Supervisor, Community Wildfire Protection

Job Description:

Supervisor, Community Wildfire Protection

Description

Summary

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
The Community Development Department facilitates orderly growth and development in the Deschutes County community through coordinated programs of Building Safety, Code Enforcement, Coordinated Services, Onsite Wastewater, Planning, Natural Resources, and education and service to the public.

ABOUT THE COUNTY:
We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.

Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.

We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.

ABOUT THE JOB:
This role will lead Deschutes County’s wildfire prevention and preparedness program, an outward-facing role reducing risk to life, property, and natural resources. You will support fire-adapted communities, expand NFPA Firewise USA participation, and deliver fuels reduction/mitigation projects with residents, HOAs, landowners, contractors, and agency partners. During wildfire incidents, you serve as the County liaison with regional response organizations, keeping County staff and officials informed.

You will develop and administer grants, manage budgets and reporting, and ensure projects and contracts meet local, state, and federal requirements. You will also lead noxious weed management, supporting landowners, staffing the Noxious Weed Advisory Board, and serving as the County’s Weed Inspector. This position operates with significant independence and oversees staff, and may oversee seasonal workers, volunteers, and contractors in both office and field settings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Deschutes County’s wildfire prevention and preparedness program, including community risk-reduction strategy, public outreach, and NFPA Firewise USA program administration.
• Plan and deliver fuels reduction and mitigation projects in the wildland-urban interface, coordinating with landowners/HOAs, contractors, and agency partners while managing contracts and compliance.
• Secure and manage grant funding (budgets, reporting, and performance accountability) and provide clear briefings/technical guidance to County leadership and the public; serve as a County liaison during wildfire incidents as needed.
• Direct the County’s noxious weed program, including landowner assistance, staffing the Noxious Weed Advisory Board, complaint response/investigation, and ordinance enforcement as the County’s Weed Inspector.

What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:

• Working knowledge of the regulatory and policy framework for natural resource and wildfire mitigation work, including County code, the Oregon Forest Practices Act, and NEPA.
• Understanding of wildfire preparedness and prevention in the wildland-urban interface, including fuels reduction and forest/vegetation management approaches.
• Experience with grant development and administration, including application development, compliance, performance reporting, and grant-related financial rules.
• Familiarity with local community conditions and the public-sector partner landscape (regional agencies, districts, and community resources).

Skill in:

• Analyzing complex natural resource/wildfire issues, evaluate options, and deliver clear, defensible recommendations.
• Developing and managing contracts and grants from scope through closeout (deliverables, budgets, reporting, compliance).
• Interpreting and applying laws, regulations, and County policies consistently in operational and public-facing settings.
• Developing and communicating program plans, policies, and procedures; present findings and recommendations effectively in public meetings.
• Building and sustaining productive relationships with residents, community groups, partner agencies, and internal teams; communicate clearly in writing and verbally.

• Leading and supporting staff performance through prioritization, delegation, coaching, and evaluation (as assigned).

*This posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but rather constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function.

Notification to all candidates will be sent via email and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status.

Review the full job description by clicking HERE.

Compensation

$7,298.09 to $9,780.12 per month for a 172.67-hour work month. Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This position is available immediately.

BENEFITS:

Our robust healthcare package covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $100 for employee only and $121 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services. Additionally, we include life insurance, retirement (PERS), generous paid time-off (14-18 hours/month to start, pro-rated for part-time), holidays, and professional development opportunities. Please click HERE for full benefit details.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Forest Management, Natural Resource Management, or related field;
• AND five (5) years of experience in land management and wildland fire, including managerial experience;
• OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the essential functions of the job.

Necessary Special Requirements

Driving is a requirement for this position. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable driver's license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.

Must have dependable transportation and be able and willing to drive throughout Deschutes County in sometimes adverse weather conditions.

Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes County offers eligible employees a comprehensive healthcare package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $100 for employee only and $121 per month for employee plus dependents. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, Deschutes County provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.

When Are you Eligible:
If you are hired on the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first of that month (immediate benefits, either that day or back to the first of the month if the first is on a Saturday or Sunday). If you are hired after the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first day of the following month.

Employer paid benefit offerings include:

• Life Insurance for employee and dependents
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
• Time Management Leave

Employee paid voluntary benefit offerings include:

• 125 Flexible Spending Program
• 457 Deferred Compensation Program
• Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance

To learn more about Deschutes County's generous benefit offerings, please visit www.deschutes.org/hr and click on Employee Benefits or click HERE for full benefits guide.

Closing Date/Time: 4/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$7,298.09 - $9,780.12 Monthly