All About Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors
Forest Fire Fighting & Prevention Supervisor Definition Supervise fire fighters who control and suppress fires in forests or vacant public land.
List of Forest Fire Fighting & Prevention Supervisor Job Duties
- Direct and supervise prescribed burn projects and prepare postburn reports, analyzing burn conditions and results.
- Investigate special fire issues, such as railroad fire problems, right-of-way burning, or slash disposal problems.
- Request and dispatch crews and position equipment so fires can be contained safely and effectively.
- Educate the public about forest fire prevention by participating in activities such as exhibits or presentations or by distributing promotional materials.
- Serve as a working leader of an engine, hand, helicopter, or prescribed fire crew of three or more firefighters.
- Regulate open burning by issuing burning permits, inspecting problem sites, issuing citations for violations of laws and ordinances, or educating the public in proper burning practices.
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Forest Fire Fighting & Prevention Supervisor Required Skills
These are the skills Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors say are the most useful in their careers:
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Other Forest Fire Fighting & Prevention Supervisor Job Titles
- Firefighter Type One (FFT1)
- Squad Boss
- Forest Fire Management Officer
- Prevention Coordinator
- Supervisory Forester
Job Opportunities for Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors
There were about 59,100 jobs for Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisor in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,200 new jobs for Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisor by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Forest Fire Fighting & Prevention Supervisor are Utah, Texas, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Vermont, or Montana. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Forest Fire Fighting & Prevention Supervisor
Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors make between $42,320 and $122,910 a year.

Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors who work in California, New Jersey, or New York, make the highest salaries.
How much do Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $63,180 |
Alaska | $78,020 |
Arizona | $72,460 |
Arkansas | $52,880 |
California | $134,870 |
Colorado | $84,340 |
Connecticut | $88,870 |
Delaware | $80,440 |
Florida | $81,640 |
Georgia | $60,900 |
Hawaii | $92,650 |
Idaho | $58,070 |
Illinois | $90,860 |
Indiana | $66,510 |
Iowa | $70,130 |
Kansas | $59,190 |
Kentucky | $58,350 |
Louisiana | $61,120 |
Maine | $57,410 |
Maryland | $94,490 |
Massachusetts | $85,820 |
Michigan | $68,960 |
Minnesota | $74,970 |
Mississippi | $45,940 |
Missouri | $73,390 |
Montana | $66,710 |
Nebraska | $73,220 |
Nevada | $95,080 |
New Hampshire | $70,420 |
New Jersey | $115,590 |
New Mexico | $59,360 |
New York | $107,730 |
North Carolina | $61,070 |
North Dakota | $70,560 |
Ohio | $71,050 |
Oklahoma | $75,440 |
Oregon | $85,450 |
Pennsylvania | $75,910 |
Rhode Island | $68,550 |
South Carolina | $57,460 |
South Dakota | $72,020 |
Tennessee | $56,430 |
Texas | $76,800 |
Utah | $68,040 |
Vermont | $64,890 |
Virginia | $83,440 |
Washington | $102,430 |
West Virginia | $57,940 |
Wisconsin | $73,610 |
Wyoming | $74,050 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- ESRI ArcView
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Mapping software
- Fire incident reporting systems
- FlamMap
- FARSITE
- BehavePlus
How to Become a Forest Fire Fighting & Prevention Supervisor
Learn what Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisor education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become a Forest Fire Fighting & Prevention Supervisor?

Where Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors Are Employed

Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors work in the following industries:

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisor might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisor sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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