The Wildfire Partners Team of the Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Department is seeking to hire a Wildfire Mitigation Specialist. The Wildfire Mitigation Specialist is primarily field positions responsible for regulatory and voluntary Home Ignition Zone assessments, inspections and field visits with homeowners, builders and property managers. Candidates must be willing and able to work in the field every single work day. Work in the field takes place all year round; however, fewer visits take place during the winter. This is a supervised position that will require the ability to work collaboratively with a larger team and the ability to exercise independent judgment. This position is newly created as a result of Boulder County’s Wildfire Mitigation Tax. It will be part of the expanded mission of Wildfire Partners as we expand to include the entirety of Boulder County in our program area. This will involve developing new strategies based on elements of our award-winning Wildfire Partners Program.

This is a full-time, benefited position that will work regular weekday business hours, with occasional evenings and Saturdays as needed to attend community meetings and events. This is a hybrid position with work divided between home, field, and office (2045 13th Street Boulder, Colorado). Under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines, this position is exempt. 

Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.

Hiring Salary Range: $75,984.00 - $92,736.00 Annually

Tentative Hiring Timeline:

• Phone Screening: Marth 17th 
• First Round Interviews: March 24th 
• Reference Check: March 25th 

New employees receive an 80-hour bank (Download PDF reader) of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month (Must not have been employed at Boulder County during the 12 months prior to re-hire date to qualify). Boulder County offers bountiful benefits, including pension contributions.

 Boulder County employees may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Visit studentaid.gov for more information. 

Examples of Duties

1. Uses an iPad to conduct Wildfire Partners assessments—on-site 2-4 hour educational home ignition zone (HIZ) assessments—with homeowners, builders and property managers using the best available science to make prioritized home hardening and defensible space recommendations and requirements to reduce the vulnerabilities of their home igniting in a wildfire. 
   • These HIZ assessments include existing homes, new homes, short-term rentals and Wildfire Partners’ recertification's.
2. Conducts onsite HIZ assessments, inspections and field visits multiple days a week to confirm that wildfire mitigation measures are completed in accordance with standards. Communicates corrections or approves inspections and enters results into database systems.
3. Coordinates, collaborates and serves as a resource with other departments, agencies, jurisdictions and groups in areas and programs directly related to wildfire mitigation.
4. Reviews and responds to Planning department referrals of development proposals with site location, defensible space, ignition-resistant materials, emergency water supply and emergency vehicle access wildfire mitigation concerns and requirements. Attends review staff meetings as applicable to provide input.
5. Participates in the planning and preparation of community wildfire protection plans, community meetings, wildfire hazard ratings and land use and building codes.
6. Performs related work as assigned.
7. May be reassigned in an emergency.

Required Qualifications

PLEASE NOTE: When completing your application describe all relevant education and experience, as applications are assessed based on the required qualifications listed. Resumes and other attachments are not accepted in lieu of completed applications and will not be reviewed in the initial screening process. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your attachments will then be shared with the hiring team.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Boulder County is looking for well qualified candidates to fill our positions. Any combination of relevant education and experience is encouraged. In this position, we are looking for a minimum of 6 years of combined education and experience in a related field. Additional related education may count towards required experience.

DRIVER'S LICENSE & RELIABLE VEHICLE:

• Applicants must have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record
• For more information regarding a clean driving record, please click here.

BACKGROUND CHECK:

• A job offer is contingent on passing a background investigation

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL:

• Candidates for this position will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment physical

Supplemental Information

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• At least three years of prior related work experience is preferred.

1. Aspirational capital - the ability to maintain hopes and dreams for the future, even in the face of real and perceived barriers.

2. Linguistic capital - includes the intellectual and social skills attained through communication experiences in more than one language and/or style.

3. Familial capital - refers to an understanding of community history and context and cultural practices and traditions.

4. Social capital - can be understood as networks of people and community resources. These peer and other social contacts can provide both instrumental and emotional support to navigate through society’s institutions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Experience marking defensible space according to the Colorado State Forest Service publication, “Protecting Your Home from Wildfire: Creating Wildfire-Defensible Zones, 2012 Quick Guide,” and "Home Ignition Zone Guide," in forest and range conditions similar to those in Boulder County.

• Experience conducting home ignition zone (HIZ) assessments to make prioritized home hardening and defensible space recommendations to reduce the vulnerabilities of the home igniting in a wildfire. The NFPA Wildfire Mitigation Specialist certification can show knowledge, but additional experience is preferred.

• Knowledge of “Firewise” landscaping.

• The ability to read and interpret applicable codes, like Section R327 of the Boulder County Building Code Amendments and the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC).

• Knowledge of common factors that contribute to the wildfire hazard severity of home and building sites.

• Familiarity with local fire protection district organizations, land use practices, GIS, local forest ecology and wildfire mitigation.

• Must be adaptable to performing calmly and competently under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Excellent organizational skills.

• Experience managing and prioritizing a diverse workload to accomplish tasks for several projects on defined timelines.

• Ability to reduce complex planning theories, concepts, principles and methodologies to layperson’s terms and provide accurate information in a comprehensive, concise and effective manner and communicate these to individuals and groups.

• Able to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders from various social, cultural and economic backgrounds, including diverse and under-represented communities.

• Proficient in using Windows and iPads. Intermediate-level or better familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, including Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Familiarity with database software systems like SafetyCulture and Salesforce.

• Willing and able to work flexible hours to attend outreach and engagement events and stakeholder meetings.

• Comfortable engaging with individuals and groups in virtual formats like Zoom.

Boulder County is a workplace dedicated to supporting individuals and families of all types and to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Opening Date

02/06/2025

Closing Date

3/2/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

Apply Here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/boulder/jobs/4821954/wildfire-mitigation-specialist?page=3&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs