Prescribed Fire Programs Manager – Remote within U.S.

Application deadline: open until filled

Anticipated Start Date: October 1, 2024

Location: Remote within U.S.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Prescribed Fire Programs Manager will champion Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s efforts to increase the safe and effective use of prescribed fire as an upland management tool through well-trained staff, supported prescribed burn associations (PBA) and qualified chapters.  This new position will provide leadership, coordination, and support for programs, personnel, chapters, and partners deploying prescribed fire on private and public lands to enhance upland habitat and improve associated upland wildlife populations.  The Prescribed Fire Programs Manager will work closely with our staff, federal and state agency partners, and prescribed fire councils to advance the safe deployment of prescribed fire and work with our corporate relations, grants, and development teams to develop partnerships and funding to support this work. 

 Primary Duties:

• Collaborate with fire program leadership at the United States Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and other agency partners to promote prescribed fire as a management tool on private and public lands.
• Identify, develop, and coordinate partnerships and programs that increase the safe use of prescribed fire as an upland management tool on private and public lands.
• Assess and manage prescribed fire qualifications of staff and chapter volunteers and develop an internal tracking system for qualifications.
• Develop and coordinate prescribed fire training (TREX etc) staff that meet the needs of:

• Habitat Specialists, Farm Bill Biologists, Coordinating Wildlife Biologists, and State Fire Coordinators
• Chapters and volunteers
• Prescribed Burn Associations
• Partner staff
• Collaborate with our Conservation Operations Team with hiring, onboarding, and training of new prescribed fire personnel.
• Develop fire resources for staff, chapters, Prescribed Burn Associations and other partners.
• Lead the Prescribed Fire Working Group and ensure compliance to the organization’s Prescribed Fire Plan
• Collaborate with conservation operations staff to expand engagement with Prescribed Fire Councils
• Secure funding to accelerate prescribed fire training for staff, Prescribed Burn Associations, chapter volunteers and partners.
• Develop and improve reporting of prescribed fire operations.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, natural resources
• Minimum of 5 years in practical experience delivering prescribed fire operations and direct experience acting as a burn boss or equivalent
• Passion for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s mission.
• Demonstrated experience in leading the development and delivery of prescribed fire training.

Desired Training and Experience Guidelines:

• Knowledge and experience working with Prescribed Burn Associations and Prescribed Fire Councils
• Experience serving as Cadre in Fire Training Courses
• Demonstrated experience developing and supporting partnerships and programs, stewarding relationships, writing proposals, and budget management.
• Programmatic development and leadership

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary commensurate based on experience starting at $55,000.00 – $70,000.00 per year
• Health, vision, dental and more insurance plans available
• 401(k) Retirement plan with an employer match of up to 5%
• Paid time off accrued 15 days (120 hours) per year for new employees and increasing after 3 years
• Bereavement/Family/Sick leave of 6 days (48 hours) per year
• 13 paid holidays
• see our Careers page for benefits details pheasantsforever.org/jobs

Travel Expectation:  Some overnight travel will be required.  Estimate range is 30-40 nights per year.