Wildfire Command Center Specialist

Xcel Energy•Denver, CO

5d•$85,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Wildfire Command Center (WCC) Specialist will conduct monitoring of wildfire activity and threat across XE service territory. The WCC Specialist will monitor multiple electronic sources/feeds that relate to wildfires, wildfire conditions, wildfire threat, wildfire staffing constraints, fuels conditions, and weather conditions. This data will then be contextualized to form a picture of overall wildfire threat to XE. Data will be organized and displayed for larger visualization and informational briefings. Data will be tracked and recorded and then analyzed, evaluated for risk threat, confirmed and passed along to leadership. The WCC specialist will also display, post, share wildfire data collected and disseminate to internal operations and leadership. The WCC specialist will work closely with the Meteorological team and PSPS teams for potential wildfire EPSS/PSPS events. The WCC Specialist will work closely with the Investigations team and Public Safety Specialists during events, wildfires, PSPS or as needed to address wildfire threat. As needed communication with Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response partners is an ongoing job duty. WCC Specialist will support PSPS events with updates from all sources and provide real time wildfire information to DCC/ECC and other emergency XE functions that initiate and coordinate operational wildfire action or response. This includes the development and management of day-to-day wildfire command activities including creating standard operating procedures, planning, organizing, exercising and training, to ensure the center is prepared to track and respond to catastrophic incidents. The WCC Specialist is part of the Situational Awareness team that includes the Public Safety Power Shutoff Team, Investigations Team, and the Public Safety Specialist Team. Close coordination with wildfire mitigation programs and daily interaction with wildfire leadership and other Xcel functions will be part of position responsibilities.

Requirements

5+ years experience working in emergency or disaster management, fire science, homeland security or related field or equivalent education and experience required.
Strong verbal/written communication and presentation skills.
Strong ability to work across organization boundaries and influence others.
Strong investigative, analysis, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills.
A valid state driver’s license is required.
Knowledge and experience with National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command Structure (ICS), Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operations, and Incident Management Team (IMT) operations.
Self-directed and comfortable navigating ambiguity.
Ability to work well across teams in high stress environments.
Ability to build relationships and manage multiple opinions.
Ability to understand complex technical and/or business information.
Ability to define and manage internal projects and milestones.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in emergency or Disaster Management, Fire Science, Homeland Security or related field is desirable.
Emergency Management, Wildfire, and Energy Sector related professional certifications are desirable.
Experience in Wildfire Response is desirable.
Experience is dispatch or control center is preferable.
Experience in Energy Sector at a large Western utility provider is desirable.
Candidates should be comfortable supporting a flexible scheduling model.
Staff may work in the office or remotely depending on their weekly role, fire risk, and operational needs, after demonstrating the ability to follow virtual operations procedures.
Salaried staff may be expected to remain available when wildfire risk, active incidents, or other operational needs require additional support, including increased hours outside of normal schedules during escalated operations.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain partnerships, build and maintain external relationships with internal and external emergency management and wildfire partners.
Assist training and develop of company personnel on emergency management concepts.
Monitor wildfire information from numerous resources that impact XE.
Monitor and visualize Wildfire Mitigation and Response program activities.
Maintain familiarity with specialized software, tools and processes.
Maintain and implement Wildfire and WCC response plans, playbooks, standard operating procedures and job aids and support the development of emergency operations plans.
Provide support for ICS during exercises and real-world incidents.
Routinely communicate with external partners to ensure stakeholders are aware of and understand the company's Wildfire Mitigation or response strategy.
Interface with state/county emergency management officials.
Facilitate training and exercises consistent with Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation program (HSEEP) as they relate to WCC operations.
Participate in state, county, federal, industry and peer meetings, workshops, briefings, events, training, and facilitate company participation in external exercises.
Work with internal business areas to ensure operational alignment around emergency preparedness for WCC operations, Wildfires and PSPS events consistent with National Incident Management System (NIMS), and Incident Command Structure (ICS) fundamentals.
Maintain exceptional interpersonal and liaison skills.
Maintain and document Wildfire and PSPS event response information to include developing incident action plans and situational awareness briefings and dashboards.
Maintain awareness of current and potential wildfire risks to the company.
Deliver tactical departmental goals to achieve overall Wildfire group strategic plans, objectives.
Comply with internal and sector policies and regulatory requirements.