Wildland Urban Interface Coordinator – Region 5

Job Title

Wildland Urban Interface Coordinator – Region 5

Agency

Texas A&M Forest Service

Department

Region 5

Proposed Minimum Salary

$4,250.00 monthly

Job Location

Edinburg, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

This position reports to the Regional Operations Chief – Region 8 with an emphasis on the wildland urban interface areas within the region. Primarily responsible for planning, implementing and providing technical assistance for wildfire prevention programs that include Community Wildfire Protection Plans, Firewise Communities, completing risk Assessments and fuel management/reduction projects.  This position will also coordinate with municipal, county and federal agencies on local, regional and state-wide Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) programs and provide proactive technical assistance to community based wildfire prevention programs. Assist with the delivery of conservation education efforts as directed. May be asked to serve in various roles during emergency response efforts including wildfire and all-hazard response, including servering as an agency Public Information Officer (PIO). Region 7 consists of offices in the following cities: Alice, Beeville and Edinburg.

Responsibilities:
-Develop, deliver and/or assist with agency mitigation and prevention programs that include Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP), Firewise Communities, completing WUI Risk Assessments and fuel management/reduction issues.  Coordinate with and provide technical assistance to municipal, county and federal agencies on agency-offered WUI programs and community based wildfire prevention programs.  Encourage cities, counties and fire departments to participate in proactive prevention and mitigation programs to adopt a CWPP or achieve recognized Firewise USA community status.

-Assist with the field delivery of fuel reduction efforts, conservation education programs, regional wildfire prevention programs, wildland firefighting training and all-hazard response training programs.

-Ensures mitigation and prevention programs are completed in a cost effective manner, on schedule and within budget.  Ensure that programs are adequately tracked to meet any specified deliverable(s) and support that with the completion of timely reports. Completes administrative tasks in accordance with applicable laws, rules, procedures, and guidelines. 

-Serves on the Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) Incident Management, Fire Prevention and Wildlife Urban Interface Mitigation Teams with related training and preparedness. Act as PIO, as needed, for wildfire and other all-hazard responses. Coordinate all activities with Regional Operations Chief.

-Working Conditions: Works in an office environment and meets with external customers both inside an office environment and on-site locations in an outside environment.  Travels frequently in support of delivering proactive mitigation and prevention programs and is subject to emergency response assignments.  The position works within the NIMS/ICS environment at wildfires and at all hazard incidents.  During large scale wildfire outbreaks and all hazard incidents, will be assigned to the following areas: public information, prevention, incident management, fire suppression or emergency response efforts.  Requires maintaining TAMFS wildland firefighter moderate physical fitness standards (passing Moderate level WCT). May require working long hours with minimal rest in primitive conditions and may require exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as smoke, wind, sunlight, rain and temperature extremes.  May require walking long distances, standing for extended periods, twisting, bending, reaching and kneeling.  May require lifting and carrying heavy objects.  May require driving motor vehicles for long distances.  May require operating computers with monitors for extended periods of time. Required to carry agency cell phone device to facilitate 24/7 communication for emergency response.

-Other duties as assigned.

Benefits: Texas A&M University System strives to support the health and wellness needs of our diverse workforce. Texas A&M Forest Service offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off and health and lifestyle programs as well as educational incentives and tuition reimbursement. Some additional benefits include the ability to accrue compensatory time off, overtime on emergency response and a physical fitness incentive of $500 for passing the arduous test (walk three miles wearing a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less) each year.

Education and Experience:

Required Education : Bachelor’s degree in Range Science, Natural Resource Management,  Fire Management, Fire Ecology, Agriculture Leadership or closely related field.

Preferred Education : Master’s degree in Range Science, Natural Resource Management,  Fire Management, Fire Ecology, Agriculture Leadership or closely related field.
Required Experience : Entry level – no prior experience required.

Preferred Experience : Experience as a firefighter, instructor with a recognized volunteer or career fire department or wildland fire agency. Experience working in communication fields – traditional, social or print mediums. Experience with GIS.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Required Knowledge : Working knowledge of computers (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as presentation and various communication softwares.

Required Ability : Work independently and be self-directed. Develop and maintain relationships with various cooperators, stakeholders and the general public.  Work with all forms of the news media.  Work with GIS applications.  Travel and attend required training programs.  Multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Required Skills : Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Excellent interpersonal skills working with a wide variety of people.

Registrations, Certifications, and Licenses:
Required : Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one.

Preferred : Basic firefighter or higher. Fire prevention certifications for TCFP or SFFMA or any NWCG credentials.

Other Requirements:
Required: Ability to walk two miles in 30 minutes or less carrying a 25lb pack. Travel and/or working extended hours on short notice as well as ability to respond for 14+ days for emergency response. 

Preferred: Complete annual WCT at the arduous level: 3-mile walk carrying 45lbs. in 45 minutes or less.

Applicant Instructions:

A resume, cover letter and transcript  are required to be uploaded to application.  Documents/certifications can be uploaded in the “My Experience” page in the “Resume/CV section.  More than one document can be uploaded; just click the “Upload” button for each document.  Documents can only be loaded at this time and cannot be uploaded once the application is submitted.  If there are any issues uploading documents, please contact 979-458-6690.  Please check your spam folder in case more information is sent in regards to this position.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.