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Job Title

Program Leader I (Strategic Wildfire Programs)

Agency

Texas A&M Forest Service

Department

Mitigation & Prevention Department

Proposed Minimum Salary

$6,300.00 monthly

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The Texas A&M Forest Service Mitigation and Prevention Department is seeking a creative and results-driven leader to serve as Program Leader, guiding key programs and advancing the department's strategic priorities. Under general supervision of the Department Head of Mitigation and Prevention, the Program Leader carries out professional management-level duties, administers grants and oversees statewide wildfire mitigation and prevention programs.s

About the Agency:

Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) provides statewide leadership and technical assistance to ensure trees, forests and related natural resources are sustained for the benefit of all. TAMFS is also the lead agency for wildfire response in the state and supports the state's incident response capability, helping to respond to a range of all-hazard incidents. To learn more about TAMFS, visit tfsweb.tamu.edu

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Program Leader for Strategic Wildfire Programs has a variety of duties and responsibilities, which include, but are not limited to the following:

-Direct the day-to-day operations and strategic direction of assigned wildfire mitigation programs, including Fire Adapted Communities (FAC), Community Resilience and Prescribed Fire. Ensure program goals, objectives, deliverables and reporting requirements are met in alignment with agency and departmental priorities.

-Participate in department-wide strategic planning and goal-setting activities. Conduct program assessments, identify areas for improvement and provide recommendations to enhance effectiveness and impact.

-Plan, organize and manage all components of the department's grant portfolio. Identify funding opportunities, ensure compliance with grant requirements and support long-term program sustainability through effective grant

-Ensure timely completion of program reports and accurate data collection in accordance with department standards. Compile and analyze program statistics to inform decision-making and demonstrate program outcomes.

-Hire, train, supervise and evaluate program staff and coordinators. Oversee program budgets and ensure compliance with administrative policies and procedures.

-Represent the agency in statewide and inter-agency working groups, committees and planning efforts. Serve as a liaison to federal, state and local governments, NGOs and community stakeholders.

-Provide high-level guidance and expertise to the Department Head and Division leadership on wildfire preparedness, planning and mitigation strategies. Participate in state and national professional associations and serve as a subject matter expert.

-Perform additional responsibilities as needed to support departmental goals and statewide wildfire resilience efforts.

Benefits:

Texas A&M University System strives to support the health and wellness needs of our diverse workforce. Texas A&M Forest Service offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off and health and lifestyle programs as well as educational incentives and tuition reimbursement opportunities. Some additional benefits include the ability to accrue compensatory time off, overtime pay during emergency response, uniform allowance, professional development opportunities, position-specific training at not cost and a physical fitness incentive of $500 for passing the arduous test (walk three miles wearing a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less) each year.

This position is guaranteed a minimum of 40-hour work week and full benefits after 60 days.

Education and Experience:

Required Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Natural Resource Management, Emergency Management, Fire Ecology, Public Administration or a related field. Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

Preferred Education: Master's degree in Communications, Natural Resource Management, Emergency Management, Fire Ecology, Public Administration or a related field.

Required Experience: Minimum of four (4) years full-time work experience in wildfire mitigation field with a recognized wildland fire agency, natural resource agency, fire department, emergency management or non-profit.

Preferred Experience: Five (5 ) years or more full-time work experience in wildfire mitigation field with program coordination and grant responsibilities with a recognized wildland fire agency, natural resource agency, fire department, emergency management or non-profit. Three to five years' (3-5) experience in a supervisory role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Required Knowledge: Working knowledge of fire adapted communities and fuel reduction practices, wildland fire management, incident management, supervision methods, fiscal and program management.

Preferred Knowledge: Advance knowledge of FAC concepts, CWPP, NFPA wildfire standards, ICC wildfire codes, Forest Service grants and FEMA HMGP.

Required Abilities: Multi-tasking. Ability to operate GIS applications. Have the ability to complete public information officer duties and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Abilities: Coordinate complex wildland fire mitigation programs and working knowledge of GIS applications. Exhibits leadership with partners and employees in assigned program area. Shows superior customer service delivery.

Required Skills: Outstanding interpersonal communication skills. Leadership and supervision skills.

Licenses, Certifications and Registrations:

Required: Valid Class C Texas Driver's license or the ability to obtain on within 30 days of hire.

Preferred: NFPA Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, NWCG PIOF or PETL or Firefighter Type 1

Additional Information:

-Employees responding to wildfire incidents are required to meet a moderate physical fitness standard by passing the Work Capacity Test each year. This involves walking two (2) miles, wearing a 25lb pack in 30 minutes or less.

-Travel is required for emergency response, training and program delivery. Travel away from the home unit, sometimes exceeding 14 days, may be necessary. There is also a possibility of working holidays while on emergency response.

-Within 90 days of hire, an employee must establish a primary residence within 30 minutes travel time of the office location.

-This position is not eligible for reimbursement of moving expenses.

Evaluation & Applicant Instructions:

This job posting will remain open for 4-6 weeks. The Hiring Supervisor reserves the right to close the job prior to this time frame should qualified candidates apply.

This position is projected to start in December 2025 and February 2026. An actual start date will be determined when a suitable candidate is selected.

-Applicants will be evaluated for this job based on how well they meet the qualifications listed. Applicants will also be evaluated based on how their experience, education and training reflects the qualification requirements of this position.

-All TAMFS positions are security-sensitive and applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation. Employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Applicant Instructions:

Resume, cover letter and transcript(s) are REQUIRED to be uploaded to application. References are required to be entered in the secondary questionnaire section of the application. Certifications are preferred to be uploaded to the application. Documents/certifications can be uploaded in the "My Experience" page in the "Resume/CV section. More than one document can be uploaded; just click the "Upload" button for each document. Documents can only be loaded at this time and cannot be uploaded once the application is submitted. If there are any issues uploading documents, please contact 979-458-6690. Please check your spam folder in case more information is sent in regards to this position.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.