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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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Wildfire Mitigation Specialist
FLSA: Standard/Non-Exempt EEO Category: (20) Professionals
Class Code: 10611 Salary Grade: IJ4
Approved: Last Revised: August 08, 2023

Purpose:
 

Under limited supervision, research, coordinate, and deliver wildfire mitigation education and safety programs.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
  Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
  1. Assists with coordination, development and delivery of wildfire education programs and training to support Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP).
  2. Engages community involvement to address all elements of the Fire Adapted Community’s (FAC) objectives of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, supporting safe and effective wildfire response, fire adapted communities, and fire resilient landscapes.
  3. Develops presentations and educational materials for community wildfire safety including coordinating with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analysts to develop area risk models.
  4. Liaison with internal and external city department partners, agencies, and community resources for joint efforts in wildfire education and training.
  5. Assists with assessment and development of wildland fire prevention strategies based on documented fire causes.
  6. Assists in development and delivery of online wildfire safety and evacuation plans and communication strategies for communities.
  7. Assists with mitigation training and wildfire prevention, including prescribed burns.
  8. Reviews, interprets, and educates on wildfire-related policies, codes, regulations, ordinances, plans, and proposals for compliance.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
 
  • None. 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
  • Knowledge of wildland fire behavior.
  • Knowledge of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Firewise USA, Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP), Fire Adapted Communities (FAC), and Fire Resilient Landscape (FRL) practices and standards.
  • Knowledge of National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) practices and standards.
  • Knowledge of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) code.
  • Knowledge of Home Ignition Zone (HIZ), ISA Wildfire Risk Reduction, and Responding to the Interface principles.
  • Knowledge of applicable wildfire federal, state, local, and county laws, rules, regulations, codes, and guidelines.
  • Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
  • Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
  • Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  • Skill in using computers and related software applications.
  • Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
  • Skill in both written and verbal communications.
  • Skill in delivering presentations.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees, citizens, public safety agencies, and community organizations.
  • Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  • Ability to train others.
Minimum Qualifications:
 
  • Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field, plus two (2) years of relevant experience.
  • One (1) additional year of experience may substitute for one (1) year of the required education with a maximum substitution of four (4) years.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
 
  • Must be able to obtain International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Wildfire Risk Reduction qualification, Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) certification, or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Wildfire Mitigation Specialist certification within one (1) year of acceptance of position.
  • Valid State of Texas Class “C” Driver License

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.