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The Center for Integrated Research on the Environment (CIRE) invites applications for a Lead Wildland Firefighter Technician (Assistant Fire Management Specialist) to oversee serving in a lead firefighting role and will be responsible for the day-to-day completion of a joint project between CIRE and the USAF Wildland Fire Branch (AFWFB). The Lead Firefighter will assist daily activities of the team and help ensure that project deadlines are being met. They will also assist with client communications and attend meetings, develop and support client relations and help making determinations on task logistics. This employee must be calm under pressure and able to help orchestrate projects with multiple moving parts as they will be assisting in leading an interagency 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 across the country to perform similar tasks throughout the area of responsibility is required.

Major duties include, but aren’t limited to:

Fire Operations Management:

• Preparing and executing prescribed fire plans, fire effects, manual and mechanic hazardous fuels treatments
• Conducting field surveys to determine the location of hazardous fuel conditions
• Assisting Module Lead in developing work plans for prescribed fire and mechanical fuel projects, managing crew availability and readiness, managing fire cache and reporting documentation
• Coordinating with Air Force Installation staff to ensure wildland fore program objectives and goals are being met in accordance with Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan
• Participating 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 plan
• Preparing and reviewing plans and/or plan components like annual operating plans, training plans, fire suppression plans, safety plans, and individual projects plans

Supervision:

• Serving as a lead firefighter on a multi-person Wildland Fire Support Module (WSM)
• Providing support for technical and administrative supervision to the module
• Helping to plan and direct overall work to be accomplished by subordinate supervisors
• Setting and adjusting priorities and preparing schedules for completion of work
• Assisting in finding ways to improve production or increase the quality of work directed
• Helping ensure AF and interagency policies are followed during wildland fire and prescribed fire operations throughout the planning and implementation process

Fire Operations:

• Serving on prescribed fire and fuels projects in positions for which qualified
• Administering all aspects of the prescribed fire/fuels plan
• Ensuring that preparation, ignition, holding, mop-up and rehabilitation are completed to the specified standards
• Supporting 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
• Operating and maintaining a variety of motor vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, crew members, etc.
• Maintaining National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards

Wildfire and Safety Training:

• Ensuring own and others’ welfare and safety in all aspects of project implementation
• Identifying the training needs of the module
• Participating in prescribed fire and fuels management and wildland fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression
• Leading and participating in preparedness reviews, proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions and after-action reviews

This position requires incumbent to develop a working knowledge of having local connections to a range of stakeholders involved with natural resources management, and an understanding of University of Montana policies and practices related to supervising seasonal staff and completing forms to UM standards. In addition, the incumbent will be able to work independently with limited supervision, juggle a variety of projects simultaneously and complete tasks in a timely manner. The individual will leave this position with highly specialized abilities related to managing fire programs on Department of Defense properties.

Required Skills:

• Great attention to detail
• Excellent organizational, analytical and logistical abilities
• Demonstrated U.S. employment eligibility – CIRE will not provide sponsorship for this position
• Ability to teach NWCG classes
• Professional knowledge of natural resource management, fire ecology, fire behavior, and fire management theories, concepts, principles and standards in a wildland fire environment
• Meet the requirements for the NWCG standards for ENGB(T), ICT5 or greater and which includes an annual pack test at arduous level and fire line refresher (maintained annually)
• Ability to obtain contractor level DoD security clearance
• 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
• 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

Minimum Required Experience:

• High School diploma and at least two (2) years’ fire program management experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in highly structured organizations, such as government agencies, the military or corporations, with established lines of authority, procedures and protocols
• Ability to operate heavy equipment and/or agricultural operation and maintenance experience
• Experience with ArcGIS, GPS mapping and compiling field data

About CIRE and UM:

CIRE offers expert task-based execution and research in natural resource management, wildland fire operations, and cultural resource management to our Federal, Tribal, State and private-sector partners via cooperative agreements, grants and partnering opportunities.

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere. The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana 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 five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

• University of Montana
• Video: Mission First, People Always
• UM on YouTube

Position Details:

Position Title: Lead Wildland Firefighter Technician (Assistant Fire Management Specialist)

Position Number: 298070

Department: Center for Integrated Research on the Environment (CIRE)

Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 12 months/year. Position requires an alternative work schedule and is variable due to Wildland Firefighting

Salary: $26/hr.

Union Affiliation: FOCUS-MFPE

Probationary Period: Six months minimum

Benefits Include: Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, 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:

Priority Application Date: Sunday, June 4, 2023 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials. Position will remain open until filled.

Please submit the following application materials** via the UM Jobs portal and by clicking "New Resume/CV" button. Please do not apply through Indeed.com*.

A complete application Includes:

• Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application. Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the "How to Apply" section. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above.

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

Required Skills

Required Experience