Stephen F. Austin State University

The Program Coordinator I (Fire Information & Education) plays a pivotal role in supporting the division's goals and advancing the agency's mission by providing strategic communication and programmatic leadership. Key responsibilities include developing and implementing outreach strategies to communicate complex wildfire-related issues to diverse audiences, including the public, media and key stakeholders such as community members, government officials and other agencies.

In addition to overseeing the creation and dissemination of educational materials, the role will coordinate fire communication efforts, lead public information initiatives during wildfire incidents and support prevention campaigns during high-risk periods. The position also requires producing comprehensive written content, crafting targeted messaging to promote fire mitigation actions and ensuring that all communication efforts align with the division's priorities and legislative goals. This leadership role will also be involved in responding to information requests, producing reports for the division and collaborating across teams to support interdisciplinary initiatives.

About the Agency:

Texas A&M Forest Service 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 TAMFS, visit tfsweb.tamu.edu

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Program Coordinator (Fire Information & Education) has a variety of duties and responsibilities, which include, but are not limited to the following:

-Develop and implement strategic outreach and communication plans to address complex wildfire-related issues, ensuring clear messaging to diverse audiences, including the public, media and key stakeholders.

-Serve as the primary source of information for the division, providing leadership and support across projects and programs to ensure alignment with division goals and the agency's broader mission.

-Lead public information and prevention efforts during wildfire incidents, crafting targeted messaging to ensure effective communication, public awareness and safety during high-risk periods.

-Help provide leadership and support to agency public information officers (PIOs), prevention team members and post fire assessment team members. Facilitate development opportunities for public information officers.

-Assist in managing and coordinating division-wide initiatives, offering expertise to drive successful program implementation and ensure timely progress toward goals.

-Oversee the creation and dissemination of educational materials, including fire risk mitigation resources and coordinate public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting fire resilience.

-Coordinate among departments to integrate fire communication and education programs into broader division projects, ensuring that fire management initiatives are supported across all relevant areas.

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 pay during emergency response, uniform allowance, professional development opportunities, position-specific training at not cost 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-hour work week and full benefits after 60 days.

Qualifications:

-A bachelor's degree with preferred emphasis in Communications, Range Science, Natural Resource Management, Fire Management, Fire Ecology, Agricultural Leadership or a closely related field is required.

-A minimum of four (4) year's formal work experience is required.

-Experience assisting with the development, coordination and dissemination of internal and external communications relating to emergency incidents and wildfire is required. Additionally, experience facilitating communications with local homeowners and local, state and federal agencies for information and education purposes is required.

-Familiarity with wildfire response and terminology is preferred.

-It is preferred that the ideal candidate has experience working with incident management teams and within the NIMS/ICS environment, has worked for or with a wildland fire agency and has at least one (1) year of supervisory experience.

-A valid Texas Driver's license or the ability to obtain one within 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 25lb pack in 30 minutes or less.

-Travel is required for emergency response, training and program delivery. Travel away from the home unit, sometimes 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 February/March 2025. 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.