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Sandhills Stewardship and Fire Program Manager

This job is no longer available

Southern Pines, NC, USA
Full-time

The Sandhills Stewardship and Fire Program Manager develops, manages and advances conservation programs for the restoration and management of large-scale areas within the Sandhills region of North Carolina. This position has three major focal areas: 1) leading the restoration, management and monitoring of Longleaf pine savanna (and associated communities) in the Sandhills, especially on TNC lands, to help meet the organization’s goal of creating resilient and connected habitats; 2) leading the Sandhills prescribed burn program, including planning, implementing, and evaluating all aspects of the program, to enable the safe and long-term management of natural communities in the region; and, 3) interacting with direct reports, colleagues, partners and others in a way that fosters information sharing and learning, collaboration that leads to positive and strategic conservation actions, and leveraging of resources to increase the impact and influence of the Sandhills stewardship and fire management programs within the region.

Areas of Responsibility: 

The Sandhills Stewardship and Fire Program Manager is responsible for the restoration and management of TNC’s network of nature preserves located in the Sandhills of North Carolina. S/he leads the development and implementation of ecological restoration and land management plans for TNC preserves and TNC’s prescribed fire program in the Sandhills.  S/he works closely with NC State Forest Service, NC Wildlife Resource Commission, NC State Parks, and other partners in planning for collaborative fire management and stewardship efforts and wildfire responses. S/he is responsible for writing burn plans, maintaining fire equipment and vehicles, crew training and preparedness, prepping TNC burn units, leading burns as burn boss, and evaluating the effectiveness of burns.  This position will oversee and implement planting of longleaf pine trees and native groundcover, restoration timber sales, invasive species control, and other management activities. S/he maintains preserve infrastructure, manages hunting leases and other agreements, and oversees contractual work. S/he provides technical and management expertise to other TNC programs and partners. S/he also builds and maintains relationships with partners ranging from community groups, educational institutions and state and federal agencies to achieve TNC’s goals. The Sandhills Stewardship and Fire Program Manager works closely with the SE Program Director and the Assistant Director of Science and Stewardship (NC Fire Manager) to implement stewardship and fire programs.  The Sandhills Stewardship and Fire Program Manager supervises the Sandhills Conservation Coordinator position, contractors, volunteers, interns and seasonal fire crew members.  S/he is supervised by the Southeast NC Program Director. This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits.

STEWARDSHIP AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

  • Lead the restoration and management of TNC preserves in the Sandhills and surrounding areas in coordination with the SE Program Director for biological diversity, ecosystem function, and resiliency.  Develop and implement restoration and management plans on preserves, including prioritized restoration actions, consideration of federally protected and rare species, adaptive management approaches, and managed public access.
  • Oversee all aspects of fire management on TNC preserves in the Sandhills in coordination with the NC Fire Manager. Prepare and update burn plans and maintain wildfire response plans for Sandhills preserves, including the readiness of all fire equipment and vehicles. 
  • Responsible for keeping abreast of new stewardship and burn techniques and equipment to enhance knowledge and capacity.  Maintain and advance professional fire certification credentials. 
  • Assist in maintaining a Sandhills restoration and management database (MS Access and GIS) which includes, burn units, stewardship activities (burn events, timber stand improvement, etc.), fire history, future burn priorities, and other restoration and management data. 
  • Financial responsibilities include: working within and managing budgets to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
  • Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
  • Oversee hunting leases, coordinate Army training on TNC lands, manage timber sales, tree and grass planting, invasive species control, and coordinate other stewardship activities, as required.

COMMUNICATIONS, OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

  • Develop and maintain cooperative and action-oriented relationships with federal, state, and local conservation partners, local municipalities, Department of Defense (Fort Bragg), commercial timber producers, and private landowners to encourage sustainable and ecologically compatible stewardship practices in strategically important areas.
  • Build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and in the local community where TNC works. This may include participation in wildland fire suppression activities in partnership with state and federal agencies, either as a TNC employee, or as a volunteer or short-term employee of the partner entity.
  • Represent TNC on local, state and national working groups. 
  • Provide technical expertise in fire management and stewardship to TNC colleagues and partnerships in the Sandhills region.
  • Occasionally provide preserve tours to assist with philanthropy and to provide outreach to landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the general-public to recruit support for TNC and publicize TNC efforts.
  • Occasionally interact with media and participate in public speaking events, such as conferences and symposium.
  • Assist with grant proposal development.
  • Work with academic institutions in developing partnerships and building capacity.

SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION

  • Supervise the Sandhills Conservation Coordinator with responsibility for performance management and career development.  Establish clear directions and set stretch goals.
  • Supervise seasonal fire crews, including hiring, on-boarding, organizing housing, day-to-day oversight and planning of work, and providing training opportunities.
  • Administrative duties include maintaining restoration and GIS databases, filing, credit card accounting, budgeting, time card approvals, vehicle and equipment maintenance records, maintaining supplies, and managing the Sandhills office space and equipment shop.
Educational Background: 
BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Skills/Experience: 
  • Must meet one of the following fire qualifications: 1) NWCG RXB2; or, 2) NWCG ENGB working towards ICT4 (incident commander); or, 3) experienced state agency burn boss with demonstrated skill working in Longleaf pine ecosystems.  Note: NWCG RxB2 qualification is highly preferred.  For applicants who are not RxB2 certified, preference will be given to those who are closer to achieving this certification (e.g. ENGB or RxB3 working towards ICT4) and those with greater experience burning in Longleaf pine ecosystems.
  • Experience implementing forest management projects and understanding of timber management and forestry best management practices.
  • Three years of supervisory experience.
  • Experience with inter-personal skills, including: excellent communication (verbal and written) with staff, colleagues, partners and the public, effective leadership skills, the ability to work in a team environment, an understanding of conflict resolution, and a positive attitude.
  • Experience working effectively and positively with a diverse array of people.
  • Experience working independently with strong problem-solving and organizational skills; ability to coordinate multiple projects, set priorities with realistic deadlines, and work productively without close supervision.
  • Experience developing, negotiating and implementing complex agreements and plans. 
  • Experience using common software applications, such as Word, Excel, Outlook, ArcGIS products (mobile and desktop), and Web browsers.
  • Valid NC driver’s license required.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Ability to interpret guidelines, evaluate information, and modify processes and plans to adapt to changing circumstances.
  • Ability to apply diversified knowledge of scientific principles and practices to a variety of assignments and to cultivate and develop creative ideas to improve conservation strategies.
  • Familiarity with the plants, animals, and ecosystems of the Sandhills.
  • Knowledge of Forest Stewardship Certification requirements.
  • Experience communicating with the media both in writing and verbally.
  • Ability to simplify and explain the principles of conservation science and practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Mulit-lungual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
  • Willingness to work long hours, especially during the burn season, and/or perform physically demanding and sometimes dangerous work, at times under adverse conditions.
Compensation/Benefits: 

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.

Organization Info

Nature Conservancy

Overview
Headquarters: 
Arlington, VA, United States
Annual Budget : 
More than $500M
Founded: 
1954
About Us
Mission: 

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.

Our vision is a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives.

How do we achieve this mission and vision?

Through the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, including more than 600 scientists, all of whom impact conservation in 69 countries.

With the help of our many partners, from individuals and governments to local nonprofits and corporations.

By using a non-confrontational, collaborative approach and staying true to our five unique core values.

That's how The Nature Conservancy has done more than anyone else to advance conservation around the world since our founding in 1951.

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
May 25 2019
Active Until: 
Jun 25 2019
Hiring Organization: 
Nature Conservancy
industry: 
Nonprofit