Compile statewide data on wildfire occurrences and coordinate the submittal of forms and ... Analyze data and communicat
Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife I.
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION:
Position: Position No.: Department: Division: Branch: Geographic Location:
II.
Fire Protection Forester (Forester I V - V ) 24945 Land and Natural Resources Forestry and Wildlife Administration Oahu
INTRODUCTION
The Division is responsible for the protection, development and management of forest resources and wildlife, and provides technical expertise on protection, management and utilization to the general public. This position is assigned to the Watershed Protection and Management Section of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and is located in the administrative office in downtown Honolulu. This position plans and implements the wildland fire management program for the Division under the supervision of the State Protection Forester and in consultation with the Division’s district offices located on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii islands. The Division is the primary responder for wildland fires on DOFAW managed lands including forest reserves, natural area reserves, and game management areas and assists other firefighting agencies on other lands. The position coordinates and conducts fire and Incident Command System (ICS) training, serves as the Division’s Safety Officer, coordinates with other departments and federal and county agencies on wildland fire and other emergency responses, administers fire assistance grants, and coordinates data related to wildland fire.
III.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position assists the Section Leader in providing broad program management direction for fire protection, including prevention, pre-suppression, suppression, and post-fire activities to ensure the integrity of Hawaii's forested watersheds and native ecosystems while providing for public safety.
A. Program Administration
35%
Plan and develop short- and long-term programs for the fire management program, using standards, methods, and procedures necessary to complete the task and make recommendations to the Watershed Protection and Management Section Leader. Assist in developing budgets for prevention, pre-suppression, and suppression activities including equipment and operations. Make recommendations on fire budget to the Section Leader and Administrator. Write and administer grants such as the US Forest Service’s State Fire Assistance and Wildland Urban Interface grants and FEMA’s Fire Management Assistance Grant Program to support the Division’s efforts. Report statewide accomplishments. Coordinate statewide contracts and conduct other procurement in accordance with state laws. Review and provide technical input and analysis of state and federal legislation, policies, and plans and evaluate their impact on program goals and priorities Coordinate and manage statewide fire equipment inventory including Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP). Communicate equipment condition and needs to Section Leader and Administrator. B. Data Management and Communications
20%
Compile statewide data on wildfire occurrences and coordinate the submittal of forms and reports. Develop and manage database/s for statewide wildland fire responses that include damages and costs related to fire responses. Analyze data and communicate fire statistics to Section Leader and public. Manage Remote Automated Weather Stations including maintenance, data compilation, and modeling in coordination with district foresters. Communicate fire risk and threat to Hawaii’s watersheds and native ecosystems to the public and policy makers through press releases, media briefings, official testimony, the Division’s website, public service announcements, and other means. Coordinate with other agencies and partner organizations in developing messages related to wildland fire. Collaborate with researchers and university extension and recommend research projects to inform management functions and policy making.
C. Serve as Liason with Firefighting and Emergency Response Agencies
20%
Liaise with county fire departments and other fire response agencies in coordination with branch offices. Maintain the Division’s Mutual Aid Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, and maps relating to fire response. Represent the Division with federal agencies and national firefighting organizations and committees such as the Western State Fire Managers. Coordinate with Chairperson’s office, district managers, other divisions, as well as state and county civil defense for emergency responses.
D. Training
15%
Plan, coordinate, and conduct wildland fire training courses including Incident Command System (ICS), safety, radio communication protocols, helicopter, and first aid. Track training completion for Division staff in a database. Coordinate with other firefighting and emergency response agencies on training opportunities. Coordinate technical assistance in wildland firefighting from US Forest Service, including sending Division crews to mainland to acquire experience with large fire responses. D. Other Activities
10%
Serve as Division Safety Officer. Update Division’s safety protocols as needed. Represent the Division on the Department’s incident response team for emergency responses such as hurricane or tsunami events. Assist with fuels reduction mapping and other pre-suppression projects on Division lands. Work with other sections and agencies on post-fire rehabilitation and restoration. Assist with fire responses statewide. Perform wildland fire suppression working long hours under hazardous conditions and in steep, remote terrain. Assist with or conduct fire investigations. Assist with other Section and Division activities as needed.
IV.
CONTROLS EXERCISED OVER THE WORK
The position is supervised by the Watershed Protection and Management Section Leader, Forester VI, Position No. 9696. The nature of supervision is general; completed work is reviewed by the supervisor for adequacy in meeting the objectives, responsibilities and conditions of the statewide fire management program.
V.
REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, ETC.
Valid Class 3 Drivers License. Use of firearms not required for this position.
VI.
RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE: A. Knowledge: Must possess basic knowledge and understanding of forest management objectives; fire planning and behavior; Incident Command System and other emergency response management tools; firefighting safety; current technical and practical developments including literature in the fields of forest fire prevention, pre-suppression, and suppression. B. Skills and Abilities: Must possess up-to-date wildland firefighting techniques; ability to communicate and work closely with others from diverse backgrounds; proficiency in computer programs such as spreadsheets, databases, GIS, and web-based applications; familiarity with firefighting, radio, and weather monitoring equipment. Must be able to establish and maintain effective inter-agency cooperation and possess necessary skills to exercise tact and judgment, maintain confidentiality, and develop rapport with federal, state, and private managers; cooperating emergency response agencies; research and extension specialists; and the general public. Must be able to travel to mainland and within the state on a regular basis. C. Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four year college or university in forestry or closely related field which covers areas described under ‘forester minimum qualifications,’ OR 4 years excess specialized professional experience involved in the application of knowledge in one or combination of the following: forest management, protection (fire or forest health), economics, silviculture or related area such as watershed management. D. Experience: 2-3 years of progressively responsible professional experience in forest management. An advanced academic degree in a related field may be substituted for 1-2 year of specialized experience depending on the degree.
VII.
TOOLS, EQUIPMENT & MACHINES
Familiarity with radios, GPS, four-wheel and off-road drive vehicles, chainsaws and hand tools, Remote Automated Weather Stations, and helicopter safety.
