Joint Chiefs Project Coordinator

Location: Troy, NC (Remote)

Application Deadline: Open Continuous until Filled

Anticipated Start Date:  September 2025

Overview: This temporary part-time (10-20 hrs/week) position will be an employee of and supervised by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PF & QF), with daily instruction, quality assurance, training, and workload prioritization provided by various partner organizations, including but not limited to the NC Forest Service and US Forest Service. This vacancy will be based from a home office with frequent and expected travel within a 10-mile radius of the Uwharrie National Forest. This position is funded through the summer of 2026 with potential to be extended. Occasional service outside the primary work area may be required to address annual workload variance and assist teammates and partners. The Joint Chiefs Project Coordinator will work in joint capacity with the US Forest Service, USDA-NRCS, the NC Forest Service, and other partners to promote, coordinate and accelerate the implementation of the Uwharrie Joint Chiefs Project. Primary workload will focus on facilitating the work of a contract burn crew shared between the US Forest Service and the NC Forest Service. This includes private property site visits ensuring that burn blocks are adequately prepared prior to burn crew deployment, providing technical assistance to landowners in relation to prescribed fire, organizing and coordinating with the NC and US Forest Service on upcoming projects, and preparing non-burn day work for contractual burn crew. The coordinator will also pull together regular meetings, tract deliverables, and assist with future applications of Joint Chiefs funding.

Job Duties:

• Provide technical assistance (wildlife habitat and prescribed fire focus) and guidance to private landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations. Training provided jointly by NRCS, US Forest Service, NC Forest Service, & QF.
• Assist partners with prescribed burn projects by coordinating shared burn crew between US Forest Service, NC Forest Service, and other conservation partners.
• Conduct project coordination by completing site assessments for burning feasibility.
• Provide technical assistance for landowners.
• Keep clear and accurate records of project deliverables as they relate to prescribed burning and landowner technical assistance.
• Organize meetings, as needed, with conservation partners to conduct project implementation as well as organizing future project coordination.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners and partner agency staff.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
• Detailed knowledge of prescribed fire implementation and limiting factors preventing the safe application of prescribed fire.
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, and early succession habitat establishment and management, including the ability to utilize various habitat management tools in the development of management plans.
• Specific knowledge of NC associated wildlife species and habitat requirements is desirable along with plant identification of native, non-native, and invasive grasses, forbs, trees, and shrubs.
• Prescribed fire training is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, time management, and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with ArcPro is highly desired.
• Valid driver’s license required; use of personal vehicle required with a mileage reimbursement and vehicle stipend provided. The current rate is $.70 per mile with periodic adjustments relative to the IRS rate. Expect to drive 6,000 to 10,000 miles annually.

Education and Experience Preferred: Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management, Forestry, or closely related natural resources field is required. At least 2 years of relevant professional experience are required to qualify. Proven experience working with US Forest Service, NC Forest service, and USDA-NRCS is preferred. The ideal candidate will exhibit a balance of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills required to maintain effectiveness of the contractual burn crew through the Joint Chiefs Project. Practical and/or professional experience in prescribed burning is highly beneficial.

Salary Range: $25-$32/hr (commensurate with experience) with annual performance-based raises, plus benefits include:

• Paid Time Off is prorated based on weekly hours worked up to 60 hours annually.
• 13 paid holidays are prorated to 4 hours per holiday.