TDI - State Fire Marshal Office - Program Speciali

Agency Information

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) regulates the insurance industry, administers the Texas workers' compensation system, performs the duties of the State Fire Marshal's Office, and educates and protects consumers. The agency is located in the Capitol Complex, Barbara Jordan Building, 1601 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules
• Work‑life balance
• 96 hours of accrued vacation per year
• 96 hours of accrued sick leave per year
• 20+ holidays each year
• Career advancement opportunities
• Free parking
• 401(k) and 457 retirement programs
• State of Texas retirement plan with a lifetime annuity through the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS)
• Free comprehensive medical insurance for full‑time employees and 50 % off premium costs for dependents
• Optional benefits such as dental, vision, life insurance, and many more
• Qualified employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Proportionate benefits for part‑time employees based on hours worked

Job Description

Program Specialist V (Program Specialist) – advanced (senior level) consultative, analytical, outreach, and technical assistance work for the State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) program. The role involves direct interaction with Texas fire departments to promote NERIS participation, improve fire incident data quality and use, and provide training and technical assistance. The specialist analyzes and interprets NERIS and other data to identify fire and life‑safety trends, populations at risk, emerging issues, and opportunities for community risk reduction, education, and outreach. The position works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Duties

• Serve as the primary SFMO point of contact for NERIS outreach, education, and engagement with Texas fire departments.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Texas fire departments, the Texas A&M Forest Service, other state agencies, fire marshals, fire service associations, community‑risk‑reduction organizations, and other local, state, and national partners interested in fire and emergency response data.
• Promote awareness and use of NERIS information among state agencies and stakeholders, identifying opportunities for NERIS data to support fire and life‑safety initiatives, community risk reduction, planning, research, education, and informed decision‑making.
• Encourage participation in NERIS and work directly with Texas fire departments to identify and address barriers to participation, reporting, data quality, and effective use of fire incident data.
• Provide consultative services and technical assistance to Texas fire departments related to NERIS participation, reporting, data quality, and use of fire incident information.
• Develop and deliver in‑person and virtual presentations, training, workshops, educational programs, and briefings for fire departments, state agencies, fire service organizations, community‑risk‑reduction programs, conferences, and other stakeholders throughout Texas.
• Create presentations and educational materials appropriate for audiences with varying technical knowledge, translating complex data and technical information into clear, useful, engaging, and practical content.
• Analyze and interpret NERIS and other fire and life‑safety data to identify trends, patterns, emerging risks, at‑risk populations or communities, and other issues warranting further attention.
• Communicate fire‑ and life‑safety data trends, patterns, risks, and demographic insights to fire departments, fire marshal offices, community‑risk‑reduction programs, or other fire‑prevention organizations to support future risk‑management activities.
• Use data and research to identify opportunities for community risk reduction, fire prevention, education, and outreach efforts.
• Collaborate with SFMO Education and Outreach staff to recommend and develop data‑informed community‑risk‑reduction initiatives, educational programs, outreach strategies, resources, and messaging.
• Assist in developing reports, dashboards, data visualizations, presentations, talking points, publications, and other products that communicate fire and life‑safety information to fire departments, agency leadership, stakeholders, and the public.
• Work with SFMO staff responsible for NERIS data administration and reporting to identify data‑quality issues, reporting trends, department needs, and opportunities to improve the completeness and usefulness of Texas fire incident data.
• Utilize available data, when appropriate, to evaluate the effectiveness and reach of SFMO education, outreach, and community‑risk‑reduction initiatives.