ND Prescribed Burn Specialist

Starting Salary:  $50,000 with annual merit increase + benefits (please see our benefits summary on our recruitment website at www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs).

Overview:
Pheasants Forever (PF) in North Dakota is seeking qualified candidates for a Prescribed Burn Specialist position to promote, coordinate, and support the safe and effective use of prescribed fire on private and public lands across North Dakota.

The Prescribed Burn Specialist will work alongside our team, partners, and landowners to help deliver the mission of Pheasants Forever. The primary responsibilities of this position are prescribed fire planning, outreach, training, and coordination. This position will work closely with the PF Rx Burn Coordinator and a wide range of individuals and resource professionals promoting the development and implementation of prescribed fire in grassland landscapes on working and conservation lands. This position will require a self-starter with excellent communication and organizational skills and a strong work ethic. This prescribed fire partnership effort will provide an opportunity to make significant contributions to the conservation of natural resources across North Dakota.

Expected Duties:

• Work with the ND PF team and chapters, the ND Rx Fire Co-Op partners and other wildlife and fire management partners to identify and deliver prescribed fire outreach and training needs.
• In consultation with private landowners, conduct site visits and assess burn units prior to burns to verify adherence to prescriptions, hazards, and minimize risk associated with prescribed fire operations.
• Lead, coordinate, and participate in prescribed burns as training, demonstration, and treatments.
• Write, review, and acquire permits for prescribed burn plans for private landowners, burn contractors, and biologists.
• Support the development of landowner-led Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) to facilitate increased practice implementation.
• Communicate regularly with North Dakota fire practitioners across the state to build upon the use of prescribed fire.
• Stay current on broad grassland conservation issues and emerging opportunities to help private landowners protect and manage grasslands.
• Provide advice or forward information about basic land management questions to landowners (e.g. invasive species control, grass-based agriculture, Farm Bill programs).
• Help administer, track, and build programs for implementing Rx burns on private lands.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge and experience in the use and delivery of prescribed fire. Preference given to those with federal/state level Rx fire ceritfications.
• Working knowledge of prescribed fire standards and practices within the state of North Dakota.
• Extensive knowledge of the ecology and management of grassland ecosystems.
• Knowledge of typical agricultural concepts and practices employed in North Dakota.
• Must work effectively with private landowners, agency and partner staff, technical service providers, and other conservation organizations.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse personalities.
• Ability to accomplish goals associated with grant deliverables and agreements.
• Ability to organize, develop, and implement educational and outreach activities including workshops, seminars, and publications.
• Experience working with federal, state, and/or local conservation programs.
• Strong computer skills including working knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, ArcPro.
• Strong coordination and communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license.

Education and Experience Preferred:
Prior prescribed fire training and field experience required. Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, plant ecology, range management, or closely related natural resources field and three years of relevant experience preferred. Proven experience with private lands conservation and land management is highly desirable.