Wildfire Mitigation Specialist

Elk Creek Fire Protection District; Colorado; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Elk Creek Fire Protection District’s Conifer Wildland Division seeks a Wildland Mitigation Specialist to build a progressive FAC program focused on education, mitigation, and consistent community messaging aligned with our SOPs and Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

The role emphasizes public outreach, volunteer coordination, and collaboration with county partners, with occasional after-hours community engagement and travel to support nationwide wildland assignments.

Qualifications

• 2 years Wildland firefighting experience.
• Public speaking and training experience.
• Experience working with and organizing volunteers.
• NWCG Type 2 certification and valid driver’s license.
• FEMA 1-100, 1-200, 1-700 training or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Manage wildfire mitigation programs, including Wildfire Prepared Home Assessments and Community Ambassador Program.
• Contribute to and support the Community Chipping Program.
• Update GIS maps and databases as appropriate.
• Identify and support fuels reduction projects within communities.
• Develop and deliver education programs for residents on defensible space, home hardening, pile burning, and prescribed burns.
• Attend community meetings, occasionally evenings and weekends.
• Write grant applications for financial support; coordinate with regional collaboratives as directed.
• Seek opportunities to increase skills to accomplish program goals.

Education

NWCG Type 2

Valid driver’s license

NFPA Home Ignition Zone training

GIS Certification

Colorado Structural Firefighter 1

Colorado Hazardous Materials Operations

Bachelor’s degree or related field

Tools

GIS Software

Job description

Conifer Wildland Division

Position Description

Wildland Mitigation Specialist

Position Title: Wildland Mitigation Specialist

Division: Wildland

Supervisor: Wildland Captain

Mission Statement

To encourage and promote wildfire safety and prevention to make our mountain community a safe place to live, work, and play.

Job Summary

The Wildfire Mitigation Specialist will build a sustainable and progressive fire adapted community (FAC) program centered on public education, mitigation, and consistent community messaging that is aligned with the goals, Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) of Elk Creek and Inter-Canyon Fire Protection Districts (Conifer Fire).

Responsibilities

• Manage wildfire mitigation programs that include, but are not limited to:
  • Wildfire Prepared Home Assessments
  • Conifer Fire’s Community Ambassador Program
• Contribute to and support the Community Chipping Program
• Update GIS maps and databases as appropriate
• Identify and support fuels reduction projects within communities
• Create education programs for residents, such as:
  • Pile burning
  • Prescription burns
  • Forest health
  • Community Ambassador education and outreach
  • Defensible space
  • Home hardening
• Attend community meetings as needed (be willing to work evenings and weekends occasionally)
• Write grant applications for financial support for our programs and the community
• Coordinate with County and regional mitigation, education, and response collaboratives as directed by the Wildland Captain.
• Seek educational opportunities to increase skill set to accomplish goals

This is not a primary response position, however the Wildland Specialist can respond to emergency incidents consistent with the District's Rules and SOPs and will be responsible for safely performing all duties assigned by command.

Required Experience, Education, and Training

Experience

• 2-years Wildland firefighting
• Public speaking and training
• Working with and organizing volunteers

Certifications and Degrees

• NWCG Type 2
• Must have a valid driver’s license

Training

• FEMA 1-100,1-200, 1-700
• Wildfire Prepared home assessment training (will be provided upon hire)

Desired

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a related field
• NFPA Home Ignition Zone training
• GIS Certification
• Emergency Medical Responder
• Colorado Structural Firefighter 1
• Colorado Hazardous Materials Operations

Competencies

• Organizational skills
• Public speaking
• Training development and delivery
• Professional
• Flexibility
• Teamwork
• Desire to learn

Working Environment and Physical Requirements

• Moderate physical activity is required in the performance of normal duties, with periodically strenuous physical activity under extreme adverse conditions.
• This position requires standing, walking, stooping, bending, lifting, crawling, jumping, sliding, climbing and repetitive motion.
• Work is performed in all weather conditions, wind, snow, rain and in extreme temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit and excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Work is performed under hazardous and adverse conditions, including but not limited to slippery/uneven surfaces, proximity to moving mechanical equipment, burning materials, broken glass or other materials, electrical currents, high places and confined spaces.
• Work may result in exposure to smoke, gases, chemicals, fumes, odors, mists and dusts, which can affect the respiratory system or skin.
• Employees are encouraged to maintain training and utilize personal protective equipment as supplied from the District as needed to perform their duties.
• This position demands frequent use of sensory activities such as talking, seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling (identifying objects by touch), depth perception and color vision.
• This position requires the ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• This position will involve periods of high physical, mental and/or emotional stress.
• This position will involve travel for wildland fire assignments around the United States for up to 21 days plus travel.