Operational Wildfire Management Technology Liaison

Science Systems and Applications, Inc.; Lanham (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) seeks an Operational Wildfire Management Technology Liaison to engage directly with domestic fire management stakeholders and support the integration of NASA remote sensing fire tools into active fire management operations.

The role requires a Master's degree with 6+ years of experience in earth sciences or related fields, plus strong communication and training skills to translate complex data for non-scientific audiences.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Earth science, geography, forestry, fire science or related discipline with 6+ years in the field or equivalent.
• Experience translating complex scientific data and fire science concepts into actionable information for non-scientific audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for training, outreach and stakeholder engagement.
• Familiarity with fire behavior modeling, fire spread models, or geospatial data tools used in fire management contexts.
• Experience working with federal, state, or local fire management agencies (e.g., USFS, BLM, NIFC).
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison between operational fire managers and technology developers to support wildfire management.
• Promote and implement AI-enabled, remote sensing, fire behavior, and geospatial decision-support tools for operational fire management.
• Provide training, technical assistance, and user support for operational wildfire technologies.
• Coordinate testing, evaluation, and implementation of emerging technologies in fire management workflows.
• Gather user feedback and translate operational needs into technology requirements and enhancements.
• Collaborate with interagency partners to advance technology integration and improve wildfire decision-making.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Training delivery

Geospatial data tools

Fire behavior modeling

Interagency collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in Earth science or related field

Tools

NASA FIRMS/VIIRS data

Geospatial data tools

Job description

Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) is seeking an Operational Wildfire Management Technology Liaison to facilitate direct engagement with domestic fire management stakeholders and support the integration of NASA remote sensing fire tools into active fire management operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the liaison between operational fire managers and technology developers to support wildfire management.
• Promote and implement AI-enabled, remote sensing, fire behavior, and geospatial decision-support tools for operational fire management.
• Provide training, technical assistance, and user support for operational wildfire technologies.
• Coordinate the testing, evaluation, and implementation of emerging technologies in fire management workflows.
• Gather user feedback and translate operational needs into technology requirements and enhancements.
• Collaborate with interagency partners to advance technology integration and improve wildfire decision-making.

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree (M.S.) in Earth science, geography, forestry, fire science or other related discipline and a minimum of 6 years in the field or in a related area, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience translating complex scientific data and fire science concepts into actionable, accessible information for non-scientific operational audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are required, including the ability to conduct training, outreach, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Familiarity with fire behavior modeling, fire spread models, or geospatial data tools used in fire management contexts.
• Experience working with or in support of federal, state, or local fire management agencies (e.g., USFS, BLM, NIFC).
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency required.

Desired Qualifications

• Direct operational fire management experience or a background as a wildland firefighter.
• Experience applying artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, or emerging technologies to support wildfire management, decision-making, or operational workflows.
• Experience with NASA fire remote sensing products (e.g., FIRMS, VIIRS active fire data) or similar satellite-derived fire tools.

Note: The actual salary offered will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, tenure, skill set, availability of qualified candidates, geographic location, certifications, and other job-related criteria deemed relevant to the position.

EEO/AA Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to touch, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk and hear and occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus