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Resource Advisor

Position Description

Duties

  • Develops recommendations for fire suppression rehabilitation of control lines.
  • Monitors rehabilitation efforts.
  • Provides guidance during the implementation of rehabilitation activities.
  • Coordinates with local specialists (biologist, archaeologist, engineers, resource, recreation, etc.) to identify potential impacts.
  • Identifies existing utilities, roads, pipelines, and other uses on the land that may be affected.
  • Identifies potential resource issues that may occur as a result of the incident or incident activities.
  • Develops a recommended fire suppression rehabilitation plan for the agency administrator and the incident commander.
  • Provides input for the initial completion and/or daily revision and/or re-validation of the WFSA and the RIAS.
  • Documents potential and actual suppression/fire-related resource impacts and the rationale for protection of priority areas.
  • Serves as liaison to agency administrator, resource users, and other affected parties.
  • Establishes a procedure for long term oversight, documentation and evaluation of rehabilitation efforts.
  • Determines environmental restrictions within the fire area and provide input as to appropriate suppression actions.
  • Anticipates impact on resources as the suppression or prescribed fire operation evolves.
  • Communicates legal requirements for resource protection to the IMT.
  • Ensures that planned mitigation measures are carried out effectively.
  • Guides the development of short and long term natural resource and cultural rehabilitation documents.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Resource Management: knowledge of local politics and land use plans (general management plans, natural/cultural resource management plans, fire management plans, etc.); knowledge of the area (topographic features, vegetation types), critical areas, type of visitors and inhabitants, improvements, roads; understanding of potential effects of wildland fires upon significant natural and cultural resources; basic map reading skills.
  • Fire Management: knowledge of both fire and fire suppression impact on natural and cultural resources; completion of S-130 (Firefighting Training), S-190 (Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior), I-100/200 (Incident Command System courses), standards for survival.
  • General: knowledge and experience in guidelines, policies and implementation for natural and cultural resource management including mitigating and protection measures; oral and written communication skills; qualifying experience to include on satisfactory trainee assignment.

Physical Demands

  • Meet local minimum physical fitness requirements.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for UASD, UASM, UASL and UASP

Date: July 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all four Unmanned Aircraft Systems positions:

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist (UASD)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager (UASM)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader (UASL)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UASP)

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot Position Page

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for RADO and INCM

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Radio Operator (RADO) and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Communications Center Manager Position Page

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 NEW Aquatic Invasive Species – Golden Mussels

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-004, notifying the wildland fire community about a newly discovered invasive species and actions to take if found. Golden mussels, a highly invasive species recently identified in California, pose a significant risk to native ecosystems, infrastructure, and fire equipment. These mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos and location details.

Read the complete ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for ICT5 and FFT1

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Command Subcommittee
Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) and Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 Position Page

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page