Wildfire Public Safety Specialist

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow?  A  position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

Position Summary:

The Wildfire Public Safety Specialist PSS is the front-line point of contact for all wildfire related issues across XE service territory. The PSS will monitor multiple electronic sources/feeds that relate to wildfires, wildfire conditions, wildfire threat, wildfire staffing constraints, fuels conditions, and weather conditions. Once an incident is detected the PSS will interact with the WCC, Distribution, Transmission, Gas and communications to ensure that public and employee safety and wildfire concerns related to XE are coordinated with first responders on the ground and function as the single POC to overlapping operations. This individual will assess the ground situation and help determine if XE investigations are required and inform leadership of incident related intelligence. The PSS will travel to fire locations in real time, visit response agencies and build relationships for emergency responses to ensure that the customers and interests of XE are addressed.

The WCC specialist will share wildfire data collected and disseminate internal operations and leadership. The WCC specialist will work closely with the Meteorological team and PSPS teams for situational awareness surrounding wildfires and EPSS/PSPS events. The WCC Specialist will work closely with the Investigations team and Public Safety partners across service territories to help facilitate improved customer and partner experience. PSS will support PSPS events with updates from all sources and provide real time wildfire information to DCC/ECC and other emergency XE functions that initiate and coordinate operational wildfire action or response. This includes the development and management of day-to-day wildfire command activities including creating standard operating procedures, planning, organizing, exercising and training, to ensure a broad level of coverage during an event. The PSS is part of the Situational Awareness team that includes the Public Safety Power Shutoff Team, Investigations Team, and the Wildfire Command Center Team. Close coordination with wildfire mitigation programs and daily interaction with wildfire leadership and other Xcel functions will be part of position responsibilities.

When not functioning on active incidents the PSS will interact closely with the WCC, WF Investigations team, and the PSPS specialists. Additional job duties will include field work as assigned. Wildfire risk assessment, fuels assessments, collaboration with partnering public safety personnel.

Key Responsibilities:

• Public Safety Coordination: Act as the on scene XE liaison with local, state, and federal emergency response agencies, including fire protection districts, OEMs, and regulatory bodies during wildfire events and preparedness activities. Working closely with communications liaison functions. Direct tie in on incident to help address utility concerns or facilitate reenergization activities.

• Field Safety Support: Serve as a Field Safety Officer during wildfire events, supporting distribution, transmission, and gas operations in the field and ensuring alignment with Incident Command System (ICS) protocols.

• Community Engagement: Collaborate with operational Wildfire Engagement Managers, Community Relations, and Strategic Accounts teams to support public education and outreach on wildfire safety and utility mitigation efforts.

• Situational Awareness & Reporting: Monitor fire weather conditions, ignition risks, and PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff) triggers. Provide real-time updates and recommendations to internal stakeholders.

• Training & Exercises: Participate in and support wildfire response drills, tabletop exercises, and after-action reviews. Contribute to the development of job aids and training materials.

• Documentation & Compliance: Assist in the development and maintenance of wildfire mitigation plans, annexes, and regulatory filings. Ensure documentation aligns with state and federal requirements.

• Fieldwork: as needed to support wildfire mitigation or response efforts.

• Overhead line inspections: pre and post wildfire event and PSPS events.

• Area assessments: Evaluate seasonal wildfire fuels or burn conditions across service territory.

• Fire resilience consultation: On location evaluation of wildfire preparedness, or wildfire preventative mitigations assessments.

• Emergency Fuels work coordination: Work with XE and contract personnel to accomplish utility related wildfire work.

• Direct coordination with suppression or contract fire response resources: Work with aviation, ground or planning resources as it relates to utility operations, public safety and wildfire.

• Maintain awareness of current and potential wildfire risks to the company.

• Comply with internal and sector policies and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years' experience working in wildfire, emergency or disaster management, fire science, homeland security or related field or

• equivalent education and experience required. Three years must be dedicated to wildfire management.

• Strong verbal/written communication and presentation skills.

• Strong ability to work across organization boundaries and influence others.

• Strong investigative, analysis, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills.

• A valid state driver’s license is required.

• Knowledge and experience with National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command Structure (ICS),

• Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operations, and Incident Management Team (IMT) operations.

• Self-directed and comfortable navigating ambiguity.

• Ability to work well across teams in high stress environments.

• Ability to build relationships and manage multiple opinions.

• Ability to understand complex technical and/or business information.

• Ability to define and manage internal projects and milestones.

• Associate’s degree in emergency or Disaster Management, Fire Science, Homeland Security or related field is desirable. Emergency Management, Wildfire, and Energy Sector related professional certifications are desirable.

• Ability to work in high-pressure environments and during emergency activations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Incident Command System (ICS) certification (ICS-100, 200, 300, 400).

• Experience working with electric utility providers or public safety agencies.

• Knowledge of Colorado’s Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and regional fire behavior dynamics.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at recruiting@xcelenergy.com.

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $82,800.00 to $117,000.00 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation.  You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Deadline to Apply: 10/10/25

EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law Supplement | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at recruiting@xcelenergy.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.