Now Hiring - Engine Boss
We’re looking for an engine boss who brings more than technical expertise to the job—they bring character, sound judgment, and a commitment to serving others. Our ideal candidates put safety first, lead with honesty, integrity, empathy, and respect, and communicate openly while embracing feedback and continuous improvement. In high-pressure, rapidly changing environments, they remain calm, adaptable, and dependable, building trust with their crews and partner agencies while contributing to a positive, professional team culture.
Engine Boss — Join the Wildland Team
Full-Time | $70,000–$80,000 annually | Overtime available on deployments
When wildfire conditions change in an instant, strong leadership matters. Nederland Fire Protection District is looking for an experienced Engine Boss who leads with safety, sound judgment, and confidence—and who knows how to bring a crew together when the pressure is on.
As an Engine Boss, you’ll lead assigned wildland engine resources during emergency incidents, interagency deployments, prescribed fire, fuels mitigation, training, and District readiness activities. You’ll be responsible for the safety, accountability, and tactical performance of your crew while operating within the Incident Command System and your current NWCG qualifications.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and supervise wildland engine crews during incidents, deployments, prescribed fire, mitigation projects, and training.
- Make timely, risk-based decisions while monitoring fire behavior, weather, fuels, terrain, and changing conditions.
- Establish strong communication, accountability, crew welfare, and LCES throughout operations.
- Operate and maintain wildland apparatus, pumps, hose, tools, radios, PPE, and other assigned equipment.
- Support training, qualification development, after-action reviews, and operational readiness.
- Participate in fuels reduction, defensible-space, prescribed-fire, and community education projects.
- Build strong working relationships with District personnel, cooperating agencies, incident management teams, and the community.
What We’re Looking For
You’re more than a qualified firefighter—you’re a leader others can rely on. You put safety first, communicate clearly, stay calm under pressure, accept feedback, and lead with honesty, integrity, accountability, empathy, and respect.
Minimum qualifications include:
- Current NWCG Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) qualification and prerequisites
- Current FFT1, ICT5, Faller 3, and Incident Qualification Card (Red Card)
- Current BLS Provider certification
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
Preferred: Three or more years of Engine Boss experience, Colorado Firefighter 1 or higher, Colorado EMT certification, and experience with prescribed fire, fuels mitigation, WUI operations, training, and interagency deployments.
Why Nederland?
This is an opportunity to do meaningful work in a challenging wildland environment while serving a community that depends on skilled, prepared, and committed professionals. If you’re ready to lead from the front, take care of your people, and make a difference when it matters most, we want to hear from you.