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Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained. Core Values: The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservations Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana. * We value and respect each other. * We create collaborative work environments. * We build and maintain strong relationships. * We practice accountability. * We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work. Job Overview: The position of Fire Operations Specialist- on the Kalispell Unit is based in Kalispell, MT. The position is responsible for the implementation and coordination of fire prevention, community preparedness and suppression programs within the assigned area of responsibility. This position serves as critical mid-level management of Fire Program resources including the supervision of wildland fire initial attack personnel and equipment. This position also holds responsibility to coordinate and implement the prevention and community preparedness efforts of the Kalispell Unit. Of high importance is the development and maintenance of successful working relationships with other wildland fire suppression organizations and key community partners. Supervision:The Fire Operations Specialist reports to the Kalispell Unit Assistant Fire Management Officer (AFMO) and assists in the supervision of 4.0 seasonal fire FTE. Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent. A. Fire Program Operations (75% of Time) Coordinate and perform fire program operations, planning, training, interagency coordination, preparedness and prevention services within the Kalispell Unit jurisdictional areas to protect lives, property and natural resources on state and private lands. A) Fire Pre-Suppression 1. Ensures that Unit personnel and equipment are at the appropriate state of readiness commensurate with the fire potential throughout the year. This involves analyzing daily fire indicies for the protection area and incorporating remote station information, evaluating and modifying work schedules of fire personnel or requesting additional resources, determining appropriate response and logistics, and coordinating with other agencies and organizations to ensure required fire readiness levels. Provides recommendations to the Unit AFMO on appropriate equipment, staffing and other resources needs and coordinate procurement and deployment to maintain readiness and operability. 2. Serves as Unit Duty Officer on a rotating basis with other Unit personnel. The duty officer acts for the Unit Manager and is responsible for all aspects of decision-making regarding implementation of the Unit’s fire program during scheduled shifts. This involves determining the Unit’s level of response in any fire situation. 3. Provides professional leadership and expertise for the Unit’s fire management program by implementing existing operating plans, providing advice and recommendations to cooperating agencies and organizations. 4. Assists the Unit AFMO with training programs for Unit and Local Government staff using modern technology and proper techniques to ensure consistency in subject matter delivery. Prepares lesson plans and conducts training in fire suppression, prevention and leadership to improve staff ability to meet program goals and objectives. 5. Assists the AFMO to ensure seasonal Unit fire personnel are competent to perform job performance requirements through training and on the job demonstration. 6. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with Unit and NWLO staff, other land offices, interagency partners, dispatch centers and local government. Maintains daily communication with the Unit FMO and AFMO regarding current issues, projects and operations. B) Fire Suppression 1. Performs fire management duties based upon agency needs and individual qualifications and certification. This involves determining tactics and strategy appropriate for unique fire situations involving the extraction of information from various sources and the assessment of risk, timing and site characteristics in wildland fire suppression efforts as well as suppression repair efforts. 2. Gathers specific and highly variable incident information in the form of fire behavior, fuels, weather, topography, and resources at risk details to formulate and execute a safe and effective control plan for wildland fires. Solicits additional information from subordinates to evaluate strategic decisions made and adjusts, if needed, to attain control objectives. 3. Serves as the Incident Commander on complex initial attack, multi-resource, extended-attack, and wildland urban interface fires. Directs ground and air operations, supervises control actions, orders needed resources, and provides for accountability of personnel and equipment. Maintains an open line of communication with dispatch and the Unit Duty Officer. Develops strategies and tactics to successfully suppress fires in a timely and cost-effective manner. Provides direction and training for developing Incident Commanders as well as other ICS positions as appropriate. 4. Conducts and takes an active role in individual fire critiques and After-Action Reviews to gather information and provide input of the performance of the Unit’s Fire Program and its staff. C) Staff Management 1. Directs the daily activities of fire crews during suppression activities to ensure safe and effective operations. Conducts daily briefings with fire crews to inform them of current and predicted fire conditions. This involves analyzing and discussing weather forecasts, fire danger ratings, fire situations, and resource availability; exchanging information with technical and professional specialists and fire crews and responding to questions and concerns. 2. Conducts and/or coordinates recruitment and selection activities for seasonal fire staff to ensure adequate staffing. This involves developing selection criteria and interview questions, participating in interviews, reference and background checks, and making hiring recommendations to the FMO and AFMO. 3. Resolves personnel problems with subordinates, and, if necessary, participates in corrective interviews and documents disciplinary problems according to the Department's disciplinary policy. 4. Assists the Unit AFMO in the establishment of objective, measurable and observable performance standards for seasonal fire crews and manages the performance of all positions directly supervised. Completes annual performance appraisals with the assistance of the Unit AMFO. Implements and monitors corrective action including discipline and termination. Ensure all subordinates comply with Unit, State and Departmental personnel rules, regulations, and policies. D) Community Fire Preparedness & Prevention 1. Assists the Prevention specialist to develop, update and implement the Unit Fire Prevention Plan. Works to identify specific fire problems and prepares plans to address those specific human-caused fire problems associated with different localities. Identifies and responds to any needs or requests for fire prevention information, techniques, issues and concerns to others. Maintains the Unit’s prevention sign infrastructure and makes recommendations as to installation needs or repairs. Oversees posting of appropriate fire prevention messages commensurate with time of the year and fire danger. Provides technical advice on burn permits and safe debris burning practices. Performs onsite inspections as needed. 