City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Wildfire Mitigation Officer

Under limited direction, this position oversees the development, coordination, and administration of wildfire programs, policies, and practices to ensure that wildfire protection is of the highest priority, as it relates to public and private safety and resiliency.

1. Develops and implements short- and long-range wildfire protection strategies, objectives, policies, and priorities for the City related to public and private safety and resiliency for Fire Adapted Communities and Fire Resilient Landscapes.
2. Develops and revises regulations related to wildfire protection and preparedness.
3. Liaises with City and County departments to ensure wildfire safety and preparedness are integrated into projects and protocols across the City of Austin and Travis County.
4. Advises departmental directors, the City Manager, and City Council on wildfire protection and related public safety and preparedness policies and issues.
5. Evaluates programs for effectiveness and accomplishment of goals and makes recommendations to changes in programs to meet departmental and City goals.
6. Develops, reviews, approves, and revises operational and standard operating procedures, policies, and processes.
7. Interprets, explains, and provides guidance on enforcement of applicable policies, procedures, and regulations with Austin Fire Department (AFD) internal partners and COA partners in other departments.
8. Serves as departmental executive liaison to the Public Safety Commission.
9. Serves on City of Austin committees and boards and attends City Council meetings as a lead representative on wildfire related matters at the direction of leadership.
10. Advances the City of Austin as a national leader and model for wildfire mitigation and related sustainability practices, which may include participation on national committees promoting wildfire preparedness and mitigation.

• Knowledge of current concepts of wildfire protection and preparedness, particularly those related to the wildfire impacts to public safety, City properties, and private development.
• Knowledge of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy.
• Knowledge of development processes and regulations.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation and management.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of wildfire mitigation issues and program sustainability trends.
• Knowledge of governmental processes and relationships impacting and affected by wildfire mitigation program activities.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of reporting concepts and preferred business practices impacting and affected by wildfire mitigation program activities and/or wildfire public education impacts and mitigation management.
• Knowledge of project management and internal control concepts and practices.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in presenting data related to Wildfire or Urban Interface environments to assist Management in prioritizing decisions.
• Skill in identifying and assessing potential process improvements.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective communication and professional, working relationships with boards and commissions, City employees, the public, and internal and external customers.
• Ability to develop strategic direction and program implementation collaboratively with various stakeholder/community groups.
• Ability to resolve complex problems or situations requiring the exercise of good judgement.
• Ability to manage multiple programs, projects, and tasks.
• Ability to analyze relevant data, problem-solve, and develop sound theses regarding development and progression of wildfire programs.
• Ability to handle conflict in hostile and uncertain situations.
• Ability to coordinate complex projects in a changing management environment.
• Ability to lead cross-functional and departmental project teams.
• Ability to understand and explain fire science and wildfire management trends, processes, and procedures.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a field related to the job, plus seven (7) years of wildfire policy and/or protection-related experience, including two (2) years of experience in a managerial capacity.
• Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.
• Experience may substitute for one (1) year of the required education up to a maximum of four (4) years.