The University of Montana, in conjunction with CIRE, invites applications for Assistant Fire Management Specialist.   The Assistant Fire Management Specialist (AFMS) will serve in a lead role responsible for the day-to-day completion of a joint project between the Center for Integrated Research on the Environment (CIRE) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The AFMS will assist daily activities of the team and ensure project deadlines are being met. The AFMS will assist client communications and attend meetings, develop and support client relations, and make determinations on task logistics. The AFMS will ensure the integrity of data uploaded into the database under his/her supervision.

The AFMS must have great attention to detail, excellent organizational, analytical, and logistical abilities. The AFMS must be calm under pressure and able to orchestrate projects with multiple moving parts as she/he will be assisting in leading an inter-agency Wildland Fire Support Module, responsible for executing prescribed fire projects, mechanical fuel treatments, and assisting with wildfire suppression on numerous Air Force installations within the area of responsibility. This position requires work on active military training ranges with potential risk for unexploded ordnance and other related hazards. In addition, regular travel (up to 15 weeks per year) to other Air Force installations to perform similar tasks throughout the area of responsibility is required.

POSITION DETAILS

• Salary range is $60,000 - $70,000 DOE.
• Location: Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

MAJOR DUTIES INCLUDE:

FIRE OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

• Primary responsibilities of the position are preparing and execution of prescribed fire plans, fire effects, manual and mechanical hazardous fuels treatments. The incumbent also conducts field surveys to determine the location of hazardous fuel conditions.
• Assists Module Lead in developing work plans for prescribed fire and mechanical fuel projects, managing crew availability and readiness, managing fire cache, and reporting documentation.
• Coordinates with Air Force Installation staff to ensure wildland fire program objectives and goals are being met in accordance with Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan.
• Participates in drafting prescribed fire/fuels management plans following the interagency template. This involves reviewing fuel treatment alternatives and may include preparing segments of a plan to support objectives of the fire management program.
• Prepares and reviews plans and or plan components such as annual operating plans, training plans, fire suppression plans, safety plans, and individual projects plans.

SUPERVISION

• Serve as Module Lead of a multi-person Interagency Wildland Fire Support Module (WSM).
• Provides technical and administrative supervision to the module. Plans and directs overall work to be accomplished by subordinate supervisors, sets and adjust priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Finds ways to improve production or increase the quality of work directed.
• Hears and resolves minor complaints from employees. Refers group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to higher level supervision or manager.
• Ensures AF and interagency agency policies are followed during wildland fire operations throughout the planning and implementation process.

FIRE OPERATIONS

• Serves on prescribed fire and fuels projects in positions for which qualified. Technically administers all aspects of the prescribed fire/fuels plan, ensuring that preparation, ignition, holding, mop-up, and rehabilitation are completed to the specified standards.
• Supports wildfire suppression efforts in initial attack and in follow-up actions to safely and effectively control wildfires in accordance with the identified appropriate management response.
• Operates/maintains a variety of motor vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, crew members, etc.
• Will meet and maintain National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards.

WILDLAND FIRE AND SAFETY TRAINING

• Ensures own and others welfare and safety in all aspects of project implementation. Identifies training needs of the module and participates in prescribed fire and fuels management, and wildland fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression.
• Leads and participates in preparedness reviews, proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and after action reviews.

The University of Montana’s CIRE is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its essential values of leadership, diversity, engagement and sustainability.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Knowledge of polices, techniques and practices of wildland firefighting obtained through substantial service as a primary firefighter of the Federal government or in a similar firefighting position outside of the Federal government. This is a mandatory requirement of this position.
• Fundamental knowledge of related fields of science (e.g., wildlife management, botany, hydrology, geology, archeology).
• Comprehensive knowledge of the effects of prescribed fire and fire use on natural and cultural resources to prepare complex fuels management plans.
• Knowledge of environmental laws, regulations, and policies including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Clean Air Act, Threatened and Endangered Species Act, and the Wilderness Act sufficient to produce environmentally sound and defensible documents.
• Knowledge of accepted wildland fire safety practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of computer applications and software for a variety of fuels management uses.
• Ability to interact with individuals and special interest groups with diverse and potentially conflicting viewpoints regarding natural and cultural resource management priorities.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• The successful candidate must demonstrate U.S. employment eligibility; CIRE will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Professional knowledge of natural resource management, fire ecology, fire behavior, and fire management theories, concepts, principles, and standards in a wildland fire environment.
• Supervisory and program management experience.
• Meet requirements for the NWCG standards ICT4, which includes an annual pack test at arduous level and fire line refresher (maintained annually).
• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, natural resource management, wildfire management, or related discipline appropriate for the position or combination of courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in highly structured organizations, such as governmental agencies, the military or corporations, with established lines of authority, procedures and protocols.
• Experience managing moderate complexity fire programs with numerous competing objectives.
• Currently qualified for Helicopter Crew Member (HECM), and/or Helicopter Manager (HEMG).
• Heavy equipment and/or agricultural operation and maintenance.
• Experience with ArcGIS, GPS mapping and compiling field data.
• Master’s degree in applicable field preferred.

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ABOUT THE CENTER FOR INTEGRATED RESEARCH ON THE ENVIRONMENT (CIRE)

The mission of the Center for Integrated Research on the Environment (CIRE) is to promote the development of Montana’s science and technology resources at the University of Montana in Natural Resource Management and Ecology and Cultural Resource Management and Human Affairs.  It is specifically designed to work with federal, state and tribal administrations and agencies to collect, analyze, and apply environmental and cultural resource data, as well as to implement land rehabilitation and maintenance for management of public lands within a nationwide capacity.  CIRE applies best practices for sustainable use of land and water resources, innovative technologies, effective monitoring, education and training. CIRE is a center designed to handle a large Cooperative Agreement (CA) with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) with research tasks encompassing natural and cultural resource issues around the world.  The agreement is for a period of 5-years, June 1, 2014 through May 31, 2019, with an expenditure limit of $45 million.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT. In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/VETERAN'S PREFERENCE. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. REFERENCES *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. TESTING Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY.  All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

HOW TO APPLY

EXTENDED PRIORITY APPLICATION DATE: JULY 31, 2018.

Applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration.  Application review began on December 22, 2017 and continue until the position is filled. 

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Please submit the following application materials via "New Resume/CV" button below. 

*Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

• LETTER OF INTEREST – addressing the stated required skills for the position
• DETAILED RESUME listing education and describing work experience
• Names and contact information for THREE (3) PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

Required Skills Required Experience

• Ideal candidate will have 4+ years of transferable manufacturing experience/knowledge
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills required
• Exposure to and involvement in continuous improvement efforts desired
• Selected candidate must have a strong sense of urgency, coupled with self-motivation and an ambition to learn
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate are a must

Qualifications:

• HS diploma or equivalent

Note:  This Job Description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the Supervisor.  All requirements are subject to change and updates.

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short term and long term disability insurance, 401K savings plan, paid time-off, tuition assistance and more, to meet the diverse needs of all employees and their family members.

Greene, Tweed, a Federal Contractor, is an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or their protected veteran status.

EOE MINORITIES/FEMALES/PROTECTED VETERANS/DISABLED

NOTE: Greene, Tweed is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for employment opportunities, unless they have a written agreement for the position they are contacting us about. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at GT without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the sole property of Greene, Tweed, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Greene, Tweed as a result of the referral or through other means.