Job Type: Full-time, on-site, seasonal
Location: Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands - Moab, UT
Salary: $21-$28.16/hour
Application Deadline: February 15, 2026
Description:
The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands is looking for a professional, organized crew lead for our Southeast State Fuels Crew based in Moab, UT. We aim to train the next generation of land managers and give them the skills needed to succeed in the field.
Primarily this crew cuts, chips, sprays and burns fire fuels in communities vulnerable to wildfire. This crew is generally self-sufficient when on assignment. As a general scope, projects include: pine, aspen and fir felling and piling, Pinyon and juniper removal and chipping, community chipping days, and Russian olive riparian removal work.
Project sites include low elevation projects in Moab, Castle Valley, and Bluff during the spring and the La Sal Mountains and West Tavaputs during the summer All projects are on private land so the crew lead will need to be comfortable coordinating with landowners to achieve a common goal.
When not on fuels reduction projects, the crew lead may assist with wildland firefighting, forest inventory projects, prescribed burns, or other projects across Utah when requested. The Fuels Crew Lead will report to the Southeast WUI Specialist or WUI Assistant who will give project assignments, guidance, and training as needed.
A typical work week will be Monday-Thursday (10 hour days). Occasionally 8 day Tuesday-Tuesday hitches are required. The season is roughly split 50/50 between local assignments and out-of-town assignments, requiring on-site camping. This is a very physically demanding job but the comradery and end state are very rewarding. The season will be March 30th-November 20th (end date is flexible).
To apply please send resume, references, and optional cover letter to johnwiegand@utah.gov
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Oversee chainsaw safety with the crew.
Be the main point of contact for landowners in the field.
Supervise volunteer/contract saw crews.
Crew administrative paperwork including timesheets, travel, injury reports, etc.
Attend relevant fuels committee meetings.
Tracking mileage and expenses while in the field.
Oversee equipment maintenance and repair.
Oversee wood and equipment hauling with large trucks.
Written end of week project reports.
Monitor herbicide mixing and legal application rates.
Follow directions and safely fight fire.
Occasionally use mapping software to make field maps.
Use Survey123 for project and incident reporting.
Mediate conflict in the field.
Required Qualifications:
1-2 years experience on field crew in a similar or lead capacity.
Make project level decisions based on stated goals and funding.
Some experience using a chainsaw in a professional setting.
Ability to resolve conflict, communicate respectfully with coworkers and members of the public, and be flexible to changing conditions.
Resolve work related concerns professionally with landowners.
Ability to work and camp on remote worksites for up to 8 days.
Driver’s License and ability to safely drive work trucks.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience handling herbicide and backing trailers
FFT2
FAL3 or better
Training Provided:
Firefighter Type 2 Crewmember (FFT2)
Wildland Fire Chainsaw (S-212/FAL3)
First Aid CPR
Successful completion of an arduous level pack test is required after initial training. While fire suppression is emphasized in training, time on fire assignments is generally limited and is not the primary focus of this position. There may be opportunities to go on local Initial Attack as well as 2-week interagency handcrew assignments, but a vast majority of the work will be on fuels reduction projects.
