Company Description

The Ember Alliance is a national organization of wildland fire practitioners, researchers, analysts and instructors. The mission of The Ember Alliance is to restore the relationship between communities and fire on the landscape. Our Resilient Communities and Ecosystems Department is dedicated to supporting fire-adapted ecosystems and communities on a landscape scale to improve ecosystem function and health and to increase wildfire resilience. The Fire Management Department supports community-centric solutions to build a diverse and inclusive workforce to increase the pace and scale of good fire.  

The Ember Alliance is a just and transparent workplace that strives for clear and kind communication. We are committed to centering fire practitioners from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, including those who have not worked in fire before. We are dedicated to a workplace that recognizes the inherent value of our employees, that supports work / life balance, and that supports growth. 

Job Description

Preferred locations: 1st Fort Collins, CO, 2nd Colorado, 3rd Montana, 4th Southeastern United States, 5th anywhere 

The Director of Fire Management reports to the CEO.  

We are seeking a dynamic and passionate individual to join our organization as the Director of Fire Management. As the Director, you will be responsible for overseeing the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of the Fire Management programs. Our Department of Fire Management works on projects that support 1) planning and implementation of collaborative prescribed fire on partner and private lands 2) training fire practitioners 3) developing workforce capacity including multi-state fire management crews.  You will play a crucial role in driving our mission forward, ensuring that our programs are impactful, efficient, and aligned with the organization's strategic goals. This is a leadership position that requires exceptional organizational, communication, problem-solving, and risk management skills, as well as a deep commitment to our mission and vision. 

Department Development and Management:  

• Lead the development and implementation of new programs and initiatives in line with the organization's mission and vision.  
• Help build strategic objectives and vision for the Department of Fire Management. 
• Collaborate with staff and external partners to design, plan, and execute projects that align with the organization's mission and values. 
• Monitor and evaluate department outcomes, making data-driven decisions to improve department effectiveness and impact. 
• Oversee program implementation, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, key performance indicators, and program objectives. 
• Identify grants and other funding opportunities that are on-mission for the department and organization.  
• Prepare and submit timely and accurate reports to funders, Board members, and other partners; provide updates on department outcomes, challenges, and future plans. 
• Assists with development and implementation of DEIJ initiatives and actions. 
• Develop and review policies, SOPs, and Procedures in the Fire Management Manual. 
• Oversee IQS management for employees and contracted partners.  
• Additional administrative duties, as assigned.    

Team Leadership and Management: 

• Builds, supervises, and leads team(s) to effectively execute the mission and vision of The Ember Alliance.  
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, encouraging teamwork, professional development, and a shared sense of purpose among department staff. 
• Ensures a physically and psychologically safe, and kind work environment. 
• Supervise the Department of Fire Management Assistant Director of Fire Management and/or Program Managers providing mentorship, guidance, evaluation, and support, including the development of an Individual Development Plan. 
• Supports the Program Managers in the professional growth of department staff, including the development of Individual Development Plans.   
• Identify training opportunities and share new and relevant research to ensure industry best practices.  
• Assist Department employees with Emergency Response protocols. 
• Serves as Fire Duty Officer (FDO), as needed. Supports FDO process improvement.   

Wildfire and Community Preparedness Subject Matter Expertise: 

• Provide subject matter expertise and guidance to Program Managers and Project Managers. 
• Create and improve systems and organizing processes to support safe wildland fire operations and a functional command environment. 
• Assist with implementation of prescribed fires on state, federal, and private lands as an RXB2 or other qualification, as needed.  
• Lead consequence analysis and complexity rating for prescribed fire implementation.  
• Work with Senior Strategic Team to manage contractual liability for prescribed fire operations. 
• Assist with preparation and review of burn plans. Approve NWCG burn plans (if RXB2 qualified). 
• Instruct at training events, as needed. 
• Participate on an Incident Command Team, as needed.   
• Support the intersection of science and prescribed fire implementation.   
• Review documents for technical soundness.  

Strategic Planning: 

• Serves on the Senior Strategic Team that reports to the CEO.  
• Provides quarterly or as needed reports at the Board of Directors meetings, providing timely updates on successes and challenges.  
• Work closely with the Senior Strategic Team, CFO, and Board of Directors team to develop and execute the organization's strategic plan and annual operating budget. 
• Identify opportunities for department growth, expansion, and collaboration with external partners. 
• Provide input on the allocation of resources and budgeting to support department activities. 

Partner Engagement:  

• Build and maintain strong relationships with partner organizations, funders, and community leaders. 
• Build, manage, and extend formal and informal partnerships with local, state, governmental, and NGO agencies and contacts in the US and internationally.  
• Codify relationships with partners through MOUs, MOAs, and cooperative agreements. 
• Negotiates contracts and agreements (Participating Agreements, Joint Venture Agreements, Master Agreements, etc.) with a diverse range of donors (State, Federal, NGO, etc.).   
• Represent The Ember Alliance at external events, conferences, and meetings, advocating for our programs and cultivating partnerships. 
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications Team to raise awareness of our programs and impact through various channels. 

Policy Engagement and Support (Preferred, not required):

• Coordinate with other SMEs to improve fire-related policy at local, state, and national levels.  

Qualifications and Skills: 

Required:  

• Degree in Ecosystem Management or related field, or 10+ years combination of education and experience in wildland fire management.   
• Two or more years of experience managing a department, with proven experience in successfully designing, implementing, and evaluating programs. 
• Passion for the organization's mission and a commitment to social impact. 
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to build, inspire, lead, and motivate a diverse team. 
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to effectively convey complex information to various partners and navigate difficult conversations.  
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, develop innovative solutions, and adapt to changing circumstances. 
• Experience in budgeting, resource allocation, and financial management for programs. 
• Experience developing and negotiating agreements and contracts.  

Preferred:  

• ICT4, RXB2, DIVS, Masters, or PhD in Wildland Fire-related field, or 15+ years combination of education and experience.   
• Five or more years in department management and executive leadership within a nonprofit, including a track record of successfully designing, implementing, and evaluating programs.  
• Event organization and fundraising.   
• Familiarity with relevant regulations and compliance requirements for federal contracts. 

Additional information

Information is kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

Employees must abide by The Ember Alliance’s current Covid policies, which as of date are complying with CDC Guidelines. 

Employees are required to complete a Background Check and Motor Vehicle Record Check prior to employment. Employees required to hold a company credit card may be subjected to a credit check. Failure to pass any of these checks does not automatically disqualify you from employment.   

Schedule Requirements:

The average work week is 40 hours, but the schedule may vary depending on operational needs. Projects may require working 10-12-hour days and/or outside of normal business hours, working during weekends and/or up to 14 days continuously, and travel for extended periods of time. 

Flexible work schedules will be considered to accommodate family or other commitments.

Location:

The Ember Alliance is headquartered in Fort Collins, CO. Our team works nationally on training assignments, prescribed fire, and fuels treatment projects. Potential candidate must be able to work from the CO office when required. Preferred location is the greater Fort Collins, CO or Missoula/Bozeman, MT areas; remote work may be a consideration.  

The possibility of working from a home office on administrative projects will be assessed on a case-by-case basis for people with proven independent remote work records. 

Pay and Benefits

Salary Range: $75,000-85,000

Overtime will be based on operational needs.  Paid time off, paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid family leave, unpaid family leave, and leave without pay benefits are provided. A jury duty policy is also in place for employer. Employer-sponsored health, vision, dental care coverage, life insurance, long-term disability, is available as soon as employment begins. Employer-matched retirement plan is available 3 months after employment begins and is immediately vested. 

The Ember Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.