About This Role:

Kansas Forest Service is hiring two full-time positions as District Fire Management Officers within the KFS Fire Program. These positions help the Fire Program to meet the needs of fire departments and communities we serve by being the direct contact for the program to the fire departments and related organizations within their assigned district. They will help provide training, direct incident support, and have the opportunity to more effectively pursue relations with those we serve. The location for these positions is flexible within the NW, SW, and SE district and they are eligible to work remote in a hybrid/partial capacity.

Why Join Us:

The Kansas Forest Service is the 5th oldest state forestry agency in the country established in 1887 and is housed as an independent agency within K-State Research and Extension. The agency employs 37 full-time employees, and 45+ temporary and student positions, housed in Manhattan, KS and offices throughout the state. Our programs include Rural Forestry, Community Forestry, Fire Management, Conservation Tree Planting, Forest Health, and Marketing and Utilization.

For 50 years the Kansas Forest Service, Fire Management Program has provided vehicles and equipment to fire departments to enhance their fire suppression capacity. Current programs are the Excess Personal Property Program (FEPP), Fire Fighter Property (FFP) and the Equipment Donation Program (EDP).  While some restrictions apply, FFP allows the departments to eventually own the equipment and to utilize it for prescribed and controlled burning as well as other civil emergencies.

Education opportunities are available at no cost for fire prevention education, suppression and prescribe burning. Some classes for land managers and fire fighters are specifically for use within the state, others qualify one to participate in incidents at the Federal level through the Incident Qualification System (Red Card).

Financial assistance for the Kansas Forest Service fire program is principally provided by the State Fire Assistance and Volunteer Fire Assistance Programs of the USDA Forest Service’s State and Private Forestry Division. State fire assistance funds, or SFA, provides funding for KFS fire staff to deliver services to rural fire districts and the citizens of Kansas with services such as training, wildfire preparedness and planning, suppression and response, as well as prescribed fire management. Volunteer fire assistance funds are pass-through funds to cooperating fire districts for ancillary products such as communications equipment, protective gear, hand tools, water pumps, and related items.  Coupled to the above is long range planning assistance for Districts desiring a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, Fire Master Plan, or a Hazardous Fuel Assessment.

Incident support and resource management is made possible through funding from the Kansas Legislature. This allows KFS employees to be positioned through Kansas to respond when requested within 2 hours and enables KFS to pre-position wildland fire taskforces and assist local fire authorities with fire aviation.

Kansas State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

Kansas State University embraces diversity and inclusion. The university actively seeks individuals who foster a collegial environment and cooperative interactions with coworkers, students, and others. The University is dedicated to promoting the Principles of Community.

Worksite Options:

This position is eligible for hybrid worksite. Work may be performed partially remote and partially on employer premises agreed upon by the hiring manager and State Forester.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• Five (5) years of wildland fire experience
• Experience working for or directly with both local fire departments, and state or federal wildland fire agencies
• Familiarity with both the Rural/Volunteer Fire service as well as the Interagency (NWCG) wildland fire community

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Fire Ecology, Fire Management, or other related field
• Incident Commander Type 4 or higher, Prescribed Fire Burn Boss type 2. Higher qualifications are highly encouraged.

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
• Ability to engage in firefighting duties, including meeting "arduous" fitness standards as identified by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Professional references
4. Academic transcripts (if applicable)

Screening of Applications Begins:

Screening begins immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by April 3, 2024.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range:

$47,000 - $52,000 

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.