrued each day for one rostered day off every month. Any time worked on a fire or burning outside of these hours may mean individuals are entitled to overtime. There will be times when individuals need to be on call and available for fires and there are on call hourly rates associated with this. The salary range is $49,929 - $54,921 per year.
Are students entitled to any leave?
Yes. Leave will be accrued on a pro-rata basis and paid out at the end of the contract period. Consideration will be given if leave is required for certain circumstances.
Is a uniform provided?
Yes. You will be provided with a uniform including pants, shirts, boots and all the necessary PPE safety equipment for working with fire.
Is accommodation provided?
In some locations basic departmental shared accommodation is available at subsidised rent. Where departmental accommodation is not available some assistance will be provided in finding something suitable, however no rent assistance is provided.
Do I automatically get a position every year or do I have to reapply?
At the end of the fire season you will be assessed on your work performance. If you gain a satisfactory assessment you will be invited to participate in the following fire season. You are not obliged to return, but the aim is that you do! You will have to undertake the medical and fire fitness testing each season.
How do I apply?
Follow the application instructions on the JobsWA website - jobs.wa.gov.au
Contact Information:
Enquiries can be made via email to meghan.porter@dbca.wa.gov.au.