Community Wildfire Resilience Technician

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Annual Salary Range: $42,766 - $57,324

• 13.5 Paid Holidays, Annual Leave, and Sick Leave

• Medical and Dental Insurance

• Simple IRA Retirement Plan

SCHEDULE

• 40 hours per week

• Primary office hours Monday to Friday  8:00 am to 4:30 pm, with flexibility

• Occasional evening and weekend commitments

The Whatcom Conservation District is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic natural resource management professional to serve in the role of Community Wildfire Resilience Technician.  The Community Wildfire Resilience Technician works through the Education and Outreach Program at Whatcom Conservation District in support of the Community Wildfire Resilience Program across Whatcom and Skagit Counties. The Education and Outreach Program uses a variety of marketing, education, and communication strategies to promote the ecological stewardship of rural, urban, and working lands.   The Community Wildfire Resilience Technician works under coordination of the Wildfire Resilience Specialist to support wildfire risk reduction outreach, education, and technical assistance to landowners, and communities on topics of community wildfire resilience and wildfire risk reduction. Other duties include supporting the residential water conservation program, and participating in general District community engagement events.

The individual occupying the Community Wildfire Resilience Technician position has exceptional organizational, communication, and people skills to build trust and empower residents to better understand ecological stewardship practices and take associated actions to improve their land.   The technician is conversant in the latest science and research on Wildfire risk reduction in western Washington.

The anticipated start date for the position is February 15th, 2024.  The position is funded through grants and contracts and is subject to the "employee at will doctrine"

This announcement will remain open until the position is filled. Initial pull of applications for consideration will be January 8, 2024.

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

Communication (50%)

• 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

The job duties listed above are examples and illustrations of the various types of work performed by the position. The omission of specific job duty statements does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• 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.

Will accept a 2-year technical degree with 1 year of professional experience directly related to the duties of the position.

Will accept individuals without a degree and with 2 years of professional experience directly related to the duties of the position.

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

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• 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

DESIRABLE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• 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.