Wildland Fire Program Manager

Description

The Wildland Fire Program Manager will lead the Tribe’s work to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfires through collaboration and coordination with partnering government agencies and fire districts. 

This position will also develop a Tribal wildland fire prevention and management plan including plans for establishment and management of a Tribal Wildland Fire Team and the adoption of Tribal wildland fire training standards and cultural burning protocols. 

Essential Duties:

• Serve as the Tribe’s expert in wildland fire prevention and risk reduction, coordinating implementation of fire protection and prevention activities in the Tribe’s ancestral lands, working with private landowners, governments, private forest managers, fire protection districts and agencies, and other associated groups or land managers. 
• Lead multi-agency discussions among the Tribe and other neighboring governments for a collaborative landscape approach to wildfire resiliency and wildfire risk reduction, and regularly engage and coordinate with these partners through in-person meetings, phone calls, video calls, and emails. 
• Plan and coordinate site visits including agenda development, partner meetings, presentations, task follow-up and logistics. 
• Develop communication materials, give presentations, and translate technical information for government staff and elected officials, the general public, nonprofit groups, and other key partners.
• Prepare reports on fire prevention and natural disaster planning, detailing work performed and upcoming scheduled activities. 
• Serve as point of contact for the Tribe during a wildfire response. This may include serving as the Tribe’s liaison to a wildfire Incident Commander and/or being the point of contact to identify culturally sensitive/valuable areas in the ancestral lands during a wildfire response.
• Manage project budgets and prepare financial and project activity reports to be submitted to funding agencies. 
• Compile and maintain inventories of wildfire safety equipment and coordinate wildfire supply orders.
• Manage Tribal communications with surrounding land managers and fire districts regarding fire prevention, risks, and proactive risk reduction measures. 
• Collaborate with the Tribal GIS team to develop, launch, and manage fire prevention and management tools. 
• Create training materials relating to Tribal wildfire and climate emergency preparedness planning and safety measures for Tribal staff to conduct field work.
• Develop and present safety planning and safety training sessions for tribal staff and contractors working in field environments where wildfire and other climate-induced risks are present. 
• Participate in the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Forest land use planning and policy recommendations to ensure they incorporate wildfire mitigation activities and communication products round the wildfire and other climate change risks.
• Establish, communicate, and maintain processes for wildfire reporting, including mapping and operating procedures. 
• Prepare for the Tribe’s existing partners and future Wildfire Team to be ready to mobilize for wildfire response such as having Forest Land Response Agreements in place and pre-identifying resource directors as wildfire incident points of contact. 
• Identify potential wildfire risk and prevention measures within the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Forest and other Tribal lands.
• Develop Tribal systems, processes, and standards for gathering, analyzing, organizing, and disseminating wildland fire information and data internally and to partner agencies. 
• Create plans to prevent damage to Tribal and partner forested landscapes from fire, drought and other natural emergencies.
• Compile existing forest wildfire and climate resiliency strategies prepared by other large forest land managers in the Snohomish, Tolt, and Snoqualmie watersheds. 
• Develop strategies and information handling protocols for engaging indigenous knowledge sharers to best inform the Tribe’s efforts both internally and with external governments to reduce wildfire risk and support forest resiliency. 
• Coordinate forest and wildfire resilience strategies that are protective of Snoqualmie Tribe’s ancestral heritage. 
• Lead the development and implementation of a plan for a Tribal Wildfire Team including training standards and mobilization protocols.
• Establish partnerships and negotiate agreements with nearby jurisdictions and districts to implement Hazard Mitigation and Tribal Continuity Plans.
• Find, coordinate, and track training for interested Tribal staff to participate in wildfire prevention and wildfire management opportunities.
• Lead efforts to secure grant funding and assistance for wildfire planning initiatives. 
• Lead Tribal work to manage program operations and administration, including tracking activities and deliverables, managing budgets, overseeing consultants, and reporting on program outcomes. 
• Support the creation of general program materials including overview documents, presentations, and content for websites and social media. 
• Provide staff support for recurring meetings and opportunities for government forest landowners to meet, discuss topics of shared concern, and strategize collaboratively.
• Teach field teams on radio and satellite remote communication systems procedures and protocols.
• Support worker safety for teams conducting wildfire and climate change assessments.
• Coordinate and support efforts to reintroduce traditional burning practices, as appropriate.

