Sandhills Stewardship Manager and Burn Boss

The Sandhills Stewardship Manager and Burn Boss develops, manages and advances conservation programs for the restoration and management of longleaf pine ecosystems within the Sandhills region of North Carolina. This position has three major focal areas:

1) leading the restoration, management and monitoring of longleaf pine savanna (and associated communities) in the Sandhills, especially on TNC lands, to help meet the organization’s goal of creating resilient and connected landscape. 

2) leading the Sandhills prescribed burn program, including planning, implementing, maintaining, and evaluating all aspects of the program including management for permanent and seasonal staff, to enable the safe and long-term management of natural communities in the region; and,

3) interacting with direct reports, colleagues, partners and others in a way that fosters information sharing and learning, collaboration that leads to positive and strategic conservation actions, and leveraging of resources to increase the impact and influence of the Sandhills stewardship and fire management programs within the region.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Sandhills Stewardship Manager and Burn Boss is responsible for the restoration and management of TNC’s network of nature preserves located in the Sandhills of North Carolina. They lead the development and implementation of ecological restoration and land management plans for TNC preserves and TNC’s prescribed fire program in the Sandhills.  They work closely with NC State Forest Service, NC Wildlife Resource Commission, NC State Parks, and other partners in planning for collaborative fire management and stewardship efforts and wildfire responses. They are responsible for writing burn plans, maintaining fire equipment and vehicles, crew training and preparedness, prepping TNC burn units, leading burns as burn boss, and evaluating the effectiveness of burns.  This position will oversee and implement planting of longleaf pine trees and native groundcover, restoration timber sales, invasive species control, and other management activities. They maintain preserve infrastructure, manage hunting leases and other agreements, and oversees contractual work. They provide technical and management expertise to other TNC programs and partners. The position also builds and maintains relationships with partners ranging from community groups, educational institutions and state and federal agencies to achieve TNC’s goals. The Sandhills Stewardship Manager and Burn Boss works closely with the SE Coastal Plain Program Director and the NC Fire Manager to implement stewardship and fire programs.  The Sandhills Stewardship Manager and Burn Boss supervises the Assistant Land Stewardship Coordinator (limited term position) Sandhills Conservation Coordinator position (permanent), limited term full time fire crew lead(s), seasonal fire crew, contractors, volunteers, and interns.  They are managed by the Southeast Coastal Plain Program Director. This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE

STEWARDSHIP AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

• Lead the restoration and management of TNC preserves in the Sandhills and surrounding areas in coordination with the SE Coastal Plain Program Director for biological diversity, ecosystem function, and resiliency.  Develop and implement restoration and management plans on preserves, including prioritized restoration actions, consideration of federally protected and rare species, adaptive management approaches, and managed public access.
• Oversee all aspects of fire management on TNC preserves in the Sandhills in coordination with the NC Fire Manager. Prepare and update burn plans and maintain wildfire response plans for Sandhills preserves, including the readiness of all fire equipment and vehicles.
• Responsible for keeping abreast of new stewardship and burn techniques and equipment to enhance knowledge and capacity.  Maintain and advance professional fire certification credentials.
• Assist in maintaining a Sandhills restoration and management database (MS Access and GIS) which includes, burn units, stewardship activities (burn events, timber stand improvement, etc.), fire history, future burn priorities, and other restoration and management data.
• Financial responsibilities include: working within and managing budgets to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors and assisting with budget development and fundraising targets.
• Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Oversee hunting leases, coordinate Army training on TNC lands, manage timber sales, tree and grass planting, invasive species control, and coordinate other stewardship activities, as required.

COMMUNICATIONS, OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

• Develop and maintain cooperative and action-oriented relationships with federal, state, and local conservation partners, local municipalities, Department of Défense (Fort Liberty), commercial timber producers, and private landowners to encourage sustainable and ecologically compatible stewardship practices in strategically important areas.
• Build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and in the local community where TNC works. This may include participation in wildland fire suppression activities in partnership with state and federal agencies, either as a TNC employee, or as a volunteer or short-term employee of the partner entity.
• Represent TNC on local, state and national working groups.
• Provide technical expertise in fire management and stewardship to TNC colleagues and partnerships in the Sandhills region.
• Occasionally provide preserve tours to assist with philanthropy and to provide outreach to landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the general-public to recruit support for TNC and publicize TNC efforts.
• Occasionally interact with media and participate in public speaking events, such as conferences and symposium.
• Assist with grant proposal development.
• Work with academic institutions in developing partnerships and building capacity.

SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION

• Supervise three to four full time staff with responsibility for performance management and career development.  Establish clear directions, provide guidance and mentorship, support growth and development.
• Lead the management of seasonal fire crews, including hiring, on-boarding, organizing housing, day-to-day oversight and planning of work, and providing training opportunities.
• Administrative duties include maintaining restoration and GIS databases, filing, credit card accounting, budgeting, timecard approvals, vehicle and equipment maintenance records, maintaining supplies, and managing the Sandhills office space and equipment shop.