Fire Management Hourly

Boulder County Sheriff's Office

Fire Management Hourly Position (ZZ1)

Salary: $52.64 per hour

About Boulder County Fire Management

Boulder County Fire Management (BCFM) is a nationally respected, locally rooted organization dedicated to wildfire mitigation, response, and ecological land stewardship in Boulder County, Colorado. Through innovation, interagency collaboration, and a deep commitment to community safety and environmental health, BCFM leads proactive efforts in fire preparedness, suppression, and prescribed fire. BCFM serves as a model for integrating science-based fire management with strategic partnerships to build resilient landscapes and communities in the face of changing wildfire dynamics.

The Opportunity

Boulder County Fire Management is seeking dynamic and experienced personnel to augment and enhance our staffing to lead and shape the strategic direction of our program and continue to be a leading agency in fire management. This individual will help contribute by bringing valuable operational insight, planning, and prescribed fire skills of fire management to develop internal-staff and training for external partners, from prevention and training to prescribed burns and ecological restoration.

This role requires a skilled leader who can navigate complex interagency environments, engage with community stakeholders, and implement innovative fire and land management practices that address the growing challenges posed by climate change and the wildland-urban interface.

Boulder County is a family-friendly workplace dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.

PLEASE NOTE: When submitting your application be sure to include all relevant education and experience, as applications are screened based on the qualifications listed in this position announcement. Applications that do not appear to meet minimum qualifications, as outlined below, will not be considered. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of completed applications.

Please be aware that your cover letter and resume will not be accessed in the initial screening process, so you must complete your application and supplemental questions with as much detail as possible. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your cover letter and resume will then be accessible to the hiring team.

• Develop, implement, and oversee wildfire preparedness, response, risk and mitigation strategies.
• Manage interdisciplinary teams responsible for suppression operations, prescribed fire, fuels reduction, and ecological restoration.
• Operate in overhead positions to County, State, and/or Federal Wildland incidents.
• Collaborate closely with federal, state, and local partners including the U.S. Forest Service, local fire protection districts, and county departments.
• Lead long-term planning to integrate fire ecology with public safety, conservation, and land management goals.
• Represent BCFM in public forums, interagency committees, and policy discussions.

Key Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in wildland fire management with a unique set of qualifications or skillsets.
• Strong understanding of wildfire behavior, suppression tactics, prescribed fire, and fuels management.
• Ability to collaborate across agencies and with diverse stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with incident command systems (ICS/NIMS) and qualifications under the NWCG (e.g., ICT3, RXB2, or higher preferred).

Targeted Sub-Qualifications

Specialized skillsets valuable to the position:

• Strong aviation background and qualifications with a deep understanding of current national fire aviation practices.
• Informed on private-sector fire and aviation companies working contracts and operations through within the region.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be:

• A seasoned professional with a deep understanding of both operational fire management and ecological fire use.
• A forward-thinking leader capable of building and maintaining collaborative relationships in a complex political and environmental landscape.
• Committed to quality training and development of the next generation of firefighters to sustain fire management efforts locally moving forward.
• Committed to equity, sustainability, and community engagement.
• Comfortable making decisions under pressure while prioritizing firefighter and public safety.

Location and Community

Boulder County offers a unique blend of natural beauty, vibrant communities, and a strong environmental ethic. Nestled along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the region is home to extensive public lands, dynamic ecosystems, and a population passionate about wildfire resilience, open space, and climate action.