The Burn Crew Manager oversees logistics and coordination for a 20-person as-needed fire crew in the Southern Blue Ridge, as directed by a Burn Boss or other command position.
The Burn Crew Manager (BCM) has a leadership role on prescribed burns throughout Southern Blue Ridge from October 15, 2018 through July 5, 2019. The Conservancy supports Southern Blue Ridge Fire Learning Network partners on multiple controlled burns each year. Together with the 20-person as-needed burn crew, the crew manager helps fill a void of wildland firefighters for single or multi-day prescribed fire operations. This position coordinates staff meeting times, oversees equipment preparation and rehabilitation, engine maintenance, radio programming, travels to burn sites and routinely has supervisory responsibility of crew during burns and frequently serves as Firing Boss. Staffing needs for this position could average 40-50 hours per operational period (bi-weekly) at the discretion of the Southern Blue Ridge Stewardship Manager. Operational periods are generally sporadic and clustered by opportune weather conditions, and no guarantee of a minimum number of opportunities is given or implied. The Burn Crew Manager will participate on opportunities only as their own schedules will allow, and thus participation on any given opportunity is not required.
The primary responsibilities of the Burn Crew Manager will be to: oversee communication with crew and volunteers to determine availability using Active 911; ensure crew receives Avenza maps; work with Stewardship Manager to assign crew to burns, plan transport of crew to/from Asheville - work sites, ensure equipment is ready (refill drip torches, charge radios; sharpen hand tools, service chainsaws, prep engine and trash pumps and help maintain shop space); supervise 4-8 FFTs (holding-firing) on prescribed burns; secure meals and overnight lodging for crew when needed; planning and directing team building activities; leadership role in annual fire refresher. Wildland fire operations includes line construction, holding, ignition, patrol, mop-up, and monitoring. All 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 a radio and transportation from Asheville to the burn unit and return. TNC can provide line pack, fire shelter, and radio harness if necessary. There is also potential for assisting on forestry-related projects.
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.
- 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.
- Must have valid driver’s license and good driving record.
- Must be qualified (and have proper documentation) as a Fire Fighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) and successful completion of FFT1 task book. Requirements for FFT1 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 and can be found in the Conservancy Fire Management Manual at: http://www.tncfiremanual.org/SquadBoss.htm (TNC will provide refresher and administer arduous pack test at the start of the position.)
- Ability to achieve and maintain arduous physical fitness standard. Must be able to walk 3 miles in less than 45 minutes carrying 45 lbs.
- Experience supervising staff is required
- May be required to obtain related licenses and certifications such as CPR.
- Experience operating various types of equipment.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Preferably able to operate standard transmission vehicles and comfortable pulling equipment trailers.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- More than 4 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.
- Ability to coordinate with staff and external partners through technology including text messages and emails; familiarity with Avenza PDFMaps.
- Firing Boss Qualified
- 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).