The Chattahoochee Fall Line (CFL) Stewardship Manager develops, manages and advances strategies to restore and maintain the longleaf pine ecosystem and its associated habitat types on ~29,000-acres of lands owned/managed by TNC and its partners in the landscape surrounding Fort Benning Military Installation. Strategies predominately focus on the implementation of prescribed fire, therefore the CFL Stewardship Manager must be able to direct prescribed fire operations and oversee training and qualifications of crew members at the local level.
The CFL Stewardship Manager is responsible for the management of The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) network of land holdings located in the Chattahoochee Fall Line Region of Georgia. They participate and lead in the development and implementation of land management plans for TNC preserves. S/he oversees TNC’s prescribed fire program in the CFL. They play a leadership role on burns in the CFL and works closely with Georgia Forestry Commission staff in planning for collaborative efforts and wildfire responses in the area. They are responsible for the readiness of burn units in the area, fire equipment, vehicles and storage areas, and evaluating burns. They provide technical and management expertise to other Conservancy programs and partners in fire management. They also build and maintain relationships with partners ranging from community groups, educational institutions and state and federal partners in achieving TNC’s goals. The CFL Stewardship Manager works closely with the chapter’s Fire Manager, contractors, volunteers, interns and seasonal employees. This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits. If needed, temporary housing is available.
FIRE AND STEWARDSHIP
- Manage TNC land holdings in the CFL for biological diversity, resiliency and ecosystem services. Develop and implement management plans on preserves, including the ability to prioritize tasks. Supervise contractors and others engaged in activities on Conservancy lands
- Write and update burn plans to achieve ecological management objectives. Prepare units for prescribed burns. Serve in a leadership capacity on prescribed fires. Supervise seasonal fire crew.
- Develop, implement and supervise fire management on CFL lands in coordination with the chapter’s Fire Manager. Maintain a database of all burn units in the CFL to include fire history, future burn plans, and other appropriate information. Maintain wildfire response plans for CFL lands. Maintain a post-fire monitoring program.
- Develop and maintain cooperative management relationships with managers of other natural areas, commercial timber lands and public lands.
- Other land stewardship activities, as required.
OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
- Work with neighboring private and public landowners to encourage sustainable and ecologically compatible stewardship practices in strategically important areas.
- Represent The Nature Conservancy on local, state and national fire-related working groups. Media relations and community outreach within project area.
- Provide technical expertise in fire management, land stewardship and forestry for planning purposes and to other Conservancy programs where needed and compatible with local responsibilities.
- Coordinate training for partners as well as training and recruitment of volunteer burn crew to assist staff with prescribed fires.
- Work with educational institutions in developing partnerships and building capacity.
OTHER
- Manage and maintain all TNC equipment, vehicles, and structures. Responsible for the readiness and transport of all fire equipment.
- Some administrative duties such as filing, TNC credit card accounting, vehicle and equipment maintenance records, and supplies.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
- Makes decisions in rapidly changing and potentially hazardous conditions that may affect the safety of staff and resources.
- Oversees staff and volunteers who serve as Burn Crew Members.
- Ensures Crew Members are well-trained and maintains records of training. Reports experience and training for crew to Conservancy Fire Manager annually for recording to Incident Qualification and Certification System.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Under minimal supervision makes independent decision based on analysis, experience and judgment.
- Must meet NWCG qualifications for Single Resource Boss, including coursework and experience requirements. See the Conservancy’s Fire Management Manual for a full explanation of qualification requirements: http://www.tncfiremanual.org/BurnBoss.htm .
- Must achieve physical fitness standards as set by local Fire Manager.
- Experience directing prescribed fire operations, preferably in the longleaf pine ecosystem.
- Experience training and supervising staff and burn crew members or volunteers
- Experience leading effectively in stressful situations.
- Familiarity and ability to recognize southeastern threatened and endangered species leading to developing plans for the restoration of extirpated plant and animal species.
- Experience in developing ecological timber management plans.
- Experience using applications such as ArcGIS, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
- Must have valid driver’s license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Meet NWCG qualifications for RxB2 or ability to achieve that position within two months of start date, including coursework and experience requirements. See the Conservancy’s Fire Management Manual for a full explanation of qualification requirements: http://www.tncfiremanual.org/BurnBoss.htm .
- Experience in restoring and maintaining the longleaf pine ecosystem or willingness to learn.
- Ability to recognize plant and animal species for executing an ecologically appropriate fire regime.
- Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation.
- Multi-lingual skills and multicultural or cross cultural experience appreciated.
- Relationship building and negotiation skills.
- Experience managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results.
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Experience using maintenance tools, including lawn mowers, power and construction tools is preferred.
This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.
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.