Firewise Communities Specialist - NR Forestry Regional Spec

Working Title: Firewise Communities Specialist - NR Forestry Regional Spec

Job Class: Natural Resources Forestry Regional Specialist

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 05/10/2024

• Closing Date : 05/30/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Natural Resources

• Division/Unit : Forestry

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes

• Salary Range: $28.50 - $41.93 / hourly; $59,508 - $87,549 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (~~~/) : Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you'll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

This position was previously announced on 1/04/2024 through 1/24/2024. If you have already applied for this job, you do not need to reapply.

Natural Resources Forestry Regional Specialists develop forestry programs at the Region administrative level. Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry Programs include State Land Management, Resource Protection, Cooperative Forest Management, Forest Resource Information and Planning, Nursery and Tree Improvement, and Administrative and Technical Support.

This position develops and implements regional Firewise and Wildfire Prevention programs and collaborates in the development of state programs. This program engages with and empowers local communities to mitigate wildland fire risk and prevent avoidable property loss by providing local decision-makers, fire departments and others with education, information, tools and start-up assistance to implement the program. This position is split between three different programs as follows: 50% Firewise, 25% Fire Prevention at the state and regional levels and 25% fire suppression.

Work hours are subject to change based on work needs; hours of work and days off may vary and includes weekends, evenings and holidays. The preferred location for this position is at the regional headquarters in Bemidji, MN. Additional possible locations include: Blackduck, Park Rapids, Detroit Lakes, or Brainerd, MN. The specific location will be agreed upon at the time of selection.

Responsibilities include

• Develop, implement, monitor and coordinate Firewise and fire prevention programs at the Region level, providing administrative and technical oversight of the program.

• Collaborate with the Fire Prevention Team and Forestry Areas to develop and implement a comprehensive Minnesota Fire Prevention Program that offers training, materials, assistance and a consistent fire prevention message to Minnesota communities and audiences.

• Assist communities in developing plans, policies and procedures that integrate practices designed to reduce wildfire risk in their communities.

• Lead, provide assistance or coordinate Firewise and Wildfire Prevention training and outreach efforts within the communities and the Region.

• Coordinate development of wildfire hazard/risk assessments and tools for use in community wildfire mitigation efforts.

• Perform wildfire suppression and/or investigation duties in support of Division of Forestry needs and priorities.

• Set goals, administer grant contracts and budgets, develop reports, develop and deliver educational programs, train staff, and collect, analyze and report resource data and trends.

• Complete formal Division of Forestry classroom and field training sessions as assigned.

This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in forestry, fire management/ecology, emergency management or other closely related field

• Two (2) years advanced level professional experience equivalent to the NR Forestry Specialist SENIOR class - plan, direct staff, administer budget, administer and implement programs, consult, interact with other resource disciplines and train and educate; OR three (3) years intermediate level professional experience equivalent to the NR Forestry Specialist, Intermediate class.

OR

• Associate degree in fire management/ecology, emergency management, natural resource management with an emphasis in Forestry or other related field.

• Five (5) years of experience in a wildland fire organization with involvement in implementing programs; consulting and interacting with other resource disciplines; training and educating; developing, implementing, evaluating, and providing oversight of wildland fire programs or teams.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience and qualifications in fire suppression sufficient to support Area wildland suppression efforts. Prescribed burn qualifications apply as fire experience.

• Ability to administer regional program sufficient to manage and properly allocate limited resources, coordinate activities, and monitor, document and evaluate results.

• Human relations skills sufficient to teach information in classrooms, field demonstrations, seminars, workshops and to direct, administer, and lead personnel and volunteers.

• Oral and written communication skills sufficient to communicate complex concepts and principals to other resource professions and the public and make effective presentations to a wide variety of audiences by identifying their level of understanding and evoking a positive response.

• Integrate information from scientific literature, historical data and past experiences and to prepare and edit high quality technical reports and presentations sufficient to solve problems, educate others and increase expertise in a specialty area.

• Leadership skills sufficient to motivate people and obtain program commitment.

• Ability to develop successful grant proposals, evaluate grant applicants, execute contracts and track and report deliverables accurately and timely in accordance with State and Federal policy.

• Experience with computer software including but not limited to Microsoft Office suite, ESRI Geospatial products (ArcGIS) or similar programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in forestry, fire management/ecology, emergency management or other closely related field.

• Demonstrated experience developing and/or delivering Firewise/Fire Prevention projects and programs.

• Advanced GIS skills sufficient to analyze spatial datasets, such as lidar derived products.

• Broad range of experiences working cooperatively with interagency (federal, state, and local governments), NGOs, contractors, and community partners.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver's license with a clear driving record.

Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Conflict of Interest Review

• Criminal History Check

• Education Verification

• Employment Reference / Records Check

• License / Certification Verification

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at ~~~ or email ~~~ . Please indicate what assistance is needed.