Prescribed Fire Program Manager

Moraga-Orinda Fire District; Moraga (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 62,000; Part time

Job summary

Moraga-Orinda Fire District seeks a part-time, non-benefited Prescribed Fire Program Manager to oversee planning and execution of district prescribed fire operations. The role requires coordination with regulatory agencies and NGOs, development of plans, training, and monitoring of project outcomes.

In-person at the MOFD Administration Office, Moraga. The position demands 5+ years in emergency or prescribed fire operations, and certifications including CARX, S-234/S-219, and ICS-100/200/300/400,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Five (5) years of experience in emergency operations, prescribed fire operations or public safety, including direct experience in prescribed fire or wildland fire operations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates planning and execution of prescribed fire operations within the district.
• Develops and reviews prescribed fire plans and related documents; uses mapping software to plan projects.
• Coordinates with regulatory agencies, NGOs and external resources to achieve program goals.
• Organizes training for district staff in prescribed fire techniques and safety.
• Maintains PFIRS-based plans, monitoring and reporting to regulatory bodies.
• Prepares budgets and monitors expenditures for the prescribed fire program.
• Assists in outreach to neighbors and partner agencies before burns, including public information.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CARX qualification

S-234 Ignition Operations or S-219 Firing Operations

ICS-100, IC-200, IC-300 and IC-400 Certifications

California Driver’s License

Job description

PRESCRIBED FIRE PROGRAM MANAGER

Final Filing Deadline: Friday, November 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Employment Status: Part-time/Non-exempt/Non-benefitted

Work Schedule (in-person at MOFD Administration Office, 1150 Moraga Way, Moraga)

20 hours per week or up to 40 hours per week if seasonal

Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Applicants must attach the following to their employment application for consideration

Resume; S-234 OR S-219; IC-100, IC-200, IC-300 and IC-400 Certifications; CARX, if applicable

Position Description

Under the direction of the Fire Chief, the position is responsible for coordinating the planning and execution of prescribed fire operations within the district. The incumbent confers and coordinates with representatives from regulatory and government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and various external resources and services to accomplish the program’s goals and objectives. The incumbent will plan, develop, implement and monitor a comprehensive prescribed fire program for the district and will organize and provide training to district staff.

• Develops, coordinates, reviews and evaluates prescribed fire plans, smoke management plans, and related documents. Develop prescribed fire projects and work with the district’s Operations Battalion Chief to coordinate prescribed fire projects within the district. Uses mapping software to plan and document prescribed fire projects.
• Develop relationships with representatives of local and regional public agencies, school districts, homeowners' associations and other groups regarding the Fire District’s prescribed fire and fuels management programs. Collaborates with large landowners within the district to coordinate and support their fuels management planning and operations.
• Develops a comprehensive and strategic prescribed fire program to reduce hazardous vegetation and maintain district shaded fuel breaks. Writes and obtains approval for the District’s Smoke Management Plans, Rx Fire Plans and CAL FIRE LE-7 burn permits.
• Uses the Prescribed Fire Information Reporting System (PFIRS) to develop smoke management plans, request acreage allocations and update the status of prescribed fire projects to the California Air Resources Board and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
• Manages and maintains the district’s prescribed fire program cache. Ensures portable pumps, hose, nozzles, hose packs, brass, firing devices (terra torch, drip torches, pyro-shot, propane torches, etc.) are in working order for prescribed fire and as a backup if needed for emergency operations.
• Monitors fire weather and wildland fuel conditions within the district.
• Supervises MOFD, cooperating agency, contract and other crews working on prescribed fire projects during prep, burning, mop and patrol.
• Coordinates advance notification to neighbors, the public and partner agencies before prescribed fire operations, and provides information on planned burns to the public and media as directed by the Fire Chief.
• Coordinates with the Incident Commander to prepare the Incident Action Plan; makes go/no-go recommendations on burn days based on prescription parameters, weather, fuel moisture and resource availability.
• Conducts pre- and post-burn monitoring to evaluate whether project objectives were met, and documents results.
• Organizes and delivers prescribed fire and wildland fire training for district staff.
• Develops and maintains relationships with representatives of regional, state and federal agencies; reviews legislation, regulations and other documentation to ensure that the district is in compliance with such regulations and avails itself of all financial grant opportunities and other resources related to prescribed fire and resource management to reduce wildland fire vulnerabilities within the district.
• Develops goals, objectives and budget requests for the prescribed fire program; administers budget expenditures within budget for the function; performs cost control activities and ensures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds.
• Maintains adequate supplies of materials and equipment for the prescribed fire program.
• Maintains records and files; prepares periodic and special reports related to work performed; makes presentations to various groups regarding wildfire fuels management and prescribed fire.
• Maintains required wildland and prescribed fire qualifications and currency; participates in periodic training relating to job duties.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Work Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Five (5) years of experience in emergency operations, prescribed fire operations or public safety, including direct experience in prescribed fire or wildland fire operations, or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• The District reserves the right to evaluate and consider, at its discretion, combinations of education and work experience that tend to indicate an applicant possesses the skills, knowledge and abilities listed here.

