Demo

Wildfire Operations Subject Matter Expert

ICF
Reston, VA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/14/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/9/2026
Description

ICF is seeking an experienced Wildfire Subject Matter Expert to provide mission expertise supporting systems used by Federal land management agencies, including USFS, USDA, DOI, and BLM. This role ensures that technology solutions accurately reflect real-world wildfire operations, supporting incident planning, resource coordination, situational awareness, and reporting across the wildfire lifecycle. The ideal candidate brings deep operational knowledge of wildfire management and fire ecology and can translate field realities into actionable requirements that improve decision-making and operational effectiveness.

Job Location: This position requires that the job be performed in the United States.  If you accept this position, you should note that ICF does monitor employee work locations and blocks access from foreign locations/foreign IP addresses, and also prohibits personal VPN connections.

  • You may be asked to travel once a quarter to an office.
  • Our core work hours are 10am - 4pm Eastern Time with the option to start earlier or work later depending on your time zone.

What You Will Do

  • Provide subject matter expertise on wildfire operations, fire ecology, and land management practices to ensure systems align with real-world operational needs.
  • Translate wildfire operational processes, terminology, and workflows into clear system requirements and product improvements.
  • Validate system workflows, data elements, and reporting capabilities to ensure alignment with wildfire incident management practices.
  • Support development of operational scenarios, user stories, and acceptance criteria that reflect wildfire planning and response activities.
  • Review product increments and provide feedback to ensure solutions support incident planning, resource tracking, and situational awareness.
  • Advise technical and product teams on policy, operational standards, and interagency coordination considerations.
  • Support training and change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of new capabilities across operational users.
  • Provide guidance on wildfire risk assessment, mitigation strategies, and decision-support approaches used in wildfire management.

What You Will Bring With You

  • Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Fire Science, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or related field.
  • 12 years of experience in wildfire operations, wildfire analytics, land management, or related mission areas, including experience working in interagency wildfire coordination environments.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance; must reside in and be authorized to work in the United States.

What We Would Like You To Bring With You

  • Advanced degree in Forestry, Fire Science, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or related discipline.
  • Experience supporting Federal land management agencies or interagency wildfire programs.
  • Experience translating wildfire science, fire behavior modeling, or operational practices into decision-support tools, policy guidance, or technology solutions.
  • Experience supporting operational planning, risk assessment, and emergency response activities related to wildfire management.
  • Familiarity with wildfire incident management systems, operational reporting tools, or geospatial decision-support systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate wildfire science and operational insights to technical teams, leadership, and operational users.

Professional Skills

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to translate complex wildfire operations into clear operational requirements.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain wildfire concepts and operational considerations to technical and program teams.
  • Proven ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and support alignment between operational users, technical teams, and leadership.
  • Ability to balance operational realities, policy considerations, and system capabilities in fast-paced mission environments.

#Indeed

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email Candidateaccommodation@icf.com and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. 

Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process. 

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at candidateaccommodation@icf.com. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.  

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:

$119,323.00 - $202,850.00

Nationwide Remote Office (US99)

Salary : $119,323 - $202,850

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Wildfire Operations Subject Matter Expert?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Wildfire Operations Subject Matter Expert career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$128,151 - $159,004
Income Estimation: 
$135,731 - $176,358
Income Estimation: 
$171,018 - $218,368
Income Estimation: 
$146,514 - $195,399
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at ICF

  • ICF Jacksonville, FL
  • Description Location: Florida remote Are you interested in helping create communities that are more resilient in the face of future disasters? Join the ICF... more
  • 12 Days Ago

  • ICF Key West, FL
  • Description Location: Florida remote Are you interested in helping create communities that are more resilient in the face of future disasters? Join the ICF... more
  • 12 Days Ago

  • ICF Fort Myers, FL
  • Description Location: Florida remote Are you interested in helping create communities that are more resilient in the face of future disasters? Join the ICF... more
  • 12 Days Ago

  • ICF Tallahassee, FL
  • Description Location: Florida remote Are you interested in helping create communities that are more resilient in the face of future disasters? Join the ICF... more
  • 12 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Wildfire Operations Subject Matter Expert jobs in the Reston, VA area that may be a better fit.

  • Leidos Washington, DC
  • Description Looking for an opportunity to make an impact? At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people... more
  • 4 Days Ago

  • Leidos Greenbelt, MD
  • Description Looking for an opportunity to make an impact? At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people... more
  • 6 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!