Wildfire Mitigation Specialist

position Title: Wildfire Mitigation Specialist

Job Type: Hybrid Remote and Office, full-time

Location: Lebanon, Oregon

Salary: $26.44/hour – $31.25/hour DOE

Reports to: Executive Director, South Santiam Watershed Council (SSWC)

Closing Date: Open until filled 

Preferred Start Date: May 18, 2026

About the South Santiam Watershed Council:

The South Santiam Watershed Council is a 501(c)(3) that works collaboratively with landowners and managers, businesses, and government agencies to implement in-stream, riparian, and upland restoration, monitoring, education, and outreach activities that improve the health and function of the South Santiam watershed. The SSWC is non-regulatory and mission-driven, with strong community support and partnerships across local, state, and federal agencies, agriculture, timber interests, and nonprofit organizations. SSWC’s mission is to enhance and protect the natural resources of the South Santiam River watershed for the social, environmental, and economic benefit of all those who live, work and visit.

Position description:

• Increase implementation capacity for wildfire mitigation and fuels reduction efforts in eastern Linn County
• Support cross-boundary wildfire risk reduction projects that protect communities, infrastructure, and natural resources
• Work directly with landowners, agencies, and partners to assess wildfire risk and advance practical mitigation actions that improve landscape and watershed resilience

Position Context:

The Wildfire Mitigation Specialist position is funded through the USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG), awarded in 2025. This grant supports the Wildfire Ready Linn County project, which advances priority actions identified in the 2024 Linn County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).

The project focuses on eight at-risk and/or low-income communities in eastern Linn County: Sweet Home, Cascadia, South Lebanon, Lacomb, Holley, Crawfordsville, Sodaville, and Waterloo, as well as surrounding rural wildland–urban interface areas.

The Linn Wildfire Mitigation Group (LWMG) was formed to update and implement the 2024 CWPP. Partners include Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District (SHFD), Oregon Department of Forestry South Cascade District (ODF), Lebanon Fire District (LFD), Linn County Juvenile Department (LCJD), and the South Santiam and Calapooia Watershed Councils (SSWC/CWC).

This position will work closely with LWMG partners to advance three key CWPP priorities:

• Develop a strategic, sustainable, and collaborative project pipeline for wildfire mitigation
• Accelerate the pace of fuel reduction work and reduce barriers to access for at-risk communities
• Educate and empower landowners and partners with tools and resources to reduce wildfire risk

This role is primarily focused on on-the-ground mitigation, assessments, coordination, and implementation, complementing education- and engagement-focused positions within the project team.

If you’re a motivated, detail-oriented professional who enjoys working at the intersection of wildfire science, land management, and community partnerships, this may be the position for you.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in local and regional processes to implement the 2024 Linn County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
• Conduct wildfire resilience and risk reduction assessments on private lands, including assessments that crosswalk wildfire mitigation with conservation and restoration objectives
• Provide individualized wildfire risk reduction education and technical assistance during landowner site visits
• Coordinate and implement an inventory of roadside fuel conditions along forest road systems adjacent to communities, industrial forestlands, and public lands
• Work with industrial timberland owners, Linn County Roads, fire districts, and public land managers to support cross-boundary fuels planning and future mitigation projects
• Develop and maintain spatial and tabular datasets related to assessments, fuels inventories, and mitigation priorities using ArcGIS Pro and associated field data collection tools
• Support public–private partnerships and collaborative wildfire mitigation projects through the Linn Wildfire Mitigation Group
• Develop science communication and outreach materials related to wildfire risk reduction, fuels management, and watershed health
• Lead or co-lead site visits, project tours, presentations, public meetings, and partner coordination meetings
• Manage and track project tasks, schedules, and deliverables using Smartsheet and other project management tools
• Report activities, outcomes, and deliverables in accordance with grantor requirements
• Attend staff meetings and board meetings for both organizations
• Attend trainings, workshops, and conferences to advance knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Maintain accurate administrative records for payroll, mileage, and expense tracking

Desired Attributes and Qualifications:

We encourage you to think broadly about your background and qualifications, including professional, educational, traditional, lived, and volunteer experiences that contribute to meeting the qualifications for this position.

• B.A. or B.S. in forestry, fire science, natural resource management, geography, environmental science, or a related field and 2+ years of relevant experience OR 5+ years of relevant experience in wildfire mitigation, land management, or related work
• Experience conducting field-based assessments and working directly with private landowners
• Knowledge of wildfire mitigation best practices, including defensible space, fuels reduction, and home ignition zone concepts
• Experience working in collaborative, multi-partner environments involving local, state, federal, nonprofit, and private-sector partners
• Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro, including spatial data management and map production
• Proficiency with Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms) and Smartsheet for project tracking and coordination
• Familiarity with field data collection tools (e.g., Survey123, Field Maps) and database management preferred
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent English-language oral and written communication skills, including one-on-one communication and public speaking
• Possession of a personal vehicle for business travel; mileage reimbursed at current state rates, with Lebanon as the duty station

Working Conditions, Physical Requirements, and Additional Details:

• Work is performed at a desk, in meetings, and in the field.
• The position will require flexible work hours when needed (evenings and some weekends), with the basic workweek being Monday through Friday.
• Outdoor work can occur in remote locations, in variable weather conditions, on uneven ground, and in and around water.
• Work locations may be public or privately owned, and driving on gravel roads is common.
• Ability to sit, walk and stand for intermittent periods of time and on a frequent basis; bending, kneeling, squatting, reaching overhead, stretching, and climbing; strength, dexterity; occasional use of eye and/or ear protective wear; coordination and vision to operate personal computer and view video display terminal for frequent periods; and the ability to communicate on a telephone, via email, and in person.
• Finalists for the position must have a valid Oregon driver’s license (or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and reliable personal transportation with proof of car insurance. Work-related mileage will be reimbursed at the current State of Oregon rate.
• Finalists for this position will be subject to a computerized criminal history, driving history, and abuse background check. Adverse background information will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of a conditional job offer or the termination of employment.