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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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Wildfire Mitigation Officer
FLSA: Standard/Exempt EEO Category: (20) Professionals
Class Code: 17170 Salary Grade: IJ3
Approved: October 20, 2014 Last Revised: January 02, 2019

Purpose:
 
Under limited direction, oversees the development, coordination, and administration of wildfire programs, 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. 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.
  2. Develops and revises regulations related to wildfire protection and preparedness.
  3. Advises departmental directors, the City Manager, and City Council on wildfire protection and related public safety and preparedness policies and issues.
  4. Evaluates programs for effectiveness and accomplishment of goals, and makes recommendations to changes in programs to meet departmental and City goals.
  5. Develops, reviews, approves, and revises operational and standard operating procedures, policies, and processes.
  6. Interprets, explains, and provides guidance on enforcement of applicable policies, procedures, and regulations.
  7. Coordinates as a liaison for interdepartmental and interagency issues, projects, and protocols.
  8. Serves as departmental executive liaison to the Public Safety Commission.
  9. Serves on committees and boards, and attends City Council meetings as a lead representative on wildfire related matters.
  10. Advances the City of Austin as a national leader and model for wildfire mitigation and related sustainability practices.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
 
Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.
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 current concepts of wildfire protection and preparedness, particularly those related to the wildfire impacts to public safety, City properties, and private development.
  • 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 data analysis and problem solving.
  • Skill in determining needs; gathering, analyzing, and presenting data to provide accurate information for management’s use.
  • 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.
  • Ability to handle conflict and 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.
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 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.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
  None.

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.