Resource Specialist I (Wildland Fire)

Location: Edinburg, Texas; primary residency must be established within 30 minutes of the home base within 90 days of hire. The role includes statewide wildland fire and emergency response, with dispatch response required within 30 minutes.

Salary: $20.45 hourly

Company

Texas A&M Forest Service delivers forestry, fire emergency response, natural resource, and community fire-support programs.

What you will do

• Respond statewide as a wildland firefighter and emergency responder, operating heavy firefighting equipment and hand tools and conducting ground reconnaissance.
• Assist with capacity-building programs for volunteer and municipal fire departments, including training, fire risk assessment, aviation, and assistance programs.
• Support fire prevention, regional fire coordination, prescribed burning, and forest natural resource programs.
• Maintain state vehicles, transporters, dozers, and emergency equipment in a professional state of readiness.
• Serve on incident management, fire prevention, and wildland-urban-interface mitigation teams.
• Manage and account for agency credit cards according to applicable policies and regulations.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least one year of general work experience.
• Ability to respond to wildland fires and meet a moderate physical fitness standard is required.
• Primary residence within 30 minutes of the home base is required within 90 days of hire.
• Commercial driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 60 days of hire.
• Knowledge of water delivery systems and PC-based programs and software.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Nice to have

• Two-year technical degree in natural resources or a related field.
• Experience with a volunteer or municipal fire department, wildland fire agency, or wildland fire suppression.
• NWCG firefighter and prevention training, FFT-1, TPL-1, Dozer Operator, TCFP, or SFFMA certification.
• Experience as an instructor and ability to use GIS/GPS programs, wildland fire tools, personal protective equipment, and wildland fire engines.

Culture & Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.
• Retirement benefits, paid time off, and health and lifestyle programs.
• Educational incentives and tuition reimbursement opportunities.
• Compensatory time off and overtime for emergency response.
• Annual $500 physical fitness incentive for passing the arduous fitness test.
• Work may involve harsh weather, extended standing or walking, heavy lifting, and long-distance vehicle driving.

Hiring process

• A resume and references are required with the application; certifications may be uploaded as supporting documents.
• Employment is contingent on credential verification and completion of a criminal history investigation.