Wildland Firefighter 3 - Fuels Management Specialist

State of Montana • Libby, MT

4d

About The Position

This Fuels Management Specialist position is located at Libby Unit and is a crucial position that will provide leadership in the fire program and expertise to various other programs within Libby Unit. (Trust Lands, Good Neighbor Authority, Forestry Assistance, etc.) This position emphasizes prescribed fire and fuels management for the Libby Unit and the state of Montana. The incumbent plans, coordinates, and implements prescribed fire projects; develops burn plans and treatment prescriptions; oversees smoke and fire effects monitoring; coordinates hazardous wildland fuels treatments on state, federal, and private land; and ensures compliance with applicable laws, policies, and interagency standards. The position also supports wildland fire suppression readiness and coordination, assists with Trust Land Management and Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) forestry tasks, performs administrative duties, and manages grants to support fuels projects. Additionally, the position may assist the Fire Management Officer (FMO) with supervision of seasonal staff when grant funding and FTE is available. (Subject to change with organizational need and FMO discretion). This position reports directly to the Libby Unit FMO (position #6098). The incumbent serves as both an internal resource to DNRC personnel and to key DNRC partners in local, state, and federal government. The Fuels Management Specialist works to build and maintain the capacity of the Libby Unit Fuels Program by providing technical assistance in support of the DNRC mission and affiliated programs of the Trust Lands and Forestry Division.The FMS is a key DNRC Fire Protection position for Libby Unit and the state of Montana. The DNRC is charged with the protection and duty to engage in wildland fire suppression activities regardless of land ownership. The essential functions and percentage of time is an estimation and may be subject to change based on department priorities or fire complexity from year to year.
Relationship building is a function critical to the success of this position. The incumbent establishes and maintains effective working relationships with Unit staff, the Northwest Land Office, other land offices, interagency partners, private landowners, and tribal and local government. Maintains regular communication with unit staff regarding current issues, projects, and operations.

Requirements

• Knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in fire, forestry, natural resources, or related field and 4 years of progressively responsible experience including communications, education, fire suppression, prescribed fire and fuels management, and program management.
• Must hold National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualifications/certification as an Incident Commander Type 4, Single Resource Engine Boss, Single Resource Firing Boss, and FAL2.
• Ability to attain certification as a Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 and Task Force Leader within 3 years of hire.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.
• A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a principal subject matter expert and point of contact on the Libby Unit regarding fuels and prescribed fire management.
• Provide leadership and support for the unit and Land Office as well as interagency partners to ensure a sustainable prescribed fire and fuels management program
• Assist the FMO with progress towards objectives of the Fire Protection Program Strategy and Division Initiatives.
• Assist the Unit Fire Management Officer (FMO) in administering the Unit’s Fuels Management Program, and has the responsibility to plan, coordinate, and implement Fuels Management across the Unit or the Northwest Land Office as directed.
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise several concurrent activities within the Unit Fire Program when assigned by the Unit Manager or Unit FMO.
• Support Trust Lands and Forestry Division programs within the administrative boundaries of Lincoln County, Flathead County, and Sanders County.
• Supervise positions as FTE and grant funding becomes available.

Benefits

• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays
• Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage
• Retirement Plans
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here, https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service to learn more and see if you may qualify!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level