Wildfire Program Manager

Definition

This is a full-time opportunity with many benefits! As a Missoula County employee, you will be part of a team that is committed to positively impacting the community. The pay range for this position is $37.90 - $44.60 per hour, DOE.

The Office of Emergency Management is seeking a WILDFIRE PROGRAM MANAGER to join their team. This position provides leadership, staff supervision, coordination and direction for the Wildfire Program within The Office of Emergency Management to develop, administer, implement, and maintain countywide wildfire preparedness and mitigation efforts.

Details: We are accepting completed application submissions until 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 10, 2025. It is in your best interest to apply by this date.
To Apply:

• Please complete all sections of the online application, even if a resume is requested.
• Please include with a complete application the following attachments: A letter of interest, and a resume
• Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
• Complete job description available upon request to the Department of Human Resources.

Representative Examples of Work

Actively engages with federal, state, tribal, and local partners to create a coordinated and collaborative framework to foster fire-adapted communities and fire-resistant landscapes, and align, develop, and communicate wildfire planning, mitigation, and adaptation efforts. Serves as the entry point and primary contact for all countywide wildfire mitigation, planning, and preparedness efforts. Provides cohesion and enhanced capacity to County divisions and departments involved in wildfire mitigation efforts, as well as local groups and agencies involved in wildfire preparedness, prevention, response, prescribed fire and land management. Ensures programmatic alignment between the County’s regulatory and non-regulatory wildfire mitigation efforts to reduce risk at the parcel, neighborhood, and community scale. Coordinates with County planning, emergency management, climate resiliency and land conservation and management efforts related to wildfire such as incident response, natural resource management, prescribed fire and climate resilience for heat and smoke. Develops and implements best practices for wildfire risk reduction on private lands and in support of County planning efforts such as the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), Hazard Mitigation Plan, the Missoula County Growth Policy relative to public health and safety, and the climate adaptation plan. Assists with or oversees updates to the CWPP and provides guidance to other long range planning efforts. Facilitates and maintains working relationships with public and private organizations including state and federal land management agencies, tribal organizations, university partners, non-profit groups, and other public and private entities. Hires, trains and supervises wildfire mitigation specialists and other staff to provide wildfire mitigation measures on private and public lands and the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) including risk reduction, home assessments, vegetation management, hazardous fuels reduction, prescribed fire and forest restoration. Develops and implements programs for safety and risk management to ensure workplace safety and health. Serves as a subject matter expert and coordinates closely with the Department of Planning Development and Sustainability and the Building Division to ensure regulatory and code compliance of mitigation requirements on private lands through staff training and development, conducting plan reviews, and assisting with pre and post treatment property inspections related to wildfire development standards. Develops, administers, and implements on-going public education and outreach programs in coordination with county departments, as well as natural resource management and fire response agencies. Meets with homeowners, builders, developers, organizations, and fire district representatives to increase awareness of wildfire risks and mitigation methods to homes and properties. Oversees grant-writing, reporting, budgeting, and administrative functions related to grants. Generates and distributes news releases, public service announcements, newsletters and reports through various communication channels including print and electronic media.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Degrees best suited to this position are Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Ecology, and related fields.
  
• Five years of wildfire mitigation and/or natural resource management experience that includes progressive supervisory responsibilities. Experience working with defensible space projects on private lands desired.
  
• 10 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
  
• SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : Requires a valid Montana driver's license.
  

Physical/Environmental Demands

The work is performed in an office setting but will require extensive field work that requires travel to remote sites and field locations requiring walking and standing on rough or uneven terrain in all seasons. May require work involving active wildfire or prescribed fire situations. Requires the ability to drive a motor vehicle. Requires the ability to lift and carry moderately heavy items, (20-50#). Requires occasional travel out of town.

Located halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and home to the University of Montana, Missoula is an academic center situated in an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Depending on the season, you can hike, ski, fish, float rivers, ride mountain bikes, or just sit back and marvel at the surrounding scenery. Join us in scenic, sophisticated, and service-oriented Missoula!

Missoula County covers over 2,618 square miles of mountain lands varying in topography and climate from temperate river valleys to snow-capped peaks. Five large valleys and two major rivers wind through this mountainous region.

Missoula County is large and diverse, featuring everything from the spectacular scenery of Clark Fork River running through town to lush ranches and a growing economy of small business. Skiers, outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife watchers, mothers and fathers, business owners, vacationers, fisherman, retirees, students, and many others have grown to love Missoula County's boundless opportunities.

This summary outlines the benefit programs; actual benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status.

Missoula County will reward your contributions to our community with competitive compensation and generous benefits, including but not limited to:

Excellent Medical Health Benefits– Group health benefits, including dental and vision coverage, are available to eligible County employees. The medical health benefits premium is covered for full-time employees. The County contribution is pro-rated on hours paid for part-time employees. The employee pays the premium portion for dependent coverage. Family health benefits coverage is $258.00 per pay period.

Medical deductible is $500 for an individual and $1,000 for a family.

Flexible Benefits Plan– Pre-tax out-of-pocket medical expenses and day care expenses.

Voluntary Life Insurance Coverage, Long and Short-Term Disability, Critical and Accident Insuranceare offered through Mutual ofOmaha.

Public Employees Retirement System– Montana public employees of the state, university system, local governments and certain employees of school districts are covered by the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New members to the PERS have an opportunity to choose between two retirement plan options: the Defined Benefit Plan or the Defined Contribution Plan.

Sheriffs' Retirement System (SRS)– A public pension plan for all Montana Sheriffs hired after July 1, 1974 and Detention Officers hired after July 1, 2005.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Working for Missoula County may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness. Look here to learn more and understand whether you may be eligible.

Supplemental Retirement Benefitsare offered through Valic or Nationwide.

Sick Leave– Full-time employees accrue 7.38hours per month and are eligible to use sick leave once you have been an employee for 90 days.The accrual is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Vacation Leave– Full-time employees accrue 9.24 hours per month and are eligible to use leave after continuous employment for a period of 6 full months. The accrual is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Holidays– The County observes eleven legal holidays in even numbered years and ten legal holidays in odd numbered years.

Paid Parental Leave (PPL)-In recognition of the importance of bonding and care of a newborn child or a child placed for adoption, Missoula County 6 continuous weeks of PPL to eligible full-time employees that have been with the county for 180 days. The hours are pro-rated for part-time employees.

Tuition Assistance- Because we value the professional and personal development of our employees, Missoula County is proud to offer reimbursement of certain education expenses.

Closing Date/Time: 1/10/2025 5:00 PM Mountain

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• Missoula County

• 406-258-3293

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