Prescribed Fire Practitioner II - The Nature Conservancy

California, USA

Open to Humboldt, Siskiyou and Trinity Counties

#LI-onsite

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 Nature Conservancy is the world’s leading non-profit organization working on fire issues. We have been working with fire since 1962, when we conducted our first controlled burn. Our approach has evolved from one that was primarily focused on managing our preserves for biodiversity to one that includes developing more equitable policy and funding, supporting the leadership of Indigenous fire practitioners, growing skilled and diverse fire management workforces and helping communities develop ways to live more safely with wildfire.

Landscapes throughout North America are adapted to fire, and Indigenous Peoples have lived alongside and used fire to steward the land since time immemorial. Today, the relationships between fire and people, and fire and the land, are quite different resulting from a legacy of fire exclusion policy, land use practices and a changing climate. Extreme wildfire events can be devastating with mounting societal costs, and the absence of fire can damage ecosystems and Indigenous cultures. The Nature Conservancy and our partners envision a better future with fire —one in which natural areas are sustained by and ready for fire and communities are empowered and prepared to live with fire.
 
Join us as a Prescribed Fire Practitioner and be at the heart of an evolving fire culture. The Nature Conservancy's North America Fire program is developing a prescribed fire workforce to put more good fire on the ground in the places where it matters most. By expanding the use of proactive beneficial fire, we're working to ensure resilient landscapes and improve the safety of human communities. But that's not all - your journey with us means flexible work schedules, living wages, and continuous growth. With the North America Fire program, you'll have countless opportunities to master new techniques and equipment to level up your skills and certifications. Plus, you'll build strong relationships within the fire community and local areas where we operate. Come join TNC and apply today!

The Prescribed Fire Practitioner II works in a team environment and participates in prescribed fire assignments, wildland fire operations, and other land stewardship activities as assigned. The Prescribed Fire Practitioner II engages in preparing fire lines, maintaining equipment, post-burn monitoring and other tasks. They may perform other preserve management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire.
 
As part of their ongoing professional development, the Prescribed Fire Practitioner II will be responsible for keeping up with new burn techniques and equipment to enhance skills and maintain/grow professional fire certification credentials. In addition, they shall work to build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and in the local community where the Conservancy works. This includes participation in partnerships with the US Forest Service and other local, state, and federal agencies, as well as other non-profits, local fire departments, and Tribal or Indigenous communities.
 
Prescribed fire assignments take place between December 2024 and May 2025. The majority of our work will be on the Six Rivers National Forest in northern California. Additional assignments will be in the western United States, and nationwide. Personnel hired for this position are expected to live in Humboldt, Siskiyou or Trinity Counties, and preference will be given to applicants who already reside in the region. Crew members living in the area will be encouraged to commute daily for work on the Six Rivers National Forest, if within a reasonable commuting distance. For national assignments, crew members will be able to determine their dates of availability, length of assignment, and return home between assignments. In most cases, the minimum assignment length will be two weeks. Please indicate your earliest potential start date and periods of availability in your application.

This is a part-time, seasonal, hourly position and overtime applies after the first 40 hours each week. Hourly compensation will range from $22.00 to $25.00 per hour. Prescribed Fire Practitioners who are qualified at the Prescribed Fire Crew Member (RXCM) or Firefighter Type Two (FFT2) level will earn between $22.00 and $23.00 per hour. Prescribed Fire Practitioners who have one or more additional qualifications will earn up to $25.00 per hour.

Travel expenses, meals, and lodging will be covered when traveling for out of area assignments. When an employee commutes daily, no travel reimbursement is provided. Approved purchases of required equipment will be partially or fully reimbursed. Alcohol use is prohibited anytime while on assignment, as members of the North America Fire program work to maintain a healthy, communal atmosphere and build trust among the partners and communities where we work.

The Prescribed Fire Practitioner II will be expected to:

• Perform tasks under the supervision of the Prescribed Fire Module Leader and in coordination with local TNC and/or USDA Forest Service fire management staff.
• Function as a professional and respectful member of a diverse team made up of people from all different backgrounds, skill sets, and life experiences.
• Conduct themselves in ways that are consistent with TNC’s Code of Conduct.
• Follow established safe work practices.
• Be able to perform heavy physical work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Assist with all aspects of prescribed burning.
• Operate ATVs, UTVs, tractors, chain saws, and leaf blowers, and tow trailers.
• Maintain assigned equipment.
• Maintain accurate records of work time, expenses, etc. and submit reports in a timely manner.
• Become competent with mobile mapping and data collection such as Collector for ArcGIS and Avenza Maps.

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

• High school diploma or equivalent.  
• Must be able to obtain the qualifications for Prescribed Fire Crew Member (RXCM) or Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2), including Introduction to ICS (I-100), Human Factors on the Fire line (L-180), Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190), Firefighting Training (S-130), and one training burn serving under the supervision of a qualified FFT2 as a requirement for this position.  See TNC Fire Management Manual.
• Must achieve physical fitness standard as determined by local Prescribed Fire Manager and the TNC Fire Management Manual.
• Experience operating various types of equipment.                         
• Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required (e.g., First Aid, CPR).

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 competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and 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 the health and well-being of the people we employ.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $22.00 to $25.00 per hour, 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.

To apply for job ID 55918 , submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on December 5, 2024. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@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.