Joint Task Force Rattlesnake Hand Crew OIC/NCOIC E-6(P) to E-7 / O-1 to O-2 / WO-1 to WO-2- California

Position Details 
Position Title: Hand Crew OIC/NCOIC
Opening Date:  14 April 2026
Closing Date:  Open Until Filled
Rank Requirement: E-6(P) to E-7 / O-1 to O-2 / WO-1 to WO-2
Applicants: CA Army National Guard (CAARNG) CA Air National Guard (CAANG) CA State Guard (CSG) 

Vacancy Announcement Details 
Joint Task Force Rattlesnake is accepting applications for the position indicated above. The Service Member (SM) will be appointed to start on a three (3) month probation period to properly acclimate to current Task Force 
SOP's, physical requirements, and demanding work schedule. Continuation and subsequent extensions of service will be determined by the individual's duty performance and continuation of funding. The Service Member selected for this position will be paid utilizing the Emergency Activation Pay (EAP) scale and will include additional monthly stipends. Monthly salary will increase if SM is activated on an incident for that day (Hazardous Duty Pay). Lodging and per diem is not provided by the Task Force. Applications with incorrect information and/or failure to meet minimum requirements will cause your application to be rejected from consideration. 

Fire Fighter 1C Course 
All qualified applicants will be required to successfully complete all physical and academic requirements for the Fire Fighter 1 C Course hosted by CAL FIRE. This course consists of a physically demanding 8-day training (travel days included) at Camp Roberts. This training will begin with JTFRS Physical Assessment Challenge (PAC) on day one (1). Consisting of the following events: Hand Release Push Ups, Planks, and a timed Hike (with a 35Ibs rucksack). All SMs (regardless of rank) are required to actively participate and pass all physical and academic events. 
Upon completion of the course, SMs will be provided with enough time to report to their newly assigned crew. Reimbursement for moving and relocation expenses are not included. The FF1 C Certificate is also a prerequisite 
for those SMs seeking employment with CAL FIRE. 

Online Prerequisites 
All qualified applicants must complete the following courses prior to attending the Fire Fighter 1 C Course. 
• S-190: Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior 
• L-180: Human Factors in the Wildland Fires Service 
• S-130: Firefighting Training 
• ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System 
• ICS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response 
Failure to submit all training certificates will result in SMs termination from the course. See "JTFRS - Online 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 
• The OIC/NCOIC serves as the senior enlisted leader for a Joint Task Force Rattlesnake crew and is responsible for the leadership, discipline, readiness, and operational effectiveness of up to 24 Soldiers. 
• Lead by example and accept responsibility. The OIC/NCOIC is expected to serve as a leader 24/7 regardless of duty status. 
• Responsible for checking emails, text messages, and/or phone calls periodically to ensure you are updated and current with all tasks and/or FRAGOs. 
• Maintain full accountability for assigned crew (up to 24 Soldiers). 
• Ensure operations are executed safely and effectively in accordance with JTFRS SOPs and CAL FIRE standards. 
• Lead by example through physical fitness, discipline, and professional conduct. 
• Serve as an ARRO Operator, ensuring crew compliance with operational standards. 
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with CAL FIRE counterparts and other partner agencies. 
• Effective and safe assistance in vegetation management, fuels reduction projects and wildland fire suppression operations (to include scraping, digging, limbing, felling, piling, pulling, chipping, burning piles, and igniting broadcast burns & backfires). 
• Must be able to competently use hand and power tools including chainsaws, pole saws, a Pulaski, McLeods, shovels, drip torches, and fuzees. 
• Applicants will perform other duties as assigned. 
• Able to work up to 12-24 hour shifts depending on fire activity and/or as Task Force mission dictates (to include weekends and/or holidays) 
• Remain in good standing with M-Day Unit. Attending and completing required IDT, AT, PME, and/or any other federal duty obligation/requirements while on JTFRS is MANDATORY. 

Eligibility Requirements 
• Active members of the California Military Department (Army, Air, CSG) in the grades 0-1 through 0-2, E-6 through E-7, and WO-1 through WO-2, and a minimum of twelve months remaining on their contract may apply. 
• Must possess basic military written and verbal communication, computer and MS Office suite skills. Ability to work well under pressure, multitask, solve complex problems, communicate effectively, and stay in good physical condition. 
• Must be able to achieve results, be an effective leader and demonstrate sound judgment and decision making. 
• Required to meet height/weight and physical fitness standards prescribed by their military branch of membership. 
• Applicants must meet, and maintain, federally recognized medical fitness standards. 
• Must be physically able to perform duties with zero restrictions and/or profiles. 
• Must have no Individual Medical Readiness (IMR) deficiencies. 
• Must have no adverse actions/flags. 
• Must possess a valid state driver's license. 
• Must have means of transportation. 

Chuck Callahan