Prescribed Fire Manager

OFFICE LOCATION

Ohio, USA

Who We Are

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor .

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

What We Can Achieve Together

The Prescribed Fire Manager provides support to Ohio and Michigan business units for fire management activities related to prescribed fires, wildfires, fire training and fire qualifications (See TNC’s Fire Management Manual). With prescribed burn qualifications including National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Prescribed Fire Manager (RXMG) and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2), the position reviews and approves fire management plans, prescribed burn plans, and contractor qualifications. The Prescribed Fire Manager mentors, supports, evaluates, certifies, and designates burn bosses. They provide Ignition Authorizations for Conservancy prescribed burns. They ensure Conservancy fire management requirements and guidelines are met or exceeded and keep senior leadership in their area informed of fire program activities, needs, risks and accomplishments. The Prescribed Fire Manager modifies or exempts specific fire management guidelines as defined in the Fire Management Manual, with written justification.

The Prescribed Fire Manager ensures that fire personnel qualification records are annually collected for and maintained in the IQCS database. They ensure timely notifications are made for all reportable fire incidents and annual reporting of the program's fire management activities. They review proposed contracts and agreements related to fire management activities and provide comments to TNC legal counsel. The Prescribed Fire Manager oversees internal reviews and designs and implements fire safety standards specific to the programs overseen, provided that those standards meet or exceed organizational standards, and may suspend fire management program operations if there is clear evidence of safety violations, serious risk of potential safety violations, or non-compliance with Conservancy SOPs, requirements, or guidelines.

As part of the incumbent’s ongoing professional development, they will keep abreast of internal and external developments in the field of wildland fire management to maintain excellence in their program. Additionally, they shall build strong partnerships with public and private partners to further the goals of the Conservancy in their area of responsibility, including delivery of or assisting with fire management training at local, regional, and national levels, participating in wildland fire suppression activities with partners as TNC employee or as a volunteer or short-term employee of the partner entity, and by participating on prescribed fire councils in Ohio and or Michigan.

This position can be based anywhere in Ohio, but may be flexible to other locations. This position will include significant driving, especially during the burn seasons in spring and fall throughout Ohio and Southern Michigan.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

Passionate about fire management and conservation? Join us as a Prescribed Fire Manager! You'll oversee burns, manage wildfire activities, and ensure our team meets high standards. This position will serve as the Prescribed Fire Manager for both Ohio and Michigan TNC and will also coordinate fire on TNC preserves, other private lands such as in collaboration with US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife in Ohio or mutual aid agreements to be developed. The geography that this role will cover spans north in central Michigan to southern Ohio, along the Ohio River, and east-west along the entirety of each state. With certifications like NWCG RXMG and RXB2, you'll mentor burn bosses and fire practitioners while keeping our leadership informed on current trends or new initiatives within wildland fire and fire science. Stay ahead with industry updates and help us advance conservation goals. Ready to ignite change? Come join TNC and apply today!

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 4 years’ experience in fire management or natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must meet NWCG qualifications for RXB2 (Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2), including coursework and experience requirements. See the TNC’s Fire Management Manual for a full explanation of qualification requirements.
• Experience in developing strategies.
• Experience in reviewing prescribed burn unit plans and site fire management plans.
• Experience in training and curriculum design.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience leading effectively in stressful situations.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
• Experience communicating and collaborating effectively with internal colleagues, external partners, and or media.
• Must achieve physical fitness standards as set by the local Fire Manager and TNC Fire Management Manual .
• Fire Manager Qualification must be approved and designated in writing by the Conservancy Fire Management Coordinator.
  
  

Desired Qualifications

• Ability and willingness to achieve NWCG Prescribed Fire Manager (RXMG) qualification.
• Familiar with the fuel types and geographies of Ohio and Michigan for which fire management activities occur and must have a demonstrated ability to evaluate people, programs, and potential problems, and to build partnerships.
• Multi-lingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
• Ability and willingness to communicate and work closely with burn bosses, land managers and scientists to develop strategies and meet conservation and fire management objectives.
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
• Familiarity with fire effects and fire behavior in local fuel types.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in fire management, conservation, land management, traditional ecological knowledge and natural resource preservation.
• Knowledge of Conservancy fire management Standard Operating Procedure, requirements, and guidelines.
• Completing tasks independently and with respect to timeline(s).
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken, and graphical means in English
  
  

What We Bring

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

AUTO SAFETY POLICY

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.

Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

SALARY INFORMATION

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $69,040 - $81,515 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

APPLY NOW

To apply for job ID 55465, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ . Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org .

Our recruiting process is a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.