Wildland Fire Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) takes quite seriously our role as a beacon and voice for the science community.  

FAS has a rich history: after the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, a group of atomic researchers – deeply concerned about the use of science for malice – created an organization committed to using science and technology to benefit humanity.  

The group they created – the Federation of Atomic Scientists – soon became the Federation of American Scientists in recognition of the hundreds of scientists across diverse disciplines who joined together to speak with one voice for the betterment of the world.  

Today, we are a group of entrepreneurial, intrepid changemakers, forging a better future for all through the nexus of science, technology and talent. As a collective, we are building an organization focused on being impact-driven, customer-focused, and growth-oriented as a force for good in the world.

The FAS Impact Fellowship is a selective fellowship program that supports the development and placement of emerging scientific and technical talent within high-impact roles across government. From education to wildfire resilience, national security, and housing, Impact Fellows are serving across a variety of government agencies in roles that augment existing government teams as they confront some of the greatest scientific and social challenges of our time.

What’s the “elevator pitch” for the role?

The FAS Talent Hub is seeking a fellow for a 1-year term (with potential opportunity to extend, contingent on funding) to join the Wildland Fire Service team within the Department of the Interior with specific work supporting strategic budget planning and evaluation for the Wildland Fire Service.

This opportunity is for a strategic budget planner with technical expertise who can bring in an informed perspective from outside DOI, while still understanding the unique needs of the Wildland Fire Service program. The ideal candidate will understand and align with the program’s mission, authorities, and operational culture so future policy recommendations to the Wildland Fire Service program are both realistic and actionable. 

The ideal candidate should also possess a strong working knowledge of the federal budgeting and appropriations processes, as well as how Congress engages with and influences agency budgets. This combination of external experience, program familiarity, and deep understanding of government and congressional processes will significantly strengthen DOI’s Wildland Fire Service’s strategic financial planning and support well-grounded decision-making moving forward.

If you are someone who relishes focusing on the details, and you care about the intersection of topics related to Wildland Fire Management, this role could be right for you.  

• Lead strategic planning for budget formulation, aligning funding priorities with organizational goals, policy direction, and operational needs. 
• Develop and implement multi-year budget strategies that integrate performance objectives, risk considerations, and emerging program requirements. 
• Guide preparation of budget justifications, narratives, and supporting materials for leadership, OMB, and congressional engagement. 
• Guide data and evidence building to support budget decisions, integrating performance metrics, program outcomes, and analytical insights into planning processes. 
• Coordinate across program, policy, and the Wildland Fire Management Program to translate strategic priorities into actionable, fundable initiatives.  
• Engage with interagency and intergovernmental partners to align priorities and improve coordination. 
• Coach new budget staff on intergovernmental process and provide technical guidance on budget formulation and stakeholder engagement. 
• Prepare briefings and decision materials for senior leadership on budget strategy, risks, and tradeoffs. 
• Support initiatives of the Fire Director and DOI Leadership.

What skills do you need to show proficiency (or higher) in order to be a strong candidate?

• Demonstrated expertise in strategic budget planning and formulation, including aligning resources to organizational priorities. 
• Strong ability to integrate data, performance metrics, and evidence into planning and decision-making processes. 
• Knowledge of federal budget processes, including OMB requirements, congressional justification, and interagency coordination. 
• Ability to analyze complex financial and programmatic information and translate it into clear recommendations. 
• Strong understanding of intergovernmental processes and experience working with federal, state, Tribal, and local partners. 
• Proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop staff, particularly in budget formulation and coordination processes. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly to senior leaders. 
• Experience coordinating across multiple stakeholders and managing competing priorities in a dynamic environment. 
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines. 
• Strategic thinking skills, including the ability to anticipate risks, identify opportunities, and develop forward-looking solutions. 

This position will be primarily in person at DOI’s Main Interior Building, with situational telework allowed. Occasional travel may be requested of the Agency.

This fellowship will provide compensation for the entirety of the fellowship duration at an annual rate of $174,000 per year. Impact Fellows that are FAS contractors do not receive employer-sponsored benefits; the listed compensation is inclusive of additional funds that can be allocated to health or living expenses.

Don’t check off every box? Apply anyway! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every listed qualification. At FAS we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and developing new voices. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway – you might just be the right candidate.

The Federation of American Scientists is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The Federation of American Scientists prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.  Employment is contingent on successful verification of eligibility to work in the United States. 

Please note that we are only accepting applications to this position submitted via the linked platform. When applying, you will be redirected to our application platform and will need to create an account to submit an application.

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