WILDFIRE MITIGATION SPECIALIST
San Rafael Fire Department
Three (3) Positions Available
Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)/Fixed-Term Position
$67,723 - $83,616 per year
($34.73 - $40.20 per hour)
Limited Benefits Available
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Apply by Friday, October 29, 2021 for first consideration – Applications will be reviewed weekly thereafter until all three positions have been filled
The City of San Rafael Fire Department is seeking to fill three (3) full-time Wildfire Mitigation Specialist positions with a focus on community risk reduction, defensible space and home hardening. Each Specialist will serve as the primary public contact and strategist for specific area.
Under limited supervision, the Wildfire Mitigation Specialist will help support San Rafael’s wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts by evaluating and enforcing private property for compliance with the San Rafael Municipal Code; providing information about defensible space and home hardening requirements and recommendations to property-owners; implementing scientifically based best practices; developing and coordinating supportive resources; and working with contractors and City staff to implement strategies and projects.
Fixed-Term appointments may be made for up to a three-year period with the potential to extend. Continued appointment in this position is contingent upon funding and job performance. This is an “at will” position and has limited benefits available. This position is fully funded through the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MPWA).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (including but not limited to):
- Interpret and enforce provisions of City Ordinances, State Codes and other regulations.
- Perform evaluations of property, vegetation and structures to identify fire code violations, fire hazards; recommend corrective actions; perform follow-up inspections to see that corrective actions have been completed.
- Investigate complaints pertaining to violations of applicable fire codes; issue correction orders as necessary.
- Prepare accurate records and reports; maintain accurate records and files in the City electronic tracking system.
- Enforce and abate to achieve compliance with applicable laws and best practices.
- Provide information and resources to the public concerning wildfire prevention, practices and procedures.
- Support and coordinate resident assistance programs, including but not limited to education, initial grant application review, and chipper days.
- Provide and assist in training programs and public presentations.
- Provide guidance or support to other City staff or vegetation management contractors working for the City.
- May be assigned to support other fire administration, fire operations, fire prevention, environmental management or emergency management related duties as needed.
- May provide guidance to fire mitigation and suppression crews about fie code interpretation, fuel management plans and prescriptions and site evaluation techniques.
- Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor and within he MWPA mission.
Knowledge of:
- Principles, practices, and techniques of vegetation and land management and wildfire mitigation.
- Principles and techniques of site evaluations and inspection work.
- Environmental best practices.
- Local and State Fire Codes.
- Knowledge of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
- Accounting, budgeting, and contract methods and principles.
- Map reading, including topography and basic GIS.
- Office procedures, methods and equipment including Microsoft Office and Google suites, with the specific ability to efficiently use and develop email, calendars, databases, slide decks and word processing.
- Preparing and presenting public information, teaching, and public speaking.
- English grammar, spelling, vocabulary and report writing.
Ability To:
- Identify fire hazards and fire code violations and recommend corrective actions.
- Exercise judgment, suggest alternatives, and negotiate compliance strategies with property owners.
- Identify and analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals; research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
- Prepare clear and concise reports; express ideas and communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Conduct field defensible space evaluation inspections in neighborhoods and navigate uneven terrain in undeveloped areas.
- Apply principles of inclusion, equity and public safety to all program areas.
- Interpret and explain wildfire behavior and mitigation best practices in an inclusive manner to all residents.
- Learn and retain local geography and resources as they relate to wildfire prevention, planning, and operations.
- Work within a team environment, be self-motivated, and complete independent tasks with minimal supervision in a timely manner.
- Apply technical knowledge and follow proper evaluation/inspection techniques.
- Read and interpret site plans and vegetation management plans.
- Enforce fire codes, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to fire prevention and vegetation management with firmness and tact.
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work such as property owners, contractors, the general public and other staff.
- Express ideas and communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Deal tactfully and in a cooperative manner with property owners, the public, partners, contractors, and City staff to provide a high level of customer service.
Minimum Qualifications Desired
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities are qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
- One (1) year or more of responsible experience in a variety of inspection, fire prevention or related inspection work.
- Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade, supplemented by college-level fire science or prevention classes.
- Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred with coursework in forestry, fire ecology, natural resource management, public management, environmental and/or climate studies, or related field.
- Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (CWMS) or ability to obtain within six (6) months of appointment.
- ISA Certified Arborist
- Possession of a California Class “C” driver’s license, and satisfactory driving record is required. Maintenance of a California driver’s license is a condition of employment.
Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination:
- MUST be fully vaccinated (two weeks have passed since your second dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or single dose of Johnson and Johnson) prior to starting as an employee with the City of San Rafael.
- You will be asked to provide documentation from the immunization source showing the date(s) the vaccine was administered.
Disaster Service Workers:
All City of San Rafael employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment at the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
Physical Demands/Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, feel or hold; reach with hands and arms; and talk, hear, taste, or smell. The employee is required to walk off trails, up and down steep grades and inclines in heavily vegetated areas of the natural environment in all types of weather conditions. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Employee will be issued personal protective equipment (PPE) and is responsible for using the proper PPE in the appropriate environment. Examples of PPE may include a hardhat, hearing protection while in noisy environments, eye protection, and safety shoes.
Interview Process: The most qualified applicants will be invited to interview.
Application and Selection Process: Resumes do not substitute for the City application. Candidates should detail related education and experience on the application since this information will be used to determine who will be invited to participate in the next phase of the examination process. The examination process may include any or all of the following: application appraisal and oral board interview examination. NOTE: Prior to appointment, candidate must pass a background check/fingerprinting, and DMV check. To file an application on-line go to www.calopps.org. Select “Member Agencies”. Select “Northern Bay Area”. Select “San Rafael”.
Follow this link to apply for this position: https://www.calopps.org/san-rafael/job-20177031
Reasonable Accommodation: The City of San Rafael will make reasonable accommodations in the exam process to accommodate disabled applicants. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (415) 485-3474 before the oral board date.
