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Fire Manager

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Bachelor’s degree and at least 4 years’ experience in fire management or natural resource management.
  • NWCG RXB2 (Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2) qualification or ability to meet RXB2 requirements.
  • Experience in developing strategies and in reviewing prescribed burn unit plans and site fire management plans.
  • Supervisory experience and demonstrated ability to train, design curricula, and lead teams under stressful conditions.

Requirements:

  • Oversee fire training, implementation, and career development of professional staff, interns, and volunteers, and maintain fire personnel qualification records.
  • Review and approve fire management plans, prescribed burn plans, and contractor qualifications; provide ignition authorizations for Conservancy prescribed burns.
  • Build partnerships with external parties, negotiate complex agreements, and communicate program needs, risks, and accomplishments to senior leadership.
  • Develop and enforce fire safety standards, monitor compliance with Conservancy SOPs, and suspend operations if safety violations or non-compliance are identified.

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Prescribed Fire Manager provides support to the Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana BU 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. 

Attendance at a Conservancy Fire Manager's Workshop is strongly recommended. 

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

  • Oversees professional staff with responsibility for fire training, implementation and career development.
  • May lead or monitor work groups consisting of staff, interns and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
  • Ensures that fire personnel qualification records are maintained; collects annual updates of information for IQCS and submits them to National training office.
  • Must build relationships with external parties and negotiate complex agreements to accomplish program goals.     
  • May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
  • Makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment.

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. With certifications like NWCG and RXB2, you'll mentor burn bosses and keep our leadership informed. 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 effectively with internal colleagues, 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 geography 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 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 and other relevant languages.

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 the Auto Safety information page. 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 $69,000 - $87,000. 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.

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

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 and Perks here.

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

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may 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 equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization 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.

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