The NC Sandhills Assistant Burn Crew Manager oversees a squad (4-8 Burn Crew Members) in wild land fire activities, as directed by the Burn Crew Manager, Burn Boss, or other command position.
The NC Sandhills Assistant Burn Crew Manager (1 position) 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 Assistant Burn 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.
The Assistant Burn Crew Manager supports coordination of the 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 Assistant Burn 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.
- Qualified Fire Fighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) and successful completion of FFT1 task book or currently FFT1 trainee. 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 in a safe and efficient manner (e.g.: chainsaw, ATV, tractor and implements, leaf blower, BK radio, hand tools, drip torch, etc.)
- Experience supervising staff or volunteers is required
- Must have valid driver’s license and good driving record.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 1-2 years training in fire operations or other science-related field or related experience in land management or similar field.
- 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.