Burn Crew Manager

The Nature Conservancy•Tellico Plains, TN

5d•$26 - $28•Hybrid

About The Position

The Burn Crew Manager (BCM) oversees a squad of 2–7 Burn Crew Members during wildland fire activities, as directed by a Burn Boss or another command position. The BCM participates in preparing fire lines, maintaining equipment, monitoring post-burn conditions, and other fire-related tasks. When conditions are not suitable for prescribed fire, the BCM may perform other preserve management duties. The role also involves keeping current with burn techniques and equipment, maintaining or developing professional fire qualifications, and building relationships within the professional fire community and local communities. The BCM may participate in wildland fire suppression with partner organizations and agencies, either as a TNC employee or as a partner’s volunteer or short-term employee. TNC’s Tennessee program conducts prescribed burns in the Appalachian landscape to improve forest health and resilience, typically assisting with 10,000–25,000 acres of burning per season. The spring fire season runs from February through April. Three BCMs will lead squads based near Tellico Plains and Crossville, Tennessee. The position includes daily squad oversight and administrative work such as time reporting, tracking accomplishments, planning logistics, making purchases, and ensuring squad safety. The BCM uses and maintains wildland fire equipment and ensures crew readiness. The position is hourly and seasonal. It begins with full-time work from February 8 through April 16, followed by part-time, remote, as-needed work beginning December 7, including planning for the crew’s February arrival. Pay is $26.00–$27.50 per hour, based on qualifications and experience. Housing is provided during the full-time employment period. The work may involve heavy physical labor in variable weather, remote locations, and difficult or hazardous terrain.

Requirements

High school diploma and one year of training in fire operations, a science-related field, or a similar field, or related experience in land management.
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 set 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 completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include review of the applicant’s motor vehicle record.
Ability to work in variable weather, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

Nice To Haves

Two years of training in fire operations or another science-related field, or related experience in land management or a similar field.
Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience.
Ability and willingness to work in a team environment.
Ability to evaluate input in a rapidly changing work environment and make decisions affecting firefighter safety and squad work.
Faller 3 or Faller 2 qualification and UTV operator experience.
NWCG-qualified Single Resource Boss – Engine Boss.
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.
Updated Incident Qualification Card (Red Card).
CPR and herbicide application licenses or certifications, if required.

Responsibilities

Oversee a squad of 2–7 Burn Crew Members during wildland fire activities, as directed by a Burn Boss or other command position.
Prepare fire lines, maintain equipment, monitor post-burn conditions, and perform other fire-related tasks.
Perform other preserve management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire.
Keep current with 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 and agencies when applicable.
Provide daily oversight of the squad and ensure crew readiness and safety.
Complete administrative tasks including time reporting, accomplishment tracking, logistics planning, and purchases.
Use and maintain wildland fire equipment.
Perform heavy physical work in variable weather, remote locations, and difficult or hazardous terrain.