Engine Boss

The Nature Conservancy•Morehead, KY

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Nature Conservancy is hiring a seasonal Engine Boss based in Morehead, Kentucky, to lead a Type VI engine crew of 1–3 members in wildland fire activities. Working under the direction of a Burn Boss or another command position, the Engine Boss oversees the crew’s daily work and safety and handles administrative tasks such as time reporting, accomplishment tracking, logistics planning, and purchases. The role includes preparing fire lines, maintaining equipment and engine readiness, implementing prescribed burns, monitoring sites after burns, and performing other preserve-management duties when conditions do not permit prescribed fire. The Kentucky program works with government agencies to improve forest health and resiliency through ecologically based prescribed burning in Appalachian hardwood forests. The program typically assists with burning 10,000–25,000 acres per season. The spring fire season generally runs from February through April. The position is full-time and seasonal from January 18 through April 16, followed by part-time, remote, as-needed work beginning December 7. The hourly pay range is $28.00–$29.50, based on qualifications and experience. Housing is provided during the full-time employment period. The Engine Boss is expected to stay current on burn techniques and equipment, maintain or develop professional fire credentials, and build relationships with fire professionals and local communities. The role may include participating in wildland fire suppression with partner organizations and agencies, either as a TNC employee or as a volunteer or short-term employee of a partner. Work may take place in remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and in variable weather, and requires heavy physical work.

Requirements

High school diploma and one year of training in fire operations or a science-related field, or similar training 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 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 a motor vehicle record review.
Ability to perform heavy physical work in variable weather, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

Nice To Haves

Three 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 assess inputs in a rapidly changing work environment and make decisions affecting firefighter safety and crew work.
Faller 3 or Faller 2 qualification.
UTV operator 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 First Aid/CPR and herbicide application.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee a Type VI engine crew of 1–3 members in wildland fire activities under the direction of a Burn Boss or other command position.
Provide daily oversight of the engine crew and manage its overall safety.
Prepare fire lines and participate in prescribed fire implementation and post-burn monitoring.
Maintain wildland fire equipment and ensure the Type VI engine and crew are ready for deployment.
Complete administrative tasks, including time reporting, accomplishment tracking, logistics planning, and purchases.
Perform other preserve-management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire.
Keep current on 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, as applicable, in wildland fire suppression activities with partner organizations and agencies.
Work with staff during the part-time, as-needed period to begin planning for the burn crew’s arrival.