Resource Specialist I

Texas A&M • Alice, TX

11d

About The Position

The Resource Specialist I works for Texas A&M Forest Service in the Alice Task Force. The role attends required training, helps deliver agency programs to local communities, maintains and operates wildland fire suppression equipment, and responds to wildland fires and other all-hazard incidents. The employee is expected to conduct themselves professionally.

The position serves as a wildland firefighter and/or emergency responder statewide, including operating heavy firefighting equipment, using hand tools, and conducting ground reconnaissance. It requires maintaining a physical fitness standard, obtaining required NWCG training and Red Card Certification, carrying a communication device for 24-hour availability, and responding to emergency notifications within 30 minutes. Within 90 days of hire, the employee must establish a primary residence within 30 minutes’ travel time of the home base.

The Resource Specialist assists with fire department capacity-building and related agency programs, supports regional fire and prevention specialists, maintains assigned vehicles and emergency equipment, and provides support to fire emergency response and natural resource programs. The role may serve on incident management, fire prevention, and wildland-urban-interface mitigation teams. Working conditions may include harsh weather, prolonged or strenuous physical activity, heavy lifting, long-distance driving, and extended computer use.

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.
• Meet and maintain a moderate physical fitness standard.
• Complete a 2-mile walk carrying a 25-pound pack in 30 minutes or less and maintain this standard annually.
• Obtain required NWCG training and Red Card Certification.
• Be available by communication device 24 hours a day and respond to emergency pages, notifications, or alerts within 30 minutes.
• Establish a primary residence within 30 minutes’ travel time of the home base within 90 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

• A two-year natural-resources-related technical degree.
• One or more years 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

• Serve statewide as a wildland firefighter and/or emergency responder; operate heavy firefighting equipment, use hand firefighting tools, and conduct 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 notifications within 30 minutes.
• Assist the Regional Fire Coordinator with delivering capacity-building programs to volunteer and municipal fire departments, and support program development and delivery within Texas A&M Forest Service and with other government agencies.
• Assist with agency programs delivered 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, as requested, and assist 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 Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Management Teams, Fire Prevention Teams, and Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Teams, as required by fire-season severity and frequency.
• Establish a primary residence within 30 minutes’ travel time of the home base within 90 days of hire.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.
• Retirement benefits.
• Paid time off.
• Health and lifestyle programs.
• Educational incentives and tuition reimbursement opportunities.
• Ability to accrue compensatory time off.
• Overtime on emergency response.
• $500 annual physical fitness incentive for passing the arduous test: walking 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