DFPC WFMS Firefighter IV: Module Captain - Cortez

Salary : $77,808.00 - $93,384.00 Annually
Location : Cortez, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: DFPC-WFMS-11045-10/2026
Department: Department of Public Safety
Division: Division of Fire Prevention and Control
Opening Date: 10/20/2026
Closing Date: 11/9/2026 9:00 AM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: 210 E 1st St, Cortez, CO 81321
Hiring Pay Rate: Anticipated Hiring Range: $6,484 - $7,782/month or $77,808 - $93,384/year
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information:
Salary Note: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.
Type of Announcement: A residency waiver has been granted for this announcement. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

Department Information
THIS POSITION HAS A RESIDENCY WAIVER

A residency waiver has been granted for this position. Applications will be accepted from both Colorado residents and non-residents.

This recruitment will be used to establish an eligibility list for current and future vacancies at the following location:

• Southwest District 4: Grizzly Peak Module Captain - Cortez, CO

An eligibility list may be established with this recruitment and could be used to fill similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.

Please refer to DFPC Fire Management Regions and Staff Link for more information regarding district boundaries Fire Management Regions and Staff

Classification and Salary:

Anticipated Hiring Range: $6,484 - $7,782/month; $77,808 - $93,384/year
Full Salary Range: $6,484 - $9,080/month; $77,808 - $108,960/year
Benefits:

We provide a wide range of benefits to our employees.

• Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.
• Eligible employees receive Basic Life and AD&D insurance equal to their annual earnings subject to a minimum benefit of $50,000 and a maximum of $250,000. Basic Life and AD&D are provided by the State of Colorado at no cost to employees.
• The State of Colorado's Wellness Program, State of Health, is a no-cost, year-long program that supports an employee's health and wellness goals. This program offers personalized health coaching, skill groups and more. Participants can earn a $20 per month health insurance premium discount.
• Through BenefitHub, State of Colorado employees have access to discounts, promotions and special programs from hundreds of retailers, restaurants, travel and entertainment venues throughout Colorado and across the country.
• State contribution into a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.
• Eligible employees have access to medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI).
• Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.
• We offer excellent retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans. For information on mandatory employee salary deferral (in lieu of contribution to Social Security), visit Colorado PERA for details.
• We provide generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave and four annual wellness days.
• The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state. It is our effort to support the well-being of employees and the workplace. EAPs provide short-term counseling, referrals and resources, as well as training and organizational development services.
• Tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
• We offer Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit State of Colorado benefits.

Description of Job
About the Work Unit

The mission of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property, resources, environment, and quality of life in Colorado. DFPC's vision is to be the Nation's premier state fire organization by acting with foresight, providing bold leadership, enhancing our partnerships, and exemplifying the highest level of professionalism in fire prevention and protection, while building a safe and supportive work environment for our employees.

The Division achieves this mission and vision through its four (4) Sections: Center of Excellence, Fire and Life Safety, Professional Qualifications and Training, and Wildland Fire Management. Each of the four sections serve Colorado's fire community in a different capacity- from training firefighters to technological advancements in public safety, responding to and managing wildfires to building code enforcement, DFPC is dedicated to serving and safeguarding the people of Colorado while protecting property, resources, environment and quality of life.

One of the Wildland Fire Management Section's (WFMS) primary roles is to assist and support local agencies with a range of wildland fire management programs including administrative, technical, preparedness, planning, response, and prescribed fire and fuels functions. Wildland fire management in Colorado is a cooperative, interagency partnership between local, county, state, tribal, and federal entities.Wildland fire protection responsibilities on non-federal lands in Colorado follow a hierarchy of: local jurisdiction > county sheriff > and finally to the State of Colorado (DFPC). WFMS plays a crucial role in coordinating with external partners and representing Colorado at both regional (multi-state) and national levels.

This position is an operational, field level position with supervisory responsibilities whose primary purpose is to: provide wildland fire suppression response and incident response; assist in mitigation, fuels, and prescribed fire functions; assist in fire-preparedness support including training; and provide response and support in other all hazard incident response as qualified.
Work Environment

• 100% In-person position
• This position may require call-back, extended staffing, and days-off staffing based on fire conditions, incident activity and availability of firefighter resources.

About the Position

The Module Captain is the supervisor of firefighting resources - typically a module, but may also be temporarily assigned to an engine, squad, module, or hand crew to provide a range of firefighting and related services.
The primary purpose of this position is to operate as a NWCG Single Resource Boss in support of wildland fire suppression and mitigation projects (i.e. prescribed fire, hazardous fuel reduction, and resource management). As assigned and qualified, this position will also provide all-hazard incident response and assists with other WFMS or DFPC programs. The Module Captain must have previous wildland firefighting experience and prior direct supervisory experience is highly preferred. This position also assists with training programs, qualification and dispatching systems, and other preparedness activities.
Key Responsibilities
Fire Suppression and Incident Response

• While providing for their individual safety and the safety of assigned employees, the employee supervises module operations during fire suppression and incident response work. Fire suppression and incident response work includes, but is not limited to:
  • constructs fireline utilizing hand tools;
  • cuts and clears vegetation utilizing power saws;
  • performs structure protection; conducts mop up and patrol operations;
  • carries out ignition operations; operates pumps;
  • installs hose lays and water delivery systems; performs and assists with rescue operations;
  • operates and travels in vehicles on and off-road;
  • hauls and packs fire related equipment and supplies;
  • uses various tools and equipment such as chainsaws, shovels, drip torches, fusees, pulaskis;
  • uses various communication methods including radios;uses maps, compass, GPS, and other technology and tools to gather information and navigate an incident;
  • performs safety inspections, maintaining and repairing of tools and equipment;
  • briefs crew on demobilization procedures,
  • compiles all required incident documentation including Crew Time Reports, Equipment Shift Tickets, resources orders.

• Based on location and business needs, the position will perform and oversee non-wildfire and all-hazard incident response and support functions as trained, qualified, and equipped including, but not limited to: search & rescue, low-angle rescue, swift water rescue and other all hazard incident response
• Requires intermediate fire knowledge and experience, skill in the application of firefighting tasks, and the ability to recognize and communicate safety considerations and other factors (fire intensity, fuel conditions, weather observations, etc.) used by higher qualified firefighters in their decision making process. This knowledge, skill, and ability is shown by being qualified as a NWCG Single Resource Boss (CRWB, ENGB, HMGB) qualification.
• On a limited basis, the employee may temporarily work as a Firefighter V if appropriately qualified, or may be required to supervise other single resources such as a squad, handcrew, engine or helitack crew if appropriately qualified.
• Incident response may require travel to active fires, severity assignments, and pre-position assignments throughout Colorado and across the nation.
• Incident response may require travel in rotor and/or fixed-wing aircraft for detection, reconnaissance, communication, coordination, command and control purposes prior to, during, and following wildland fire and all-hazard incidents.
• Incident response may require personnel to be assigned to an incident for two weeks or longer in austere living and working conditions.
• Incident response may require working long hours (up to 16 hours per day) in outdoor settings and performing strenuous manual labor under extreme environmental conditions.
• Work schedules will be expected to be flexible and modified at times to fit the business need based on fire conditions.
• Participates in regular physical training and conditioning during work hours to maintain fitness levels as directed by the supervisor.

Supervision
The Module Captain supervises assigned personnel and day-to-day operations. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Provides direction, oversight, support and training to assigned employees; evaluates employee schedules and work load, makes adjustments as conditions warrant;
• Based on general guidance from the DFPC Director, by and through the WFMS Chief, develops professional development plans for assigned employees while implementing the goals and mission from the District leadership to support all WFMS programs and incident response.
• Based on general guidance from the DFPC Director, by and through the WFMS Chief, develops work plans and schedules for subordinate staff including, but not limited to, training programs for staff and customers, community outreach and education, statistical reporting, and overall preparation for emergency response.
• Schedules, coordinates tasks and logistical needs, evaluates, and provides safety guidance and oversight to assigned employees.
• Conducts performance evaluations of all assigned employees, makes recommendations on remediation or advancement;
• Manages the hiring process, including interviews of applicants, makes recommendations to hire, promote or transfer;</li>