Program Supervisor

Job Overview:

Developing, implementing, and supervising the fire management program on the Anaconda Unit.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): 

These job functions are some of the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.

Fire Program Planning and Analysis (40% of time)

Plans and directs Anaconda 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; 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. 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. Manages fire readiness levels for the Unit protection areas. Analyzes combinations of factors such as daily fire danger ratings, fire potential, equipment availability, communication systems, personnel, and work schedules to determine appropriate readiness level for a variety of different scenarios and circumstances. Designs and manages a comprehensive Unit initial attack plan and coordinates plan components with multiple cooperating organizations. This plan describes the planned initial response for various specific sets of fire behavior and local physical conditions. Administers and implements initial attack agreements with rural fire departments and provides expertise and assistance in plan interpretation.  Conduct all recruitment and selection activities for the Unit fire programs. This involves developing selection criteria and interview questions, participating in interviews, reference, and background checks, and making hiring recommendations to the Unit Manager.

Operations and Resource Coordination (35% of time)

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.  Promotes interagency and stakeholder coordination and planning of actions that contribute to achieving landscape wildfire resiliency.  Takes command of complex initial attack and extended attack or escaped fires in wildland urban interface and other areas by interpreting and responding to fire data, resources at risk, and nature of impending threat. Serves as Incident Commander on large, complex, unusually dangerous fire situations by commanding and controlling all resources engaged in fire suppression and setting resource priorities. Directs and coordinates Unit detection and dispatch activities to ensure effective initial and extended attack and support of fires. Sets priorities during multiple fire situations and analyzes and determines the incident command organization needed. Encourage 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., Fire Wise, and Community Wildfire Protection Plans). 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.  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, including unit Duty Officer schedule.  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. 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.  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 (15% of time)

Directly supervises 3.7 FTE including: Unit Assistant Fire Management Officer (1.0 FTE), 2 Unit Fire Operations Specialist (1.5 FTE), and Montana State Prison Crew Boss (.6 FTE), Senior Engine Boss (.5 FTE).

Indirectly supervise and provide leadership for an additional 13 unit seasonal wildland firefighters. Oversee all recruitment and selection for the unit fire program. This involves developing the selection criteria and interview questions, participate in interviews. Establish objective and measurable performance standards for unit fire positions. Monitor and manage the performance of all positions directly supervised. Ensure subordinates complete performance reviews as per Department policy. Implement and monitor corrective action including discipline and termination, if necessary. Prepare unit training plan and oversee implementation of training plan to the unit.

Volunteer Fire Department and County Fire Assistance (5% of time)

Acts as the primary wildland fire advisor for Deer Lodge, Granite, Powell (South) Volunteer Fire Districts as well as Silver Bow Counties in the County Coop Program.  Works with county officials and volunteer fire departments within the counties when there are fires which are beyond the capability of the county. In these situations, incumbent must evaluate the fire situation and arrange for needed fire suppression equipment and other resources not directly available to the county which are then provided by and paid for by the State.  Advises the county personnel in charge of the fire, strategy and tactics that will be most effective for the suppression of the fire. Trains and directs other Unit/Area personnel assigned to work as county fire advisors on the Anaconda Unit. 

What are some benefits you can expect?

Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. 

Application Materials Required for this Position Are:

State of Montana Application Resume Cover Letter

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. 

Minimum Qualifications:

A degree in 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. 

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 Requirements:

It is required of this position to meet and maintain fire suppression qualifications at the Division/Group or Incident Commander 3 level or equivalent. (Applicant must be able to obtain Incident Commander Type 3 qualification within 3 years of accepting this position if not already qualified.) Applicant must also achieve a rating on the work capacity (pack) test commensurate with these qualifications. Generally, this position is physically demanding and is conducted in a field setting. The incumbent may be required to work extended hours in the office or fire environment. Fire suppression activities often include extremely hectic conditions, requiring an ability to think calmly and clearly, make appropriate but rapid decisions, provide adequate responses, and coordinate numerous activities all occurring at the same time. Under such conditions this position can be extremely demanding, both mentally and emotionally.

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