Utility Mitigation Assistant Program Mgr

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, AZ

5d•$67,567 - $70,000

About The Position

The Utility Mitigation Assistant Program Manager supports the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) in implementing wildfire mitigation planning requirements under ARS § 30-901 et seq., ARS § 37-1311, and ARS § 40-1301 et seq., as established in House Bill 2201. The position assists the Utility Mitigation Program Manager in overseeing the review, approval, and monitoring of wildfire mitigation plans submitted by public power entities and electric utilities. It manages program activities and facilitates collaboration with utilities, local, county, and tribal governments, state and federal partners, community organizations, and the public. The role combines technical knowledge with program coordination and stakeholder engagement to help ensure plans are scientifically sound, meet statutory requirements, and reflect the public interest. The position may allow remote work within Arizona, depending on department business needs and continued achievement of expected performance measures. Work, including remote work, is expected to be performed within Arizona unless an exception is authorized in advance. The position requires statewide travel as needed and field visits for plan validation and site assessments.

Requirements

Knowledge of wildland fire behavior, fuels, suppression strategies, and weather influences.
Knowledge of public power and electric utility infrastructure, operations, and wildfire risk reduction best practices.
Knowledge of HB 2201 statutory requirements, Arizona wildfire management policies, and interagency agreements.
Knowledge of risk assessment and fire modeling tools, including FSPro, STFB, and WFDSS.
Knowledge of collaborative conservation and stakeholder engagement strategies.
Knowledge of basic program and project management principles.
Skills in applying fire behavior modeling and predictive service tools.
Skills in program coordination and project tracking.
Skills in stakeholder engagement and interagency collaboration.
Professional written and oral communication skills for diverse audiences.
Skills using GIS, risk modeling, and decision-support platforms.
Skills in workshop facilitation and public engagement support.
Ability to assist in reviewing and validating wildfire mitigation plans for compliance and feasibility.
Ability to translate technical wildfire data into accessible recommendations for utilities, stakeholders, and decision-makers.
Ability to support collaborative planning sessions and public hearings.
Ability to work effectively with diverse partners, including utilities, conservation NGOs, and local governments.
Ability to perform field visits for plan validation and site assessments.
Ability to drive on state business and travel statewide as needed.
Valid Arizona driver's license; employees operating motor vehicles on state business must maintain a current, valid, class-appropriate license, complete required training, and pass required license-record checks.
Successful completion of the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify) is required for newly hired State employees.

Nice To Haves

NWCG Firefighter 1

Responsibilities

Assist the Program Manager in coordinating the statewide wildfire mitigation plan review and approval program under HB 2201.
Track timelines, deliverables, and compliance milestones, including 120-day review and 60-day decision windows.
Support development of workflows, policies, and procedures for consistent review and monitoring.
Serve as a point of contact for public power entities, electric utilities, attachors, and stakeholders.
Support outreach to local, county, and tribal governments and coordinate feedback during plan reviews.
Help organize workshops, targeted training sessions, and public engagement forums.
Review wildfire mitigation plans for statutory compliance and provide recommendations and input to the Program Manager and State Forester.
Support public notice and comment processes required by HB 2201.
Assist in planning and facilitating public meetings, including virtual participation options.
Coordinate with state, local, county, tribal, and federal partners to align wildfire mitigation and risk reduction strategies.
Assist in developing training modules and workshops on wildfire risk modeling and mitigation planning.
Build staff and stakeholder capacity to apply risk assessment tools and best practices consistently.
Perform field visits for plan validation and site assessments; drive on state business and travel statewide as needed.
Perform other related duties supporting agency wildfire prevention and mitigation initiatives.

Benefits

Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans.
Retirement and long-term disability plans.
10 paid holidays per year.
Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child, under a pilot program.
Vacation accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first three years.
Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly.
Deferred compensation plan.
Wellness plans.
Tuition reimbursement eligibility after one year of employment.
Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), subject to statutory eligibility and membership criteria; enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of employment.