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The Center for Integrated Research on the Environment (CIRE) invites applications for a Fire Operations Technician (FOT) to oversee serving in an integral role on a team completing a joint project between CIRE and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The FOT will support daily activities of the team at Beale AFB, CA. This position requires work on active military training ranges with potential risk for unexploded ordnance and other related hazards. This position is based out of Beale Air Force Base in California. In addition, regular travel (up to 15 weeks per year) to other Air Force installations to perform similar tasks throughout the area of responsibility is required.

Major Duties Include:

Fire Operations:

• Serving on prescribed fire and fuels projects in positions for which qualified
• Administering all aspects of the prescribed fire/fuels plan, ensuring that preparation, ignition, holding, mop-up, and rehabilitation are completed to the specified standards
• During the implementation of prescribed fires plans, fuels projects, and wildfire response plans, monitors fire behavior, evaluates fire effects, identifies potential problems and makes recommendations
• Supporting wildfire suppression efforts in initial attack and in follow-up actions to safely and effectively control wildfires in accordance with the identified appropriate management response
• Operating and maintaining a variety of motor vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, crew members, etc.
• Acting as the field lead, directing a Firefighter Fuels Type 1 Team on the engine
• Assisting the module lead with project management

Prescribed Fire/Fuels Management Plans:

• Participating in drafting prescribed fire/fuels management plans following the interagency template
• Preparing and reviewing plans and/or plan components such as annual operating plans, training plans, fire suppression plans, safety plans, and individual project plans

Wildland Fire and Safety Training:

• Ensuring own and others’ welfare and safety in all aspects of project implementation
• Identifying training needs of the module
• participating in prescribed fire and fuels management, and wildland fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression
• Leading and participating in preparedness reviews, proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and after-action reviews

Heavy Equipment and Fleet Management:

• Assist with heavy equipment management and possessing necessary qualifications to do so
• Tracking, managing, and facilitating fleet usage for all module members, seasonal employees, and module guests
• Assist with equipment repairs and maintenance tracking
• Assist as directed with fuels management under the supervision of the lead fire tech

The FOT works closely with university faculty, Air Force property managers, project Points of Contact, public land managers and nonprofit organizations to implement projects throughout the U.S. The individual will leave this position with highly specialized abilities related to managing fire programs on Department of Defense properties. This employee will not be responsible for supervising others.

This position requires incumbent to develop a working knowledge of prescribed and wildland fires on DoD lands, how environmental projects work within the DoD, and how projects work at the University of Montana.

Required Skills:

• Meet requirements for the NWCG standards for Firefighter Type 2, which includes an annual pack test at arduous level and fire line refresher (maintained annually)
• Ability to interact with individuals and special interest groups with diverse and potentially conflicting viewpoints regarding natural and cultural resource management priorities
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain class B commercial license within six (6) months
• Assist with fleet management as directed

Minimum Required Experience:

• High School diploma and at least six (6) months fire management experience, completion of a fire management school or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in highly structured organizations, such as governmental agencies, the military or corporations, with established lines of authority, procedures and protocols
• Operation of heavy equipment in wildland fire and forestry practice
• Experience with wildland fire suppression, familiarity with California ecosystems and fire regimes
• Heavy equipment and/or agricultural operation and maintenance
• Experience with ArcGIS, GPS mapping and compiling field data
• Bachelor’s degree in applicable field

About the Center for Integrated Research on the Environment (CIRE) and UM:

CIRE offers expert task-based execution and research in natural resource management, wildland fire operations, and cultural resource management to our Federal, Tribal, State and private-sector partners via cooperative agreements, grants and partnering opportunities.

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Position Details:

Position Title: Fire Operations Technician

Position Number: 298060

Department: Center for Integrated Research on the Environment (CIRE)

Primary Work Location: Beale Air Force Base, CA

Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 12 months/year. Position requires an alternative work schedule that is variable due to Wildland Firefighting.

Salary: $23.063/hr.

Union Affiliation: FOCUS-MFPE

Probationary Period: Six months minimum

Benefits Include: Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply:

Priority Application Date: Sunday, June 4, 2023 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials. Position will remain open until filled.

Please submit the following application materials** via the UM Jobs portal and by clicking "New Resume/CV" button. Please do not apply through Indeed.com

A complete application Includes:

• Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application. Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the "How to Apply" section. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above.

**Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.