Program Specialist 2 - Community Preparedness and Fire Prevention Program Manager

State of Montana • Missoula, MT

13d

About The Position

The Community Preparedness and Fire Prevention (CPFP) Program Manager serves as the state’s subject matter expert for the statewide Community Preparedness & Fire Prevention program. Areas of emphasis include fostering fire adapted communities and promoting community preparedness for wildfire, reducing human caused fires, providing fire information, and educating the public on wildfire risk at the statewide level. The CPFP Program Manager works under general supervision of the Bureau Chief. The incumbent supervises the Fire Adapted Communities Specialist, Prescribed Fire Specialist, and Community Wildfire Resilience Specialist, as well as other interns and temporary workers. Work assignments are covered by established policies and general program objectives, and the incumbent is responsible for determining the methods and techniques necessary to carry out their assigned responsibilities. The CPFP Program Manager serves both as an internal resource to DNRC personnel and to key partners in local, state, tribal, and federal government. The position works to build and maintain capacity related to fire adapted communities, both within the DNRC Fire Protection Program and amongst cooperating partners. The CPFP Program Manager serves as a key member of the FPB staff, as a principal advisor to the FPB Bureau Chief, and as a standing member of the Fire Advisory Council (FAC). As such, the incumbent will contribute substantially to ongoing and sustained efforts to strategically lead and manage the DNRC Fire Protection Program. Success in this position requires comprehensive knowledge of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, the DNRC Fire Protection Program Strategy, and other areas related to overall missions of the Fire Protection Program, the Forestry Division, and the Department.

Requirements

• The required knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, or related field and four years of progressively responsible experience, including fire prevention, community preparedness, mitigation, training, supervision and program management
• The incumbent must be able to attain and maintain National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualification/certification as a Fire Prevention Education Team Leader (PETL) and Public Information Officer (PIOF.)
• This position requires advanced professional and technical knowledge of fire management and forestry, wildland fire prevention, mitigation, fire adapted communities, community preparedness, and prescribed fire.
• The incumbent also requires knowledge of public information/public affairs, program management and administration, and contract and grant administration.
• The successful candidate must demonstrate skill in written and verbal communication, as well as public information, education, and outreach.
• The incumbent must have demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively communicate complex information.
• The position requires a working knowledge of Forestry Division and DNRC policies and practices, strategic planning, research principles and practices, budget development and monitoring, and the Incident Command System.
• The responsibilities of this position require the ability to supervise, coordinate, and direct the work of technical, professional, and clerical personnel within the Department and from cooperating Federal, State and private entities.
• The incumbent must be able to understand and apply Department policy, make sound decisions, train, direct, motivate, and lead others effectively, maintain effective working relationships, apply general management concepts such as goal setting and work planning, and develop and administer a variety of functions concurrently.
• 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

• Manage the CPFP Program: Lead program development, provide direction, manage budgets, and build relationships (internal and external to the DNRC) for the Community Preparedness and Wildfire Prevention Program.
• Leadership and project management
• Fire adapted communities
• Wildfire Prevention
• Develop, Lead and Manage the creation of a Certified Burn Manger Program
• Partnerships, collaboration and communication
• Budget,grant, and contract administration
• Training and education
• Keep Montana Green
• Public Information and Education & Outreach: Provide public information, outreach, and education to the public, media, and stakeholders statewide regarding DNRC’s Community Preparedness and Fire Prevention Program.
• Education and Outreach
• Fire Information
• Media Engagement

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