Prescribed Fire Specialist

OFFICE LOCATION

Johnstown, Nebraska, USA
    
WHO WE ARE

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor. 

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.” 
    
WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

The Prescribed Fire Specialist is an important position to deliver technical expertise, training, and coordination to safety implement prescribed fires that benefit natural ecosystems of Nebraska.  The Prescribed Fire Specialist (PFS) works closely with TNC’s Nebraska Prescribed Fire Manager to provide technical leadership and overall programmatic support to fire and stewardship programs by working closely with program staff, landowners and partnering agencies with planning, implementing, and evaluating prescribed burns. We want to increase prescribed fire capacity on TNC lands and the Nebraska Sandhills to manage plants, animals and control the spread of invasive species.  The position is based at the Niobrara Valley Preserve, Johnstown, NE and works throughout Nebraska.   

The Prescribed Fire Specialist will coordinate with conservation partners and other professionals to deliver wildland fire/prescribed fire training meeting NWCG requirements and/or training specifically tailored to prescribed fire operations in the Nebraska Sandhills.  This Position will conduct site visits with landowners to provide guidance on firebreak design, equipment needs, crew size and other logistics for safe and successful prescribed burns.  The PFS will coordinate with agency and other NGO Prescribed Fire Coordinators to identify training dates and coordinate resources for prescribed burn implementation.   

The ideal candidate will meet National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards for Fire Fighter Type 1. The PFS must successfully pass the arduous pack test as a requirement for employment. The PFS will update and maintain fire equipment and supplies, provide operational expertise on prescribed burns, assist with and/or lead fire trainings, assist with annual budgeting, provide motivation and leadership, and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and in the local community where TNC works. The PFS will participate in wildland fire suppression activities in partnership with other non-profits, local fire departments, and local, state, and federal agencies as a TNC employee, or as a volunteer or short-term employee of the partner entity (such as an Administratively Determined, short term federal employee), and perform other duties as assigned. Occasional overnight travel is necessary. 
    
WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU

Are you interested in developing natural resources-based solutions to help sustain our grasslands?   Do you want to give back to the community by providing technical expertise in wildland fire and prescribed fire management?  The Nebraska Chapter is dedicated to conserving the natural resources that make our state unique, and one of our strategies is advancing the use of ecological fire. This is an exceptional career opportunity for a highly motivated, capable individual interested in joining the world’s leading conservation organization!  

This salaried position will work closely with communities and prescribed fire partners to inspire and support the growth of community-based cooperative burning models in the grasslands of the Nebraska Sandhills.   Specifically, the Fire Management Specialist responsibilities and scope include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Assists with all aspects of prescribed fire implementation including operational and administrative functions. 
• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context. 
• Build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and with many partners including government agencies, indigenous communities, and private organizations. 
• Makes decisions in rapidly changing and potentially hazardous conditions that may affect the safety of resources. 
• Identify housing, arrange logistics, and meet supply needs for seasonal fire modules. 
• Operate and maintain prescribed fire equipment and vehicles. 
• Help develop and review prescribed fire burn plans. 
• Meet The Nature Conservancy’s requirements for Fire Fighter Type 1 found here: 
• https://www.tncfiremanual.org/SquadBoss.htm currently or within one year of employment. 
• Supervise seasonal staff providing technical, administrative, performance management, training, and development. 
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements. 
• The PFS is responsible for safe and effective fire operations, administers physical fitness testing, trains, and organizes workshops and helps provide annual refresher training. 
• Ability to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. 

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in a science related field and 3 years’ experience in fire operations or ecological land management or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Meet qualifications for NWCG Fire Fighter Type 1. Requirements for Fire Fighter Type 1 Squad Boss can be found here: https://www.tncfiremanual.org/SquadBoss.htm 
• Ability to achieve a NWCG arduous wildland firefighter rating by carrying a 45lb-pack 3 miles in less than 45 minutes. 
• Experience training and supervising staff and burn crew members or volunteers. 
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., partner agencies, landowners, etc. 
• Must be willing to occasionally travel around the state and out of state for burning with a variety of partners in a diversity of habitats/fuel types. 

Desired Qualifications 

• Willingness to achieve wildland fire qualifications including Single Resource Boss, Incident Commander Type 4 and eventually Prescribed Burn Boss. 
• Experience with ArcGIS Pro suite of tools for making maps. 
• Experience burning in grassland fuel types. 
• Relationship-building and negotiation skills. 
• Experience working with or knowledge of native habitats and ecology of the Great Plains.
• Grant writing skills & experience. 

WHAT WE BRING

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world! 

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers. 

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ! 

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job. 
    
AUTO SAFETY POLICY

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.
    
SALARY INFORMATION

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $46,800 – $54,720 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment
    
APPLY NOW

To apply for job ID 54585, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ . Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact [email protected]. This position will close on Friday, February 3, 2024 at 11:59 EST

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.