Additional Duties:

• The Tribe values its commitment to community service and the well-being of its members. In recognition of this, each employee may be expected to perform duties from time to time which may not be related to their regular responsibilities.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

• Knowledge of fire behavior, fire weather, fire hazards, and fire risk analyses.
• Basic knowledge of forestry practices and timber harvesting or management activities.
• Knowledge of wildland fire suppression operations and tactics, interagency wildland fire operations and functions, Incident Command System, forest fire regulations (including outdoor burning regulations from surrounding government agencies), and various national and state fire prediction and incident tracking systems. 
• Ability to form and maintain effective working relationships, to be a successful leader and contributing team player. 
• Ability to analyze organization and operational problems and develop solutions. 
• Ability to make sound, timely decisions in stressful, fast-paced situations.
• Maintaining Current Knowledge: ability to effectively read, analyze, and interpret general periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations including knowledge of Fire Ecology and Management.  
• Decision-Making: Ability to make critical decisions while following tribal procedures.
• Complex Problem Solving: skilled in identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. 
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Law and Government: Familiarity with relevant policies including the Tribal Forest Protection Act, Good Neighbor Authority agreements, Stewardship Contracting, government regulations, agency rules, etc. 
• Strong navigation/orienteering skills. 
• Knowledge and teamwork skills to interact with technical and political professionals including scientists, biologists, planners, elected leaders and agency officials. 
•  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective community engagement.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

Education & Experience:

Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree in planning, Environmental Science, Forestry, Conservation Biology, emergency management, or related field or a combined equivalent of education and experience that demonstrates the abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Practical experience and at least 4 years of working in environmental science or planning field in a similar capacity may be considered in lieu of a degree. 

Experience Required:

• Minimum of three (5) years implementing a specific wildland fire program.  
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in land use planning, hazard mitigation planning, or related field in the public or private sector.
• Minimum of three (3) years working with local governments, federal agencies, and state agencies.
• Minimum of three (3) years of project management experience.  
• Demonstrated skill in developing and maintaining close, productive relationships with internal and external partners.
• Demonstrated desire and enthusiasm for taking initiative, solving problems, and developing strategies.
• Experience adapting to the latest technologies and software related to wildfire planning.
• Demonstrated knowledge of wildland fire mitigation measures.

Experience Preferred: 

• Experience working with Tribal governments. 
• Experience with Indigenous fire practices.
• Experience in radio or satellite remote communication systems.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Must have and maintain a valid Washington State driver’s license without restrictions. 

Other Requirements:

• Must be able to pass a thorough background and character investigation including fingerprint background. 
• Must agree to be subject to the Tribe's Controlled Substance and Alcohol Testing Policy to include pre-employment screening.

Work Environment:

The work environment includes an office environment. Remote or hybrid work arrangements may be possible in accordance with the Tribe’s Telecommuting Policy. 

The work environment is a combination of field and office work and includes the ability to work efficiently within a rugged forested landscape. And the ability to safely work long hours in inclement weather. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, as well as warm weather, cold weather, steep slopes, and brushy field conditions. Field work for this position includes hiking off-trail and carrying field supplies and other equipment on uneven terrain. 

This position may also include controlled burning and fire suppression, and therefore smoke exposure. Appropriate PPE will be provided. 

Tribal Preference:

The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe follows the Tribal Hiring Preference as outlined in tribal policies, including the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO). TERO sets forth certain hiring preferences for qualified individuals who are enrolled in a federally recognized Indian tribe, as well as, in some cases, preference for certain family members of those individuals.

Additional Information:

• Salary, compensation will be determined based on experience and starts at $88,726.03 per year. 
• This position is a regular full-time position and employment is at will.

Location:

• Snoqualmie, WA (Hybrid work arrangements may be possible in accordance with policy)

Benefits:

• First of the month following date of hire - competitive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance benefits for all regular full-time employees.
• After 90 days - 401k retirement plan with employer matching contributions up to 4%.
• Paid Holidays - Up to 18 paid holidays are offered every calendar year, which includes the workdays between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
• Paid Time Off – Employees accrue 12 days sick and vacation leave respectively. Increases based on years of service.

Additional Perks:

• Additional time off opportunities available including bereavement, military, parental and jury duty.
• Childcare subsidy for children enrolled full-time in the Snoqualmie Tribe Child Development Center.
• Employee discounts at Snoqualmie Casino (tickets/events, gift shop and restaurants), Salish Lodge & Spa (rooms, spa & dining) and Crescent Market (gas discount card).
• Third party perks include movie tickets, theme parks, shows and attractions & more.
• Employee assistance plans.

Salary : $88,726