Program Specialist II

Program Specialist II

Agency: Texas A&M Forest Service

Job Location: College Station, Texas

Job Type: Staff

Job Description: The Program Specialist II (Fire Information & Education) plays a crucial role in advancing wildfire information and education for Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) by effectively communicating to diverse audiences. This includes communicating the role and impact of aviation resources in wildfire response, ensuring the public understands aerial firefighting operations and safety considerations. Key responsibilities include developing outreach strategies to communicate complex fire-related issues to the public and media, including aerial firefighting operations and the capabilities and limitations of aviation resources. The role serves as a key aviation information resource, ensuring accurate, timely communication about aerial firefighting operations, aircraft capabilities and safety considerations during wildfire response. The role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including community members, government officials and agencies to inform the public about fire management activities and risk mitigation, aerial operations and incident response activities. It also encompasses the creation and dissemination of educational materials, coordination of fire communication and support for interdisciplinary initiatives. Additionally, the position requires writing and producing comprehensive written content, providing leadership in public information efforts during incidents, including those involving complex aviation operations requiring timely, accurate and safety-focused communication and supporting prevention and messaging campaigns during periods of high fire danger. This includes crafting targeted messaging to raise awareness of fire risks, promote mitigation actions and ensure public safety. The role may also involve responding to legislative requests and producing detailed reports for the division, ensuring that all communication efforts align with broader organizational goals and legislative priorities.

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 Specialist II (Fire Information & Education) has a variety of duties and responsibilities, which include, but are not limited to the following: -Communicate with and educate internal and external audiences, especially media partners, about agency aviation operations, aerial firefighting, wildfire, all-hazard response, prevention, etc. Develop outreach strategies to communicate complex issues.

-Serve as a public information officer in support of the agency's information function. Respond to requests for accurate and timely information.

-Work with and support prevention teams and post fire assessment teams as well as other response operations in support of the agency's mission.

-Write, edit and produce well-researched, thorough written material such as official correspondence, press releases, success stories, reports, talking points, etc.

-Help implement and maintain effective processes for collecting photos, videos and content for social media, websites, reports, etc. Ensure aviation operations are accurately and effectively documented and communicated.

-Help provide leadership and support to the agency public information officers. Facilitate development opportunities for public information officers.

-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 two (2) year's experience with internal and external communications relating to emergency and wildfire incidents as well as experience writing, editing and producing well-researched and thorough written material is required. Experience with aviation operations and terminology, including knowledge of aircraft, aerial firefighting resources and aviation's role in emergency response and natural resource management is preferred.

-Experience facilitating communications with local homeowners, media partners and local, state and federal agencies for information and education purposes is preferred.

-Familiarity with wildfire response and terminology is preferred.

-A valid Texas' Driver's license or the ability to obtain one within 180 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 September-October 2026. 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.