Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (Fire Adapted Communities)

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field, plus two (2) years of relevant experience.
• One (1) additional year of experience may substitute for one (1) year of the required education with a maximum substitution of four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Must be able to obtain International Society of Arboriculture ( ISA ) Wildfire Risk Reduction qualification, Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI ) certification, or National Fire Protection Association ( NFPA ) Wildfire Mitigation Specialist certification within one (1) year of acceptance of position.
• Valid State of Texas Class “C” Driver License

Notes to Applicants
The Wildfire Mitigation Specialist provides support for the coordination and implementation of multiple programs, such as Community Wildfire Protective Plans, Firewise Communities, Fire Prevention, Fuels Mitigation and Defensible Space. This position manages efforts in meeting targets for reduction of wildfire risk and also directs and coordinates special projects. This position fosters community-wide initiatives and cooperative partnerships to advance and promote wildfire mitigation best practices. They serve as a liaison with the AFD Prevention Division on implementing voluntary compliance with Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI ) Mitigation best practices. They present at public meetings and serve as a technical advisor for partners and the public related to wildfire. This position frequently coordinates and collaborates with stakeholders and ensures project compliance with existing regulations, codes, and policies. WMS implements trainings and develops materials to facilitate wildfire mitigation best practices.

Please note the following when completing the City of Austin application for this position:

• Please be sure to detail on the application all the previous employment experience you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. Please include contact information from previous employers.
• A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications, and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered.
• A resume is required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please do not use the phrase “see resume” or refer to other documents to complete your application. Do not leave the “Duties and Responsibilities” sections blank. Applications missing information and/or documents will be deemed incomplete applications and will not be considered.
• Austin Fire Department may close the posting any time after seven days from the initial advertisement. Once a position is closed, no additional applications will be accepted.

Travel:
If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
Pay Range
$27.16 - $32.87 per hour
Hours
Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Job Close Date 05/17/2024 Type of Posting External Department Fire Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Technical Location 12010 Brodie Ln, Austin, TX 78743 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Ability to plan and develop advertising/promotional campaigns/strategies.
• Experience in media relations to include: media buying, news releases, and fielding questions from media.
• Skills in Assessing various community concerns, values, and opinions on Wildfire Division projects, programs, and initiatives, and presents findings to Division staff.
• Fluent with various social media platforms and public facing information Apps.
• Experience in community engagement and collaborating with non-governmental organizations and volunteer groups.
• Fluency in Spanish.
• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Assists with coordination, development and delivery of wildfire education programs and training to support Community Wildfire Protection Plans ( CWPP ). Engages community involvement to address all elements of the Fire Adapted Community’s ( FAC ) objectives of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, supporting safe and effective wildfire response, fire adapted communities, and fire resilient landscapes. Develops presentations and educational materials for community wildfire safety including coordinating with Geographic Information Systems ( GIS ) Analysts to develop area risk models. Liaison with internal and external city department partners, agencies, and community resources for joint efforts in wildfire education and training. Assists with assessment and development of wildland fire prevention strategies based on documented fire causes. Assists in development and delivery of online wildfire safety and evacuation plans and communication strategies for communities. Assists with mitigation training and wildfire prevention, including prescribed burns. Reviews, interprets, and educates on wildfire-related policies, codes, regulations, ordinances, plans, and proposals for compliance.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of wildland fire behavior.
• Knowledge of National Fire Protection Association ( NFPA ) Firewise USA , Community Wildfire Protection Plans ( CWPP ), Fire Adapted Communities ( FAC ), and Fire Resilient Landscape ( FRL ) practices and standards.
• Knowledge of National Wildfire Coordinating Group ( NWCG ) practices and standards.
• Knowledge of the Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI ) code.
• Knowledge of Home Ignition Zone ( HIZ ), ISA Wildfire Risk Reduction, and Responding to the Interface principles.
• Knowledge of applicable wildfire federal, state, local, and county laws, rules, regulations, codes, and guidelines.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in both written and verbal communications.
• Skill in delivering presentations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees, citizens, public safety agencies, and community organizations.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to train others.

Criminal Background Investigation This position does not require a Criminal Background Investigation EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field, plus two (2) years of relevant experience. One (1) additional year of experience may substitute for one (1) year of the required education with a maximum substitution of four (4) years. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* This position has the following requirements: Must be able to obtain International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Wildfire Risk Reduction qualification, Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) certification, or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Wildfire Mitigation Specialist certification within one (1) year of acceptance of position. Do you meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License. Do you have a valid Texas Class C Driver License or, if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a valid Texas Class C Driver License by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

* What local and national programs and tools have you used to implement Community Wildfire Preparedness?
(Open Ended Question)
* How do you leverage Geographic Information Systems to communicate wildfire concerns?
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Resume Optional Documents Cover Letter

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