Highly Desirable Experience

• Fire Captain or higher rank – Experience serving as a Fire Captain, Battalion Chief, or higher-level fire position and performing the responsibilities associated with that rank.
• Hotshot Crew Member – Experience working as a member of a Hotshot Crew including wildland fire suppression and other crew assignments.
• Crew Captain – Experience serving in a supervisory crew-level position, with responsibility for directing and overseeing crew operations.
• Training in emergency operations, prescribed fire operations and public information.
• Prescribed Fire Qualifications – Current or prior NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2), Firing Boss (FIRB) or California Prescribed Fire Burn Boss (CARX) qualification; experience with smoke management planning.

Certifications/Licenses

• Possession of and ability to maintain a current valid California Class C Driver’s License.
• Must be able to obtain a California Prescribed Fire Burn Boss (CARX) qualification within one year of appointment.
• Completion of S-234 Ignition Operations or S-219 Firing Operations.
• ICS-100, IC-200, IC-300 and IC-400 Certifications.

Knowledge of

• Business computer applications, particularly related to data management, mapping and reporting.
• Prescribed fire planning, operations and evaluation.
• ICS, SEMS and NIMS
• Fire behavior, fire weather, fuels and smoke management principles.
• Laws and regulations governing prescribed fire, including air district smoke management requirements, PFIRS, CEQA and the California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP).
• Fire management technology, including Google Earth and ArcGIS mapping software.
• Basic functions and operation of local government.
• Basic budgetary principles and practices.

Ability to

• Be available to work flexible hours with occasional evening and weekend work.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, Board members and other public officials, outside agencies, volunteers and the general public.
• Analyze complex administrative and operational problems, evaluate alternatives, and reach sound conclusions.
• Collect, evaluate and interpret varied narrative and statistical information.
• Coordinate multiple activities, meet deadlines, and work independently with a minimum of supervision.
• Prepare clear, accurate and concise reports, procedures and other written materials.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Identify program resources and needs; develop recommendations and review them with appropriate management staff.
• Learn and retain local geography and resources as they relate to wildfire mitigation and prescribed fire planning and operations.
• Represent the District in meetings with representatives of other public and private organizations.
• Safely operate a forklift, Kubota RTV, UTVs and other equipment used in prescribed fire operations.
• Express ideas clearly and make effective presentations, both orally and in writing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Environmental Conditions: Outside environment; exposure to noise and heavy equipment; work in inclement weather conditions; exposure to smoke, heat and hazardous materials.

Physical Conditions: Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing, walking, carrying, stacking, piling, bending, climbing, overhead reaching, crouching; heavy pulling and pushing; strength to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

DISCLAIMER NOTICE: The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, and functions listed on this job description are representative only, and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. The Employer reserves the right to revise the job description as necessary.

The most qualified candidates will be selected to appear before a panel for an oral board interview. Those applicants invited to an interview will be notified electronically at the e-mail address provided by each candidate through the application process. Therefore, it is the applicant's responsibility to provide an accurate email address and to allow their inbox to receive emails in regard to this recruitment.

Prior to a final offer of employment, applicants must pass a thorough background investigation.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The Moraga-Orinda Fire District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process may contact Human Resources at [phone].

California Fair Chance Act

Moraga-Orinda Fire District will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Moraga-Orinda Fire District is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background check. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage.

Veterans' Hiring Preference

Pursuant to MOFD District Policy 21, veterans having served in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force or Coast Guard in time of war, in any expedition of the Armed Forces of the United States, or have been on continuous active duty for more than 180 days, or being a disabled veteran and have received a discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions and have competed in an open recruitment process and have submitted acceptable documentary evidence demonstrating eligibility prior to the final deadline of this recruitment (November 20, 2026 @ 5:00 p.m.) and having achieved a minimum passing final examination score and meet all other qualifications for placement on the eligibility list will receive five additional points added to their final examination score.

Disclaimer Notice

The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, and functions listed on this job description are representative only, and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. The Employer reserves the right to revise the job description as necessary.