Program Specialist II

Job Title Program Specialist II Agency Texas A&M Forest Service Department Fire Info/Education

Proposed Minimum Salary $4,833.34 monthly

Job Location College Station, Texas

Job Type Staff

The Program Specialist II (Fire Information & Education) plays a crucial role in advancing wildfire information and education for Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) by effectively communicating to diverse audiences. This includes communicating the role and impact of aviation resources in wildfire response, ensuring the public understands aerial firefighting operations and safety considerations. Key responsibilities include developing outreach strategies to communicate complex fire-related issues to the public and media, including aerial firefighting operations and the capabilities and limitations of aviation resources.

The role serves as a key aviation information resource, ensuring accurate, timely communication about aerial firefighting operations, aircraft capabilities and safety considerations during wildfire response. The role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including community members, government officials and agencies to inform the public about fire management activities and risk mitigation, aerial operations and incident response activities. It also encompasses the creation and dissemination of educational materials, coordination of fire communication and support for interdisciplinary initiatives.

Additionally, the position requires writing and producing comprehensive written content, providing leadership in public information efforts during incidents, including those involving complex aviation operations requiring timely, accurate and safety-focused communication and supporting prevention and messaging campaigns during periods of high fire danger. This includes crafting targeted messaging to raise awareness of fire risks, promote mitigation actions and ensure public safety.

The role may also involve responding to legislative requests and producing detailed reports for the division, ensuring that all communication efforts align with broader organizational goals and legislative priorities.

• Communicate with and educate internal and external audiences, especially media partners, about agency aviation operations, aerial firefighting, wildfire, all-hazard response, prevention, etc. Develop outreach strategies to communicate complex issues.
• Serve as a public information officer in support of the agency's information function. Respond to requests for accurate and timely information.
• Work with and support prevention teams and post fire assessment teams as well as other response operations in support of the agency's mission.
• Write, edit and produce well-researched, thorough written material such as official correspondence, press releases, success stories, reports, talking points, etc.
• Help implement and maintain effective processes for collecting photos, videos and content for social media, websites, reports, etc. Ensure aviation operations are accurately and effectively documented and communicated.
• Help provide leadership and support to the agency public information officers. Facilitate development opportunities for public information officers.
• Coordinate among departments to integrate fire communication and education programs into broader division projects, ensuring that fire management initiatives are supported across all relevant areas.

• 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 opportunities.
• Some additional benefits include the ability to accrue compensatory time off, overtime pay during emergency response, uniform allowance, professional development opportunities, position-specific training at not cost and a physical fitness incentive of $500 for passing the arduous test (walk three miles wearing a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes…