Temporary Wildfire Mitigation Specialist

Wildfire Mitigation Education and Safety Programs Coordinator

Under limited supervision, research, coordinate, and deliver wildfire mitigation education and safety programs.

Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities:

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.

Develop 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 the development and delivery of online wildfire safety and evacuation plans and communication strategies for communities. Assists with mitigation training and wildfire prevention, including prescribed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 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 federal, state, local, and county wildfire 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

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.

• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of or experience with National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA programs, practices, and assessments, or similar wildland fire public education programs
• Experience independently conducting or supervising vegetation clearing, power equipment operations, or environmental information collection activities in remote locations.
• Experience maintaining and operating outdoor power tools (chainsaws, line trimmers) and equipment (farm tractors, compact loaders)
• Experience operating 4-wheel drive vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, or utility vehicles in an off-road environment.
• Experience towing trailers in urban, rural, or off-road settings.
• Ability to prepare and communicate project and program information to internal and external customers.

Position Overview:

The selected candidate will support the Austin Water Wildland Conservation Division's prescribed fire and fuels program, working as a project and/or crew manager as Austin Water utilizes…