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Division Group Supervisor

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

DIVS Qualification Requirements

Required Training

Required Experience

  • Satisfactory performance as a Task Force Leader (TFLD)
  • AND Completion and Certification of NWCG Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS) Position Task Book, PMS 311-09 

OR

  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3)
  • AND Completion and Certification of NWCG Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS) Position Task Book, PMS 311-09

OR

  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4)
  • AND Satisfactory performance in any two Strike Team Leader positions (one must be STCR or STEN)
  • AND Completion and Certification of NWCG Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS) Position Task Book, PMS 311-09

Physical Fitness Level: Arduous

Duties involve fieldwork requiring physical performance calling for above-average endurance and superior conditioning. These duties may include an occasional demand for extraordinarily strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time. Requirements include running, walking, climbing, jumping, twisting, bending, and lifting more than 50 pounds; the pace of work typically is set by the emergency situation.

These Positions Maintain Currency For DIVS

  • Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS)
  • Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3)
  • Operations Branch Director (OPBD)
  • Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC)
  • Operations Section Chief Type 1 (OSC1)
  • Operations Section Chief Type 2 (OSC2)
  • Operations Section Chief Type 3, Wildland Fire (OPS3)
  • Safety Officer Complex (SOFC)
  • Safety Officer Type 1 (SOF1)
  • Safety Officer Type 2 (SOF2)
  • Strike Team Leader including (STCR, STEQ, STEN)
  • Structure Protection Specialist (STPS)
  • Task Force Leader (TFLD)

DIVS Maintains Currency For These Positions

Other Training Which Supports Development Of Knowledge And Skills

Note

Once qualified as a DIVS, the OPS3 qualification may be granted by the certifying official. Certification must be documented.

USWDS Paragraphs

This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Division Group Supervisors need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on prerequisite experience (e.g., fire behavior, strategic operations, burn planning).

Alternative Pathways to NWCG Qualification

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

Date: March 7, 2025
Contact: National Interagency Aviation Committee

The NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating airtankers on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508, and any applicable agency plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

Incident Position Standards and Next Gen Position Task Books Now Available for Dispatch Incident Positions

Date: March 5, 2025
Contact: National Coordination System Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all six Dispatch positions:

  • Aircraft Dispatcher
  • Expanded Dispatch Coordinator
  • Expanded Dispatch Recorder
  • Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher
  • Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher
  • Initial Attack Dispatcher

The Performance Support Packages for these positions, including the Expanded Dispatch Job Aid, J-601 and the Initial Attack and Aircraft Dispatcher Job Aid, J-602, were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Aircraft Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Coordinator Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Recorder Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Initial Attack Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Job Aids 

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for DMOB, DOCL, and RESL

Date: February 28, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Demobilization Unit Leader (DMOB), Documentation Unit Leader (DOCL), and Resources Unit Leader (RESL).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions, including a job aid for RESL, were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Demobilization Unit Leader Position Page 

NWCG Documentation Unit Leader Position Page 

NWCG Resources Unit Leader Position Page 

Next Generation Position Task Book and Updated Incident Position Description Now Available for Operations Section Chief Complex

Date: February 27, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC) has a Next Generation NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC), PMS 311-108 and an updated Incident Position Description.

These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

References:

NWCG Operations Section Chief Complex Position Page 

NWCG Operations Section Chief Complex Incident Position Description 

NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC), PMS 311-108