Engine Boss

The Nature Conservancy•Morehead, KY

7d•$28 - $30•Hybrid

About The Position

The Engine Boss (ENGB) leads a Type VI engine crew of 1–3 crew members in wildland fire activities under the direction of a Burn Boss or other command position. Based in Morehead, Kentucky, the role supports the Kentucky program’s prescribed-fire work to improve forest health and resiliency 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. The ENGB oversees the crew’s daily work and safety, maintains the readiness of the Type VI engine and its equipment, and handles administrative tasks including time reporting, accomplishment tracking, logistics planning, and purchases. Field work may include preparing fire lines, implementing prescribed burns, monitoring burns afterward, participating in wildland fire suppression with partner organizations, and performing other preserve-management duties when conditions do not allow prescribed burning. The position may involve heavy physical work in variable weather, remote locations, difficult or hazardous terrain, and other physically demanding conditions. The role also involves ongoing professional development, including staying current on burn techniques and equipment and maintaining or growing fire qualifications. The ENGB builds relationships within the professional fire community and local communities where TNC works, and may participate in partner-led suppression activities as a TNC employee or as a volunteer or short-term employee of a partner entity. This is an hourly seasonal position. Full-time work is scheduled from January 18 through April 16, with housing provided during that period. Part-time, remote, as-needed work begins December 7, allowing the employee to work with staff and help plan for the burn crew’s arrival in February. The spring fire season typically runs from February through April. Pay is $28.00–$29.50 per hour, based on qualifications and experience.

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.
At least two 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, including completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement; employment may include a motor vehicle record review.
Ability to perform heavy physical work in variable weather, remote locations, difficult and hazardous terrain, and physically demanding circumstances.

Nice To Haves

Additional training or related land-management experience in fire operations or a science-related field; the posting states “Two (3) years.”
Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience.
Ability and willingness to work in a team environment.
Ability to assess information in a rapidly changing work environment and make decisions affecting engine-crew safety and work.
Faller 3 or Faller 2 qualification.
UTV operator experience.
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, which may include First Aid/CPR and herbicide application.

Responsibilities

Lead and provide daily oversight of a Type VI engine crew of 1–3 members during wildland fire activities, as directed by a Burn Boss or other command position.
Maintain overall crew safety and make decisions affecting firefighter safety and work in a rapidly changing environment.
Prepare fire lines, participate in prescribed-fire implementation, and conduct post-burn monitoring.
Participate in wildland fire suppression activities with nonprofit, local, state, federal, tribal, or Indigenous partners as applicable.
Maintain the readiness of the Type VI engine and the crew’s wildland fire equipment.
Use and maintain a full suite of wildland fire equipment.
Complete administrative duties, 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 grow professional fire certification credentials.
Build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and in local communities where TNC works.
Assist with planning for the burn crew’s arrival during the part-time, as-needed period.