Long Cane Forest Recovery Lead Technician

The Nature Conservancy•GEO / Remote - South Carolina, SC

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Forest Recovery Lead Technician supports implementation of a five-year Hurricane Helene recovery and forest restoration agreement between The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the U.S. Forest Service on the Sumter National Forest, primarily on the Long Cane Ranger District. The role helps reduce hazardous fuels, restore resilient forests, improve watershed health and biological diversity, and strengthen community wildfire preparedness across the western Piedmont landscape. As part of TNC’s South Carolina Forest Recovery Team, the Lead Technician provides day-to-day field leadership for forest restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, prescribed fire, post-storm recovery, and related monitoring. The position organizes field assignments, coordinates personnel and equipment, monitors progress, and works with TNC staff, U.S. Forest Service personnel, contractors, and other partners to support safe, efficient operations. Activities may include prescribed fire preparation and implementation; mechanical and manual fuels work; construction and rehabilitation of fire control features; invasive species treatment; vegetation management; field assessment and data collection; fuels characterization; and restoration of disturbed areas with native vegetation. The Lead Technician maintains field readiness by inspecting and maintaining tools, vehicles, equipment, personal protective equipment, and supplies; coordinating logistics and mobilization; documenting accomplishments; and communicating field conditions, safety concerns, and operational needs to the Forest Recovery Director and U.S. Forest Service project contacts. The employee may serve in Incident Command System positions for which qualified or formally assigned as a trainee. This is a full-time, term position associated with the recovery agreement, based in the western Piedmont of South Carolina within reasonable commuting distance of the Long Cane Ranger District. Work is primarily on that district, with occasional work on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District or at other approved locations. Field work is a substantial part of the role; limited remote or office work may also be needed when compatible with assignments. The position may be extended beyond the initial five-year term, subject to funding and organizational need. The position involves variable weather, smoke, remote locations, difficult terrain, and physically demanding conditions. Frequent travel to project sites and occasional overnight, evening, weekend, and extended operational assignments are required. Employment is contingent on completion of TNC’s background screening and applicable driving requirements, including a Vehicle Use Agreement.

Requirements

BA/BS degree in a science-related field and one year of related experience in custodial and ecological land management or a similar field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with natural systems.
Experience with ecological land management principles.
Experience operating and/or repairing various types of equipment and machinery.
Experience performing physically demanding outdoor work safely and leading or coordinating field-based work teams.
Ability to follow maps, work plans, safety requirements, and technical instructions; maintain accurate records; and communicate effectively with coworkers and partners.
Must obtain and maintain Wildland Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2), First Aid, CPR, AED, and other qualifications or training required for assigned duties.
Valid driver’s license; must meet TNC vehicle-use requirements, travel frequently, and operate vehicles on unimproved roads.
Ability to work in variable weather, smoke, difficult terrain, and other field conditions, including long or irregular hours and multi-day assignments, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Successful completion of TNC’s background screening and applicable driving requirements, including a Vehicle Use Agreement.

Nice To Haves

Additional education or experience in forestry, natural resource management, fire ecology, ecological restoration, or a related field.
Experience leading field crews, volunteers, entry-level staff, or contractors.
Experience with prescribed fire, wildland fire, fuels management, forest restoration, invasive species management, or related conservation practices.
Current NWCG qualifications or other relevant forestry, equipment, pesticide application, or safety certifications.
Experience operating and maintaining field tools, vehicles, trailers, or mechanical equipment used in land management activities.
Knowledge of Piedmont ecosystems, natural resource management practices, and post-storm forest recovery.
Experience collecting field data and using common mapping, mobile data collection, and office software applications.
Experience working with government agencies, conservation organizations, contractors, landowners, or other partners.
Ability to work independently, communicate clearly, meet established timelines, and contribute to a safe, accountable, and respectful team environment.

Responsibilities

Lead and participate in field activities supporting forest recovery, prescribed fire, hazardous fuels reduction, ecological restoration, and related conservation objectives.
Organize daily assignments, coordinate personnel and resources, monitor progress, and adapt work to changing field conditions.
Support planning, preparation, implementation, monitoring, and follow-up for prescribed fire, vegetation management, invasive species treatment, and other forest restoration activities.
Operate, inspect, and maintain tools, vehicles, equipment, personal protective equipment, and supplies in accordance with training, authorization, and safety requirements.
Collect and maintain field data, treatment records, and other documentation used to track accomplishments, support reporting, and inform adaptive management.
Promote safe and compliant operations through briefings, hazard assessments, after-action reviews, incident reporting, and adherence to approved plans, policies, and environmental requirements.
Coordinate field logistics and communicate operational needs, progress, safety concerns, and project results to the Forest Recovery Director and designated contacts.
Work collaboratively with TNC staff, agency personnel, contractors, landowners, community members, and other partners; support training, outreach, and workforce development when assigned.
Lead or monitor staff, interns, volunteers, temporary staff, or contractors in assigned field activities, within delegated authority.
Complete assigned project components and field activities safely, accurately, and on schedule, working within approved plans and established processes.
Assist with project logistics, purchasing, vendor coordination, inventory, expenditure tracking, and other administrative needs as needed.
Make day-to-day decisions based on experience, field conditions, safety requirements, and project direction, including when working with minimal or distant supervision.
Serve in Incident Command System positions when qualified or formally assigned as a trainee.