Burn Crew Manager

The Nature Conservancy•Morehead, KY

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Burn Crew Manager (BCM) leads a squad of 2–7 Burn Crew Members in wildland fire activities under the direction of a Burn Boss or another command position. Based in the Kentucky program, BCMs support ecologically based prescribed burning in Appalachian hardwood forests, typically assisting with 10,000–25,000 acres of burning per season. The spring fire season runs from February through April. The BCM provides daily oversight of the squad, manages squad safety and readiness, and handles administrative duties including time reporting, accomplishment tracking, logistics planning, and purchases. The role includes preparing fire lines, maintaining equipment, monitoring post-burn areas, and performing other preserve-management work when conditions do not allow prescribed fire. The BCM keeps current with burn techniques and equipment, maintains and develops professional fire credentials, and builds relationships with the professional fire community and local communities. Participation in wildfire suppression with partner organizations may also occur, as a TNC employee or as a volunteer or short-term employee of a partner entity. This is an hourly seasonal position with three openings based near London, Corbin, and Morehead, Kentucky. Full-time employment begins February 8 and ends April 9. A part-time, remote, as-needed period begins December 7, during which the employee may work with staff and help plan for the burn crew’s arrival. Housing is provided during the full-time employment period. Pay is $26.00–$27.50 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience. The work can involve heavy physical effort in variable weather, remote locations, difficult and hazardous terrain, and other physically demanding conditions. Candidates should include IQCS qualifications, training, and preferred locations in their application, ranking London, Corbin, and Morehead from most to least preferred.

Requirements

High school diploma and one year of training in fire operations, a science-related field, or a similar field, or related land-management experience.
Qualified Fire Fighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) and successful completion of the FFT1 task book.
Two or more seasons as a Senior Burn Crew Member or equivalent agency qualification.
Meet physical fitness standards established by the local Fire Manager and the TNC Fire Manual.
Experience operating and maintaining various types of equipment.
Experience supervising staff or volunteers.
Valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program; employment is contingent on completing a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include review of the applicant’s motor vehicle record.
Ability to perform heavy physical work in variable weather, remote locations, difficult and hazardous terrain, and physically demanding circumstances.

Nice To Haves

Two years of training in fire operations or another science-related field, or related land-management experience.
Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience.
Ability and willingness to work in a team environment.
Ability to evaluate inputs in a rapidly changing work environment and make decisions affecting firefighter safety and squad work.
Faller 3 or Faller 2 qualification, UTV operator qualification, or NWCG Single Resource Boss – Engine Boss qualification.
PC familiarity, including database knowledge, for maintaining preserve records.
Experience driving off-road, loading, and towing trailers.
Ability to work remotely with little in-person contact with a supervisor.
Valid Incident Qualification Card.
Ability to obtain related licenses and certifications, such as CPR and herbicide application, if required.

Responsibilities

Lead and provide daily oversight of a squad of 2–7 Burn Crew Members during wildland fire activities, under the direction of a Burn Boss or other command position.
Manage squad safety and ensure crew members and equipment are ready for operations.
Prepare fire lines, maintain equipment, monitor post-burn areas, and perform other prescribed-fire tasks.
Complete administrative work including time reporting, accomplishment tracking, logistics planning, and purchases.
Perform other preserve-management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire.
Keep up with new burn techniques and equipment and maintain or develop professional fire certification credentials.
Build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and local communities.
Participate in wildland fire suppression activities with partner organizations when applicable.
Assist with planning for the burn crew’s arrival during the part-time, as-needed period.