Agency

Department

The Fire Coordinator establishes and maintains excellent interaction with the communities, fire departments, and other response systems and supports agencies and organizations within the region and across the state.  Acts as a liaison on behalf of Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) with these stakeholders by keeping them informed of both internal and external assistance programs and facilitate direct assistance through trainings, grants, agency capacity building programs, etc. Promotes local capacity building for fire and emergency response efforts through agency programs, including Incident Management Team (IMT) development as requested.   Operate and maintain wildland fire suppression equipment and respond to wildland fires and other all-hazard incidents as directed. Conducts self in a professional manner at all times. Region 5 consists of offices in Alice, Beeville and Edinburg.

Responsibilities:

-Deliver the agency's Capacity Building Programs to Volunteer Fire Departments, Combination Departments, and Municipal Career Fire Departments within the district/region.  Supports the delivery and development of these assistance programs within TAMFS and with other government agencies.  These programs include VFD assistance, insurance and vehicle liability risk pool; FEPP, FFP, VFD cost shares, Helping Hands, fire risk assessment, aviation, TIFMAS and TICC

-Assist with training, preparation and coordination of firefighters within the district/region to respond to wildfire incidents locally, regionally and statewide. Communicate to Predictive Services Department personnel and chain of command of regional fire loads and keep them informed of additional resources that may be required to handle fire activity. Communication with local, state and federal officials as appropriate.

-Serves as an emergency responder (including all hazard and wildland fire) which may require working long hours with minimal rest and in primitive conditions, exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as smoke, wind, sunlight, rain and temperature extremes, walking long distances, standing for extended periods, twisting, bending, reaching and kneeling, lifting and carrying heavy objects, driving motor vehicles for long distances, operating heavy equipment with related exposure to equipment vibration and noise and operating computers with monitors for extended periods of time.  Must meet the moderate physical fitness standard of a 2-mile walk carrying a 25 lb. pack in 30 minutes or less.  It is required that this position carry an agency cell phone device to facilitate 24/7 communication.  Will be expected to establish residency within 30 minutes of duty station.

-Assists in promoting the development of mutual aid resources and agreements among local jurisdictions. Assists in development of regional wildfire strike teams and regional incident management teams, along with coordinating and assessing the need for wildfire training.

-Serves on the TAMFS Incident Management, Fire Prevention and Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Teams with related training and preparedness. Coordinate all activities with the Regional Operations Chief.

-Coordinate the development or rural community fire protection programs and response activities through the appropriate state disaster district committees (DDC).

-Be familiar with and follow all agency policies, rules, procedures and guidelines. Complete all required trainings, reporting requirements and manage and maintain accountability for all agency property.

-Other duties as assigned.

Benefits: Texas A&M University System strives to support the health and wellness needs of our diverse workforce. Texas A&M Forest Service offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off and health and lifestyle programs as well as educational incentives and tuition reimbursement opportunities. Some additional benefits include the ability to accrue compensatory time off, overtime on emergency response and a physical fitness incentive of $500 for passing the arduous test (walk three miles wearing a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less) each year.

Education and Experience:
Required Education: Bachelor’s degree or meet internal (TAMFS) eligibility criteria, which may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree with emphasis in Natural Resources, Land Management, Fire Science, Emergency Management, Public Administration or Business Administration. 
Required Experiences: None.

Preferred Experience: Experience as a firefighter and/or instructor with a recognized volunteer or career fire department or wildland fire agency.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Required Knowledge: Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred Knowledge: Wildland firefighting skills including wildland fire hand tools, personal protective equipment, water delivery equipment and fire engine operations.  NWCG firefighter training, NFPA 1001, 1021 and 1041 certification.

Required Skills: Good interpersonal skills.  Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
Required Ability: Travel for trainings, meetings, etc. Multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Registrations, Certifications, and Licenses:
Required: Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or ability to obtain one within 180 days of employment.

Preferred: TCFP or SFFMA Basic Firefighter or higher certification

Other Requirements:
Required: Response to wildfires and all hazard incidents as requested.  Meet moderate physical fitness test of completing a 2-mile walk carrying 25 lbs. in 30 minutes or less.

The Fire Coordinator position is considered a training position with a training/mentoring period up to 2 or more years. 

Applicant Instructions:

A resume, cover letter and transcript(s) are REQUIRED to be uploaded to application. References are entered in the secondary questionnaire portion of the application.  Certifications are preferred to be uploaded to the application.  Documents/certifications can be uploaded in the "My Experience" page in the "Resume/CV section.  More than one document can be uploaded; just click the "Upload" button for each document.  Documents can only be loaded at this time and cannot be uploaded once the application is submitted.  If there are any issues uploading documents, please contact 979-458-6690. Please check your spam folder in case more information is sent in regards to this position.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.