Community Outreach Professional II

The primary purpose of this position is to carry out the Pima County Cooperative Extension wildfire fuels reduction scope of work by engaging with local fire departments and districts, the
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, federal fire managers, and others, to reduce wildfire fuels, promote wildfire-resistant ecology, and increase rural and urban wildfire preparedness in Pima County.

We provide practical information and education to improve lives and businesses from Tucson's urban core to the rural desert. Our outreach and engagement bring University research to the public through high-quality education and youth development. Our experts can teach you about nutrition, gardening, and other topics through our programs in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Health Sciences, and 4-H.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Community Outreach:

• Create and conduct wildfire fuel reduction education focusing on rural and unincorporated areas and towns that have high fire risks in Pima County.
• Collaborate with Invasive Species personnel to address the role invasive species have in fuels management.
• Partner with CLR to develop outreach materials with consistent messaging on topics that include mitigation that coincides with the seasonal wildfire cycle, and creating defensible natural spaces around homes and businesses.
• Create Extension publications to educate residents, businesses, and municipalities about landscaping and property management to reduce wildfire fuels and increase resilience in Pima County.

Community Relationship Building:

• Build and coordinate relationships with agencies and organizations that are engaged in fire preparedness and wildfire-risk reduction. These fire-risk management entities include the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM), federal agencies, local fire departments and fire marshals, Pima County Office of Emergency Management, and Conservation Lands and Resources (CLR).
• Maintain these relationships and create synergistic programming for the benefit of Pima County residents, especially those in high wildfire risk areas.
• Work with Pima County Regional Flood Control District (RFCD), CLR, fire-risk management entities, and homeowners associations to coordinate fuel abatement measures for areas where naturally maintained drainages abut private developments and properties.
• This is not a field position and does not require standardized qualifications and work capacity testing.

Administrative:

• Work with the Arizona DFFM to identify pathways to creating Firewise USA communities in Pima County and overcoming Firewise certification delays currently experienced by Pima County residents and businesses.
• Prepare and deliver quarterly and annual activity reports featuring programming metrics and successes and future program opportunities for Cooperative Extension, CLR, and the Pima County Board of Supervisors.

Grants:

• Assist with seeking grants to fund the continuation and expansion of the wildfire fuels reduction program for Pima County Cooperative Extension.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to communicate effectively with different groups and individuals verbally and in writing.
• Skilled in public speaking.
• Knowledge of fire preparedness, wildfire-risk reduction, and agencies engaged in wildfire reduction.
• Ability to organize large volumes of information and tailor communications for diverse stakeholders.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy

• Work experience in Wildland Fire Prevention or Fuels Management.
• Experience working with the community on fire and fuels-related projects.
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualifications.