Program Specialist 1- Clearwater Unit 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. Work Unit Overview: * The Clearwater Unit of the Southwestern Land Office represents the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation within its specified geographic area, which includes portions of Missoula, Powell, Lewis & Clark, and Granite counties and is responsible for providing direct wildland fire protection including fire preparedness, prevention, suppression and prescribed fire activities – for approximately 670,000 acres of private, state and federal lands in the abovementioned counties. *Job Review: * The Clearwater Unit Assistant Fire Management Officer (AFMO) works for the Unit Fire Management Officer (FMO). Functional responsibilities entail working within the Fire Protection Program of the Forestry Division. The position is responsible for implementing operational activities associated with; fire prevention and suppression, wildland fire planning and professional assistance. *Essential Functions: * Fire Program Operations: Coordinate and perform Fire Program operations, planning, training, interagency coordination, and prevention services within the Clearwater Unit jurisdictional areas to protect lives, property and natural resources on state and private lands. * Fire Suppression: Perform fire management suppression duties based on agency needs and individu­al qualifica­tions and certifications on national, regional, or local interagency incidents. * Staff Management: Directly supervises 10 seasonal FTE. This involves recruitment and selection, assigning and reviewing work, training, establishing performance standards and evaluating performance, handling corrective action, and recommending termination if necessary. This work requires knowledge of supervisory principles and practices, DNRC and State Personnel policies, procedures, and precedents, organizational theory, employment law, and program requirements. * * Maintenance/Inventory:* Coordinates, implements, monitors, and supervises all maintenance operations. Performs a variety of technical tasks and duties pertaining to building, grounds, and vehicle maintenance at the Clearwater Unit headquarters. * Prescribed Fire: Coordinates and participates in the Clearwater Unit prescribed fire program under the direction of the Trust Lands Forest Management Supervisor and the FMO. Implements prescribed fire utilizing the most current and accepted prescribed fire practices and procedures. 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. *Required knowledge, skills, and abilities: This position typically requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to a minimum of an associate’s degree or vocational training preferably in Forestry, Fire Science, or a closely related field and one (1) year experience in Fire Program management; or a High School diploma, one year of supervisory experience and four (4) years experience of progressively responsible positions in wildland fire including Incident Command System (ICS), administrative and operational capacities. Requires the ability to attain Incident Commander Type 4 and Strike Team/Task Force Leader certification upon hire. It is critical that the incumbent possesses skills and abilities in effective communication, both orally and written. Requires knowledge of the principles and practices of Wildland Firefighting; emergency management; natural resources; adult education and training; and fire management including suppression, protection, and prevention. Requires knowledge of State and Federal fire protection and natural resources laws including the Department’s legal responsibilities to personnel, cooperative personnel, and volunteers; wildfire and structural fire protection techniques relating to WUI; volunteer group organization and management; local government organization, jurisdiction and authorities; equipment management and maintenance; fire budgeting, billing and auditing methods and procedures; communication systems; safety management methods and procedures. The position also requires knowledge of supervisory principles and practices, DNRC and State Personnel policies, procedures, and precedents, organizational structures, employment law, and program requirements. The position requires skill in the use and operation of tools, equipment and vehicles used in wildland fire control, forest management activities and field operations. Requires a thorough knowledge of a variety of computer software applications including; word processing, spreadsheets, databases and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Requires the ability to coordinate extensive and complex amounts of personnel and equipment to meet the needs of fire suppression and support forces during fire actions on multiple jurisdictions; the ability to make independent decisions with minimal supervision, to express views and provide clear direction both in writing and through verbal communications; and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, government officials, and agency employees. Communications and decisions are frequently conducted under duress and with fire personnel having different backgrounds and management priorities. 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- Clearwater Unit Assistant Fire Management Officer Location: Greenough Requisition ID: 24142999