Fire District Assistance Program Manager, Wildland Fire Program Coordinator 2
Recruitment #2021-04-4714
This is a Full-time, Permanent, Represented position.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Fire District Assistance Program needs a passionate out of the box thinker, someone with a vision of building up a program, with the personality to implement something new and big. Are you interested in significantly expanding the existing program that gives hundreds of thousands of dollars to fire districts, along with federal and state equipment? Are you great at working collaboratively with existing program staff and partnering agencies to establish new ways of recreating the program for Washington State? If you are, we’re looking for you!

The WA State Forester wants to see this program build on it’s success by providing more opportunities to our partner fire districts. We will work to acquire new ways to obtain equipment from across the country and get it delivered to districts. Do you have experience building a program? Do you have experience learning from others, in this case other states, and creating great idea’s not thought of before? Do you love to build relationships and establish new ones? If so, we’re looking for you!

This program is the next up and coming program in DNR Wildfire, within the dynamic Logistics Team, we are excited for you to join us!!

Responsibilities:

• Develop statewide program direction, goals, and strategies; provides technical expertise and written guidelines to fire district participants and DNR regions.
• Monitors and evaluates program to find areas to provide better customer service, provide much needed equipment. Assesses needs of 400+ fire districts across the state. Compares program to other larger programs across the country.
• Assures compliance with federal performance standards and attains state performance deliverables, and fulfillment of federal and state requirements. Work closely with USFS in assuring program compliance.
• Manage all aspects of DNR Fire District Assistance grant programs (approximate $1,200,000 of federal and state funding annually). In coordination with region fire district assistance coordinators develop criteria and processes for soliciting, evaluating, and awarding federal and state grants. Assure grant compliance. Foster and maintain positive working relationship with grantees and cooperators to further the goals and objectives of the programs.
• Responsible for management and oversight of Fire District Assistance program budget.

Required Qualifications: 

• A combination of higher education and/or professional work experience totaling at least four years in natural resources management or a field connected with wildland fire.
• Ability to work with diverse interests to identify and achieve common goals.
• General understanding of public budgeting processes.
• Experience administering public contracts, grants, or other partnership agreements.
• Working understanding of the needs and capabilities of rural and volunteer fire districts.
• The incumbent in this position is required to travel.
• A valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates may be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.

Our ideal candidate will also have the qualifications listed below:

• An Associate or Bachelor degree in a natural resources field and at least four years of experience implementing a specific wildland fire program (e.g. prevention, suppression, training, fire district assistance, fire regulation) OR two years as a Wildland Fire Program Coordinator 1.
• Demonstratable knowledge of grant management including solicitation, award, compliance and payment.
• Knowledge of Washington State Fire Service organization and structure.
• Knowledge of and experience with Federal Excess Personal Property and Firefighter Property programs.
• Two years supervisory experience including responsibility for staff selection, training and development, planning and assignment of work, and evaluating performance.

Location: 
One of the world’s most scenic places, Washington State offers breathtaking discoveries for people who love natural beauty and outdoor recreation, from the Pacific Coast shores to the rugged Cascade Mountains to the rolling hills of the Palouse. Your office will be located in Olympia. For more information on this area visit, http://olympiawa.gov.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework (mobile-work) is expected for most office activities. When approved to return, staff are expected to report to their assigned duty station for work activities or may be approved for telework based on DNR’s telework policy.

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 
Our mission is to manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs economically and socially for current and future generations. At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity and inclusion. With nearly 1,500 employees in locations throughout Washington, we manage and protect more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of those include:

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Work/life balance
• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Professional development opportunities
• Educational and career development aid
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• A comprehensive benefit package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

How to Apply: 
To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

Application Requirements:

• Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile and the position required, desired and special requirements.
• Attach a resume describing your experience and qualifications.
• Provide three to five professional references – you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume.
• Complete all supplemental questions.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22 or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.  We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Persons needing accommodation during the screening process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff at (360) 522-2500 or (360) 522-0143 or by email at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.  Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 1-800-833-6388 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

DNR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.

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Questions?  Please contact Karen Zirkle at 360-528-0450, Karen.Zirkle@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov