Job Title

Program Specialist II (FAC Program)

Agency

Texas A&M Forest Service

Department

FAC Programs

Proposed Minimum Salary

$4,833.34 monthly

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The Program Specialist for Fire Adapted Community (FAC) Programs assists with the agency’s wildland fire mitigation initiatives, including Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP), Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG), Firewise programs, structure hardening efforts and land-use planning. This role provides critical support in the implementation and administration of FAC programs, working closely with the Program Coordinator and other agency staff. The Program Specialist helps with tracking program activities, assisting with reporting and ensuring the smooth execution of tasks related to fire mitigation planning and community resilience efforts. This position collaborates with local jurisdictions, state partners and stakeholders to support the agency’s goal, while also contributing to the preparation of program reports and materials. A solid understanding of wildfire mitigation, community, resilience and response operations is essential for supporting these initiatives. The role may also involve participation in post-fire assessment teams, prevention efforts and information efforts as needed.

About the Agency:

Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) provides statewide leadership and technical assistance to ensure trees, forests and related natural resources are sustained for the benefit of all. TAMFS is also the lead agency for wildfire response in the state and supports the state’s incident response capability, helping to respond to a range of all-hazard incidents.

To learn more about Texas A&M Forest Service, visit tfsweb.tamu.edu

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Program Specialist for the Fire Adapted Community (FAC) Programs has a variety of duties and responsibilities, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

-Assist with the implementation and administration of Fire Adapted Community programs, including CWPP, CWDG, Firewise, structure hardening and land-use planning activities.

-Work closely with the Program Coordinator, agency staff, state partners and local jurisdictions to support program activities, ensure alignment with division goals and facilitate communication across stakeholders.

-Work with local jurisdictions on CWPP and Firewise Site development; align and track progress of local developers; liaise with agency departments to ensure program quality and timely completion.

-Help track program progress, prepare reports and ensure accurate documentation of activities, outcomes and expenditures related to FAC initiatives.

-Support outreach efforts and assist in coordinating educational and awareness campaigns to promote wildfire mitigation and community resilience in local areas.

-Participate in post-fire assessments and other response efforts as needed, assisting with data collection, reporting and public information activities related to wildfire mitigation.

Benefits:

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.

This position is guaranteed a minimum of 40-hours work week and full benefits after meeting the 60 day mark.

Qualifications:

-A bachelor’s degree with a preferred emphasis in natural resource management, emergency/fire management, fire ecology, range science, agricultural leadership, public administration or a closely related field is required. A master’s degree in a program-applicable field is preferred.

-Two (2) years of experience as a Program Specialist I or equivalent experience is required. Experience working for or with a wildland fire agency is preferred.

-Experience facilitating communications and developing and maintaining relationships with local government cooperators, various stakeholders and the general public is required.

-An ideal candidate exhibits knowledge of FAC concepts, including CWPP, Firewise, NFPA wildfire standards and ICC wildfire codes.

-A valid Texas Drivers’ license or the ability to obtain one withing 30 days of employment is required.

-Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint is required for this position.

-An ideal candidate has strong written and oral communication skills and can work independently and be self-directed. This position requires the ability to adapt to a changing environment and handle multiple priorities in addition to working closely with others at times.

Additional Information:

-Employees responding to wildfire incidents are required to meet a moderate physical fitness standard by passing the Work Capacity Test each year. This involves walking two (2) miles wearing a 25-pound pack in 30 minutes or less.

-Travel is required for emergency response, training and program delivery. Travel away from the home unit, sometime exceeding 14 days, may be necessary. There is also a possibility of working holidays while on emergency response.

-Within 90 days of hire, an employee must establish a primary residence within 30 minutes travel time of the office location.

-This position is not eligible for reimbursement of moving expenses.

Evaluation & Applicant Instructions:

This job posting will remain open for 4-6 weeks. The Hiring Supervisor reserves the right to close the job prior to this time frame should qualified candidates apply.

This position is projected to start in June 2026.. An actual start date will be determined when a suitable candidate is selected.

-Applicants will be evaluated for this job based on how well they meet the qualifications listed. Applicants will also be evaluated based on how their experience, education and training reflects the qualification requirements of this position.

-All TAMFS positions are security-sensitive and applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation. 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.

