Program Specialist II

Texas A&M•College Station, TX

7d•$4,833•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Specialist II (Fire Information & Education) plays a crucial role in advancing wildfire information and education for Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) by effectively communicating to diverse audiences. This includes communicating the role and impact of aviation resources in wildfire response, ensuring the public understands aerial firefighting operations and safety considerations. Key responsibilities include developing outreach strategies to communicate complex fire-related issues to the public and media, including aerial firefighting operations and the capabilities and limitations of aviation resources. The role serves as a key aviation information resource, ensuring accurate, timely communication about aerial firefighting operations, aircraft capabilities and safety considerations during wildfire response. The role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including community members, government officials and agencies to inform the public about fire management activities and risk mitigation, aerial operations and incident response activities. It also encompasses the creation and dissemination of educational materials, coordination of fire communication and support for interdisciplinary initiatives. Additionally, the position requires writing and producing comprehensive written content, providing leadership in public information efforts during incidents, including those involving complex aviation operations requiring timely, accurate and safety-focused communication and supporting prevention and messaging campaigns during periods of high fire danger. This includes crafting targeted messaging to raise awareness of fire risks, promote mitigation actions and ensure public safety. The role may also involve responding to legislative requests and producing detailed reports for the division, ensuring that all communication efforts align with broader organizational goals and legislative priorities. About the Agency: Texas A&M Forest Service provides statewide leadership and technical assistance to ensure trees, forests and related natural resources are sustained for the benefit of all. TAMFS is also the lead agency for wildfire response in the state and supports the state's incident response capability, helping to respond to a range of all-hazard incidents. To learn more about TAMFS, visit tfsweb.tamu.edu

Requirements

A bachelor's degree with preferred emphasis in Communications, Range Science, Natural Resource Management, Fire Management, Fire Ecology, Agricultural Leadership or a closely related field is required.
A minimum of two (2) year's experience with internal and external communications relating to emergency and wildfire incidents as well as experience writing, editing and producing well-researched and thorough written material is required.
A valid Texas' Driver's license or the ability to obtain one within 180 days of employment is required.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint is required for this position.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work independently and be self-directed.
Ability to adapt to a changing environment and handle multiple priorities.
Ability to work closely with others at times.

Nice To Haves

Experience with aviation operations and terminology, including knowledge of aircraft, aerial firefighting resources and aviation's role in emergency response and natural resource management is preferred.
Experience facilitating communications with local homeowners, media partners and local, state and federal agencies for information and education purposes is preferred.
Familiarity with wildfire response and terminology is preferred.

Responsibilities

Communicate with and educate internal and external audiences, especially media partners, about agency aviation operations, aerial firefighting, wildfire, all-hazard response, prevention, etc. Develop outreach strategies to communicate complex issues.
Serve as a public information officer in support of the agency's information function. Respond to requests for accurate and timely information.
Work with and support prevention teams and post fire assessment teams as well as other response operations in support of the agency's mission.
Write, edit and produce well-researched, thorough written material such as official correspondence, press releases, success stories, reports, talking points, etc.
Help implement and maintain effective processes for collecting photos, videos and content for social media, websites, reports, etc. Ensure aviation operations are accurately and effectively documented and communicated.
Help provide leadership and support to the agency public information officers. Facilitate development opportunities for public information officers.
Coordinate among departments to integrate fire communication and education programs into broader division projects, ensuring that fire management initiatives are supported across all relevant areas.