Program Supervisor

Job Overview:

This position is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and supervising the fire management program on the Helena Unit.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities):

Fire Program Planning and Analysis
Plans and directs Helena Unit fire management programs and activities including: developing and implementing wildland fire prevention plans; managing program budget allocations; managing fire readiness levels; designing and managing comprehensive initial attack plans; analyzing changing fire suppression trends, practices, techniques and issues; designing and implementing comprehensive fire management plans for counties within the protection area, including county wildfire preparedness plans; designing and coordinating multi-agency fire response simulations; providing management direction for the burning permit program within the responsibility area; planning and organizing a seasonal work force; and coordinating and supervising building, grounds and maintenance activities for the Unit.

This Requires knowledge of fire management principles and practices; fire behavior; fire incident command system and organization; program planning and management; standards, equipment, techniques and methods used in wildland and urban interface fire control; fire prevention planning and strategy; program budgeting; research methods; initial attack and readiness planning; knowledge of federal and state laws applicable to forest management; and skill and ability in written and verbal communication methods and techniques.

Operations and Resource Coordination  Provides information, expertise and guidance to multiple cooperating groups and organizations involved in fire prevention, planning and suppression including county planning boards and local governing bodies, incident management teams, rural fire districts and volunteer fire departments. 

Coordinates and monitors resource deployment and availability to ensure effective and efficient use of personnel and equipment to ensure fire program objectives are met throughout the year.

Oversees and coordinates Unit detection and dispatch activities.

Provides guidance to others on county planning issues associated with subdivision layout and design regarding fire protection, fire suppression tactics and strategy, fire laws and codes, interpretation of fire data and changing conditions, fire occurrence and potential, and public education methods for fire prevention.

Reviews, coordinates, and assists in implementing unit fuels program. Prepares and coordinates fuels projects and prescribed burning operations. Coordinates fuels projects with other Unit projects and priorities. Provides knowledge and expertise on fire effects for MEPA documentation.

Encourages proactive vegetation management on public and private forests and rangeland. Coordinate and promote continued planning and fuel reduction programs that promote and sustain the creation of fire‐adapted communities (e.g. FireWise, and Community Wildfire Protection Plans).

Promotes interagency and stakeholder coordination and planning of actions that contribute to achieving landscape wildfire resiliency.

Participate on DNRC and interagency task forces, boards, associations, and working groups related to local fire & fuels programs. This includes providing leadership, expertise, and resource support to organizations such as city and county government, Interagency Fuels Mitigation Taskforces, Forestry Workgroups, NGOs, and Neighborhood/Homeowner Associations.

Provides direction and expertise to Line Officers and Incident Management Teams on DNRC fires. Assists with large fire preparedness, planning and analysis (e.g. Incident Situation Assessments, Risk and Complexity assessments) Serves as Unit Duty Officer on a rotating basis with other Unit or Area personnel with responsibility for coordinating and ensuring the availability of appropriate personnel as fire conditions change. 

This requires knowledge of the principles and practices of fire management, prevention, and suppression; resource mobilization and coordination; initial attack response; fire behavior; fire planning; maps and aerial photos; the incident command system; the standards, equipment, methods and tools used in wildland fire control; prescribed fire and fuels management; and of the federal, state, and county laws and regulations related to fire management and forest practices. 

Also required is knowledge of the principles and techniques of wildland fire investigations; fire billing practices and procedures; and Montana laws, rules and regulations regarding arson and other fire related statutes.

Supervision and Training Directly (line) supervises the Helena Unit Assistant Fire Management Officer, and indirectly supervises the Helena Unit Fire Operations Specialist, 2 Senior Engine Bosses, .5 FTE Cache Manager, and 16 seasonal firefighters.

· This involves recruitment and selection, assigning and reviewing work, training, establishing performance standards and evaluating performance, handling corrective action, and recommending termination if necessary. This work requires knowledge of supervisory principles and practices, DNRC and State Personnel policies, procedures, precedents, and program requirements.

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE: 

Online State of Montana application Resume  Cover Letter

HELPFUL HINT: You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.

Benefits:

Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage Retirement Plans Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here, to learn more and see if you may qualify *If you are interested in a complete job description please contact HR at Stacey.Gabrio@mt.gov.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): 
Graduation from high school or equivalent, Resource Management preferred, however, any major field of study combined with a significant amount of fire experience is acceptable. This position is expected to have the equivalent of four years of related professional experience in wildland fire management, planning, personnel training and management. Progressively responsible positions in fire management in both administrative and operational capacities and finally, two years of supervisory experience is required.

Physical and Environmental Demands:  Fire Program responsibilities frequently require working beyond the normal 40 hours per week and often require the incumbent to maintain an on-call status. The position’s work is conducted in both a normal office environment and in the field.Field work involves exposure to varying weather and road conditions, and moderate amounts of walking and climbing on rough, uneven terrain.The ability to perform physical labor is a job requirement. The work requires the incumbent to work in the field on a regular basis to assess the effectiveness of fire management operations, evaluate crew and system performance, determine training needs and priorities, and conduct inspections. Fire suppression duties include dangers and risks associated with erratic and unpredictable fire behavior.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  The Unit Fire Management Officer must have a thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of wildland fire management. Must have the ability to plan, organize and direct a comprehensive and complex wildland fire program. Must have knowledge of, and the ability to interpret and apply Department and interagency policies, rules and regulations as well as state and federal laws. Must have the ability to work within an interagency environment to accomplish DNRC fire program objectives.Applicants must have the ability to provide strong leadership to DNRC employees, as well as external contacts to accomplish program goals. Must have the ability to direct and supervise others, maintain effective working relationships in often stressful emergency situations, and communicate effectively and concisely, both verbally and in writing. Must have the ability to facilitate or speak at public meetings and represent the DNRC to media representatives. Must have a basic knowledge and ability in various computer programs used for word processing, electronic mail, and data analysis.

SPECIAL INFORMATION: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card".

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