Andrew Pickens 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 and the U.S. Forest Service on the Sumter National Forest, primarily on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. The position contributes to on-the-ground work to reduce hazardous fuels, restore resilient forests, improve watershed health and biological diversity, and strengthen community wildfire preparedness across the Southern Blue Ridge region of the southern Appalachian Mountains. 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 monitoring. The role organizes field assignments, coordinates people and equipment, tracks progress, and works with TNC staff, Forest Service personnel, contractors, and other partners. Field 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 assessments and fuels characterization; data collection; and restoration of disturbed areas with native vegetation. The position 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 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 Upstate of South Carolina within reasonable commuting distance of the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. Work is primarily field-based on that district, with occasional work on the Long Cane Ranger District or other approved locations. Limited remote or office work may be needed. The initial term is five years and may be extended depending on funding and organizational need. Work involves variable weather, smoke, remote locations, steep and rugged terrain, and physically demanding conditions. Frequent travel to project sites and occasional overnight, evening, weekend, and extended operational assignments are required.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science 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 and ability to 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 background screening and applicable driving-related requirements, including a Vehicle Use Agreement and possible motor vehicle record review.
Must comply with TNC’s Auto Safety Program; employees considered high-risk drivers may not drive Conservancy-owned or leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy.

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 Southern Appalachian forests, Southern Blue Ridge 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 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 field assignments; coordinate personnel, equipment, and other 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 restoration activities.
Operate, inspect, and maintain tools, vehicles, equipment, personal protective equipment, and project supplies in accordance with training, authorization, and safety requirements.
Collect and maintain field data, treatment records, and other documentation for tracking accomplishments, reporting, and adaptive management.
Promote safe and compliant operations by participating in briefings, hazard assessments, after-action reviews, and incident reporting, and by following approved plans, policies, and environmental requirements.
Coordinate field logistics and communicate operational needs, progress, safety concerns, field conditions, and 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.
Complete assigned field activities safely, accurately, and on schedule, working within approved plans, established processes, and delegated authority.
May lead or monitor staff, interns, volunteers, temporary staff, or contractors; may make day-to-day decisions with minimal or distant supervision based on experience, field conditions, safety requirements, and project direction.
May assist with project logistics, purchasing, vendor coordination, inventory, expenditure tracking, and other administrative needs.
May serve in qualified or assigned trainee Incident Command System positions.