Natural Resources Forestry Regional Specialist-NW Firewise Communities Specialist

Job Summary:

MN DNR seeks to hire a Firewise Communities Specialist (FCS) located in northwestern Minnesota. Based in Bemidji, this Natural Resources Forestry Regional Specialist position exists to develop and implement a regional Firewise Program as well as to collaborate in the development and delivery of a statewide Fire Prevention and Firewise Program.  

This program’s goal is to empower local communities with the expertise to save lives and prevent avoidable property loss by providing local decision-makers, fire departments, and others with training, tools, and start-up assistance to implement the program.

Job Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the state Firewise Team and Forestry Areas to develop and implement a comprehensive Firewise and Wildfire Prevention Program that offers training, materials, assistance and a consistent message to Minnesota communities and audiences.
• Provide administrative and technical oversight of the assigned program.
• Develop and implement a strategic and operational wildfire risk assessment process and tools for local communities to use in assessing local wildfire fuels and ignition risks.
• Develop, deliver, and monitor regional work and spending plans.
• Assist participating communities in developing strategic plans to reduce wildfire risk in their communities and to integrate Firewise practices into the communities’ plans, policies, and procedures.
• Assist in training and outreach efforts within the communities and the assigned Region.
• Prepare timely and appropriate reports.
• Perform regionwide wildfire support duties within the scope of current credentials when necessary and dispatched.
• Develop Regional program teams and serve as an active member of statewide program teams.
• Monitor and support the work of Forestry Area Staff.
• Complete formal Division of Forestry classroom and field training sessions as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Science/Management, Environmental education, Emergency Management, or Fire Science or a closely related natural resource field of academic study.
• Two years (24 months) of experience in a role providing primary lead work (non-supervisory) and direction to other staff with an emphasis in project development and administration in wildfire resource protection, forestry or other natural resource education or outreach program, emergency government, OR three years (36 months) of experience providing program-level or lead worker duties in programs related to forestry program field work, wildfire suppression, emergency operations, or dispatching.
• Skills to integrate information from scientific literature, historical data and past experiences sufficient to devise risk-rating systems and management guidelines.
• Leadership skills sufficient to motivate and guide staff to work efficiently and obtain program commitment from division personnel and other Forest managers.
• Human relations skills sufficient to direct, administer and train foresters and to lead personnel working in programs.
• 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.
• Ability to prepare and edit high quality technical reports and management plans and research and interpretation scientific literature sufficient to solve problems, educate others, and increase expertise in a specialty area.
• Ability to negotiate budget, staffing needs and equipment allocation sufficient to administer programs and train personnel.
• Ability to train and teach sufficiently to convey information in classrooms, field demonstrations, seminars, workshops, and to DNR staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Science/Management (or a closely related field of academic study) from a university program accredited by the Society of American Foresters, or a bachelor’s in communications.
• Experience leading a natural resources outreach program.
• Experience in wildland firefighting, wildland fire suppression techniques, wildfire behavior at the NWCG single resource boss level or higher or structural firefighter training at the NFA firefighter 2 level.
• Knowledge of Minnesota statutes pertaining to natural resources management.
• Knowledge of administration and monitoring of grants, contracts, and agreements.