Seasonal Defensible Space Specialist

The Truckee Fire Protection District is accepting applications from qualified individuals for the position of Seasonal Defensible Space Specialist. This position will serve on the Wildfire Prevention Division with a primary goal of conducting community outreach & education through defensible space inspections, and offering support through community wildfire prevention fund programs like green waste pick-up, home hardening rebates, and other assistance programs. This position reports daily to Station 91 in Downtown Truckee, CA, and works primarily in the field conducting exterior defensible space inspections of Truckee & Donner Summit Communities. The eligibility list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies. *Multiple openings are available.  

The position appointment period is April 29, 2024 -October 25, 2024. Compensation is $23.34-$29.79 per hour depending on experience, education, and qualifications. The position will be open until filled.  Oral Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of March 11, 2024.

Under general supervision of the Wildfire Prevention Manager, the Defensible Space Specialist(s) will perform a range of technical duties involving defensible space inspections, outreach and education, green waste and chipping programs, provide assistance & customer service to the general public, and other duties as assigned.  This is a seasonal non-safety position that works a 40-hour work week. The District may allow a less than 40-hour work week on a case-by-case basis. Weekend and holiday work may occasionally be required in order to fully engage our ephemeral population.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older
• High School diploma or GED
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurability
• Efficient in Microsoft Office 365, Word and Excel, with ability to learn other computer programs and tablet-based applications

Desirable Qualifications

• Possess good communication skills
• Comfortable interacting with the public
• Have the ability to acquire and learn new skills quickly
• Customer service experience
• Wildland firefighting experience
• Experience performing defensible space inspections
• Education with course work in forest management, fire science, natural resources, environmental science, or other related fields
• Comfortable utilizing modern technology including computers, smartphones, tablets and applications
• Familiar with California Public Resources Code 4291
• Understand private property rights and plain view
• Familiar with green waste disposal and chipping programs
• Ability to identify and name common grasses, shrubs, and trees & communicate their fire risks
• Familiar with Home Hardening and communicating retrofit options to property owners
• California State Fire Marshal Fire Inspector 1A-1D, 2A, 2B

Come join our Wildfire Prevention Team!