Andrew Pickens Forest Recovery Technician

USA The Nature Conservancy; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy’s South Carolina Chapter seeks a Forest Recovery Technician to support the Andrew Pickens Ranger District in a five-year recovery and restoration effort. You will engage in field activities that reduce fuels, restore forests, improve watershed health, and strengthen wildfire preparedness while working with agency staff, contractors, and partners.

You will help with prescribed fire preparation and implementation, monitoring, data collection, and documentation, in demanding

Qualifications

• Field activities supporting forest recovery, fuels reduction, restoration, and monitoring.
• Complete assigned field tasks per plans, procedures, and direction.
• Support prescribed fire, vegetation management, and invasive species work.

Responsibilities

• Perform field and operational tasks within established procedures and priorities.
• Maintain field readiness and equipment, supplies, and safety.
• Collect data, treatment records, and report field results.
• Assist with logistics and communication to project leads.
• Work with TNC staff, agency personnel, contractors, and communities.

Skills

Fieldwork

Hazardous fuels

Prescribed fire

Data collection

Safety procedures

Teamwork

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Forest Recovery Technician will support implementation of a five-year Hurricane Helene recovery and forest restoration agreement between The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the U.S. Forest Service on the Sumter National Forest, with a focus on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. The position will help deliver on-the-ground recovery work that reduces hazardous fuels, restores resilient forests, improves watershed health and biological diversity, and strengthens community wildfire preparedness across the Southern Blue Ridge region of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Working as part of TNC's South Carolina Forest Recovery Team, the Technician will carry out field activities supporting forest restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, prescribed fire, post-storm recovery, and related monitoring. The position will complete assigned work in accordance with established plans, procedures, and technical direction and will work alongside TNC staff, U.S. Forest Service personnel, contractors, and other partners to support safe and efficient operations. Work will occur primarily on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest and may include adjacent lands where treatments directly support recovery and restoration objectives for the district. Some work will occasionally occur on the Long Cane Ranger District or at other approved locations. Activities may include prescribed fire preparation and implementation, mechanical and manual fuels work, fire control feature construction and rehabilitation, invasive species treatment, vegetation management, field assessment, fuels characterization, data collection, and restoration of disturbed areas with native vegetation. The Technician will help maintain field readiness by inspecting and maintaining tools, vehicles, equipment, personal protective equipment, and supplies; supporting logistics and mobilization; documenting accomplishments; and communicating field conditions, safety concerns, and operational needs to designated project leads. The position may serve in Incident Command System positions for which the employee is qualified or formally assigned as a trainee. The position requires work in variable weather, smoke, remote locations, steep and rugged mountain terrain, and physically demanding conditions. Frequent travel to project sites and occasional overnight, evening, weekend, and extended operational assignments will be required. This is a full-time, term position based in the Upstate of South Carolina, within reasonable commuting distance of the Andrew Pickens Ranger District, and may be extended beyond the initial five-year term, subject to funding and organizational need.

We're Looking for You:

If you are looking for meaningful field-based conservation work, join TNC's South Carolina Chapter as a Forest Recovery Technician supporting the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. You will help turn Hurricane Helene recovery investments into visible, measurable results on the ground while building a strong safety culture and supporting a capable, collaborative restoration team. We are seeking a practical, dependable team member who can follow established plans, solve routine field problems, communicate clearly, and contribute directly to demanding restoration and prescribed fire operations. The successful candidate will balance production, safety, stewardship, accurate documentation, and respectful collaboration with agency staff, contractors, partners, and communities.

Essential Functions:

• Participate in field activities that support forest recovery, prescribed fire, hazardous fuels reduction, ecological restoration, and related conservation objectives.


• Complete assigned field tasks in accordance with work plans, established procedures, technical direction, and changing field conditions.


• Support the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and follow-up of prescribed fire, vegetation management, invasive species treatment, and other forest restoration activities.


• Operate and maintain tools, vehicles, equipment, and project supplies in accordance with training, authorization, and established safety requirements.


• Collect and maintain field data, treatment records, and other documentation needed to track accomplishments and support project reporting.


• Promote safe and compliant operations by participating in briefings, hazard assessments, after-action reviews, and incident reporting and by following approved plans, policies, and environmental requirements.


• Assist with field logistics and communicate operational needs, progress, safety concerns, and project results to designated project leads.


• Work collaboratively with TNC staff, agency personnel, contractors, landowners, community members, and other partners; support training and outreach activities when assigned.

Responsibilities & Scope:

• Performs field and operational tasks within established procedures and assigned priorities.


• Is accountable for completing assigned work