Resource Specialist

Job Description

The Resource Specialist I will attend all required training, assist with the delivery of agency programs to local communities, operate and maintain wildland fire suppression equipment, and respond to wildland fires and other all‑hazard incidents. They will conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.

• Serve as a wildland firefighter and/or emergency responder on a statewide basis. Duties include the operation of heavy fire‑fighting equipment, use of hand fire‑fighting tools, and ground reconnaissance on wildfires. Employee must meet and annually maintain a physical fitness standard, including a 2‑mile walk carrying a 25‑pound pack in 30 minutes or less, and obtain required NWCG training and Red Card Certification.
• Assist the Regional Fire Coordinator with the delivery of Capacity Building programs to volunteer fire departments and municipal fire departments. Support the development and delivery of these programs within Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) and with other government agencies. Programs include: VFD assistance, insurance, vehicle liability risk pool;
  Fire Safe; FEPP; VFA cost shares;
  Helping Hands; training; fire risk assessment; aviation; and TICC.
• Assist in the delivery of programs developed by Regional Fire Coordinators, Fire Prevention Specialists, Urban Interface Specialists, and Prescribed Burning Specialists. Support the Fire Risk Assessment Coordinator with data collection.
• Maintain assigned state vehicle, transport/dozers, and other emergency equipment in a professional state of readiness.
• Provide support for Fire Emergency Response and Forest Natural Resource programs as requested and support other TAMFS programs as requested.
• Manage and account for TAMFS credit cards in accordance with applicable laws, policies, rules, procedures, and guidelines.
• Serve on TAMFS Incident Management Team, Fire Prevention Teams, and Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Teams; time commitment dependent on the severity and frequency of fire seasons.
• Within 90 days of hire, establish a primary residency within 30‑minute travel time of the home base to ensure timely response.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

May require exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as 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, driving motor vehicles for long distances, and operating computers with monitors for extended periods of time.

• Education
  :
  Required – high school graduate or equivalent. Preferred – graduate with a 2‑year natural resources related technical degree.
• Experience
  :
  Required – one or more years of general work experience. Preferred – one or more years of experience with a volunteer fire department, municipal fire department, wildland fire agency, or wildland fire suppression. Experience as an instructor is also preferred.
• Knowledge,
  
  Skills and Abilities
  
  :
  Required – water delivery systems and PC‑based programs and software; ability to multi‑task and work cooperatively with others. Preferred – ability to utilize GIS/GPS programs, wildland fire hand tools, personal protective equipment, and wildland fire engines.
• Physical Fitness
  :
  Required – meet and maintain a moderate physical fitness standard; preferred – meet and maintain an arduous physical fitness standard.
• Commercial driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 60 days of hire.
• Preferred NWCG firefighter and prevention training or equivalent. Favored certifications include FFT‑1 under NWCG, TPL‑1, Dozer Operator, TCFP, or SFFMA Basic Firefighter or higher.

Texas A&M Forest Service offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life and long‑term disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, health and lifestyle programs, educational incentives, and tuition reimbursement opportunities. Additional benefits include the ability to accrue compensatory time off, overtime on emergency response, and a physical fitness incentive of $500 for passing the prescribed test each year.

Equal Opportunity / Veterans / Disability Employer.