Utility Mitigation Assistant Program Manager

State of Arizona • Phoenix, AZ

76d • $70,000 - $70,000

About The Position

The Utility Mitigation Assistant Program Manager supports the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) in implementing House Bill 2201 wildfire mitigation planning requirements. This 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. This position manages program activities, and facilitates collaboration with utilities, local, county, and tribal governments, state and federal partners, community organizations, and the public. The role blends technical knowledge with program coordination and stakeholder engagement to ensure plans are scientifically sound, meet statutory requirements, and reflect the public interest.

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 (FSPro, STFB, WFDSS).
• Knowledge of collaborative conservation and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Knowledge of basic program and project management principles.
• Skills in application of fire behavior modeling and predictive service tools.
• Skills in program coordination and project tracking.
• Skills in stakeholder engagement and interagency collaboration.
• Skills in professional written and oral communication with diverse audiences.
• Skills in use of GIS, risk modeling, and decision-support platforms.
• Skills in workshop facilitation and public engagement support.
• Ability to assist in review and validation of 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.

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 (120-day review and 60-day decision windows).
• Support the development of workflows, policies, and procedures to ensure consistent review and monitoring.
• Serve as a point of contact for public power entities, electric utilities, attachors, and stakeholders.
• Support outreach efforts with 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 to confirm statutory compliance.
• Provide recommendations and input to the Program Manager and State Forester.
• Support public notice and comment processes as required by HB 2201.
• Assist in planning and facilitating public meetings, including virtual participation options.
• Coordinate across state, local, county, tribal, and federal partners to ensure alignment of wildfire mitigation and risk reduction strategies.
• Assist in the development of training modules and workshops on wildfire risk modeling and mitigation planning.
• Build capacity among staff and stakeholders for consistent application of risk assessment tools and best practices.
• Perform related duties as assigned to support agency wildfire prevention and mitigation initiatives.

Benefits

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees