Resource Specialist I

Texas A&M•Beeville, TX

About The Position

The Resource Specialist I attends required training; assists with agency programs for local communities; operates and maintains wildland fire suppression equipment; and responds to wildland fires and other all-hazard incidents. The employee is expected to conduct themselves professionally and serve as a statewide wildland firefighter and/or emergency responder. The role requires maintaining physical fitness, obtaining required training and certification, carrying a communication device for 24-hour availability, and responding to emergency dispatches within 30 minutes. The specialist supports the Regional Fire Coordinator and other agency staff in developing and delivering capacity-building, fire prevention, risk assessment, and related programs. They maintain assigned vehicles and emergency equipment, provide support to fire response and natural resource programs, manage agency credit cards according to applicable requirements, and may serve on incident management, fire prevention, and wildland-urban-interface mitigation teams. Within 90 days of hire, the employee must establish a primary residence within a 30-minute travel time of their home base. Work may involve harsh weather and environmental conditions; extended walking or standing; twisting, bending, reaching, kneeling, and lifting or carrying heavy objects; long-distance motor vehicle driving; and extended computer use. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
At least one year of general work experience.
Knowledge of water delivery systems and PC-based programs and software.
Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
Commercial driver's license, or ability to obtain one within 60 days of hire.
Respond to wildland fires.
Meet and maintain a moderate physical fitness standard.
Meet and annually maintain the stated fitness standard, including completing a two-mile walk carrying a 25-pound pack in 30 minutes or less.
Obtain required NWCG training and Red Card Certification.
Respond to an emergency page, notification, or alert within 30 minutes.
Within 90 days of hire, establish a primary residence within 30 minutes' travel time of the home base.

Nice To Haves

A two-year technical degree related to natural resources.
At least one year of experience with a volunteer fire department, municipal fire department, wildland fire agency, or wildland fire suppression.
Experience as an instructor.
Ability to use GIS/GPS programs, wildland fire hand tools, personal protective equipment, and wildland fire engines.
NWCG firefighter and prevention training or equivalent.
FFT-1 under NWCG, TPL-1, Dozer Operator, TCFP, or SFFMA Basic Firefighter or higher certification.
Meet and maintain an arduous physical fitness standard.

Responsibilities

Attend all required training.
Assist with delivery of agency programs to local communities.
Serve as a wildland firefighter and/or emergency responder on a statewide basis, including operating heavy firefighting equipment, using hand tools, and conducting ground reconnaissance on wildfires.
Meet and annually maintain the required physical fitness standard, obtain required NWCG training and Red Card Certification, carry a communication device for 24-hour availability, and respond to emergency pages, notifications, or alerts within 30 minutes.
Assist the Regional Fire Coordinator with delivery of Capacity Building programs to volunteer and municipal fire departments, including VFD assistance, insurance and vehicle liability risk pool, Fire Safe, FEPP, VFA cost shares, Helping Hands, training, fire risk assessment, aviation, and TICC.
Support development and delivery of programs within Texas A&M Forest Service and with other government agencies.
Assist with programs developed by Regional Fire Coordinators, Fire Prevention Specialists, Urban Interface Specialists, and the Prescribed Burning Specialist.
Support the Fire Risk Assessment Coordinator with data collection.
Maintain assigned state vehicles, transport/dozers, and other emergency equipment in a professional state of readiness.
Support Fire Emergency Response and Forest Natural Resource programs and other Texas A&M Forest Service programs as requested.
Manage and account for Texas A&M Forest Service credit cards in accordance with applicable laws, policies, rules, procedures, and guidelines.
Serve on the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Management Team, Fire Prevention Teams, and Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Teams as needed.
Establish a primary residence within 30 minutes' travel time of the home base within 90 days of hire.
Perform other duties as assigned.