Burn Crew Manager

The Nature Conservancy•Morehead, KY

5d•$26 - $28•Remote

About The Position

The Burn Crew Manager (BCM) oversees a squad of 2–7 Burn Crew Members in wildland fire activities as directed by a Burn Boss or another command position. The BCM helps prepare fire lines, maintains equipment, monitors areas after burns, and performs other preserve-management duties when conditions are not suitable for prescribed fire. The manager is responsible for daily squad oversight, safety, readiness, time reporting, accomplishment tracking, logistics planning, and purchases. The role uses and maintains a full suite of wildland fire equipment and ensures crew members are ready for operations. The position is with The Nature Conservancy’s Kentucky program, which works alongside government agencies to improve forest health and resiliency through prescribed burns in the Appalachian landscape. The program typically assists with burning 10,000–25,000 acres per season, providing experience with ecologically based prescribed burning in hardwood forests. Three managers will lead squads based near London, Corbin, and Morehead, Kentucky. The spring fire season runs from February through April. The role is full-time from February 8 through April 9, and part-time, remote, and as needed beginning December 7. The seasonal employee may work with staff during the part-time period to prepare for the crew’s arrival in February. Housing is provided during the full-time employment period. The pay range is $26.00–$27.50 per hour, based on qualifications and experience. The BCM is expected to stay current on burn techniques and equipment, maintain or grow professional fire credentials, and build relationships in the professional fire community and the local community. The role may include participating in wildland fire suppression with partner organizations and agencies, as a TNC employee or as a volunteer or short-term employee of a partner entity. Work can involve heavy physical effort in variable weather, remote locations, and difficult or hazardous terrain. Other preserve-management duties may be assigned when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire.

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 with a similar agency qualification.
Ability to 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.
Ability to perform heavy physical work in variable weather, remote locations, and difficult or hazardous terrain.
May be required to obtain related licenses and certifications, such as CPR and herbicide application.
Valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program; employment is contingent on completing a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a motor vehicle record review.

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.
NWCG-qualified Single Resource Boss – Engine Boss.
PC familiarity, including database knowledge, to maintain 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.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee a squad of 2–7 Burn Crew Members in wildland fire activities under the direction of a Burn Boss or another command position.
Provide daily oversight of the squad and manage its overall safety.
Prepare fire lines, participate in prescribed burns, and conduct post-burn monitoring.
Maintain equipment and ensure the readiness of burn crew members.
Handle administrative tasks including time reporting, accomplishment tracking, logistics planning, and purchases.
Perform other preserve-management duties when conditions are not suitable for prescribed fire.
Keep current on burn techniques and equipment and maintain or grow professional fire certification credentials.
Build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and the local community.
Participate as needed in wildland fire suppression activities with nonprofit, local, state, federal, tribal, or Indigenous partners.
Work with staff during the part-time, as-needed period to begin planning for the burn crew’s February arrival.