Wildland Fire Program Administrator - Denver Fire Department

Wildland Fire Program Administrator

The Denver Fire Department is seeking a qualified candidate for the Wildland Fire Program Administrator position. This position is based at Denver Fire Headquarters (745 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80204) and offers a flexible schedule during standard business hours. A hybrid work arrangement may be available after training. Due to the nature of emergency response operations, candidates must be available to support operational needs during evenings, weekends, and other non-traditional hours as needed.

The Denver Fire Department's Wildland Fire Program Coordinator leads the development, implementation, and management of department-wide wildfire preparedness, training, and operational readiness programs.

This role oversees the tracking and maintenance of personnel qualifications to ensure compliance with National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) standards. Acting as a critical liaison between agencies, the coordinator collaborates with local, state, and federal fire organizations, as well as conservation corps partners, to strengthen interagency relationships, align operational priorities, and support emergency incident response and dispatch operations.

Successful candidates typically possess a combination of higher education and relevant professional experience, extensive knowledge of emergency management and wildfire operations, and a strong understanding of incident command systems, wildfire certifications, and interagency coordination.

Job responsibilities include:

• Manages and coordinates operational and administrative programs, services, activities, and regulatory requirements, serving as a primary liaison between department divisions, city personnel, external agencies, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Provides technical expertise, consultation, and guidance to employees, managers, and stakeholders, assisting with the resolution of complex or sensitive issues, inquiries, and complaints.
• Evaluates program effectiveness, identifies service gaps, and develops, implements, and monitors process improvements to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
• Recommends, develops, and implements new or revised policies, procedures, guidelines, and operational directives, ensuring effective communication and adoption across the organization.
• Conducts research, surveys, and data analysis; monitors trends; develops systems for collecting and maintaining program information; and recommends improvements based on findings.
• Coordinates and oversees department-specific training programs, including conducting needs assessments, evaluating training effectiveness, developing curriculum, and participating in instructional activities.
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with city staff, management, external agencies, contractors, consultants, vendors, community organizations, and the public to facilitate collaboration and resolve issues.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of reports, correspondence, presentations, statistical analyses, and other documentation to support departmental operations and decision-making.
• Provides executive-level administrative support, including drafting and editing correspondence, preparing communications and memoranda on behalf of department leadership, maintaining records, and managing sensitive information.
• Assists with budget tracking, purchasing, invoicing, and other routine accounting and administrative functions, while performing additional related duties and special projects as assigned.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Demonstrated leadership, initiative, and the ability to work independently while driving projects and priorities to completion.
• Proven ability to anticipate organizational needs, think proactively, and take appropriate action with minimal direction.
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively contribute to team-based problem-solving and decision-making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Experience identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing solutions that enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Exceptional customer service skills, with the ability to build positive relationships and provide professional support to internal and external stakeholders both in person and over the phone.
• Highly self-motivated, innovative, and adaptable, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated strengths in critical thinking, problem-solving, multitasking, organization, and time management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and related business software.

Below are the minimum requirements used to determine eligibility for this position:

• Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree.
• Experience Requirement: Three (3) years of experience administering business operations or operational programs and/or assisting professional/management staff with administrative or operational functions.
• Education/Experience Equivalency: One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education.
• Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
• License/Certifications: By position, must obtain Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) clearance within the probationary period.