KIM J. ERNSTROM
Boise,ID
Summary
Dynamic Fire Management Specialist with the National Park Service, excelling in wildfire behavior modeling and risk assessment. Proven track record in leading complex projects and fostering interagency collaboration. Adept at innovative problem-solving and effective communication, driving enhancements in decision support systems to tackle unprecedented wildland fire challenges.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Fire Management Specialist (GS13/8)
National Park Service
Boise, Idaho
06.2010 - Current
- Delivers comprehensive wildland fire decision support to federal and state partners for large fires.
- Serves as key member of Wildland Fire Management Research, Development and Application (WFMRD&A) team.
- Executes role as fully qualified Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) on complex wildfires, aiding national fire decision support centers.
- Provides expert fire management advice on unprecedented wildland fire challenges requiring innovative solutions.
- Acts as technical specialist for Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS), offering on-site assistance during wildfire incidents.
- Specializes in fuel treatment planning technology, developing the Interagency Fuel Treatment Decision Support System (IFTDSS).
- Advises fire managers on risk management and fire behavior modeling to integrate findings into mitigation strategies.
- Supports development of prescribed fire, fuels management and Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) through analytical insights.
Technical Lead - NPS
Wildland Fire Management RD&A
06.2010 - Current
- Oversees technical leadership for IFTDSS development and technology transfer processes.
- Specializes in understanding fuel models for comprehensive fire behavior analysis and risk assessment workflows.
- Actively engages with the LANDFIRE project, utilizing its resources within IFTDSS framework.
- Facilitates collaboration between contracted developers and government teams to optimize fire management software.
- Analyzes technical elements and gathers user feedback to drive program enhancements.
- Implements user acceptance testing in Agile environment for IFTDSS and Next Generation WFDSS software.
- Leverages JIRA project management tools for efficient project tracking.
- Coordinates cloud hosting contract activities, applying IT security principles to WFDSS and IFTDSS projects.
Technology Transfer Coordinator
Wildland Fire Management RD&A
06.2010 - Current
- Coordinates with research entities and organizations to identify knowledge gaps in wildland fire management.
- Leads development of in-person and online training for fuel management applications, including IFTDSS and WFDSS.
- Serves as editor trainer and advisory board member for Wildland Fire Learning Portal.
- Instructs unit-level courses on advanced fire behavior modeling, calculations and interpretation
- Collaborates with universities and USFS Enterprise Team to develop curriculum for Quantitative Wildfire Risk Assessment training in IFTDSS.
Contract Officers Representative
Wildland Fire Management RD&A
06.2010 - Current
- Held former qualification as FAC-COR Level 2 – Contract Officer's Representative.
- Served as backup COR for multi-million-dollar, nine-year IFTDSS project.
- Collaborates with project managers from government and contractor sides to coordinate status updates and issue resolution.
- Monitors contractor performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
- Oversees ten-plus-year multi-partner Cost Reimbursable Agreement with Rocky Mountain Research Station and University of Idaho.
- Reviews invoices and recommends budget adjustments and payments based on contract evaluations.
- Provides progress reports on contract deliverables to USDA Forest Service – Rocky Mountain Research Station agreements office.
Education
Master of Science - Earth Science
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT05.1999
Bachelor of Science - Geology
Mary Washington College
Fredericksburg, VA05.1993
Skills
- Wildfire behavior modeling and analytics
- Data management and analysis
- Wildfire risk assessment development and interpretation
- Effective and enthusiastic communicator
- Interagency and multi-disciplinary training development
- Complex project management and planning
- Expert in wildland fire decision support systems
- Technical coordination and communication
- Problem solving
Additional Wildland Fire Experience
Fire suppression and fuels management experience in eight different states over fifteen years. Positions with the US Forest Service, the National Park Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nature Conservancy have provided a broad perspective on fire management. Positions such as Helicopter Crewmember, Hotshot Foreman, Prescribed Fire Specialist, Prescribed Fire Training Center Coordinator, Fire Management Officer round out a 25 year career in wildland fire management.
Timeline
Technical Lead - NPS
Wildland Fire Management RD&A
06.2010 - Current
Technology Transfer Coordinator
Wildland Fire Management RD&A
06.2010 - Current
Contract Officers Representative
Wildland Fire Management RD&A
06.2010 - Current
Fire Management Specialist (GS13/8)
National Park Service
06.2010 - Current
Master of Science - Earth Science
Montana State University
Bachelor of Science - Geology
Mary Washington College
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