Strategic Budget Planner

FAS•Washington, DC

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The FAS Talent Hub is seeking a fellow for a 1-year term (with potential opportunity to extend, contingent on funding) to join the Wildland Fire Service team within the Department of the Interior with specific work supporting strategic budget planning and evaluation for the Wildland Fire Service. This opportunity is for a strategic budget planner with technical expertise who can bring in an informed perspective from outside DOI, while still understanding the unique needs of the Wildland Fire Service program. The ideal candidate will understand and align with the program’s mission, authorities, and operational culture so future policy recommendations to the Wildland Fire Service program are both realistic and actionable. The ideal candidate should also possess a strong working knowledge of the federal budgeting and appropriations processes, as well as how Congress engages with and influences agency budgets. This combination of external experience, program familiarity, and deep understanding of government and congressional processes will significantly strengthen DOI’s Wildland Fire Service’s strategic financial planning and support well-grounded decision-making moving forward. If you are someone who relishes focusing on the details, and you care about the intersection of topics related to Wildland Fire Management, this role could be right for you.

Requirements

Demonstrated expertise in strategic budget planning and formulation, including aligning resources to organizational priorities.
Strong ability to integrate data, performance metrics, and evidence into planning and decision-making processes.
Knowledge of federal budget processes, including OMB requirements, congressional justification, and interagency coordination.
Ability to analyze complex financial and programmatic information and translate it into clear recommendations.
Strong understanding of intergovernmental processes and experience working with federal, state, Tribal, and local partners.
Proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop staff, particularly in budget formulation and coordination processes.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly to senior leaders.
Experience coordinating across multiple stakeholders and managing competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
Strong project management and organizational skills, with attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
Strategic thinking skills, including the ability to anticipate risks, identify opportunities, and develop forward-looking solutions.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic planning for budget formulation, aligning funding priorities with organizational goals, policy direction, and operational needs.
Develop and implement multi-year budget strategies that integrate performance objectives, risk considerations, and emerging program requirements.
Guide preparation of budget justifications, narratives, and supporting materials for leadership, OMB, and congressional engagement.
Guide data and evidence building to support budget decisions, integrating performance metrics, program outcomes, and analytical insights into planning processes.
Coordinate across program, policy, and the Wildland Fire Management Program to translate strategic priorities into actionable, fundable initiatives.
Engage with interagency and intergovernmental partners to align priorities and improve coordination.
Coach new budget staff on intergovernmental process and provide technical guidance on budget formulation and stakeholder engagement.
Prepare briefings and decision materials for senior leadership on budget strategy, risks, and tradeoffs.
Support initiatives of the Fire Director and DOI Leadership.