Water Tender Operator

Thank you for your interest in this position.  This document provides additional information and some of the requirements to operate a Wildfire Water Tender. 

You must have at least a Class B CDL.  You must also have the tanker endorsement.  This is a requirement of the Forest Service and UDOT and is not optional.  As of February 7, 2022 the laws have changed concerning CDL licenses and you are required to take a class to get your CDL (commercial drivers license).  According to our research, for a class B CDL, classes are usually 3 weeks long, approx. 8 hours per day, and cost about $3,000. A Class specifically for a ‘Class B’ CDL is offered at the Dixie Technical College in St George. Both the Southwest Technical College in Cedar and Dixie Tech in St George offer Class A CDL classes which are 4 weeks and cost a little more.  You may be able to find these classes in your area. 

If you do not already have a CDL we cannot accept your application for this position.  We do not pay for CDL classes.  This is your responsibility.  You may apply after you take the class but there is no guarantee we will have positions available.  We are constantly looking for good, reliable drivers that can meet the irregular schedule of this position but the work depends entirely on the US Forest Service requesting our equipment to help battle wildland fires throughout the Western United States.  It is at their sole discretion and we have no control over how often our Water Tenders are used.  You must also attend short 2 to 3 hour class each year, including this year. This class is a Fireline Refresher RT-130 course and is offered in different locations throughout the state and across the country.

Richfield offers the class on April 15 from 9am - 12pm. 

Cedar City offers the class on April 20 from 10am - 1pm. The class is free but you must attend and receive your certificate.

When we do get called out, we have 24 hours to prepare and leave for the location of the fire. That means you have to be able to come to Cedar City, Utah within 18-20 hours, prepare the equipment for and pass a local inspection, and then head to the fire which could be anywhere in the Western United States.

If you accept the position and are called to operate a Water Tender at a fire, you may be part of a 2 man team.  As part of our contract with the Forest service they have the option to request a ‘double shift’ which means 2 persons would operate the Water Tenders 24 hours a day. 8-12 hour shifts each.  If only 1 operator is requested your shifts could be anywhere from 8-16 hours.

When you are on a fire, you stay at basecamp.  All meals are provided and there are bathroom, sink and shower facilities available for your use.  A camping area is provided.

Besides the RT-130 refresher course we will also provide training on the use and care of the Water Tenders.  We will schedule a time for this after you complete the RT-130 Refresher course.

If you are interested or have any further questions please click the 'Apply Now' button below.  

We hope to have a list of qualified operators.  We will rank them based on experience and qualifications.  When the water tenders are assigned to a fire we move down the list from highest rank to lowest until we find an operator(s) who can go. Accepting the calls will move you up/keep you on the top of the list.  Turning down assignments will rank you lower.  Please let us know if you have any additional questions.

Pay: $300 - $400 per day

Click the button below to apply!