What are the responsibilities and job description for the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Specialist position at Town of Vail?
Position Overview
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Specialist
Employment dates expected: May 5th, 2025 - November 1st, 2025
HOUSING AVAILABLE!
The Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Specialist engages in community risk reduction activities aimed at reducing the wildfire risk to the community. This seasonal role focuses on providing leadership to fire department wildfire risk reduction programs. Engages with the public daily and oversees outreach, educational, and financial assistance programs. Assists with wildland fire suppression, prescribed fire, and other all-hazard incident responses as needed.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Collaborates with homeowners, community stakeholders, and federal agencies to educate and mitigate potential wildfire threats.
- Develops and implements wildfire community risk reduction programs and community outreach relating to wildfire prevention and mitigation.
- Provides oversight for community wildfire cost-share assistance programs.
- Collects and analyzes community wildfire risk data to identify trends and implement solutions.
- Provides technical and administrative assistance to wildland fire crews.
- Operate and maintain specialized equipment, including 4x4 pickup trucks, fire engines, pumps, and other firefighting tools.
- Implements formal and informal training programs to comply with policy and regulations.
- Advises, counsels, or instructs employees on work and administrative matters as needed.
- Promote crew safety, welfare, and development through training initiatives
- Ensures work conditions conform to agency safety programs.
- Identifies and corrects job safety and health hazards.
- Serves the citizens and guests of the Town of Vail by abiding by all Town of Vail core values.
- Performs job in accordance with all Town of Vail safety practices.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills / Requirements
It is important that individuals applying meet the following requirements:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Proficiency in engaging diverse groups with varying viewpoints.
- Strong oral and written communication skills for reporting, public education, and coordinating work.
- Knowledge of natural resource management, fire ecology, fire behavior, fire management theories, WUI firefighting, building construction and landscaping
- Knowledge of strategies, tactics and suppression methods used in the containment and control of wildfires and WUI fires
- Knowledge of instructional techniques
- Knowledge of accepted fire safety practices and procedures to prevent injury and loss of life.
- Specialized knowledge and necessary certifications such as, chain saw operation and repair and use of specialized equipment used in response to wildland urban interface situations.
- Ability to operate four-wheel drive pickup trucks and may require ability to operate a fire engine.
- Skill in use of hand tools and power tools including chainsaws and portable pumps to build fire line, control wildland fire, and to perform other non-fire related duties.
- Knowledge and skill of standard first aid procedures sufficient to perform preliminary first aid and triage as necessary.
Education, Experience and Certificates
- High school or GED required. Some college preferred
- Experience with public education, community engagement and/or customer service
- NWCG S130, S190
- Qualification to NWCG standards as a Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2)
- Minimum 1 season (6 months) wildland firefighting experience
- Class R Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of hire.
Preferred
- Faller Type 3 trainee (FALA(t)) (S-212) - Highly preferred. Candidates not possessing this qualification will be required to complete this department provided training as a condition of hire.
- Faller Type 2 (FALB) (S-212 and completed task book or equivalent)
- Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1)
- Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident commander type 5 (ICT5)
- Commercial drivers licenses class B or ability to obtain
- Certified EMT Basic
- 1 seasons experience wildland firefighting
Experience/ qualification with low angle rescue, swift water or search and rescue
All job offers will be contingent upon satisfactory background check, pre-employment drug screening, medical/fit for duty exam.
Preference will be given to applicants that can commit to work the entire season. Candidates must be able to work any shift including holidays and weekends.
Culture / Lifestyle / Benefits
Are you interested in living and working in Vail, CO? Vail, which is centrally located in the Rocky Mountains, offers easy access to Denver (100 miles to the east) and is surrounded by the White River National Forest, offering world class outdoor activities in summer and winter (skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, white water).
When asked, most of our employees say that working for the Town of Vail feels like family. Our values-based culture is nurtured by the employees’ strong desire to foster teamwork, take ownership in Vail’s future and an overall pride for serving their community. Let’s not forget that our efforts not only benefit the community but also allow us to enjoy the spectacular amenities and culture in the Vail Valley which we call home! To find out more about our community, please visit our website www.vailgov.com and click on Vail Information.
Seasonal Benefits
As a Seasonal employee we encourage you to enjoy the local outdoor activities that brought you here! Employees will be provided with a Golf & Tennis pass and may be eligible for a season end bonus, boot allowance and paid sick leave.
The Town of Vail is looking for dedicated employees that want to make the valley home. Employees that work full time for 12 consecutive months may be eligible for additional benefits including medical and dental insurance, retirement and paid time off. The Town of Vail has many exciting opportunities to work in departments such as public works, transit and parking during the off-season.
