Assistant WUI Coordinator Position

Summary

The Assistant WUI Coordinator will coordinate fuels reduction projects in communities throughout Southeast Utah,  working in a variety of forest types from desert riparian forests to subalpine forests.  The Assistant WUI Coordinator will  work with a team that includes the Area WUI Coordinator and the seasonal WUI crew and WUI crew lead.  This is a full-time, benefitted position.

Duty Office: Moab, UT

Wage: $26.00- $28.16

Application Deadline: February 15th. Start Date: March

   To apply please send resume, references, and optional cover letter to johnwiegand@utah.gov

Position Overview

The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands is looking for an organized, independent, professional individual to implement projects throughout Southeast Utah. This position reports to the Southeast Area WUI Coordinator who is also based out of the Moab office.

The Assistant WUI Coordinator’s mission is to prevent homes and sensitive landscapes from being damaged or destroyed in catastrophic wildfire. This individual will achieve this mission through outreach to landowners, grant writing, fire prevention campaigns, and fuels reduction project implementation. The Assistant WUI Coordinator is generally given great leeway to determine the best actions to accomplish their goals, but primarily assists the WUI Coordinator in Southeast Utah. The Assistant WUI Coordinator, when not on fuels reduction projects, may participate in:

• Fire suppression operations
• Forestry projects 
• Prescribed fire operations
• Noxious weed treatment

The Assistant WUI Coordinator will work closely with landowners, HOAs, and local municipalities to coordinate fuels reduction work and promote fire prevention and mitigation. This position works closely with city, county, state and federal and non-profit project partners to accomplish common goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise and train a 6-person fuels crew
• Perform outreach to communities throughout Southeast Utah
• Perform home ignition assessments
• Design fuels reduction projects for maximum benefit to communities and landscapes
• Identify funding sources for planned projects
• Write and apply for grants through various funding sources
• Implement fuels reduction projects via contracting or fuels crew
• Track grant expenses and adhere to grant guidelines
• Participate in grant ranking committees
• Participate in all parts of the fuels crew operations
• Coordinate meetings and write Community Wildfire Preparedness Plans
• Fly drones to capture project and landscape level imagery
• Use ArcGIS to create field maps for contractors and fuels crew
• Coordinate with agency partners including government agencies, and non-profits
• Participate in prescribed fire operations including pile burns and broadcast burning

Required Qualifications

• 1-4 seasons in a field level position in natural resources.
• Ability to manage paperwork and prioritize work based on funding and deadlines.
• Ability to communicate with people of different backgrounds in a professional manner
• Ability to successfully pass an arduous pack test once every year and hike in steep terrain
• Ability to resolve interpersonal conflict professionally on crews and with landowners.
• Ability to work and camp on remote sites for up to 4 days.
• Ability to drive large trucks with heavy trailers.
• Valid Driver’s license

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in related natural resource field
• Knowledge of regional riparian and forestry systems
• Prescribed fire experience with relevant qualifications
• FFT2 or better
• FAL3 or better
• Herbicide Applicator License
• Part 107 FAA License

Training Provided

• Firefighter Type 2 Crewmember (FFT2)
• Wildland FIre Chainsaw (S-212/FAL)
• First Aid/CPR

Other Training Opportunities

• Part 107 FAA Drone License
• Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface (S-215)
• ArcGIS training
• Basic Air Operations (S-270)
• Relevant conferences and classes as approved by supervisor
• Herbicide Applicator License

Benefits

• The State of Utah offers an incredible benefits package.  To view a full list of benefits, visit https://dhrm.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Benefits-at-a-Glance.pdf

A typical work week is  Monday-Thursday (10-hour days). Some travel is required (typically 1-2 weeks per year during peak season).  

Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2026.  Qualified applicants will be contacted to coordinate interviews between January 26 and February 23, 2026.