Fire & Fuels Mentor

Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance • Lakeport, CA

5d • $30 - $58 • Onsite

About The Position

TERA is seeking to hire multiple NWCG qualified Fire & Fuels Mentors for the 2026-27 Lake Cal-TREX. Fire & Fuels Mentors will work on a flexible schedule based on candidate availability to provide mentorship and hands-on training to TERA’s full-time intertribal stewardship crew, TERA’s On-the-Job Training participants, and other participants in the Lake Cal-TREX. Training and mentorship will focus on the skill areas of fuels reduction treatments, burn unit preparation, and burn operations. Fire & Fuels Mentors will regularly serve in leadership roles on Lake Cal-TREX burns.
The Lake Cal-TREX is an EcoCultural Fire Training Exchange led by TERA in partnership with Tribes, agencies, and community organizations. The Lake Cal-TREX integrates EcoCultural Fire training, a collaborative burning season, and an on-call EcoCultural Fire Crew to build local capacity and steward land with fire in Lake County. The 2026-27 Lake Cal-TREX will run from September 2026 through June 2027, and includes NWCG Basic Firefighter/Firelighter (FFT2) and Wildland Fire Refresher (RT-130) trainings in September, two 5-day fall burn and training camps in October and November, and continued burn operations during appropriate conditions throughout our EcoCultural fire season. For more information on Lake Cal-TREX, visit tribalecorestoration.org/trex.

Requirements

• 3+ years experience in wildland, prescribed and/or cultural fire, with a minimum of 60 operational days on the fireline
• Current NWCG qualification as FFT1 or higher and FAL3 or higher, or ability to renew qualification through TERA RT-130 on Sept 29, 2026
• 2+ years of hands-on work in fuels reduction and/or ecocultural stewardship, including safely and effectively operating a chainsaw in a fire and fuels context
• 2+ years experience leading a team in fire and fuels work, workforce development, or similar field
• Current First Aid and CPR certification (candidates who do not have a current certification may complete or renew their certification as part of onboarding as a TERA employee)
• Cultural competency, humility, self-awareness, and willingness to learn
• Commitment to working cross-culturally as a bridge builder
• Ability to listen well, and give and receive direct, honest, and constructive feedback
• Positive attitude, able to work independently and contribute to a high-functioning, collaborative team environment
• Strong work ethic, reliability, accountability, and commitment to excellence
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid and often fast-paced work environment
• Commitment to follow and enforce all TERA policies, maintain professionalism, and represent the work of TERA and Tribal communities with dignity and integrity at all times

Nice To Haves

• 1+ years experience working with Tribes or Tribal communities
• 1+ years experience with cultural burning
• Current NWCG qualification as FEMO, FAL2, CRWB, FIRB, ENGB, RXB3 and/or RXB2
• Current qualification as California State Prescribed-Fire Burn Boss (CARX)
• Current or past qualification as Paramedic, EMT or Wilderness First Responder

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on training and mentorship to TERA’s full-time intertribal stewardship crew, TERA’s On-the-Job Training Participants, and other participants in the Lake Cal-TREX.
• Provide instruction, demonstration, leadership, and feedback to support groups in building skillsets related to fuels reduction treatments and burn unit preparation, including chainsaw operations, use of brush cutters, mowers and string trimmers, placing and building burn piles, and creating burn unit control lines.
• Provide instruction, demonstration, leadership, and feedback to support groups in building skillsets related to broadcast and pile burning operations including ignitions, holding, weather fire effects monitoring, extinguishment, securement, and patrol, with a high degree of accountability and safety as well as attention to cultural and ecological goals and objectives.
• Provide instruction, demonstration, leadership, and feedback to support groups in building skillsets related to appropriate techniques for carrying out burn unit preparation and burn operations across a variety of Northern California ecosystems.
• Serve in leadership roles appropriate to their level of skill, experience, and qualifications, which may include squad lead, holding lead, firing lead, burn lead, or other leadership roles.

Benefits

• Overtime pay when applicable
• Paid sick leave under California law
• Workers' compensation coverage
• Paid sick leave (PSL) of 5 days or 40 hours will be granted to Temporary Employees following successful completion of a 30-day probationary period.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed