Senior Burn Crew Member

The Nature Conservancy•Cushing, MN

7d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a seasonal, full-time (40 hours/week) position anticipated to start September 12, 2026 and end on October 31, 2026. This position is based out of Cushing, Minnesota on TNC’s Lake Alexander Preserve. Shared housing and basic utilities are provided by TNC to the employee upon signing and agreeing to housing terms, and the employee must live in the provided housing to meet the needs and nature of the position and to maximize the effectiveness of the crew. As the Fire in the Forest Senior Burn Crew Member (SBCM), you will work in a team environment and participate in wildland fire operations overseeing staff and volunteers during fire related activities which include ignition, holding, mop-up, suppression, and post-burn monitoring. You may conduct other land management activities as assigned by a Burn Crew Manager or other command position, which could include burn unit preparation, equipment maintenance, timber stand improvement projects, and invasive species control. As part of the SBCM’s ongoing professional development, you will be responsible for keeping abreast of new burn techniques and equipment to enhance skills and maintain or grow professional fire certification credentials. In addition, you shall work to build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and in the local community where the Conservancy works. Some overtime is expected, and as part of the crew, you may be asked to travel as far as the Minnesota-Canada border and to the bluff lands of southeast Minnesota. This may include overnight stays for multiple days for burn opportunities. You will work outdoors in variable weather conditions, in remote locations, at times on difficult and uneven terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualified.
Experience operating various types of equipment.
Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g., First Aid, CPR)
Valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Nice To Haves

FAL2, FFT1, and ICT5 qualified.
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
Experience managing volunteers or entry-level staff.
Ability and willingness to both lead and follow in a team environment.
Two or more years of experience in fire operations related experience in land management or a similar field.
Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Web browsers).
Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.

Responsibilities

Participate in wildland fire operations overseeing staff and volunteers during fire related activities which include ignition, holding, mop-up, suppression, and post-burn monitoring.
Conduct other land management activities as assigned by a Burn Crew Manager or other command position, which could include burn unit preparation, equipment maintenance, timber stand improvement projects, and invasive species control.
Keep abreast of new burn techniques and equipment to enhance skills and maintain or grow professional fire certification credentials.
Build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and in the local community where the Conservancy works.
Assist the Burn Crew Manager to support the crew, scout treatment units, install firebreaks, fell trees and build piles, keep equipment fire-ready, drill on incident within incident skills, implement prescribed burns, monitor burn units, and deliver training with and for fellow practitioners.
Build rewarding relationships within the regional fire and stewardship community which includes numerous agency, NGO, and Tribal partners.