Program Specialist 1 - Fire Adapted Community Coordinator

State of Montana • Libby, MT

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset and empowers them to exercise professional judgment, providing the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained. The Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling its mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands. The DNRC Fire Protection mission requires a robust approach to community preparedness and fire prevention. The Libby Unit represents the DNRC Forestry and Trust Land Management Division within its assigned areas in Lincoln County, conducting field activities and responsible for all day-to-day operations. The Unit provides direct wildland fire suppression service for approximately 390,000 acres of state, private, and federal land, with a substantial portion being wildland-residential interface. The Unit assists the State/County Cooperative Fire Program and aids rural fire departments. Libby Unit manages and administers approximately 30,218 acres of state-owned land, including a significant forest-management program, commercial leases, residential leases, rights-of-way, grazing leases, and gravel pit development. It also administers the Good Neighbor Authority Program (GNA) on the Kootenai National Forest to increase the pace and scale of forest management with federal partners. The Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator (FACC) primarily focuses on leading the development and implementation of a unit-level program for community preparedness, fire prevention, fire information, and public outreach, supporting the Land Office, Fire Protection Program, and Forestry Division. The Libby Unit FACC operates under the supervision of the Libby Unit Fire Management Officer (FMO). Areas of emphasis include fostering fire adapted communities, promoting community preparedness, reducing human-caused fires, and educating the public on creating resilient landscapes. The incumbent may provide fire information and function in an ICS position or support role during emergencies and special projects. Work assignments are covered by established policies and general program objectives, with the incumbent responsible for determining methods and techniques with the FMO. The FACC serves as the principal subject matter expert and point of contact for community preparedness, fire prevention, fire information, and public outreach for the Libby Unit. The incumbent serves as an internal resource to DNRC personnel and partners, working daily to build and maintain the capacity of the Community Preparedness and Fire Prevention program by sustaining or creating a coordinated system and providing technical assistance. The incumbent contributes substantially to the implementation of the DNRC Fire Prevention and Community Preparedness Program at Libby Unit. Additional professional and administrative tasks may be assigned, including representing the agency at meetings, coordinating special projects, and attending training. These tasks require general knowledge of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, the DNRC Fire Protection Program Strategy, and related areas. Relationship-building is critical, involving establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with various stakeholders. Daily communication with the Libby Unit FMO regarding current issues, projects, and operations is expected.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, forestry, natural resources, or related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible experience including communications, education, fire prevention, community preparedness, training, and program management
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered in recruiting for the position.
• The incumbent must be able to attain and maintain Public Information Officer (PIOF) qualification.
• Additionally, a secondary qualification in support of fire is expected.
• 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.
• In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States.
• Effective May 4, 2026, this agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of: Communication, Fire and fuels management, Wildland fire prevention, Community preparedness, Knowledge of public information, Collaborative teamwork, Project management and administration
• Skills in: Written and verbal communication, Public information, education, and outreach., Public Speaking for education and/or on fire, Preparing clear, well-structured reports, enforcement recommendations, and policy documents., Public speaking, stakeholder facilitation, and negotiation., Data analysis, case tracking, and use of water resource management software or databases.
• Ability to: Clearly and effectively communicate complex information pertaining to wildland fire prevention and community preparedness programs, procedures, activities, and operations., Coordinate and support the work of technical, professional, and clerical personnel within the Department and from cooperating federal, state and private entities, Understand and apply Department policy, Make sound decisions, Train, direct, motivate, and lead others effectively, Maintain effective working relationships, Achieve work plan objectives through others, Apply general management concepts such as goal setting and work planning, Develop and administer a variety of functions concurrently

Responsibilities

• Lead and Manage the unit community preparedness program: Serve as the principal subject matter expert and point of contact at the Libby Unit regarding matters pertaining to community preparedness, fire prevention, fire information, and public outreach. Provide leadership to and support for DNRC Libby Unit personnel as well as interagency partners to assure consistent, cost-efficient, adaptable, and sustainable progress toward the overall objectives of the Fire Protection Program Strategy and Forestry Division initiatives and contribute substantially to local efforts fostering the creation of fire adapted communities.
• Lead and manage the Libby unit's efforts to reduce human caused fires.
• Analyze fire occurrence statistics to identify and prioritize fire causes, locations, frequencies, and emerging trends.
• Assess Unit projects, program, and funding needs; and synthesize assessments and analyses.
• Prepare a Unit Community Preparedness and Fire Prevention Plan and follow up on goals and needs identified in the plan.
• Collaborate with Libby Unit and other NWLO units, as well as cooperating agencies, to coordinate fire prevention plans, programs, and implementation strategies.
• Keep local cooperators well informed.
• Program budget and grant administration: Track program expenditures and communicate spending information or needs to FMO.
• Continually assess community preparedness and fire prevention needs to establish funding priorities and research, identify, and pursue fire prevention, mitigation, community preparedness and public education/outreach grants.
• Public information and training Delivery: Serve as the Libby unit's information officer for fire-related activities.
• Develop, acquire, and deliver training relevant to the community preparedness and fire prevention programs.
• Communicate with Libby unit FMO and other FACC's to ensure consistency in subject matter delivery.

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.

What This Job Offers

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