Resource Specialist I

Texas A&M University System • Alice, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Texas A&M Forest Service is hiring a Resource Specialist I for its Alice Task Force in Alice, Texas. The role supports wildland fire response and agency programs serving local communities. The specialist attends required training, operates and maintains wildland fire suppression equipment, responds to wildland fires and other all-hazard incidents, and conducts themselves professionally.

The position serves as a statewide wildland firefighter and/or emergency responder. It requires maintaining the stated physical fitness standard, completing required NWCG training and Red Card Certification, carrying a communication device for 24-hour availability, and responding to a dispatcher within 30 minutes of an emergency page, notification, or alert. Within 90 days of hire, the employee must establish a primary residence within 30 minutes' travel time of the home base.

The specialist assists the Regional Fire Coordinator and other TAMFS staff with capacity-building, fire prevention, fire risk assessment, and natural resource programs; maintains assigned vehicles and emergency equipment; manages TAMFS credit cards; and serves on designated incident management, fire prevention, and mitigation teams. Duties may involve challenging environmental conditions, strenuous physical activity, long-distance driving, and extended computer use. The position is security-sensitive and requires a criminal history investigation.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• One or more years 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 and meet and maintain a moderate physical fitness standard.
• Meet and annually maintain the required fitness test: complete a 2-mile walk carrying a 25-pound pack in 30 minutes or less.
• Obtain required NWCG training and Red Card Certification.
• Carry a communication device to facilitate 24-hour availability and 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.
• Submit a resume with the application and enter references in the secondary questionnaire; applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation.

Nice To Haves

• A two-year natural-resources-related technical degree.
• One or more years of experience with a VFD, 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

• Serve statewide as a wildland firefighter and/or emergency responder, operating heavy firefighting equipment and 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 dispatch within 30 minutes of an emergency page, notification, or alert.
• Assist the Regional Fire Coordinator in delivering 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 fire-risk-assessment 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, as requested, and provide support to other TAMFS programs.
• Manage and account for TAMFS credit cards in accordance with applicable laws, policies, rules, procedures, and guidelines.
• Serve on TAMFS Incident Management Team, Fire Prevention Teams, and Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Teams, with time commitment depending on fire-season severity and frequency.
• Establish a primary residence within 30 minutes' travel time of the home base within 90 days of hire.
• Attend required training and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off
• Health and lifestyle programs
• Educational incentives
• Tuition reimbursement opportunities
• Ability to accrue compensatory time off
• Overtime on emergency response
• $500 annual physical fitness incentive for passing the arduous test (walk three miles wearing a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED