Program Specialist 1 - Unit Assistant Fire Management Officer

State of Montana•Kalispell, MT

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Fire Management Officer (AFMO) position is based at the Kalispell Unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. It provides leadership to the Unit Engine Crews and coordinates, implements, and supervises wildland fire initial-attack personnel and equipment to maintain a safe and effective fire-management capability. The position works with county, state, tribal, and federal agencies; the public; permanent and seasonal employees; and private contractors. It administers seasonal wildland fire protection activities and oversees maintenance of buildings, grounds, and vehicles, as well as fire-related Unit projects. The AFMO implements fire suppression and prevention operations, provides wildland fire planning and professional assistance, supervises and trains crews, develops and coordinates training programs, investigates and enforces forest-use laws and policies, and informs the public about fire prevention and management. The position may attend county fire meetings and coordinate county fire training. It helps build and maintain relationships with adjoining DNRC units, National Forests, tribal and federal agencies, and counties, and contributes to the Unit Fire Prevention Plan. The position may also assist with forest management and Trust Land Management or Good Neighbor Authority activities as assigned. The AFMO directly supervises engine crews as directed by the Fire Management Officer and assists with supervision of 6.1 seasonal and permanent FTE. The position reports directly to the Kalispell Unit Fire Management Officer. Work is generally physically demanding and field-based, and requires annual completion of an arduous Wildland Fire Work Capacity Test. Extended hours may be required in an office or fire environment.

Requirements

High school diploma and a two-year degree; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered case by case.
At least 5 years of progressive experience, including fireline leadership, Incident Command System (ICS) training, and related fire-program experience, or equivalent.
Ability to attain Incident Commander Type 4 and Strike Team/Task Force Leader certification upon hire.
Knowledge of wildland firefighting principles and practices, natural resources, adult education and training, and fire suppression, protection, and prevention.
Knowledge of state and federal fire-protection and natural-resources laws, wildfire and structural fire-protection techniques related to the wildland-urban interface, and the Department’s legal responsibilities to personnel, cooperators, and volunteers.
Knowledge of volunteer-group organization and management, local-government organization and authorities, equipment management and maintenance, fire budgeting, billing and auditing, communications systems, and safety management.
Knowledge of supervisory practices, DNRC and state personnel policies and procedures, organizational structures, employment law, and program requirements.
Knowledge of computer software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Skill in using and operating tools, equipment, and vehicles used in wildland fire control, forest management, and field operations.
Ability to coordinate extensive and complex personnel and equipment resources during fire suppression and support operations across multiple jurisdictions.
Ability to make independent decisions with minimal supervision and communicate views and clear direction verbally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, government officials, and agency employees.
Ability to communicate and make decisions under duress with fire personnel who may have different backgrounds and management priorities.
Ability to complete the annual arduous Wildland Fire Work Capacity Test: walk 3 miles over level ground carrying a 45-pound pack in no more than 45 minutes.
Ability to work extended hours in an office or fire environment and remain calm, think clearly, make rapid decisions, and coordinate concurrent activities during demanding fire-suppression conditions.

Nice To Haves

Areas of study may include wildfire management, forestry or other land management, teaching, communications, information technology, or computer use.

Responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, and supervise concurrent activities within the Unit Fire Program.
Coordinate, implement, and supervise wildland fire initial-attack personnel and equipment.
Lead and supervise engine crews as directed by the Fire Management Officer.
Carry out fire suppression, pre-suppression, prevention, project work, and fire-related program activities.
Provide wildland fire planning and professional assistance.
Supervise and train fire crews and develop and coordinate training programs.
Investigate and enforce forest-use laws, rules, and policies.
Educate and inform the public about fire prevention and fire management practices.
Attend county fire meetings and plan or coordinate county fire training as needed.
Build and maintain cooperative relationships with adjoining DNRC units, National Forests, tribal and federal agencies, and surrounding counties.
Assist with Unit fire prevention duties and plans, including contributing to development of the Fire Prevention Plan.
Administer seasonal fire-protection activities and oversee maintenance of buildings, grounds, and vehicles.
Manage Good Neighbor Authority or Trust Land activities as directed by the Unit Manager and other Program Managers.
Assist with forest improvement and other forest management duties as assigned.
Coordinate personnel and equipment readiness with other organizations and agencies and maintain compliance with applicable fire-management and forest-practice laws and regulations.

Benefits

Work/life balance.
Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, with vacation leave increasing with service.
Longevity pay with continued state service.
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Flexible spending accounts.
Access to free employee medical clinics and telehealth.
Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution retirement plans, plus an optional 457(b) plan.
Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Career progression and professional development.
State employee discounts.
Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.