The NC Sandhills Fire Crew Manager (Squad 2) 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.
- Participates in and manages restoration projects including thinning, planting, and other projects
- 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 Fire Crew Manager may assist on wildland fire operations in other parts of the North Carolina Sandhills 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. Housing or a housing stipend is provided to all crew members.
This position is expected to be 3-4 months in duration, approximately May-August 2018.
The NC Sandhills Fire Crew Manager coordinates and plans day-to-day activities of the prescribed fire crew and participates in wildland fire operations which include ignition, control, mop-up, suppression, monitoring, etc. All TNC staff actively participating on a prescribed burn must be qualified as a FFT2. The NC Sandhills Fire Crew Manager will participate in preparing fire lines, maintaining equipment, post-burn monitoring and other tasks. May perform other preserve management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Function as both leader and member of a work team, in a high stress team environment.
- Convey work instructions to Burn Crew members.
- Monitor the progress of Burn Crew Members toward achieving fire management goals.
- Makes decisions on the fire line based upon evaluation of fire behavior, available resources and judgment.
- Perform other preserve management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire.
- Ability to perform heavy physical work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 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.
- Experience supervising staff is required
- May be required to obtain related licenses and certifications such as CPR, Driver’s license, and first aid.
- Must achieve physical fitness standards as set by local Fire Manager.
- Ability to operate 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.)
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions from co-workers.
- Ability to develop timeframes and then complete tasks within timeframes.
- Experience and willingness to supervise a wide range of people (TNC staff and volunteers).
- 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.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 1-2 years training in fire operations or other science-related field or related experience in land management.
- Ability and willingness to work in a team environment.
- Ability to evaluate inputs in a rapidly changing work environment and make decisions that affect the safety and work of firefighters within squad.
- PC familiarity, including database knowledge, in order to maintain preserve records.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.