The Burn Crew Coordinator participates on prescribed burns throughout western North Carolina from October 23, 2017 (or as late as December 4, 2017) through June 15, 2018. The Conservancy supports partner efforts on multiple controlled burns each year in which additional staff is requested. Together with the 20-person as-needed burn crew, this position is meant to help fill the gap of personnel for single or multi-day prescribed fire operations. This position coordinates staff meeting, collection of equipment and travel to burn sites and routinely supervises other staff during burns. Staffing needs for this position should average 2-4 operational periods bi-weekly and operational periods are at the discretion of the Southern Blue Ridge Stewardship Manager. Operational periods will likely be sporadic and clustered by opportune weather conditions, and no guarantee of a minimum number of opportunities is given or implied. The Burn Crew Coordinator and Burn Crew Members will participate on opportunities only as their own schedules will allow, and thus participation on any given opportunity is not required.
The primary responsibility of the Burn Crew Coordinator will be to: oversee communication with crew and determine availability; plan transport of crew to/from Asheville - work sites, preparing equipment (refill drip torches, sharpen hand tools, prep engine and pumps); supervise 4-8 FFTs (holding-firing) on TNC and partner prescribed burns. Wildland fire operations may include fireline construction, holding, ignition, patrol, mop-up, and monitoring. All TNC staff actively participating on a prescribed burn must meet FFT2 minimum qualifications but do not need a red card. Individuals will be representing the Conservancy on partner burns and must act accordingly.
Individual is expected to provide some of their own personal protective equipment (Nomex pants, Nomex shirt, fire boots, hard hat) as outlined by the TNC fire management manual http://www.tncfiremanual.org/require.htm and provide their own transportation to the meeting location in Asheville. TNC will provide radio and transportation from Asheville to the burn unit and return. TNC can provide line pack, fire shelter, and radio harness if necessary.
Potential for assisting on forestry-related projects.
- Function as both leader and member of a work team, in a high stress team environment.
- Convey work instructions to 20 Burn Crew Members.
- 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
- Must be qualified (and have proper documentation) as a Fire Fighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) and successful completion of FFT1 task book. Requirements include S-131 Advanced Firefighter, S-133 Look Up, Look Down, Look Around, Basic First Aid and CPR, and IS-700.a NIMS An Introduction. See http://www.tncfiremanual.org/SquadBoss.htm. (TNC will provide refresher and administer arduous pack test at the start of the position.)
- Experience supervising staff is required
- Ability to achieve and maintain arduous physical fitness standard. Must be able to walk 3 miles in less than 45 minutes carrying 45 lbs.
- Must have driver’s license with clean driving record.
- Experience operating various types of equipment.
- Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. CPR).
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 1-2 years training in fire operations or other science-related field or related experience in land management.
- Preferably able to operate standard transmission vehicles and comfortable pulling equipment trailers.
- Ability and willingness to work in a team environment.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross cultural experience appreciated.
- Ability to evaluate inputs in a rapidly changing work environment and make decisions that affect the safety and work of firefighters within squad.
- Ability to coordinate with staff and external partners through technology including text messages and emails; familiarity with Avenza PDFMaps.
- Other training which supports development of knowledge and skills: ATV Safety and Operations, S-212 Wildland Chainsaws, S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use. Preference will be given to those with higher qualifications (above FFT1).
$15.00/hour. Compensation will include travel time from a meet up location to the burn unit. If overnight travel is required, compensation will occur during actual work hours.