Community Wildfire Resilience
Technical Assistance (50%)

• Provide individual wildfire risk assessments to private landowners and community-scale wildfire risk assessments for neighborhoods
• Assist communities with wildfire planning efforts and participation in the Firewise USA Program
• Support community fuels reduction projects
• Contribute to database tracking all incoming risk assessment requests and projects

• Support the design of community oriented educational materials including website content and printed material that inform the larger community of the importance of wildfire risk reduction.
• Present on wildfire risk and preparedness to communities and partnering organizations
• Act as an initial point of contact for landowners interested in wildfire risk reduction on their land 
• Support District activities at public outreach events, such as Annual Native Plant Sale, Whatcom Farm Expo, tours, workshops, fairs, and festivals

• Work under tight deadlines and manage conflicting demands while successfully operating in a dynamic work environment 
• Share a vision and passion for natural resource management and conservation practices with diverse populations
• Communicate in a clear and confident style 
• Collaborate with staff, interns, private landowners, and other customers and stakeholders to produce high quality, cost-effective work products
• Comfortable presenting in public settings
• Track work progress, prepare and record program/project data, maintain thorough and organized records
• Occasionally work weekend and weekday evenings events
• Apply appropriate safety practices in the field and in the office
• Perform physical work in all weather conditions, routinely work on rough or uneven terrain, and periodically work around large livestock
• Lift up to 40 pounds

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Resource Technician – Band B2, Non-Coordinating

• Bachelor’s degree in the Natural Resource Sciences, Environmental Studies, Forestry or a closely related field of study with internship or work-study experience directly related to the duties of the position.

• Currently hold or can obtain a valid Washington State Driver’s License

• Knowledge of natural resource management priorities in the Puget Sound region 
• Demonstrated proficiency using computers, including experience with Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Publisher and email applications
• Awareness/understanding of forest landowner conservation interests and local natural resource concerns
• Strong creative, organizational, and time-management skills
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing, with internal colleagues, and members of the public

• Working knowledge of NFPA Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) wildfire risk assessment process
• Working knowledge of the NFPA Firewise/USA Program
• Working knowledge of fuel mitigation and related forest health project design and management
• Experience speaking in public and presenting in workshop settings
• Working knowledge of Puget lowland native plants and their application to fire-resistance landscaping
• Experience using graphic design tools such as Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or other software

WORKING CONDITIONS
This position involves office work and field work throughout all seasons. The position will have an assigned desk, telephone, and computer at the Whatcom CD office.  The Whatcom CD office is the primary work station for this position, and is a smoke-free and drug-free environment.  The position involves computer work which may include long periods sitting, typing and reading from a computer screen. Travel to offices of partner organizations and agencies may be required. Availability for evening and weekend work and overtime hours may be required of this position as is occasional overnight travel to attend meetings.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Submit a cover letter describing availability, interest and qualifications for the position, a current resume, and three professional references, including name, affiliation, address, and phone number. Submit all materials as PDF via this application portal.  

(Full application portal address is https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a4c1243e9f4b41f28b7297d76e12c085)
 
Application Deadline: January 8, 2024 (first pull date)
Interviews: Week of January 22, 2024
Anticipated Start date:  February 15, 2024
 

POSITION CONTACT
Aneka Sweeney, Education & Outreach Manager
Email: asweeney@whatcomcd.org          Phone: (360) 526-2381 x103
 
Whatcom Conservation District, 6975 Hannegan Road, Lynden, WA 98264 
 
To learn more about Whatcom Conservation District visit www.whatcomcd.org
 
Whatcom Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, citizenship or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies or programs.