NC Sandhills Burn Crew Member

The Nature Conservancy•Southern Pines, NC

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Burn Crew Member (BCM) supports prescribed fire and occasional wildfire operations, preserve operations, restoration, maintenance, and management. Working under close supervision, crew members contribute to safe, prepared, and collaborative burn operations in potentially high-stress environments. Work may involve heavy physical labor in variable weather, remote locations, and difficult or hazardous terrain. Duties include preparing burn units and fire lines; participating in fire operations, mop-up, and post-burn monitoring; maintaining equipment and supplies; and managing staff and volunteers during operations. When prescribed fire is not feasible, crew members support restoration and stewardship projects such as thinning, planting, marking, and biological surveys. They also help maintain preserves, buildings, tools, equipment, fences, gates, boundaries, grounds, and structures. Crew members may assist local, state, or federal partners with prescribed fire operations and preparation, including travel elsewhere in North Carolina or out of state. They may also assist with wildland fires on TNC property or with state partners, though this is infrequent. Ongoing professional development includes learning new burn techniques and equipment, maintaining or growing fire certification credentials, and building relationships within the professional fire community and local community. There are seven positions based in or near Southern Pines, North Carolina: two positions for January through April and five for January through June. Applicants should indicate their preferred duration in their cover letter. Shared housing is provided. The starting pay rate is $19.91 per hour for candidates employed in the United States.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and six months of related experience.
Qualified as a Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2), including I-100, IS-700, L-180, S-190, S-130, and one training burn under the supervision of a qualified FFT2, as described in the TNC Fire Management Manual.
Meet physical fitness standards determined by the local Prescribed Fire Manager and the TNC Fire Management Manual.
Experience operating various types of equipment.
Ability to obtain related licenses or certifications as required, such as First Aid and CPR.
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

Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience.
Six months to one year of related experience.
Ability and willingness to follow instructions from colleagues, coworkers, and team members.
Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems.
Basic experience using paper or digital maps.
Knowledge of basic chainsaw use and safety.

Responsibilities

Participate in prescribed fire and wildfire activities, including burn unit preparation, fire operations, managing staff and volunteers, maintaining equipment and supplies, mop-up, and post-burn monitoring.
Participate in restoration and stewardship projects such as thinning, planting, marking, and biological surveys when conditions are not suitable for prescribed fire.
Maintain preserves and buildings, including tools, equipment, fences, gates, boundaries, grounds, and structures.
Assist local, state, or federal partners with prescribed fire operations and burn unit preparation, including travel to other areas of North Carolina or out of state.
Be available to assist with wildland fires with state partners or on TNC property; such assistance is infrequent.
Keep current with burn techniques and equipment and maintain or grow professional fire certification credentials.
Build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and local community, including through community events, volunteer events, partnership activities, and other TNC functions.