Main Responsibilities:
- Lead CORE’s design and implementation of an upstart wildfire preparedness program in San Gabriel Valley
- Act as the primary liaison with the local partners, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders.
- Guide the vision, development, and delivery of wildfire preparedness education and outreach programs, specifically aimed at the region's most vulnerable and rural populations.
- Manage relationships with a wide array of local, county and state stakeholders, fostering effective partnerships and community involvement.
- Manage the program's administrative and data support needs, ensuring compliance, data integrity, and effective tracking of key metrics and resources.
- Oversee the creation, presentation, and distribution of engaging and comprehensive wildfire preparedness educational materials and presentations.
- Guide the inventory management of tools, equipment, supplies, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Maintain a comprehensive understanding of all local, state, and federal emergency alert systems, fire weather warnings, weather radar/winds and assist the community in understanding and becoming active users of these resources.
- Supervise and mentors Program Coordinators and other entry-level staff and volunteers, providing guidance, knowledge, and support.
- Other duties as assigned.
Scope and Travel:
- Supervise 1-2 Wildfire Preparedness Program Coordinators.
- Supervise other staff (such as California Emergency Response Corp Fellows and volunteers) as assigned.
- Significant travel within the Antelope Valley communities. Travel also includes within Southern California for work meetings, trainings, conferences, and field operations.
- Weekend availability for occasional events and community engagement
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in wildfire management, emergency management, environmental science, forestry, or a related field, OR equivalent professional experience in wildfire mitigation or disaster preparedness. A master's degree is preferred.
- Relevant certifications such as Wildland Firefighter/Field Crew, Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist or Project Management Professional (PMP) are preferred, and equivalent experience will be considered.
- Proficiency in creating and delivering presentations to a variety of audiences in different environments.
- Proficiency in a second language such as Spanish, Mandarin and/or Cantonese (preferred.)
Experience:
- Minimum 3 years in the field of disaster preparedness, environmental health, or climate science/resilience.
- Minimum of 3 years' experience in program management, wildfire mitigation or disaster preparedness, with a record of effective team leadership.
- Proven experience in community outreach and education, especially with vulnerable populations.
- Proficient in high-level project and people management.
- Demonstrable ability to assess communities’ highest wildfire risk areas and develop robust outreach and targeting training in Wildfire Preparedness.
- Experience in inventory management of tools, equipment, and PPE.
- Familiarity with the Antelope Valley and its specific wildfire risks and community dynamics.
- Demonstrated experience with preparing and managing grant funded budgets. Ability to make decisions and pivot based on budget fluctuations.
- Familiarity with community-based organizations in Antelope Valley.
Skills & Competencies:
- Deep understanding of wildfire home assessment and defensible space best practices.
- Proficiency in data management, with an emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy.
- Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, with experience presenting to diverse audiences.
- Comprehensive knowledge of local emergency alert systems and fire weather warnings and fire behavior.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail and a high level of output.
- Proficient in MS Office applications and ESRI GIS Suite.
- Work proactively with little supervision.
- Flexible and adaptive to a frequently changing environment
- Strong project management, leadership, and organizational skills.