Piedmont Region Fire Management Specialist - DPR65044335

State of North Carolina•Wake County, NC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Division of Parks and Recreation is hiring a Regional Fire Management Specialist to implement the regional ecological burning program. The position supports the health and resilience of fire-dependent natural communities in state parks through prescribed fire and restoration of fire-adapted habitats. The specialist prepares burn prescriptions, leads ecological burns, monitors fire effects, recommends fire management strategies, and supervises a Regional Fire Team to support safe, effective, science-based burning. The position is based at a park in the Piedmont Region, with responsibilities spanning several counties. The work includes managing data and geospatial maps for burn prescriptions, units, reporting, and planning; assisting with and leading prescribed burns; maintaining fire control lines and equipment; coordinating burning with partner agencies; and supporting fire training and certification. The role also involves operating and maintaining fire vehicles and performing wildland fire suppression, mop-up, and mitigation duties as assigned. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Park projects may require many additional hours of travel. The position involves indoor and outdoor work in varying environmental conditions, strenuous physical effort, and required work during adverse weather events or special events. It is designated essential/mandatory.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental, or natural resource science, or a closely related curriculum, from an appropriately accredited institution; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid driver’s license issued in the United States, or ability to obtain one within 90 days of employment.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in various environmental conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Within 12–24 months of hire, ability to obtain and maintain a Class A CDL, CPR certification, an NWCG Single Resource Boss qualification, North Carolina State Certified Burner certification, and S-112 Chainsaw Operations Training certification.
Ability to perform hazardous tree assessments and, if necessary, tree removal within the park.
Availability to work adverse weather events and special events as an essential/mandatory employee.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated on-the-ground prescribed fire implementation experience.
Knowledge of fire management principles, burn prescription development, fire protection practices, firefighting equipment, and ecological burning techniques.
Knowledge of conservation principles and best practices for protecting park resources.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Division staff, partner agencies, environmental organizations, park support groups, the public, and neighboring landowners.
Understanding of the management of natural resource-based parks, natural areas, and nature preserves.

Responsibilities

Collect and manage data and geospatial maps for prescriptions, burn units, reporting, and planning.
Assist with and lead prescribed burns, including conducting site monitoring before, during, and after operations.
Support the planning, installation, and maintenance of fire control lines.
Purchase, maintain, and track fire equipment for regional fire crews.
Coordinate prescribed fire activities with partner agencies on park lands and cooperating agencies’ lands.
Work with program staff to plan and deliver NWCG fire trainings supporting certification of Division burn bosses, and coordinate additional experiential fire training opportunities.
Operate, drive, and maintain fire vehicles according to Division standards.
Perform wildland fire suppression, mop-up, and mitigation duties as requested and assigned.
Supervise a Regional Fire Team and support safe, effective, science-based ecological burning.
Prepare burn prescriptions, monitor fire effects, and recommend fire management strategies.