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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Senior
FLSA: Standard/Non-Exempt EEO Category: (20) Professionals
Class Code: 10612 Salary Grade: YA2
Approved: Last Revised: August 08, 2023

Purpose:
 

Under minimal supervision, coordinate and administer wildfire mitigation programs, wildfire prevention, trainings, policies, and practices to ensure that wildfire protection is of the highest priority related to public and private safety and resiliency.
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. Directs, coordinates, and implements wildfire education programs and training to support Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP).
  2. Engages community involvement to implement Fire Adapted Community’s (FAC) objectives of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy.
  3. Directs the development of presentations and educational materials for community wildfire safety including coordinating with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analysts to develop area risk models.
  4. Implements joint efforts for wildfire mitigation education with internal and external partners, agencies, and community resources.
  5. Conducts assessment and development of wildland fire prevention strategies based on documented fire causes.
  6. Assists in development and implementation of wildfire safety and evacuation plans and communication strategies for communities using knowledge of Fire Resilient Landscapes (FRL) practices and standards.
  7. Participates in wildfire prevention, including prescribed burns.
  8. Reviews, interprets, and educates on wildfire-related policies, codes, regulations, ordinances, plans, and proposals for compliance.
  9. Participates in and/or leads Citywide initiatives, task forces, and committees.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
 

May provide leadership, guidance, and technical support to others.
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), and Fire Adapted Communities (FAC) 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), International Society of Arboriculture (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 and training.
  • 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 with major coursework in a field related to the job, plus four (4) years of wildfire policy and/or protection-related 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,, or Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) certification, or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, or Burn Manager, or Prescribed Burn (RxB) 3, or Firing Boss within six (6) months 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.