Job Information
State of Maine, Bureau of Human Resources -Agency Only- Forest Fire Prevention Specialist - 3567 (Augusta) in Augusta, Maine
-Agency Only- Forest Fire Prevention Specialist - 3567 (Augusta)
Augusta , Maine , United States | Forest Management | Full-time
Apply by: Oct. 28, 2024
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FOREST FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALIST
-DACF AGENCY ONLY -
Opening Date:October 15, 2024Closing Date:October 28, 2024
Location:AugustaPosition #:01714-3567
Position Type:Full TimeClass Code:9402
Grade/Salary: Grade 24 - $58,198.40 - $79,331.20 Per Year*
*(This includes the $0.85 Market Pay Salary Adjustment)
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) has a current vacancy for a Forest Fire Prevention Specialist.
BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION:This is investigative and protective services work in developing, implementing, and coordinating a statewide forest fire prevention plan and various forest fire prevention educational programs and presentations.
Responsibilities are as follows:develops and implements a statewide forest fire prevention plan to minimize forest fire occurrence. Identifies, obtains, and analyzes pertinent forest fire information to formulate forest fire prevention plans and provide data and testimony for legislative bills and hearings. Develops, implements, and presents a variety of information and educational programs, public service announcements, and printed materials related to forest fire prevention and protection to increase public awareness and understanding of forest fire potential and consequences. Serves as Division's principal media contact, information and education officer, and spokesperson to coordinate Division information and public relations activities. Develops, implements, and monitors Division safety program to minimize accidents, injuries, and loss of life and ensure compliance with applicable state and federal regulations. Manages Federal Excess Property, Department of Defense Firefighter, and Maine Fire Chiefs Association programs to procure, distribute, replace, and dispose of equipment and vehicles. Develops and executes training for Forest Rangers, administrative staff, Fire Chiefs, and Town Wardens to ensure effective operational protocols and procedures are in place. Organizes and oversees the Mechanical Fuel Reduction program including oversight of interns to promote hazardous fuels reduction and provide live fire training. Administers USDA Forest Service Volunteer Fire Assistance grant program to provide funding to rural fire departments in Maine. Oversees and monitors the state online burn permit system to track permits and mitigate risk of forest fires. Enforces forest fire control laws and investigates forest fire sites to determine cause, gather evidence, and identify, apprehend, and prosecute violators. Performs initial attack and other forest fire suppression actions to assist in forest fire control situations. Serves as a member of the Division Forest Fire IMT during forest fire situations to assist in the management and coordination of forest fire control activities and personnel.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:A Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry, a related life or natural resource science, Education, Communications, or other closely related area and demonstrated experience in forest fire control and enforcement of forest fire control laws. Directly related experience in forestry, conservation, and/or a natural resources related field may be substituted for education.
Preference will be given to candidates with the following skills or experience:
Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of forest fire control principles, practices, and procedures.
Knowledge of forest resource protection techniques and practices.
Knowledge of agency policies, procedures, programs, operations, services and legislative process.
Knowledge of advanced fire systems technologies (i.e. computers, phones, geographic information systems, global positioning systems, Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), Maine Telecommunication and Radio Operation (METRO), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), SBI/III, and DMV systems.
Knowledge of principles, practices, and methodologies pertaining to program evaluation, needs assessment, and risk assessment.
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning and resource allocation.
Knowledge of new and emerging fire systems technology, infrastructure, and field equipment.
Knowledge of principles, practices, and methodologies pertaining to budget, finance, purchasing, and funding.
Knowledge of state laws, rules and regulations enforced by the Maine Forest Service.
Knowledge of forest fire laws and fire prevention techniques and tactics including fire suppression, accident investigations, and disaster response planning.
Knowledge of grant administration including funding, compliance, and allocation.
Knowledge of Statewide Rural Community Fire Protection Program.
Knowledge of wildfire danger indices measurement, remote automated weather stations, and wildfire danger predictive services methodology.
Knowledge of website content organization and viewer engagement for state web page and online burn permit system.
Knowledge of wildfire hazard mitigation methodology, principles, practices, and techniques as it pertains to hazard reduction and prescribed fires.
Knowledge of state requirements for completing RFQ's/RFP's for media advertising and procedures for hiring CWPP contractors and seasonal interns.
Knowledge of the development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans and the Maine Forest Service risk assessment process.
Knowledge of the federal Community Wildfire Defense Grant program and reporting processes for national monitoring and audit potential.
Knowledge of the Federal Excess Property Program and the understanding of inventory accountability.
Knowledge of Public Information Officer responsibilities and best practices for handling media requests.
Knowledge of Department of Labor standards and the applicability to agency owned facilities and workplace practices.
Ability to excercise sound judgement and decision making considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Ability to apply critical thinking by using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Ability to monitor, assess, and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of agency activities.
Ability to develop, and implement statewide fire prevention and hazardous fuels mitigation programs.
Ability to collect, summarize, and analyze fire data that can be used to develop a statewide fire prevention program for Forest Rangers, the Department, and state legislators.
Ability to develop and implement statewide forest resource protection programs and plans.
Ability to apply complex problem solving to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Ability to coordinate, supervise, manage, and train others to accomplish established goals and objectives.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to organize, coordinate, and manage diverse groups of people into effective committees and task forces.
Ability to lead, manage, and evaluate the work performance of subordinates.
Ability to serve as a technical resource, consultant, and liaison for divisional programs, boards and committees.
Ability to analyze and interpret laws, rules, regulations, and policies and effectively communicate the same.
Ability to deliver presentations and training and effectively represent the agency's position.
Ability to communicate and write clearly and effectively, prepare and complete reports and documentation in accordance with established requirements.
Ability to use and maintain firearms and associated equipment.
Ability to operate and maintain military surplus vehicles and wildland fire equipment.
Ability to do the full Forest Ranger II job as needed per operational needs.
HOW TO APPLY:Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "APPLY" button below along with uploading a Cover Letter and detailed Resume. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your Resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.
If you can't apply online and you require a paper application, please download and print one here:https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with a Cover Letter and detailed Resume, before the closing date,to: Natural Resources Service Center, c/o Kristin McCamish, 32 Blossom Lane, Marquardt Building, Augusta, ME 04333-0155. Please be sure that the title, and position number, of the job you are applying for is included.
No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:
Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave.Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-100%of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96-$13,172.88 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find thepremium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
Health Insurance Premium Credit– Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($358.08 annual value).
Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes 18.88% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
Parental leaveis one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
Learn aboutadditional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.
There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.
As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.
If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
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