Fire in the Forest Burn Crew Member - The Nature Conservancy

Cushing, Minnesota, USA

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.”

The Fire in the Forest Burn Crew Member (BCM) participates in:

• Prescribed burning operations such as ignition, holding, mop-up, monitoring, and other tasks as assigned. 
• Preparing firebreaks, maintaining equipment, post-burn monitoring and other tasks. 
• Other duties essential to Preserve operations and ecosystem restoration.

Burn Crew Members will participate in prescribed burns in partnership with other non-profit organizations, State and Federal agencies, and Tribes.   The work will involve being outdoors in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, at times on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.  To support Burn Crew Members’ professional development, they will be introduced to regional prescribed burning ecology, equipment and practices and may be offered trainee opportunities to advance their qualifications.  In addition, they shall work to build and maintain relationships in the professional wildland fire community and in local communities where TNC works.  Burn Crew Members may gain experience on wildfires should they elect to do so and opportunities arise.
 

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for someone who is passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!

We are recruiting three Fire in the Forest Burn Crew Member positions, which will start around June 3, 2024.  Some of those positions will conclude around Oct 25, 2024.  The crews work out of TNC’s Lake Alexander Preserve near Cushing, MN or the USFS Kawashiwi Ranger District in Ely, MN. Housing can be provided.

The Fire in the Forest program focuses most of its efforts in Central Minnesota in mixed conifer and hardwood forests and works with numerous partners including Federal, State, Tribal, and private landowners. 

Some overtime is expected, and the crew may be asked to travel anywhere from the north woods along the Minnesota-Canada border to the bluff lands of southeast Minnesota.

Candidates who are not currently qualified as a Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) may complete the required on-line training before their first day of work and complete the hands-on component of the training as part of their on-boarding work time.

• High school diploma and 6 months of related experience.    
• Completion of several trainings created by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, most of which are available on-line and which may also be conducted in person: Introduction to Incident Command System (I-100), Human Factors on the Fireline (L-180), Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190), Firefighter Training (S-130). See http://www.tncfiremanual.org/firefighter.htm      
• Ability to pass the standard physical fitness test for prescribed burning.
• Experience safely operating a variety of equipment.
• Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, etc.).
   

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! 

If the candidate has already worked 6 months with The Nature Conservancy, the candidate will be  eligible for benefits. Benefits include: comprehensive health care plans (3 options to fit your needs,) flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care,) a 401(k) plan including employer match (8% after 1 year!) 8 weeks paid parental leave, up to 10 days of accrued paid time off in the first year, life insurance (2x salary,) short and long-term disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the 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.

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.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $15.50 to $19.00 hourly rate.  Pay will be based on qualifications,  specific skills and experience. 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.

This is a 40-hour work week and offers free, possibly mixed gender, crew housing on the Lake Alexander Preserve near Cushing, MN or in a rental house in Ely, MN. For a candidate with their own housing in the area, the wages may be adjusted to reflect that.

To apply for job ID 55034, 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.

For position specific questions, contact Marissa Wales at marissa.wales@tnc.org  or Jesse Sankey at jesse.sankey@tnc.org.

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.