Kansas Forest Service

About This Role:

Kansas Forest Service is hiring a regular, full-time position as the Fire
Management Officer for their Fire Management Program. This position will provide leadership, coordination, technical, and educational support for fire staff and fire departments in meeting their needs through a full- service Fire Management Program. Success in the development of a balanced full-service Fire Management Program will meet the needs of the State’s fire services, emergency management, and natural resources clientele in a positive and professional manner. 

Responsibilities include leadership of a program that provides statewide services, fiscal and grant management, engaging and cooperating with our federal, state, and
local partners, strategic fire management coordination, and providing leadership and support within KFS.

The position is based out of the State Office in Manhattan, KS and is eligible to work remote in a hybrid/partialcapacity.

Why Join Us:

The Kansas Forest Service is the 5th oldest state forestry agency in the country established in 1887 and is housed as an independent agency within K-State Research and Extension. The agency employs 37 full-time employees, and 45+ temporary and student positions, housed in Manhattan, KS and offices throughout the state. Our programs include Rural Forestry, Community Forestry, Fire 
Management, Conservation Tree Planting, Forest Health, and Marketing and Utilization.

For 50 years the Kansas Forest Service, Fire Management Program has provided vehicles and equipment to fire departments to enhance their fire suppression capacity. Current programs are the Excess Personal Property Program (FEPP), Fire Fighter Property (FFP) and the Equipment Donation Program (EDP). While some restrictions apply, FFP allows the departments to eventually own the equipment 
and to utilize it for prescribed and controlled burning as well as other civil emergencies.

Education opportunities are available at no cost for fire prevention education, suppression and prescribe burning. Some classes for land managers and fire fighters are specifically for use within the state, others qualify one to participate in incidents at the Federal level through the Incident Qualification System (Red Card).
Financial assistance for the Kansas Forest Service fire program is principally provided by the State Fire Assistance and Volunteer Fire Assistance Programs of the USDA Forest Service’s State and Private Forestry Division. State fire assistance funds, or SFA, provides funding for KFS fire staff to deliver services to rural fire districts and the citizens of Kansas with services such as training, wildfire preparedness and planning, suppression and response, as well as prescribed fire 
management. Volunteer fire assistance funds are pass-through funds to cooperating fire districts for ancillary products such as communications equipment, protective gear, hand tools, water pumps, and related items. Coupled to the above is long range planning assistance for Districts desiring a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, Fire Master Plan, or a Hazardous Fuel Assessment.

Incident support and resource management is made possible through funding from the Kansas Legislature. This allows KFS employees to be positioned through Kansas to respond when requested within 2 hours and enables KFS to pre-position wildland fire taskforces and assist local fire authorities with fire aviation.

Kansas State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays. To see what benefits are available, please
visit: https://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

Kansas State University embraces diversity and inclusion. The university actively seeks individuals who foster a collegial environment and cooperative interactions with coworkers, students, and others. The University is dedicated to promoting the Principles of Community.

Worksite Options:

This position is eligible for hybrid worksite. Work may be performed
partially remote and partially on employer premises in Manhattan, KS.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Fire Ecology, Fire Management, or other related field
• 5 years of relevant professional experience
• Familiarity with both the Rural/Volunteer Fire service as well as the Interagency (NWCG) 
  wildland fire community

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in relevant field
• Relevant fire service professional certifications such as Fire Officer, Incident Commander, ICS 
  Section Chief, ICS Command Staff, etc.
• 5 years administrative experience which includes program administration experience and 
  supervision of others.

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United he time of employment.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents to our employment portal:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Professional references
4. Academic transcripts

Employment Portal

Screening of Applications Begins:

Screening begins immediately and continues until position is filled. For
best consideration, apply by November 17, 2023.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range:

$91,000-$95,000

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.

About This Role:

The Kansas Forest Service is looking for a full-time, term position as the NE District Community Forester. This position works within the Community Forestry Program assisting communities in planning, managing, education/outreach and developing tree resources to improve environmental, economic, ecological, social, beautification and recreational benefits. This position is responsible for providing community forestry technical assistance to communities and partners of the Northeast district. Duties include the responsibility to plan, develop and conduct a balanced full-service forestry program to meet the needs of the resource and communities in a positive and professional manner. This position will also establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with federal, state, and local agencies and organizations on forestry related programs. Incumbent will deliver community forestry services with limited direct supervision. The location of this position is flexible within the NE Community Forestry district of Kansas with final approval by the Hiring Manager.

