Wildland Fire Science Governance Facilitator - Remote with Occasional Travel

Location: Remote (U.S.), with periodic travel to in-person meetings

Employment type: Part-time 1099 consultant

Estimated annual hours: About 200–340 hours per year (roughly 17–28 hours per month on average, with heavier weeks around Board meetings)

Travel: Up to 3 trips per year, typically 2–3 days each; travel expenses reimbursed per federal travel regulations

Applicants MUST have experience and working knowledge of wildland fire research and management, including the terminology and current issues.

About Us

BSI is preparing a proposal to support the Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP), an interagency research and science delivery program governed by a board with representatives from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the USDA Forest Service.

About the Program

The JFSP Governing Board sets research priorities, funds peer-reviewed wildland fire science, and charts the program’s strategic direction. Our two-person team will support its Governing Board meetings, monthly Board calls, Executive Committee meetings and calls, and occasional Fire Science Exchange Network sessions. JFSP places a high value on continuity, so the people we hire will be the people the Board works with at every meeting.

The Role

You will be the lead facilitator for the JFSP Governing Board and its Executive Committee. You will work with the JFSP Program Manager to shape agendas, keep discussions focused and on schedule, help the Board reach decisions, and make sure every session ends with a clear summary of outcomes and next steps. You will also track long-running topics across meetings so nothing falls through the cracks between sessions.

What You’ll Do

• Plan and refine agendas with the Program Manager and Executive Committee, including setting clear objectives for each session.
• Facilitate Governing Board meetings (2–3 per year, 6-hour virtual or 8-hour in-person days, typically 2–3 days each).
• Facilitate monthly one-hour Governing Board calls and monthly Executive Committee planning calls.
• Facilitate Executive Committee working meetings (2–3 per year) and occasional Fire Science Exchange Network sessions.
• Use proven facilitation techniques to keep discussions productive, manage time, and run brief engagement activities and icebreakers.
• Contribute to briefing packets so Board members arrive with the context they need.
• Track decisions, action items, and long-term topics across meetings, and turn Executive Committee feedback into Governing Board agendas.
• Close each session by summarizing decisions and next steps, and review draft notes for accuracy.
• Work with the Recording Specialist to run hybrid meetings smoothly, including remote participants at in-person sessions.

What You Bring (Required)

• 7+ years of professional facilitation experience, including facilitating boards, steering committees, or advisory groups.
• Working knowledge of wildland fire research and management, including the terminology and current issues.
• Experience supporting federal interagency groups and familiarity with federal meeting protocols.
• Confidence facilitating senior federal leaders and scientists through complex discussions and decisions.
• Comfort facilitating in Microsoft Teams and Zoom, including polling and virtual whiteboards such as Mural.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel to in-person meetings 2–3 times per year.

Nice to Have

• Prior experience with JFSP, the Fire Science Exchange Network, NWCG, USFS, DOI bureaus, or other wildland fire or land management programs.
• Professional facilitation credential, such as IAF Certified Professional Facilitator (CPF).
• Background in natural resources, fire ecology, forestry, or a related field.
• Experience with research funding programs or peer-review processes.

Important Note

This position is contingent upon contract award.

Equal Opportunity

BSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.