2. Enforces fire prevention laws, rules and regulations to reduce the number and severity of wildfires by monitoring activities of people and businesses on classified forest lands. Inspects various pieces of equipment and burning permit application sites, disseminates fire prevention information, and/or provides corrective advice. Handles violations in accordance with Department policy. Requires a working knowledge of Montana Forest Fire Rules and Regulations, in addition to standard forest fire prevention practices. 3. Assists the Prevention Specialist to develop, update and implement fire adapted community planning within the Kalispell Unit, which includes but is not limited to: involvement in community preparedness education; community wildfire protection plans; evacuation safety; mitigating the home ignition zone; hazardous fuels reduction; public fire awareness and preparedness. Prepares and presents, high quality audio/visual presentations regarding fire behavior, home ignition zone potential and fire prevention to groups and organizations upon request. Groups range from pre-school/elementary classes to civic and community organizations. 4. Conduct and coordinates calibrated risk ratings using the Department’s risk rating system within areas of the Kalispell Unit identified as high risk to wildfire or within the wildland urban interface to assess relative priority of community preparedness and risk reduction work. 5. Provide guidance, oversight, advice and recommendations to private landowners, industry professionals, contractors and developers in reducing the wildland fire hazard around homes and subdivisions. Completes risk reduction assessments of home sites and potential developable lands, provide detailed suggestions on methods and procedures for safe debris burning or other slash disposal methods, fire resistant landscaping principles, ignition resistant construction, stand-alone community infrastructure and adequate emergency access and egress to ensure an effective evacuation plan. May also provide advice on fuels management techniques and available cost share programs if appropriate. E) Facility & Equipment Maintenance 1. Performs skilled and semi-skilled facilities maintenance tasks, including plumbing, mechanical, carpentry, and basic electrical work. Makes appropriate repair and maintenance decisions based on work experience; notifies Unit AFMO and Unit Manager of repair problems beyond the scope of authority. 2. Maintains and updates an inventory list of all Unit Chainsaws and Pumps. Evaluates current and projected equipment needs and provides recommendations to Unit FMO regarding anticipated equipment needs and budget allocations for following years. B. Trust Land Management Support (15% of Time) This position will support various Trust Land activities as directed by the Unit Manager, Unit FMO and Unit AFMO. A) Prescribed Fire 1. Coordinates and participates in the Kalispell Unit prescribed fire program under the direction of the Trust Lands Forest Management Supervisor and the Unit FMO. Implements prescribed fire utilizing the most current and accepted prescribed fire practices and procedures. 2. Executes non-complex prescribed burn plans in accordance with the DNRC 400 manual and State Forest Land Management Plan. Analyzes, discusses and conducts briefings on weather forecasts, fuel conditions, safety and resource availability for all staff and dispatch on prescribed fire activities. Plans for all prescribed fire follow-up including mop-up and patrol and required reporting documentation. B) Forest Improvement & Miscellaneous Trust Land Management Projects 1. Serve as a Forest Improvement project leader to include: slash pile burning, thinning, weed spraying, and seeding. May serve as recreation management use project leader on Trust Lands. This involves signing, investigation of complaints, fence construction, development of access sites, among other duties. 2. Assists Trust Lands Foresters with forest management activities, to include cruising, marking, road layout, road reclamation. APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE:  * State Application * Cover Letter * Resume 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.  Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): This position requires a high school diploma and a minimum of fire (5) years of progressive experience including fireline leadership, Incident Command System (ICS) training and related fire program experience. Requires the ability to attain Incident Commander Type 4 and Strike Team/Task Force Leader certification upon hire. Required knowledge, skills, and abilities: * It is critical that the incumbent possesses skills and abilities in effective communication, both orally and written. Requires knowledge of the principles and practices of Wildland Firefighting; emergency management; natural resources; adult education and training; and fire management including suppression, protection, and prevention. Requires knowledge of State and Federal fire protection and natural resources laws including the Departments legal responsibilities to personnel, cooperative personnel, and volunteers; wildfire and structural fire protection techniques relating to WUI; volunteer group organization and management; local government organization, jurisdiction and authorities; equipment management and maintenance; fire budgeting, billing and auditing methods and procedures; communication systems; safety management methods and procedures. The position also requires knowledge of supervisory principles and practices, DNRC and State personnel policies, procedures, and precedents, organizational structures, employment law, and program requirements. The position requires skill in the use and operation of tools, equipment and vehicles used in wildland fire control, forest management activities and field operations. Requires a thorough knowledge of a variety of computer software applications including; word processing, spreadsheets, databases and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This position will require annual completion of an arduous Wildland Fire Work Capacity Test which includes walking three miles over level ground, with a 45lb. pack in no more than 45 minutes. Position requires incumbent to maintain a Montana Driver’s License. Requires the ability to coordinate extensive and complex amounts of personnel and equipment to meet the needs of fire suppression and support forces during fire actions on multiple jurisdictions; the ability to make independent decisions with minimal supervision, to express views and provide clear direction both in writing and through verbal communications; and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, government officials, and agency employees. Communications and decisions are frequently conducted under duress and with fire personnel having different backgrounds and management priorities. Title: *Wildland Firefighter 3 - Fire Operations Specialist Location: Kalispell Requisition ID: 24142809

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