NC Sandhills WRC Burn Crew Manager and Restoration Technician

Southern Pines, North Carolina, USA
NC404

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

The NC Sandhills Burn Crew Manager and Restoration Technician oversees a squad (3 Burn Crew Members) in wild land fire activities, as directed by a Burn Boss, or other command position on State owned lands during the months of January-June. The remainder of the year July-December they will be collaborating closely with Partners on various restoration projects, including but not limited to:

• Woody and invasive vegetation control on Sandhills Game Land drop zone
• Woody vegetation control and other restoration activities in isolated wetlands
• Assisting with study of river flows

The Burn Crew Manager and Restoration Technician (1 Position) participates in preserve operations, restoration, maintenance, and management. This may include the following functions:

• Participates in prescribed fire and wildfire activities, which may include burn unit prep, fire operations, managing staff and volunteers, maintenance of equipment and supplies, mop up, and monitoring.
• Lead or monitor staff, contractors, and partners in completing projects and achieving management goals in isolated wetland resoration, invasive species control, thinning, planting, and various other projects. Organize logistics, promote crew cohesion, and ensure a safe working environment. Contracting work involves planning a scope of work, soliciting bids, selecting contractors, confirming work is dont to satisfaction, and managing contract paperwork.
• Maintains preserves and buildings, which may include maintaining tools and equipment, repairing fences and gates, posting boundaries, and maintaining grounds and structures at historical sites.

The Burn Crew Manager and Restoration Technician may assist on wildland fire operations in other parts of the region with federal, state, or private partners, or travel to other areas of the state or out-of-state to assist other TNC programs or partners on prescribed or wildland fires.

The Burn Crew Manager and Restoration Technician supports coordination of the day-to-day activities of the prescribed fire crew and participates in preparing fire lines, maintaining equipment, post-burn monitoring and other tasks. As part of the employee's ongoing professional development, they will be responsible for keeping abreast of new burn techniques and equipment to enhance skills and maintain/grow professional fire certification credentials. In addition, they shall work to build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and in the local community where the Conservancy works. This may include participation in wildland fire suppression activities in partnership with other non-profits, local fire departments, and local, state and federal agencies, either as a TNC employee, or as a volunteer or short-term employee of the partner entity (such as an administratively determined, short term federal employee).

Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I make a difference?”, but you don’t know where to go or have the time to do it? Welcome to The Nature Conservancy. You have found the solution and now you can pointedly make a difference every day!

In this role, you will function as both a leader and a member of a team. You will lead the team by monitoring the progress of burn crew members toward achieving the fire management goals. You will be a key decision maker on the fire line based on your evaluation of fire behavior, available resources and judgment. You will also be responsible for writing contracts for resoration projects and monitoring the work being completed.

The Sandhills WRC Burn Crew Manager and Restoraion Technician position is based in or near Southern Pines, NC. Some overtime may be allowed. Housing is provided along with full benefits. This position is funded for 2.5 years with the possibility to extend, contingent on funding. The hourly rate for this position is $24.00/hr.

You may perform heavy physical work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

• High school diploma and 1-year training in fire operations, science-related field or similar field or related experience in land management.
• Qualified Fire Fighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) and successful completion of FFT1 task book. Requirements for FFT1 can be found in the Conservancy Fire Management Manual at: http://www.tncfiremanual.org/SquadBoss.htm.
• Must achieve physical fitness standards as set by local Fire Manager and the TNC Fire Manual.
• Experience operating and maintaining various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g.: chainsaw, ATV, tractor and implements, leaf blower, BK radio, hand tools, drip torch, etc.)
• Experience supervising staff or volunteers is required.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners.
• Experience and willingness to supervise a wide range of people (TNC staff and volunteers).
• May be required to obtain related licenses and certifications such as CPR and herbicide application.
• Must have valid driver’s license. Please indicate this in your resume.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 1-2 years training in fire operations or other science-related field or related experience in land management or similar field.
• Experience establishing and managing contracts.
• Experience with woody vegetation control, invasive species control, and isolated wetland restoration.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in land management and natural resource conservation.
• Ability and willingness to work in a team environment.
• Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
• Ability to navigate to remote sites with maps, written directions, and GPS.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions from co-workers.
• Ability to develop timeframes and then complete tasks within timeframes.
• Ability to evaluate inputs in a rapidly changing work environment and make decisions that affect the safety and work of firefighters within squad.

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

The hourly rate for this position is $24.00/hr.

To apply for job ID 54004, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.