Fire Protection Planner – Technical Lead

Dudek

. Serve as technical lead for spatial fire behavior modeling .

Posted 9/24/2026full-timeCalifornia • United StatesSenior💰 $110,000 - $140,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in spatial fire behavior modeling, including the design and execution of landscape-scale wildfire models and spatial analyses of vector and raster datasets. Proficient in GIS software and wildfire modeling systems, with strong communication and leadership skills to mentor teams and coordinate multidisciplinary efforts.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Spatial Fire Behavior ModelingGIS Software ProficiencyWildfire Modeling SystemsTechnical QA/QC ProceduresFire Ecology Understanding

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Landscape-Scale Wildfire ModelingSpatial AnalysisVector and Raster DatasetsFire Behavior UnderstandingCustom Analyses DesignModel Input DevelopmentData Standards EstablishmentTechnical DocumentationProject ScopingEnvironmental Technical Studies

Soft Skills

Technical LeadershipMentoringEffective CommunicationTeam CollaborationProblem Solving

Tools & Technologies

ArcGIS ProQGISFlamMapFARSITEFSProIFTDSSRemote-Sensing DatasetsDecision-Support Tools

Industry Keywords

Fire ScienceForestryFire EcologyNatural ResourcesGeographic Information SystemsEnvironmental ScienceDry-Forest EnvironmentsMediterranean Environments

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Ember.js

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as technical lead for spatial fire behavior modeling
Design, parameterize, execute, and interpret landscape-scale wildfire modeling
Perform spatial analyses of vector and raster datasets, including fire spread, flame length, fireline intensity, rate of spread, arrival time, burn probability, and ember exposure
Develop customized community wildfire risk assessment model approaches
Develop, evaluate, and document model inputs including fuels, topography, weather, wind, ignition locations, and project-specific conditions
Establish and maintain modeling protocols, data standards, file-management practices, reproducible workflows, and technical guidance
Lead QA/QC reviews of modeling inputs, methods, scripts, maps, calculations, outputs, and technical conclusions
Prepare methodology documentation, reports, fire protection plans, environmental technical studies, figures, presentations, and agency or public-comment responses
Coordinate with planners, GIS specialists, environmental professionals, engineers, biologists, project managers, clients, and fire agencies
Mentor and train staff in fire modeling, geospatial analysis, documentation, and QA/QC
Support project scoping, level-of-effort estimates, schedules, proposal development, and client presentations
Monitor advances in wildfire science, modeling platforms, remote-sensing datasets, and decision-support tools

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in fire science, forestry, fire ecology, natural resources, geography, geographic information systems, environmental science, engineering, data science, or a related field
At least 5 years of relevant professional experience
Strong understanding of fire behavior and wildfire dynamics
Understanding of fire ecology and vegetation dynamics in dry-forest, shrubland, and Mediterranean environments
Experience designing and performing custom analyses of vector and raster datasets
Experience operating and documenting wildfire modeling systems such as FlamMap, FARSITE, FSPro, IFTDSS, or equivalent tools
Advanced proficiency with GIS software such as ArcGIS Pro or QGIS
Experience developing or applying technical QA/QC procedures
Ability to independently plan and execute complex technical assignments
Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and provide technical leadership and mentoring
Excellent oral, written, and visual communication skills
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test and background check
U.S. work authorization required
Ability to travel to project sites and client or agency offices throughout California as needed
Ability to bend, squat, climb ladders, and lift up to 35 lbs. unassisted or 50 lbs. in a team lift
Ability to work outdoors on uneven terrain and in extreme weather conditions

Benefits

Comp & perks

100% employee-owned firm
Hybrid/remote work environment
Employee benefits and perks (not itemized in the posting)
Equal employment opportunities and inclusive workplace commitment