As the Fuels Management Specialist, you will assist communities across Kansas assess and provide wildfire risk reduction strategies through fuels management, prescribed fire, and public education. You’ll work alongside community leaders, public agencies, conservation organizations, fire departments, and landowners to develop and implement projects to make Kansas communities and landscapes wildfire resilient.
In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:
· Assist with outreach, planning and implementation of fuels reduction grants focused on communities and areas with high wildfire risk.
· Coordinate fuels management programs with communities, public agencies, NGOs, fire departments, and other partners across Kansas.
· Build relationships with communities and partners through field days, conferences, workshops and other outreach opportunities.
· Develop and implement fuels reduction projects on public and private lands, particularly in the Wildland Urban Interface or areas with high wildfire risk.
· Coordinate prescribed fire efforts with Kansas Forest Service and partner organizations across the state.
· Provide leadership for prescribed fire and fire prevention training workshops and educational events.
· Represent the Kansas Forest Service through public appearances, media interviews, and other opportunities to promote wildfire prevention and fuels management.
This is an opportunity to combine sound land management while reducing wildfire risk and fuel loading on Kansas public and private lands.
The Kansas Forest Service is the 5th-oldest state forestry agency in the country, established in 1887, and is housed within K-State Extension. The Kansas Forest Service serves Kansans across the state by providing expertise, education, and assistance to help protect and improve Kansas’s forest resources. Our work supports landowners and communities, helps prevent and respond to wildfires, promotes healthy and resilient forests, and connects Kansans with the knowledge and resources they need to care for the state's natural resources.
At the Kansas Forest Service, we value a welcoming, collaborative workplace where employees can build connections with colleagues across the state while doing meaningful work for the people of Kansas. We recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between work and life and encourage employees to make use of their accrued leave and other earned benefits. Because our employees work in communities across Kansas, we also prioritize time to work together, including twice-yearly in-person meetings, abundant professional development opportunities, and connection through activities such as our agency book club. Learn more about us at https://www.kansasforests.org/about/
This position is On-site.
All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.
Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Additional Role Information:
Sponsorship eligibility:
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship
Please submit the following documents:
Applications close on: October 2, 2026
$48,000 - $60,000
Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.
Employees must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment. International candidates who require employer-sponsored work authorization are welcome to apply. Eligibility for visa sponsorship depends on several factors, including but not limited to, the job’s occupational requirements, specific duties, wage level, the candidate’s qualifications (such as degree field) and available departmental resources. As a result, not all positions or applicants will be eligible for sponsorship.
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.
Some positions are eligible for remote or hybrid working arrangements. An employee who is working in a remote or hybrid capacity for K-State must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for anyone who resides in the state of Idaho.
Kansas participates in the MakeMyMove program, which connects eligible newcomers with participating communities offering financial incentives, housing support, and local perks to help make your move easier and more rewarding. If relocating from outside of Kansas you can visit the site to apply online for the program incentives.
Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.
Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation by the closing date on the job advertisement will be granted a first-level interview.
The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.
*Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.
To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.
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