Prescribed Fire Training Manager

Job Summary

The purpose of this position is to lead the management and support the delivery of the Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program (the Program).

Housed at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus (UBCO), the Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program is the first of its kind in Canada and is developing the foundational framework required for a nationally recognized program to facilitate the safe and effective application of prescribed fire contributing to measurable improvements in biodiversity, ecological resilience, and community safety. The Program will involve the development of curriculum and regional hubs across Canada which will provide region-specific and hands-on prescribed fire training.

The Prescribed Fire Training Manager will be responsible for helping lead the development and implementation of the core infrastructure of the Program in coordination with the Director, Dr. Mathieu Bourbonnais and the Operations Manager. This position will develop a comprehensive set of policies, procedures, and support systems for the in-person field component of the Program and work with the Operations Manager to align these with university policies and procedures for the success of the Program. With support from the Operations Manager, they will be responsible for the hiring and supervision of a team of Regional Leads and Training & Outreach Facilitators (Program Delivery Team) to build and deliver the field components of the Program. This position will advise senior leadership on a national communication and engagement strategy, and provide oversight on the communications plan. They will be responsible for the successful delivery of the prescribed fire non-credit courses including logistics for all prescribed fire operations and field training, and leadership of the Program Delivery Team activities. They will liaise with the Operations Manager and Regional Leads to coordinate field instructors, training, and support with writing financial, progress, and activity reports.

This position will work collaboratively with the Operations Manager to oversee the Program Delivery Team and the integration of the program in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EESC), which will be the academic home of the Program at UBCO.

Organizational Status
This position reports to the Director, Dr. Mathieu Bourbonnais and works for the Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at UBC’s Okanagan campus.

Work Performed

• Leads the development and implementation of the prescribed fire field operations and training program.
• Establishes and manages relationships with national partners to enhance Program outreach and success.
• Oversees and manages budgets of approved funding, which includes preparing financial reports and communications with multiple agencies.
• Makes decisions related to the development and implementation of prescribed fire training policies, procedures, and systems across the Program.
• Builds and implements workplans, timelines, and evaluation tasks for key Program objectives.
• Coordinates with the Program Delivery Team, field instructors, and other local and provincial agencies to ensure the successful implementation of the training and prescribed fire activities.
• Tracks and reports on progress against key milestones, and recommend changes to mitigate risks as needed.
• Manages, develops, and identifies new relationships to support Program objectives and tracks engagement activities to ensure timely and consistent communications.
• Aids the Director in strategic planning, and activity reporting.
• Maintains communication with all Program collaborators including internal UBC teams, and external partners including provincial and national government bodies, NGOs, First Nations, community-based organizations and others.
• Collaborates with the Operations Manager to support communications planning with the Communications and Engagement Strategist .
• Leads and provides direction to the Program Delivery Team to build a national partnership engagement strategy and develop regional prescribed fire training hubs to reflect the ecological and logistic differences in these regions.
• Support the Director with recruiting, selecting, evaluating, supervising, and if necessary, terminating staff and contractors.
• Perform other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Errors or incorrect decisions of this position could seriously compromise the timing and quality of training and knowledge extension projects of the Program. In addition, inaccurate reporting, lack of grant facilitation, and failure in communications could result in lost funding and jeopardized relationships with collaborators and communities.

Poor judgement or poor relationship management may harm the reputation of UBCO and may result in lost research partnership opportunities. Inaccurate or incomplete information regarding partnership opportunities or sponsor regulations could result in a loss of funding or may commit the University to unacceptable award conditions. Mismanagement of partnerships could result in the return of funds, loss of future funds and/or inability to collect funds owed to the University. Incorrect interpretation of Sponsoring Agency and University policy could result in non-compliance with sponsoring agency terms.

Supervision Received
This position will work autonomously with considerable latitude. This position is expected to be able to independently perform duties and consult regularly with the Director. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of specific goals.

Supervision Given
Manages staff, and is responsible for hiring, discipline, evaluation, and termination. This role will have five direct reports, and five indirect subordinate reports.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (fire ecology, landscape ecology, biology, forestry, or a related field);
• Five years of demonstrated experience in prescribed and operational wildfire management;
• Experience in coordinating field work and event planning;
• Operational experience planning, implementing, coordinating, and reporting for prescribed fire activities;
• Occupational First Aid Level 1, or CPR Level A;
• Experience managing diverse teams in a hybrid and/or remote environments;
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to work with minimal direction and exercise sound judgement and decision-making;
• Effective oral and written communication skills including presentations, grant applications, reports, etc.;
• Computer and data analysis skills (e.g. Word processing, Excel, citation/reference management software)
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License is required.