Skip to main content

Water Handling Specialist

Position Description

Duties

  • Attends operational briefings.
  • Receives briefings from supervisor.
  • Identifies capability of engine and assigned personnel.
  • Develops plan to protect structures.
  • Coordinates and communicates with adjacent forces.
  • Locates and maps water sources.
  • Identifies and corrects performance deficiencies.
  • Confirms demobilization instructions with supervisor and brief subordinates.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Requires practical knowledge of standard procedures and rules supplemented by skill gained through extensive job experience and training.
  • Completion of S-230, Crew Boss.
  • Completion of S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior.
  • Must be qualified as Advanced Firefighter/Squad Boss.

Supervisory Controls

The supervisor makes assignments by defining the assignment scope, objectives, and priorities.

The incumbent is responsible for planning, organizing, and carrying out recurring work without detailed instructions.  The incumbent functions independently in directing crews and additional resources as qualified.

Completed work is usually evaluated for appropriateness, technical soundness and conformity to policy and requirements.  Methods used by the incumbent are not usually reviewed in detail.

Guidelines

Procedures for accomplishing the work are established; specific guidelines are available. 

The incumbent may determine which of several established alternatives to use.  Situations to which the existing guidelines cannot be applied or significant deviations from the guidelines are referred to the supervisor.

Complexity

Work involves accomplishing a wide variety of processes, tasks, and procedures.

Decisions depend upon several issues regarding the mission(s).  The appropriate course of action may be selected from many alternatives.

Scope and Effect

The work involves execution of rules, regulations and procedures and typically comprises a complete segment of an assignment or project.

The work product affects the reliability of further processes.

Personal Contacts

Contacts are with incident personnel, agency personnel at various levels of the agency, and others.  Contacts are in a moderately structured setting.

Purpose of Contacts

The purpose of contacts is to plan, coordinate, advise on the work, and to resolve operational problems.

Physical Demands

The work involves considerable and strenuous physical exertion.

Work Environment

The work involves high risk.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

New Glossary Term for Review

Date:  April 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

The Data Standards and Terminology Board is requesting feedback on a new glossary term: Resource Protection Measure (RPM).

The proposed definition is: Practical guidance provided for incident personnel in a manner in which incident objectives can be achieved while reducing impacts to identified resources across the landscape. RPMs are informed by, but not restricted to, Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics (MIST).

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback as appropriate through the following form: Request Feedback The comment period will close May 10, 2026.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Quarter Three materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

WFSTAR 2026 Core Components Module Package and 2025 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module