Jobs

      FireWise of Southwest Colorado
FireWise of Southwest Colorado strives to keep lives, homes, and
property from being damaged by wildfire. We provide education,
planning and mitigation support to spark wildfire preparedness in
the hearts of our neighbors!

La Plata County Chapter Coordinator

In 2004, FireWise of Southwest Colorado began an innovative program known as the Neighborhood Ambassador Program. The purpose of the program was to recruit volunteers to mobilize their neighborhoods and communities to improve wildfire preparedness. We are currently seeking a Coordinator to manage and strengthen the Ambassador program in La Plata County.

Roles
The FireWise Chapter Coordinator serves as the central contact person for Ambassadors within their county. Their main role is to link with Ambassadors and enhance the Ambassador program in all ways possible through careful volunteer and program management. In this role, the Coordinator connects our volunteers to resources, listens, problem solves, cheer- leads, recognizes and solves conflicts, and ensures Ambassadors are fulfilling the majority of their commitments. The Chapter Coordinator serves as the “hub” of the program connecting with Ambassadors through e-mail, phone calls and occasional meetings.  The Coordinator may also manage detailed projects, initiatives and tasks.  The Coordinator is responsible for assisting the Executive Director and other Chapter Coordinator(s) with May Wildfire Prevention and Education Month and may assist communities with the development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs). The Chapter Coordinator reports to the Executive Director.

Tasks
Ambassador Program

• Takes broad program direction from the Executive Director and the Fire Council Steering Committee
• Coordinates all aspects of the County Ambassador Program  
• Manages volunteer “Ambassadors” including recruitment, orientation, recognition, serving as the ongoing resource and contact, and working to ensure Ambassadors are fulfilling most of their agreed-upon commitments
• Resolves program issues that arise
• Organizes and executes regular recruitment and information meetings for the Chapter
• Ensures minutes are taken and distributed for Council meetings  
• Stays current on new information to distribute to Ambassadors; assembles volunteer notebooks; and keeps information current
• Works with volunteers on logistics and planning for Chapter meetings and educational in-services
• Assists Program Director with annual program evaluation and disbursement of report(s)
• Participates in FireWise Council Steering Committee 
• Ensures regular media coverage for the program 
• May assist with writing grants for the program, and carrying out necessary grant monitoring and reporting
• Assists with executing Program Sponsorship program
• Writes segments for monthly e-mail “Ambassador E-News”
• Assists with keeping information current on Web site  
• Maintains strong partnerships with fire departments, US Forest Service/Bureau of Land Management, local governments, other non-profits, Colorado State Forest Service and San Juan Mountains Association

“Fire Prevention and Education Month”

• Works with the Executive Director, FireWise Council, key partners (CSFS, fire departments and USFS/BLM) to develop annual work plan with goals, objectives, tasks and outcomes 
• Provides necessary staff support to ensure work plan is completed
• Prompts Ambassadors to do activities and/or events during “Fire Month”
• Works with Executive Director to report on and track “Fire Month”  expenses and income through SJMA
• Assists with writing follow-up report              

Necessary Attributes

• High energy, drive and passion for wildfire issues (wildfire education experience helpful but not mandatory)
• Attention to personal relationships, careful partnership building and follow through
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Team player; ability to collect many different types of input and move forward in positive, productive ways 
• Basic understanding of wildfire issues (e.g., County land use regulations, firefighting protocols, policies of various fire departments, funding sources, HOAs, emergency management,  etc., etc.)  Note: It is not necessary for the Coordinator to be an expert in these issues -- “on the job” learning is expected.
• Ability to engage and secure the sustained support of many people and organizations 
• Close attention to detail
• Understanding of your communities’ unique characteristics,  and willingness to work with each at the grassroots level

Necessary and/or Helpful Experience

• Volunteer management
• Program management and oversight
• Proven coalition building around a community issue(s)
• Track record of complex project completion with demonstrated outcomes
• Proven experience at working with many different agencies/partners  around a public issue
• Event planning
• Grant writing and fundraising experience
• Public speaking
• Media experience

Compensation Range:
Contract position.   Pay range from $18.00 - $25.00/hour depending on experience.
Hours: Approximately 50 hrs/month, plus mileage. 

Minimum Educational Qualification: College education or equivalent experience. 

Other:

• The San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) (www.sjma.org) serves as the fiscal agent for Firewise of Southwest Colorado; this will be a contract position with SJMA.
• Funding is secured for this position until June 2014. Contract work after this date is contingent upon additional funding being secured.  
• The Chapter Coordinator will need to be able to work from a home office.
• Applicant must be a La Plata County resident.

Submit a resumé with cover letter via e-mail to swcoloradofirewise@gmail.com
by COB May 31, 2013.

Questions regarding the job may be directed to Executive Director Pam Wilson at: 
970-385-8909 or 799-2926

 

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