Fire Specialist

Purpose:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources – Forestry (DNR) is partnering with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) to contract a skilled and qualified Fire Specialist to assist the Iowa DNR Forestry- Fire Program with statewide coordination and organization of both NWCG and state coordinated wildland and prescribed fire training to enhance and expand prescribed fire use to reduce hazardous fuel situations in Iowa’s Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and to advance ecological restoration.

Additionally, this position is responsible for maintenance of data in Incident Qualification System (IQS) & Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) and mobilization assistance for all Iowa firefighters intending to participate in national mobilization; maintenance and monitoring of Forestry’s Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS) statewide; assistance with Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program and Fire Fighter Property (DOD-FFP) programming; and minor assistance with fire prevention and fire reporting.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Coordinate with existing organizations and governmental agencies a regular schedule of conveniently held and located NWCG (National Wildfire Coordinating Group) and Iowa DNR wildland fire and prescribed fire training statewide. These training programs will be open to federal, state and local governmental natural resources professionals, volunteer fire department personnel and interested Iowans to gain necessary wildland and prescribed fire qualifications and skills.
Track number of training sessions and number of participants that complete training including names, addresses, organizations, contact information and seat hours committed to the training.
Participate in local and regional prescribed fire/wildland urban interface working groups.
Coordinate with all DNR Partner Organizations to promote and expand adoption of the IFIRE qualification system.
Expand existing and promote development of new Partner relationships resulting in increased prescribed fire accomplishments.
Maintain the Incident Qualifications System (IQS) database of qualified wildland fire and prescribed fire firefighters.
Coordinate with US Forest Service and Missouri-Iowa Coordination Center to mobilize local resources for emergency assistance. Serve as the Iowa federal Administratively Determined (AD) program lead worker.
Be a federally red carded Single Resource Unit Leader (or have an open and active task book nearing completion) and maintain necessary qualifications to be a certified instructor for the lower level NWCG courses (i.e., L180/S130/S190, S131, etc.).
Actively participate in the Iowa DNR Engine Mobilization Program as a NWCG Single Resource Engine Boss (ENGB.)
Maintain and monitor the Forestry’s Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS.)
Assist with burn plan development and implementation guidance, as requested.
Assist with FEPP and DOD-FFP programming.
Participate as an active member of the Iowa DNR Forestry – Fire Team.

Qualifications:

The Fire Specialist must be a well-organized self-starter and be able to work comfortably, effectively and dependably with a wide variety of people. Public speaking and interpersonal skills are essential. This Fire Specialist is a professional position and they must possess and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of:

the effects of fire on natural resources, and of fire behavior and weather relationships;
the techniques, policies and practices of firefighting as obtained through wildland/prescribed fire experience;
the principles, limitations, uses and development of prescriptions for prescribed fire to recommend use of the proper techniques;
teaching techniques including formalized classroom instruction and on the job training to plan and execute successful prescribed fire and wildland fire training programs;
automated databases, mapping software and spatial databases and word processing programs to utilize them in fire management program operations;
administrative aspect of fire management programs including but not limited to budgeting; program documentation and other administrative functions
Individual must be physically fit and be able to meet NWCG wildland fire qualifications (red card).
Individual must possess a valid Iowa Driver’s license.
Successful candidate at a minimum must be NWCG Engine Boss qualified or have a currently open Engine Boss task book.

Location:

The Fire Specialist will coordinate with the DNR State Fire Supervisor located at the Iowa DNR State Forest Nursery, 2404 S Duff Ave, Ames, Iowa or other location as approved by the State Fire Supervisor.

This is a full-time, exempt position that will report to the Iowa DNR Fire Program Supervisor. This position has been made possible through a contract between Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and Iowa DNR and the position is subject to the terms of the contract.

Salary Range:

$52,000-$65,000 depending on experience

INHF Benefits provided: Medical, dental, vision, Short/Long-term Disability, 403B contribution, 11 holidays, 3-weeks of vacation, monthly sick leave accrual, life and disability insurance, Flexible Spending Account for health and dependent care, Employee Assistance Program participation.

All offers are contingent upon a background check.

To Apply:

The application deadline for this position is Tuesday, May 19. Please submit a cover letter, resume and three references here.

For more information, contact Lisa Hein, Senior Director for Conservation Programs, by emailing lhein@inhf.org or calling 515-288-1846.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

Nothing in this description shall be construed as an obligation by the members beyond those outlined.

The application deadline for this position is Tuesday, May 19.

To Apply:

Submit your cover letter, resume and three references here.

For more information:

Contact Lisa Hein, Senior Director for Conservation Programs, by emailing lhein@inhf.org or calling 515-288-1846.

Equal Opportunity Statement

INHF is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Stay connected