Why Join Us:

The Kansas Forest Service is the 5th oldest state forestry agency in the country established in 1887 and is housed as an independent agency within K-State Research and Extension. The agency employs 37 full-time employees, and 45+ temporary and student positions, housed in Manhattan, KS and offices throughout the state. Our programs include Rural Forestry, Community Forestry, Fire Management, Conservation Tree Planting, Forest Health, and Marketing and Utilization.

KFS works with a diverse group of partners at local, state, and federal levels to help serve the State of Kansas in pursuit of our mission: “Sustaining and enhancing natural resources and communities through forestry and wildland fire management”. We pride ourselves on the multi-faceted services we provide the many stakeholders of Kansas. KFS contributes an estimated combined economic impact of $34 million annually.

Kansas State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

Kansas State University embraces diversity and inclusion. The university actively seeks individuals who foster a collegial environment and cooperative interactions with coworkers, students, and others. The University is dedicated to promoting the Principles of Community.

Worksite Options:

This position is eligible for hybrid worksite. Approximately 50% of the time will be spent in the field, travel is routine with occasional overnight travel for projects, meetings, special duties, and training. The rest of the work will be conducted either remotely from a home office or an office location within the NE Community Forestry district.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry or a closely related field
• Two years of experience in forestry, horticulture, landscape ecology, or landscape architecture. This position may use an educational equivalency as determined relevant by a hiring manager.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in urban forestry or horticulture
• Five years of experience in forestry, horticulture, landscape ecology, or landscape architecture
• Certified Arborist (KAA or ISA)
• Knowledge and experience with tree identification, tree inventory, GIS, and tree planting and pruning.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office suite
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
• Valid driver’s license

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents to our employment portal:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Professional references
4. Academic transcripts

Employment Portal

Screening of Applications Begins:

Screening begins immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by October 27, 2023.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range:

$47,000 - $52,000

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.

About This Role:

The Kansas Forest Service is looking for a full-time, term position as the Volunteer and Partnership Liaison within our Community Forestry Program. The Volunteer and Partnership Liaison is a key role in advancing community forestry initiatives and enhancing the well-being of community forests in Kansas. This position is responsible for managing and coordinating volunteer programs and fostering partnerships to support the Kansas Forest Service’s mission of sustaining and enhancing natural resources and communities. This position will engage communities, cultivate meaningful partnerships with external partners, and recruit and coordinate volunteers.  This Volunteer and Partnership Liaison will also establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with tribes, federal, state and local agencies and organizations on forestry related programs. One important program the Volunteer and Partnership Liaison will deliver is Kansas Arbor Day Poster Contest. The location of this position is flexible within the state of Kansas with final approval by the Hiring Manager.

Why Join Us:

The Kansas Forest Service is the 5th oldest state forestry agency in the country established in 1887 and is housed as an independent agency within K-State Research and Extension. The agency employs 37 full-time employees, and 45+ temporary and student positions, housed in Manhattan, KS and offices throughout the state. Our programs include Rural Forestry, Community Forestry, Fire Management, Conservation Tree Planting, Forest Health, and Marketing and Utilization.

KFS works with a diverse group of partners at local, state, and federal levels to help serve the State of Kansas in pursuit of our mission: “Sustaining and enhancing natural resources and communities through forestry and wildland fire management”. We pride ourselves on the multi-faceted services we provide the many stakeholders of Kansas. KFS contributes an estimated combined economic impact of $34 million annually.

Kansas State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

Kansas State University embraces diversity and inclusion. The university actively seeks individuals who foster a collegial environment and cooperative interactions with coworkers, students, and others. The University is dedicated to promoting the Principles of Community.

Worksite Options:

This position is eligible for hybrid worksite. Approximately 25% of the time will be spent in the field, travel is routine with occasional overnight travel for projects, meetings, special duties and training. The rest of the work will be conducted either remotely from a home office or at an office location within the state of Kansas.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
• Two years experience in volunteer management, community outreach, partnership development, or community forestry. This position may use an educational equivalency as determined relevant by a hiring manager.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in natural resource management, nonprofit management, environmental science, or a related field.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Organization and project management skills including the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office suite and experience with volunteer databases.

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
• Valid Driver’s License

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents to our employment portal:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Professional references
4. Academic transcripts

Employment Portal

Screening of Applications Begins:

Screening begins immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by October 27, 2023.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range:

$50,000 - $52,000 

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.