Prescribed Burn Association Coordinator

Pheasants Forever•Central, AR

7d•Remote

About The Position

In partnership with the Arkansas Prescribed Burn Association (APBA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, local PBAs, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NRCS, and other partners (local, state, federal, NGO, agriculture based, or otherwise), the Arkansas Prescribed Burn Association Coordinator, or “PBA Coordinator,” will work daily with APBA and all partners and landowners involved in local PBAs to provide support to the growing Prescribed Burn Association program in Arkansas. This position will facilitate day-to-day operations of the APBA to coordinate, equip, train, sustain, and lead PBA efforts in Arkansas and promote the ‘landowners helping landowners’ model. The coordinator will serve as a Statewide PBA Outreach Coordinator and Expert in Prescribed Burning, instructing PBAs, PBA membership, and landowners interested in PBAs through the burning process, and encouraging landowners to participate in a two-day Qualified Prescribed Burner Course. They will lead and develop training efforts in each PBA, and encourage PBAs to continue training efforts on their own. The coordinator will assist individual members of PBAs and APBA through the Prescribed Burning process by utilizing their knowledge of fire behavior, fire effects, fire ecology, and the business of prescribed burning. They will also assist APBA with the planning of the Annual APBA Statewide Meeting, conduct weekly, monthly, and quarterly check-ins with PBA officers, and APBA Directors to ensure effective communication and accountability. Additionally, the coordinator will document, track, inventory, disperse, and coordinate purchasing as feasible, of burn trailers and all equipment for PBAs. They will encourage PBA members to recognize good burn opportunities and complete burns following a prescribed burn plan, and monitor and facilitate PBA burn reporting with frequent communication and coordination with PBA officers and membership, encouraging all PBA members/volunteers to report completed burns. The role involves delivering public presentations, webinars, and workshops, and promoting a healthy fire culture in Arkansas. Fostering a healthy relationship with landowners, fire practitioners, PBAs, APBA, AR Fire Council, State and Federal Agencies, NGOs, and all other parties associated with prescribed fire and PBAs in Arkansas is crucial. The coordinator will complete other duties as assigned to promote the mission of APBA and Quail Forever, and meet and understand requirements of Quail Forever’s Prescribed Fire Policy, and understand the difference between QF employee requirements and APBA requirements for PBA members and AR landowners. As necessary, the coordinator will participate in and lead prescribed burns, to include training burns, ensuring adherence to prescription and the safety of participants, neighbors, and the public, and encouraging PBA members to boss their own burns and serve as guidance/support on PBA burns.

Requirements

Extensive knowledge and experience with prescribed fire, fire ecology, and wildfire as it pertains to the South and Southeast US
Holds appropriate prescribed fire certifications per National Wildfire Coordinating Group: EX: S-130, S-190, L-180, ICS-100, S-230, S-290, I-700, etc.
Holds Arkansas Qualified Prescribed Burner qualification after employment
Current Pack Test or ability to acquire Pack Test in first year
CRWB – Required, RXB2 - Desired
Knowledge of wildlife ecology, wetland and grassland management including the ability to utilize various habitat management tools in the development of management plans
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all landowners and partners
Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele
Knowledge of conservation and wildlife programs provided by Federal agencies (i.e. USDA and US Fish and Wildlife Service), state agencies, private and NGO partners, etc. In addition, knowledge of how these programs are implemented in a Working Lands landscape is desired
Excellent computer skills including working knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, and ArcPro
Demonstrated experience as a leader with strong initiative
Ability to organize, develop, and implement educational and outreach activities, including workshops, seminars, and publications
Excellent and proven verbal/written communication and organizational skills
Conflict resolution skills
Willingness to work flexible schedule and some weekends as needed
Valid driver’s license required
A minimum requirement for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in forestry, wildlife management, plant ecology, fire ecology, or a closely related natural resources field with a minimum of three years related experience
Prescribed fire training, certifications, and field experience as outlined above is required

Nice To Haves

some use of personal vehicle required (mileage reimbursement provided)
Knowledge of Forestry and Working Lands agricultural operations is desired

Responsibilities

Provide prescribed fire-related training to local PBAs
Coordinate accurate and efficient burn acreage reporting from local PBAs to APBA
Track, inventory, order, and distribute prescribed fire equipment to local PBAs
Serve as the direct point of contact for local PBA officers, members, and potential new members
Communicate and report effectively to the APBA Board of Directors
Participate as necessary in prescribed burns with local PBAs
Organize and host new PBA start-up meetings when necessary
Complete all other duties and responsibilities associated with coordinating PBAs as determined by the QF Arkansas State Coordinator and the APBA Board
Facilitate day-to-day operations of the APBA to coordinate, equip, train, sustain, and lead PBA efforts in Arkansas and promote the ‘landowners helping landowners’ model
Serve as a Statewide PBA Outreach Coordinator and Expert in Prescribed Burning
Instruct PBAs, PBA membership, and landowners interested in PBAs through the burning process, and encourage landowners to participate in a two-day Qualified Prescribed Burner Course
Lead and develop training efforts in each PBA, and encourage PBAs to continue training efforts on their own
Assist individual members of PBAs and APBA through the Prescribed Burning process by utilizing their knowledge of fire behavior, fire effects, fire ecology, and the business of prescribed burning
Assist APBA with the planning of the Annual APBA Statewide Meeting
Conduct weekly, monthly, and quarterly check-ins with PBA officers, and APBA Directors to ensure effective communication and accountability
Document, track, inventory, disperse, and coordinate purchasing as feasible, of burn trailers and all equipment for PBAs
Encourage PBA members to recognize good burn opportunities and complete burns following a prescribed burn plan
Monitor and facilitate PBA burn reporting with frequent communication and coordination with PBA officers and membership
Encourage all PBA members/volunteers to report completed burns
Deliver public presentations, webinars, and workshops, and promote a healthy fire culture in Arkansas
Foster a healthy relationship with landowners, fire practitioners, PBAs, APBA, AR Fire Council, State and Federal Agencies, NGOs, and all other parties associated with prescribed fire and PBAs in Arkansas
Complete other duties as assigned to promote the mission of APBA and Quail Forever
Meet and understand requirements of Quail Forever’s Prescribed Fire Policy, and understand the difference between QF employee requirements and APBA requirements for PBA members and AR landowners
As necessary, participate in and lead prescribed burns, to include training burns, ensuring adherence to prescription and the safety of participants, neighbors, and the public
Encourage PBA members to boss their own burns and serve as guidance/support on PBA burns