Wildland Fire Manager

Job Summary

Manages undeveloped County parks and conservation lands, including greenways, floodplain buyout and hazard mitigation properties. Responsible for developing plans for prescribed fire, fuel management, smoke management, and wild land fire mitigation. Manages property boundaries and resolves trespass disputes. Plans, manages and directs land management activities including vegetation restoration, invasive species control, and enhancement of wildlife habitat. Coordinates and supervises park land management activities and operations; coordinates activities with other divisions, outside agencies and the general public; and provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to assigned senior management staff. Coordinates and communicates with contractors, neighbors, other agencies, special interest groups, and the news media, as it relates to land management activities in County parks and conservation lands.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This classification is in the Management job family and is responsible for coordinating land management activities and operations on parks and conservation lands and may supervise staff supporting this program. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department. May be required to wear a uniform in certain public settings.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans and implements prescribed fires on park and conservation lands including coordination with local jurisdictions and emergency service providers.

• Coordinates the organizational and operational activities of the park land management program for Travis County Parks. Recommends and implements policies and procedures.

• Coordinates and reviews the work plan for assigned land management contracted services and activities. Prioritizes and specifies contracted work activities and projects. Reviews and evaluates work products, methods and procedures.

• Provides information to citizens concerning land management in both oral and written formats. Represents Travis County Parks at meetings, public events and with the media. Educates and conducts presentations to the public.

• Coordinates park land management activities with other departments and outside agencies and organizations.

• Manages park boundaries and resolves trespass disputes.

• Participates in the development and administration of assigned program budget. Forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies. Monitors and approves expenditures. Recommends adjustments as necessary.

• Develops land management plans that protect native vegetation and wildlife.

• Develops strategic fire management protocols to manage invasive plant and animal species.

• Develops bids and submits purchase requests for minor and major purchases and/or construction projects.

• Develops cost analysis for long term plans to manage the County's parks and conservation lands.

• Collects and analyzes fire management data and maintains a database and photographic records of worksites including benchmark achievements.

• Prepares policies and guidelines relating to fire management practices. Researches information and observes and develops best practices and operating procedures. Evaluates programs for effectiveness, quality assurance and accomplishment of goals.

• Assesses the wildfire threat to parkland, park facilities, visitors and adjacent communities.

• Prepares and disseminates information about fire management on park and conservation lands to elected officials, County officials, other governmental officials, and the general public.

• May supervise support staff to include recruiting, hiring, counseling, disciplining, recommending termination, evaluation of staff performance, work scheduling, assigning work hours, orienting, training, ensuring compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• Prepares short and medium range plans including input and writing plans. Provides input into the Parks Master Plan development for individual parks and the park system.

• Works in cooperation with Park District Managers, Park Forester and Chief Park Ranger to coordinate land and fire management operations.

• Establishes and manages a training program that is consistent with National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), as a prescribed Fire Burn Boss or higher requirements in order to assure park staff are qualified to serve in fire operations on county parks and conservation lands.

• Compiles and calculates data and information for reports and cost estimates.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, Wildlife Science, Biology, Botany, Chemistry or a directly related field AND five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience supervising and coordinating park land management activities and operations;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Valid Texas Driver License.

Preferred:

Certified through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), as a prescribed Fire Burn Boss 2 (RXB2).

Certified Prescribed Burn Manager through the Texas Prescribed Burning Board or certification obtained within three years of hire date.

Master's degree in fields listed above.

Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator License.

Knowledge of:

• Extensive knowledge in the implementation of land management principles, practices and concepts sufficient to perform all duties associated with managing resource programs.

• Natural science, ecology and park operations.

• Supervisory principals, practices and techniques.

• Policies, practices, procedures and methods of assigned function.

• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.

• Fire management practices and procedures in accordance with Federal, State and Local guidelines.

• Characteristics of extreme fire behavior to ensure staff safety.

• Methods, techniques, and equipment for prescribed fire activities.

• Emergency procedures, including medical, fire suppression and other procedures.

• Applicable safety practices and procedures in the proper use of land management equipment and methodology.

• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages, including GIS-ARC Fuels.

• Business letter writing, grammar, punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Supervising, training, developing, and assigning staff, volunteers and overseeing contractors.

• Fire management practices and procedures.

• Tree inspection and treatment for diseases, parasites, etc.

• Operating ATV's, pumper trucks, and associated equipment.

• Planning and coordinating work activities.

• Reviewing construction plans, specifications and contracts for compliance with codes and county policy related to trees.

• The application and design of research techniques and the methods of compiling, organizing and reporting data.

• Emergency procedures, including medical and other procedures.

• The use of modern GIS software.

• Both verbal and written communication, including conveying and following instructions and providing information to the public.

• Handling and prioritizing multiple tasks.

Ability to:

• Safely operate motor vehicles.

• Safely operate 2-way radio, cellphone, bucket truck, chipper, and chain saw.

• Read and interpret documents, such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

• Recognize the characteristics of extreme fire behavior to ensure staff safety.

• Plan and implement prescribed fires on parks and conservation lands.

• Analyze emergency/problems and take the best course of action to resolve situations.

• Plan, schedule and oversee functions.

• Manage time well and meet timelines.

• Prepare and present written reports.

• Adapt to changing situations and circumstances when completing work assignments.

• Effectively communicate under stressful situations.

• Effectively extract specific details from complex information during oral communication.

• Research and provide information, guidance and technical support as needed or requested.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, county employees, officials, representatives of outside agencies, news media, and the general public.

• Communicate verbally in a courteous, professional manner with a variety of individuals taking into consideration their needs and using tone, vocabulary, format, and grammar appropriate to the circumstance.

• Work as a member of a team to reach a common goal and/or objective.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds, maintain arduous duty fitness level to include a 3 mile hike with 45 pound pack in 45 minutes, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, carrying, bending, stooping, crouching, crawling, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, lifting, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, driving, client/customer contact, viewing monitors and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to extreme temperatures, outside elements, dangerous machinery, noise, fumes, vibration, infectious disease, hazardous chemicals, potential physical harm, contact with dust and insects, and all outdoor hazards, include exposure to poisonous animals and plants.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Monday through Friday / Flexible

Department: Transportation & Natural Resources (TNR)

Location:700 Lavaca St., Austin, TX

Criminal, Driving, Education, and EmploymentCheck Required.