About Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc.
Wildfire Defense Systems (WDS) is the North American leader in insurer wildfire services, combining professional wildfire consulting and loss intervention services with Qualified Insurance Resources (QIR). Founded in 2001 to fulfill initial-attack assignments for the US Forest Service, the company added professional services support in 2005 and launched wildfire loss-intervention programs for insurers in 2008.
WDS Wildfire Loss Intervention Service (WDS Service) applies a comprehensive approach to reducing risk in catastrophic exposure on an industry scale, decreasing the average annual loss (AAL) for our insurer clients, and providing peace of mind to their policy holders during wildfire events. WDS provides these industry-leading services to insurer clients and their policy holders across a 22-state service area.
Status: Exempt
Reports To: Regional Coordination Business Manager
Location: Visalia, CA
A. Job Summary
The Battalion Supervisor (BATS) position is a leadership and management role with a primary focus on administrative functions, including logistics, planning, coordination, and personnel oversight (approximately 85% of duties). The BATS is responsible for ensuring operational readiness and organizational efficiency through effective leadership, employee training, resource and supply management, and administrative oversight of personnel, vehicles, inventory, and data/metrics reporting.
As a direct supervisor of assigned field personnel, the BATS is accountable for maintaining a positive, professional workplace culture aligned with Wildfire Defense Systems’ (WDS) core performance standards: Safety, People, and Mission. The BATS ensures that all team members meet these standards consistently.
Secondary responsibilities (approximately 15%) include the safe coordination of WDS resources with Incident Management Teams (IMT) and Incident Command Teams (ICT), serving as a liaison between field operations and the WDS Fire Watch Office or assigned Insurance Response Commander (IRC). During periods of elevated wildfire activity, the BATS may be deployed to an Incident Command Post (ICP) as the senior WDS representative, providing incident management support and operational guidance in the absence of a Taskforce Leader (TFLD) or Liaison Officer (LOFR).
The BATS reports directly to the Regional Coordination and Business Manager (RCBM) during routine operations and, when deployed, operates within the WDS incident management structure, reporting to the Fire Watch Office or designated RCBM, depending on the complexity of the response.
B. Duties and Responsibilities
Business Administration and Management (Primary Mission 85%)
The Battalion Supervisor (BATS) serves as the first level of management within the Field Services Division and is primarily responsible for the administration of Wildfire Defense Systems (WDS) business operations. This role emphasizes administrative leadership, including the coordination of personnel, oversight of daily workflows, and execution of operational decisions that align with WDS goals and objectives.
The BATS ensures the efficient organization and deployment of Task Force Leaders (TFLDs) and other field resources, while maintaining accountability for the timely completion of all administrative responsibilities.
These include, but are not limited to:
1. Planning/Organizing
- Develops and communicates daily, weekly, and monthly operational goals and schedules for assigned personnel.
- Leads and directs staff in the execution of administrative tasks, ensuring clarity of expectations and alignment with organizational priorities.
- Coordinates resource allocation and task assignments to support operational readiness and mission success.
2. Reporting and Documentation
- Ensures timely and accurate completion of all required reports, including personnel activity logs, resource utilization, and incident documentation.
- Maintains up-to-date records in WDS systems, including data entry for metrics, inventory, and operational performance.
- Reviews and submits documentation in accordance with WDS administrative protocols and deadlines.
3. Personnel Oversight
- Manages daily administrative functions related to workforce supervision, including scheduling, timekeeping, and performance tracking.
- Conducts regular check-ins with assigned personnel to ensure compliance with WDS standards and expectations.
- Supports onboarding, training coordination, and documentation for new and existing employees.
4. Resource and Asset Management
- Oversees the administrative tracking and allocation of field assets, including vehicles, equipment, and supplies.
- Ensures inventory systems are updated regularly and discrepancies are addressed promptly.
- Coordinates with logistics and supply teams to maintain operational readiness and resource accountability.
5. Compliance and Standards Enforcement
- Ensures all administrative practices align with WDS policies, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements.
- Monitors adherence to internal standards and escalates issues as needed to the Regional Coordination and Business Manager (RCBM).
- Supports audits, inspections, and internal reviews by providing accurate and complete administrative records.
Incident and Resource Management (Secondary Mission 15%)
1. Prepare, Mobilize, and Brief
- Coordinate with WDS Incident Response staff and the Fire Watch Commander to ensure alignment with company objectives and safe execution of operations.
- Verify readiness and fitness for duty of assigned personnel, and ensure vehicles and equipment are clean, functional, and deployment-ready.
- Review Incident Action Plans (IAPs), obtain operational briefings, and clarify mission objectives.
- When assigned, travel to designated locations to oversee WDS field operations and serve as the senior WDS representative at the Incident Command Post (ICP).
- Participate in ICP briefings and planning meetings to maintain situational awareness and operational alignment.
- Collect and analyze incident intelligence to anticipate fire behavior, inform containment strategies, and guide resource deployment.
- Establish and communicate a clear Common Operating Picture (COP) to supervisors and subordinates, ensuring shared understanding of incident objectives and service delivery expectations.
2. Incident-Specific Leadership
- Serve as the Incident Insurance Resource Commander (IRC), when qualified, overseeing all on-site WDS personnel and acting as the primary liaison to the Incident Commander’s staff.
- Clearly communicate WDS’s mission and operational scope to IMT personnel.
- Collaborate with the Fire Watch Office and IMT to develop and adjust mission strategies.
- Actively participate in the incident planning process to ensure WDS integration and effectiveness.
3. Communication and Coordination
- Adhere to established communication protocols and chain of command for information flow.
- Ensure timely, accurate, and consistent communication across WDS and IMT structures.
- Deliver operational briefings and updates to ensure all stakeholders are informed and aligned.
4. Risk Management
- Implement WDS’s Risk Management Process to ensure the safety of personnel and operations.
- Conduct formal safety briefings with field staff, emphasizing hazard identification and mitigation strategies.
- Maintain accountability for the location, health, and welfare of all assigned personnel.
5. Demobilization
- Plan and coordinate demobilization activities in accordance with incident and agency protocols.
- Brief personnel on demobilization procedures, responsibilities, and timelines.
- Ensure proper documentation and compliance with all demobilization requirements.
6. Additional Duties
- Represent WDS in discussions with IMT personnel regarding insurance response protocols, using WDS SOPs as guidance.
- Maintain current NWCG Incident Qualification Card with light or moderate work capacity test.
C. Tour of Duty
This is a full-time, in-person, year-round position with a flexible off-season schedule designed to balance workload demands during peak wildfire activity periods.
D. Job Requirements / Required Qualifications
1. A combination of accredited education, demonstrated leadership experience, and a proven track record of success in managing large teams within complex operational or resource management environments. Experience should be equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or higher. Preferred fields of study include Business Administration, Emergency/Incident Management, or Logistics.
2. Extensive leadership experience—minimum of five years—in progressively responsible roles overseeing large, diverse teams in dynamic, high-tempo environments. Experience should reflect the ability to lead across multiple operational domains, including logistics, personnel management, and incident response.
3. Demonstrated success in applying the principles of the Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) in real-world scenarios. Prior qualifications or verifiable experience in incident management roles are highly preferred.
4. Proven ability to lead with integrity, sound judgment, and strategic foresight—fostering a positive, professional, and mission-driven culture across large teams and geographically dispersed operations.
5. Strong organizational and management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands, solve complex problems, and adapt to rapidly changing operational conditions.
6. Expertise in authoring and delivering operational documentation, including daily mission plans, training outlines, After Action Reports (AARs), and contributions to Incident Action Plans (IAPs), clearly articulating goals, strategies, and tactical objectives.
7. Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, field personnel, and interagency partners.
8. Demonstrated commitment to a culture of safety, with a deep understanding of risk management principles and the ability to implement safety protocols in high-risk environments.
9. Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications and operational platforms such as Power Apps, with the ability to manage data, reporting, and digital workflows efficiently.
E. Physical Requirements
The physical demands described below represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The role includes both administrative and field-based responsibilities, requiring a balance of office-based tasks and physical activity in dynamic environments.
1. Administrative/Office Environment (Approximately 85%)
- Regularly required to communicate effectively through speaking and listening.
- Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers for typing or handling objects, and reach with arms.
- Must be able to work at a computer for extended periods and manage multiple administrative tasks simultaneously.
2. Field Operations (Approximately 15%)
- Must be capable of lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 30 pounds.
- Required to walk, stand, and perform physical tasks for extended periods in outdoor environments, often under adverse weather or terrain conditions.
- May be required to push, pull, lift, or carry equipment and supplies.
- Must possess sufficient core strength and endurance to perform physical tasks with minimal fatigue.
- Requires good manual dexterity, coordination of multiple limbs, and the ability to move quickly and efficiently.
- High levels of stamina and physical resilience are essential for success in field deployments.
F. Supervisory Status
This position supervises others.
G. Salary Range
$85,0000 - $90,000
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts WDS rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
The pay range for this role is:
85,000 - 90,000 USD per year
Pay: $85,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Bereavement leave
- Dental insurance
- Dependent health insurance coverage
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
