Wildfire Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Specialist

The ideal candidate is a mission-driven safety professional who pairs hands?on wildfire mitigation experience with strong emergency management acumen to enhance system reliability and community resilience across United Power’s service territory. You are adept at assessing risk, prioritizing high?hazard areas, and translating findings into actionable vegetation management cycles and mitigation projects. You lead the review and continuous improvement of our Wildfire Mitigation Plan and Emergency Response Plan, coordinate spill response,
and drive drills, training, and cross?functional readiness efforts. You excel at contractor oversight and performance reporting, and you build trusted relationships with emergency partners, utilities, and governmental agencies—representing United Power at summits, consortiums, and regulatory forums.

Your toolkit includes project management, clear written and verbal communication, and the ability to collaborate across Operations, Engineering, and community stakeholders, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with tools that support wildfire prediction (e.g., planning for red flag days). Credentials such as IC S/NIMS, FEMA coursework (IS-700/IS-800, IC S-300/400), ISA utility arborist, Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, or environmental compliance/spill response certifications are highly valued.

Candidates typically bring 5+ years in wildfire mitigation/vegetation management, emergency preparedness, utility operations, public safety, or closely related fields—and a valid Colorado driver’s license (or ability to obtain). Former firefighters with wildfire response or mitigation experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

Under the general direction of the Vice President of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Risk, the Wildfire Mitigation & Emergency Preparedness Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing programs that reduce wildfire risk, ensure environmental compliance, and strengthen emergency preparedness across United Power’s service territory. This position oversees vegetation management activities, develops and implements wildfire mitigation strategies, directs spill response, and leads emergency response planning and training.

The role emphasizes proactive risk reduction, regulatory compliance, and community engagement to enhance safety, reliability, and resilience.

• Review and update the Wildfire Mitigation Plan annually, with comprehensive updates every three years.
• Identify and prioritize high-risk areas and develop circuit trimming cycles, contributing to annual job planning and budgeting processes and integrating wildfire mitigation strategies into both short? and long-term planning.
• Support vegetation management programs by ensuring contractor quality control, while leading project implementation, tracking, and reporting of performance metrics to ensure program goals and commitments are met.
• Increase community outreach and wildfire awareness through public communication efforts and coordination with external agencies and utilities.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with contractors, emergency partners, other utilities, and government entities.

• Represent United Power at wildfire summits, consortium meetings, and regulatory forums.
• Assist system operations in predicting and planning for red flag days using advanced tools and technology.

• Regularly review and update the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) to reflect current risks and best practices.
• Lead emergency response training, drills, and exercises for staff.
• Conduct risk assessments and manage risk reduction initiatives in coordination with staff to strengthen organizational preparedness for environmental and operational emergencies.
• Collaborate with public safety partners within United Power's service territory.
• Oversee spill response programs, ensuring proper reporting and compliance with regulatory requirements as part of emergency protocols.

• Creates, expands, and maintains professional and productive…