The Burn Crew Manager oversees a squad of Burn Crew Members in wildland fire activities, as directed by a Burn Boss, or other command position. Position will begin on December 30, 2019 and terminate on May 29, 2020.
The South Carolina Prescribed Burn Crew Manager serves as a part of a seasonal crew of four. The crew travels extensively throughout the coastal plain and piedmont of South Carolina. The seasonal crew works with Conservancy staff in preparation and implementation of prescribed burns at various preserves which may be owned by either TNC or its public or private partners. The Crew Manager is responsible for leading the crew during non-fire activities including fire line preparation, staging, transportation, and equipment maintenance. The work schedule is weather dependent and may be highly irregular at times. Routine preserve management activities such as fencing, boundary posting, removal of invasive species, forest management, ecological monitoring and other related stewardship activities may be performed during periods when the weather is unsuitable to conduct burns. The Conservancy provides the crew members with vehicles and lodging. Lodging includes rustic lodges and often camping.
The Crew Manager supervises three seasonal, nomadic Prescribed Burn Crew Technicians. They are the crew’s liaison with the fire management staff in the state. They are supervised by the South Carolina Land Steward. They may also act as crew boss on burns as assigned by the burn boss.
The Prescribed Fire Crew Manager may assist on wildland fire operations 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
As part of the incumbent’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.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Supervise and efficiently coordinate the activities of the seasonal, nomadic crew during non-fire activities. Serve as part of a prescribed burn crew during fires as directed by fire management staff.
- Act as liaison between crew and Conservancy and partner fire management staff.
- Maintain detailed records of burn crew time and expenses, and make sure these are submitted to designated support staff in a timely manner.
- Operate fire equipment, if qualified, including ignition devices, 4WD trucks, ATV’s, UTV’s, portable pumps, pump engines, port-a-tanks, tractors, backpack blowers, brush cutters, chain saws, hand tools, and GPS units.
- Perform fire preparations, including tractor mowing, tree cutting, chain saw work, raking, handline construction, boundary delineation, etc. Must have familiarity with the safe operation of equipment and off-road vehicles and must follow recommended safety guidelines and precautions specified for said work.
- Assist with fireline construction, implementation of prescribed burns and mop-up activities. Maintain equipment and tools used on prescribed burns.
- Conduct routine preserve management work such as removal of invasive species, forest management, ecological monitoring, fence construction and repair, boundary posting, and other related stewardship activities.
- Ensure that all crew activities are accomplished safely, complying with Conservancy safety guidelines and protocol.
- 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.
- 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.
- Experience supervising staff or volunteers is required
- May be required to obtain related licenses and certifications such as CPR and herbicide application.
- Must have valid driver’s license.
DESIRED 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.
- Ability to convey work instructions to burn Crew members and communicate well with Burn Boss.
- Ability to interact with public and to convey basic information on fire management.
- Demonstrated ability to work well with a wide variety of people in stressful conditions and to follow assignments closely.
- 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.