Program Specialist 1 - Assistant Fire Management Officer

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained. Core Values: The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana. * We value and respect each other. * We create collaborative work environments. * We build and maintain strong relationships. * We practice accountability. * We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work. Job Overview: The Helena Unit Assistant Fire Management Officer (AFMO) works for the Unit Fire Management Officer (FMO). Functional responsibilities entail working within the Fire Protection Bureau of the Forestry Division. The position directly supervises the Fire Operations Specialist (FOS), which directly oversees 18 seasonal positions (5.6 FTE). This position directs the Helena Unit Initial Attack Crews, which includes hiring, training, and supervision over crew members. In addition, the duties of this position include assisting in the planning, coordinating, and implementing a comprehensive wildland fire operations and prevention program within the Helena Unit’s direct protection boundaries. The Helena Unit is responsible for providing direct wildland fire protection for approximately 700,000 acres of private, state, and federal lands. This position works closely with county cooperators in the five counties of Helena Unit: Lewis & Clark, Meagher, Broadwater, Jefferson, and Cascade Counties. Essential Functions: Fire Program Planning and Analysis: Assists the FMO in planning and directing Helena Unit fire management programs and activities includingdeveloping and implementing wildland fire prevention plans; managing project budget allocations; managing fire readiness levels; designing and managing comprehensive initial attack plans; analyzing changing fire suppression trends, practices, techniques and issues; designing and implementing comprehensive fire management plans for counties within the protection area; designing and coordinating multi-agency fire response simulations; providing management direction for the burning permit program within the responsibility area; planning and organizing a seasonal work force; and coordinating and supervising building, grounds and maintenance activities for the Helena Unit Operation and Resource Coordination: Assists the FMO to provide information, expertise and guidance to multiple cooperating groups and organizations involved in fire prevention, planning and suppression including county planning boards and local governing bodies, incident management teams, rural fire districts, fuels management projects and volunteer fire departments. Supervision: Directly (line) supervises the Helena Unit Fire Operations Specialist, and indirectly supervises 2 Senior Engine Bosses, and 16 (5.6) seasonal engine bosses/firefighters. * *APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE: * * Online State of Montana application * Resume * Cover Letter *HELPFUL HINT: You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application. Benefits: * Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays * Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage * Retirement Plans * Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here, https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service to learn more and see if you may qualify! If you are interested in a complete job description please contact HR at Stacey.Gabrio@mt.gov. *Physical and Environmental Demands: Fire Program responsibilities frequently require working beyond the normal 40 hours per week and often require the incumbent to maintain an on-call status. This position is required to pass the arduous work capacity test annually. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The Unit Assistant Fire Management Officer must have a thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of wildland fire management. Must have the ability to plan, organize and direct a comprehensive and complex wildland fire program. Must have knowledge of, and the ability to interpret and apply Department and interagency policies, rules and regulations as well as state and federal laws. Must have the ability to work within an interagency environment to accomplish DNRC fire program objectives. Applicants must have the ability to provide strong leadership to DNRC employees, as well as external contacts to accomplish program goals. Must have the ability to direct and supervise others, maintain effective working relationships in often stressful emergency situations, and communicate effectively and concisely, both verbally and in writing. Must have the ability to facilitate or speak at public meetings and represent the DNRC to media representatives. Must have a basic knowledge and ability in various computer programs used for word processing, electronic mail, and data High School diploma or 2 years of related college or vocational training. SPECIAL INFORMATION: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months. *ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card"* *Title: *Program Specialist 1 - Assistant Fire Management Officer Location: Helena Requisition ID: 24143030