Resume, cover letter and transcript(s) are REQUIRED to be uploaded to application. References are required to be entered in the secondary questionnaire section 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.

The Program Specialist for Fire Adapted Community (FAC) Programs assists with the agency’s wildland fire mitigation initiatives, including Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP), Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG), Firewise programs, structure hardening efforts and land-use planning. This role provides critical support in the implementation and administration of FAC programs, working closely with the Program Coordinator and other agency staff. The Program Specialist helps with tracking program activities, assisting with reporting and ensuring the smooth execution of tasks related to fire mitigation planning and community resilience efforts. This position collaborates with local jurisdictions, state partners and stakeholders to support the agency’s goal, while also contributing to the preparation of program reports and materials. A solid understanding of wildfire mitigation, community, resilience and response operations is essential for supporting these initiatives. The role may also involve participation in post-fire assessment teams, prevention efforts and information efforts as needed. About the Agency:Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) provides statewide leadership and technical assistance to ensure trees, forests and related natural resources are sustained for the benefit of all. TAMFS is also the lead agency for wildfire response in the state and supports the state’s incident response capability, helping to respond to a range of all-hazard incidents. To learn more about Texas A&M Forest Service, visit tfsweb.tamu.edu Duties & Responsibilities:The Program Specialist for the Fire Adapted Community (FAC) Programs has a variety of duties and responsibilities, which include, but are not limited to, the following:-Assist with the implementation and administration of Fire Adapted Community programs, including CWPP, CWDG, Firewise, structure hardening and land-use planning activities.-Work closely with the Program Coordinator, agency staff, state partners and local jurisdictions to support program activities, ensure alignment with division goals and facilitate communication across stakeholders.-Work with local jurisdictions on CWPP and Firewise Site development; align and track progress of local developers; liaise with agency departments to ensure program quality and timely completion.-Help track program progress, prepare reports and ensure accurate documentation of activities, outcomes and expenditures related to FAC initiatives.-Support outreach efforts and assist in coordinating educational and awareness campaigns to promote wildfire mitigation and community resilience in local areas.-Participate in post-fire assessments and other response efforts as needed, assisting with data collection, reporting and public information activities related to wildfire mitigation. Benefits: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. This position is guaranteed a minimum of 40-hours work week and full benefits after meeting the 60 day mark. Qualifications:-A bachelor’s degree with a preferred emphasis in natural resource management, emergency/fire management, fire ecology, range science, agricultural leadership, public administration or a closely related field is required. A master’s degree in a program-applicable field is preferred.-Two (2) years of experience as a Program Specialist I or equivalent experience is required. Experience working for or with a wildland fire agency is preferred.-Experience facilitating communications and developing and maintaining relationships with local government cooperators, various stakeholders and the general public is required.-An ideal candidate exhibits knowledge of FAC concepts, including CWPP, Firewise, NFPA wildfire standards and ICC wildfire codes.-A valid Texas Drivers’ license or the ability to obtain one withing 30 days of employment is required.-Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint is required for this position.-An ideal candidate has strong written and oral communication skills and can work independently and be self-directed. This position requires the ability to adapt to a changing environment and handle multiple priorities in addition to working closely with others at times. Additional Information:-Employees responding to wildfire incidents are required to meet a moderate physical fitness standard by passing the Work Capacity Test each year. This involves walking two (2) miles wearing a 25-pound pack in 30 minutes or less.-Travel is required for emergency response, training and program delivery. Travel away from the home unit, sometime exceeding 14 days, may be necessary. There is also a possibility of working holidays while on emergency response.-Within 90 days of hire, an employee must establish a primary residence within 30 minutes travel time of the office location.-This position is not eligible for reimbursement of moving expenses. Evaluation & Applicant Instructions:This job posting will remain open for 4-6 weeks. The Hiring Supervisor reserves the right to close the job prior to this time frame should qualified candidates apply. This position is projected to start in June 2026.. An actual start date will be determined when a suitable candidate is selected.-Applicants will be evaluated for this job based on how well they meet the qualifications listed. Applicants will also be evaluated based on how their experience, education and training reflects the qualification requirements of this position.-All TAMFS positions are security-sensitive and applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation. 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. Applicant Instructions:Resume, cover letter and transcript(s) are REQUIRED to be uploaded to application. References are required to be entered in the secondary questionnaire section 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.

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