Wildfire Resilience Program Manager (Fixed-Term)

Application Deadline: September 30, 2024

Compensation Details: 68,328.00 – 99,112.00

Generally, the hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the maximum of the range.This is a full-time salaried position.

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Benefit Eligibility Group: Non Union (30+ Hours)

Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary:

This position supports the citywide approach to diverse, complex, and interrelated wildland fire resilience and cross-departmental coordination needs. The position will work in partnership with a diverse and professional staff from multiple city departments, including staff from Open Space and Mountain Parks, Boulder Fire-Rescue’s Wildland Fire division, Parks and Recreation, Utilities, City Manager’s Office, Climate Initiatives, Communications and Engagement, and more. Specifically, the position will have two primary tasks: to develop a comprehensive, prioritized, and sequenced 5-year action plan for the city’s wildfire resilience program; and to develop a framework and accountability system for tracking implementation progress that can be used to support internal and external communications. Many of the possible actions related to wildfire resilience are described in existing plans and documents, including in Boulder’s recently completed Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The inherent challenge now is to prioritize, sequence, cost, and assign responsibility to the dozens of actions and recommendations that these plans identify to create one centralized wildfire resilience action plan for the city that can be tracked for success.

This position requires a seasoned project manager with at least a basic working knowledge of wildfire resilience and a proven track record showing ability to manage a complex project. The person in this position will develop, organize and coordinate a team approach to wildfire plan development and implementation. The position is distinguished by the level of judgment, communication, negotiation and project management skills that are necessary to successfully complete work assignments and interact with the public and outside agencies.

This position is a full-time, fixed-term role anticipated from October 2024 through December 2026.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Wildfire Resilience Implementation Plan Development:

• Develop a robust wildfire plan implementation framework that integrates commitments from diverse plans into a unified strategy. This framework should detail:
• Strategic Alignment: Ensure all plans are cohesively aligned with overarching wildfire resilience goals.
• Staff Coordination: Identify and facilitate engagement strategies for staff to enhance collaboration and efficiency.
• Prioritization and Phasing: Establish criteria for prioritizing actions and phases to maximize impact and resource utilization.
• Costing: Develop detailed cost estimates for implementing various aspects of the plan.
• Gaps and Needs Assessments: Identify and address gaps in current plans and resources.
• Role Clarity: Define roles and responsibilities to avoid overlaps and ensure clear accountability.
• Risk Management: Assess and mitigate potential risks associated with plan implementation.

Implementation Tracking and Communication:

• Metrics and Reporting: Create and maintain metrics to track the progress of implementation. Develop comprehensive reports to communicate progress to:
• Staff: Provide regular updates and insights to internal teams.
• Community: Share progress and outcomes with the public to enhance transparency and engagement.
• Advisory Boards and City Council: Prepare detailed reports and presentations for advisory boards and the City Council to inform decision-making.
• Communication Strategies: Support and contribute to broader communication strategies and community engagement initiatives to promote awareness and support for wildfire resilience efforts.

Administrative Services:

• Meeting Facilitation: Plan, coordinate, and lead meetings with the City’s wildfire cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and progress.
• Budget Support: Assist in budget processes related to the Climate Tax Fund, including appropriation and tracking of expenditures.
• Supervision: Oversee and manage contractors, staff, and/or volunteers engaged in supporting wildfire resilience initiatives, ensuring that tasks are completed effectively and on schedule.

Grant Procurement:

• Research and Application: Conduct research to identify potential funding sources. Support the preparation and submission of grant applications to secure financial resources for plan implementation.

Project Implementation.

• Project Management: Actively support the implementation of high-priority projects by taking on roles as a project manager or providing project resources, ensuring timely and successful execution of initiatives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to demonstrate experience managing a portfolio of projects, developing cost estimates, managing project budgets, and tracking expenditures during project implementation.
• Ability to effectively collaborate within and across teams.
• Ability to put together resources to get assignments done and use resources effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to expresses ideas effectively, organize and deliver information appropriately; actively listen to concerns and be open to the ideas of colleagues and customers.
• Ability to lead situations quickly and readily address and manage conflicts through focused listening and settling disputes equitably.
• Ability to work with staff of diverse backgrounds and expertise and engage them in coordinated efforts to evaluate, reduce, and mitigate fire-related risk.
• Knowledge and subject matter expertise in the area of wildfire resilience.
• Skills in making good decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment; seeks help from others to get even better-quality results.
• Skills in project management, process development, and tracking.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience and success in plan development, strategy and/or policy development on public lands, parks, open space or natural areas and knowledge of principles, practices, and trends in natural, cultural, agricultural, and recreational resource planning.
• Knowledge at an in-depth level in the area of wildfire resilience.
• Knowledge and understanding of the community, or similar community, including Boulder’s geography, engaged citizenry, and interests.
• Knowledge and familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and tracking.
• Skill in political awareness and clear communications to diverse audiences

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least two years of work experience in project management, preferably within natural resources or wildfire resilience.
• Eight (8) years of related experience may substitute for the education requirement.

SUPERVISION

• Supervision Received:  Wildland Fire Sr Program Manager
• Supervision Exercised:  Temporary staff, contractors, volunteers, and interns.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions.
• Works in a clean, comfortable office environment the majority of the time, but also works in an outdoor environment on OSMP properties, year-round.
• May have exposure to hazardous field conditions, dangerous wildlife, and dangerous weather conditions.
• May work nights and weekends associated with occasional crisis events.
• Uses standard office equipment including personal computers, cell phones, and copy machines.
• Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and operating a keyboard.
• Ability to attend evening meetings and work early or late hours as necessary.
• The City of Boulder has adopted a Hybrid working model that allows individuals in appropriate positions to telework for part of their week but requires all employees to work in a city office or out in the Boulder community a minimum of two days a week (or an equivalent amount of time).

Additional Job Description:

Last updated: September 2024

The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to riskmanagement@bouldercolorado.gov.