Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained. *Core Values:* The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservations Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana. * We value and respect each other. * We create collaborative work environments. * We build and maintain strong relationships. * We practice accountability. * We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work. Do you possess excellent communication skills? Are you equipped with professional and technical knowledge of fire and fuels management, wildland fire prevention, and community preparedness? If so, we have an exciting job opportunity for you with the objective of reducing human-caused fires. You will be deliberately engaging Montana's citizens in order to prepare them, their property, and their community for wildfire. This position primarily focuses on leading the development and implementation, with Unit personnel, of a land office-wide comprehensive program for community preparedness, fire prevention, fire information, public outreach, and forestry assistance supporting both the current operational needs and the strategic initiatives of the Fire Protection Program and the Forestry Division within the Southwestern Land Office operating area. The CPFP Specialist serves as the principal subject matter expert and point of contact at SWLO regarding matters pertaining to community preparedness, fire prevention, fire information, and public outreach. The incumbent serves both as an internal resource to DNRC personnel and to key DNRC partners in local, state, tribal, and federal government. We are looking for a candidate who is an effective leader, capable of motivating others and building relationships with the SWLO Area and Unit staff, other land offices, interagency partners, dispatch centers and local governments. *ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:* * * *Lead and Manage the Community Preparedness Program:* * Serve as the principal subject matter expert and point of contact at SWLO regarding matters pertaining to community preparedness, fire prevention, fire information, and public outreach. * Provide leadership to and support for DNRC Land Office and Unit personnel as well as interagency partners to assure consistent, cost efficient, adaptable, and sustainable progress toward the overall objectives of the Fire Protection Program Strategy and Forestry Division initiatives, and contribute substantially to ongoing and sustained effort to implement the Fire Protection Program Strategy and continuously improve the Fire Protection Program. *Lead and Manage the Prevention Program:* * Analyze fire occurrence statistics to identify and prioritize fire causes, locations, frequencies and emerging trends; assess Area and Unit projects, program and funding needs; and synthesize assessments and analyses. * Assist SWLO Units with development of their Unit Community Preparedness and Fire Prevention Plans and follow up on goals and needs identified in the plans. Coordinate, direct, and oversee multiple local fire prevention campaigns and projects (e.g., Firewise, One Less Spark, and Ready, Set, Go!). * Evaluate local needs to develop project objectives; develop effective implementation plans for each project/campaign, targeted to local communities; and establish funding agreements. * Continually evaluate the effectiveness of the SWLO fire prevention program and projects to ensure objectives are met and aligned with the Statewide Community Preparedness and Fire Plan. *Program Budget, Grant Administration, and Contract Management:* * Manage the CPFP Specialist’s budget for the land office; including analyzing program plans, available funding, and historical expenditures to establish budget; monitoring all program expenditures Seek opportunities to obtain and administer grants for community preparedness and fire prevention programs, projects, and activities including those implemented by the DNRC or local communities, government agencies, and other grant sub-recipients. * Establish selection criteria for projects based on available grant funding and requirements; review sub-recipient proposals and applications; provide assistance to select projects that will most effectively address identified needs and objectives; communicate with unit staff regarding project status; compile statistics and complete required reports. * Guide grant recipients and sub-recipients in developing effective project models (i.e., plans, methods, measurements, etc.), monitor project compliance with grant requirements; and provide information, project planning support, and professional expertise to facilitate project implementation and optimize funding. *Public Information and Training Delivery:* * Serve as the SWLO’s Information Officer for fire-related activities. Respond to information requests on programs, policies, projects, and operations; including identifying and assessing public information needs and priorities; developing outreach plans; conducting media interviews; coordinating public workshops, community meetings, and presenting on various fire-related topics. Serve as incident PIO for SWLO fires, as needed. * Develop, acquires, and delivers training relevant to the community preparedness and fire prevention program, as well as the County Cooperative Fire Management program. Coordinate with fire protection associations and fire councils to provide training and outreach. * Assists the Unit AFMO with training programs for Unit and Local Government staff using modern technology and proper techniques to ensure consistency in subject matter delivery. *Supervision:* This position assists in the supervision the following positions: Temporary employees as needed for Community Preparedness, Fire Prevention, and Public Information. *If you are interested in a complete job description please contact HR at Makayla.Mangold@mt.gov. *APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE: * * Online State of Montana application * Resume * Cover Letter *HELPFUL HINT: *You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application. *Benefits:* * Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays * Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage * Retirement Plans * Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.  Look here, https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service to learn more and see if you may qualify! Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): * The required knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in communications, forestry, natural resources, or related field and four years of progressively responsible experience, including communications, education, fire prevention, community preparedness, training, and program management. * The incumbent must be able to attain and maintain National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualification/certification as a Fire Prevention Education Team Member (PETM), Fire Prevention Education Team Leader (PETL), and Public Information Officer (PIOF.) This position may require annual completion of an arduous Wildland Fire Work Capacity Test, which includes walking three miles over level ground, with a 45lb. pack in no more than 45 minutes. This agency will accept alternative methods of obtaining necessary qualifications. *SPECIAL INFORMATION:* Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months. *ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: *In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card". **Title:** *Program Specialist 1 - Area Community Preparedness and Fire Prevention Specialist* **Location:** *Missoula* **Requisition ID:** *25140041*