Burn Crew Manager (MP)

nature; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina seeks a Burn Crew Manager to lead a three-person crew conducting prescribed fires across various habitats, primarily in the Coastal Plain. This role supervises crew technicians and coordinates with fire management staff, ensuring safety and efficiency in burn operations.

Based in Awendaw, SC, the position involves travel and occasional overnight work, with housing provided.

Qualifications

• FFT1 credential and completion of FFT1 task book.
• NWCG arduous wildland firefighter rating required.
• Experience supervising staff or volunteers.
• Experience operating and maintaining burn-related equipment.
• Willingness to travel extensively, including weekends and flexible hours.
• Ability to perform physical work under adverse conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead burn crew and act as liaison with fire management staff in SC.
• Supervise three seasonal Burn Crew Technicians; monitor progress toward fire management goals.
• Handle time and expense tracking, equipment repair, and purchasing for program needs.
• Make key decisions on the fire line based on fire behavior and resources.
• Stay current with burn techniques and equipment; maintain fire certification credentials.
• Assist on wildland fire operations with partners and travel as needed.
• Build and maintain relationships within the professional fire community and local area.

Skills

Fire management

Team leadership

Physical fitness

Safety compliance

Communication

Education

FFT1 task book

NWCG arduous rating

Tools

4WD vehicles

Type-6 engines

ATVs/UTVs

Chainsaws

Drip torch

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

Over eighty percent of North American ecosystems depend on fire for essential ecological functions. Indigenous people have used fire for millennia and contemporary land managers continue the practice, although not to the same degree or effect. The Nature Conservancy and our partners seek a better future with fire-one where natural areas are sustained by and ready for fire and where communities are empowered and prepared to live with fire.

TNC-South Carolina aims to facilitate an increase of 50,000 acres of prescribed fire across SC over the next 5 years. As part of this goal, this position will support TNC and partner organizations with prescribed fire operations, planning, and preparations. The impact will be not only seen in the number of acres treated, but in individuals trained for Rx fire and in strengthening relationships with agency partners.

We're Looking for You:

The SC Coast Burn Crew Manager position serves a critical role within TNC-SC's fire program, as both a crew manager and liaison with conservation partners. Prescribed fire work will be conducted primarily in the piney forests of the Coastal Plain, though a degree of work will be in the midlands and mountains. As such, the Burn Crew Manager will learn to burn in a variety of terrains and fuel types, from montane oak-hickory forests to southern rough in the Lowcountry piney woods.

The Crew Manager supervises three seasonal Burn Crew Technicians. They are the crew's liaison with the fire management staff in the state and are supervised by the Coastal Prescribed Fire Specialist. They may also act as line supervisor on burns as assigned by the burn boss. The crew works with Conservancy staff in the preparation and implementation of prescribed burns at various preserves in South Carolina which may be owned by TNC or other public or private partners (U.S. Forest Service, SC Forestry Commission, SC State Parks, SC DNR, etc.). The crew occasionally travels overnight for up to a week to support fire operations around the state. Due to the unpredictability of weather forecasts, the schedule can be erratic, with long days and weekend work occasionally required.

In this role, you will function as both a leader and a member of a work team. You will lead the team by monitoring the progress of burn crew members toward achieving fire management goals. You will be responsible for administrative and oversight duties such as time and expense tracking, equipment repair, and purchasing supplies for ongoing programmatic needs. You will be a key decision maker on the fire line based on your evaluation of fire behavior, available resources and judgement.

As part of the incumbent's ongoing professional development, they will be responsible for keeping abreast of new burn techniques and equipment to enhance skills and maintain/grow professional fire certification credentials. The Burn Crew Manager may assist on wildland fire operations with federal, state, or private partners, or travel to other areas of the state or out-of-state to assist other TNC programs or partners on prescribed or wildland fires. In addition, they shall work to build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and in the local community where the Conservancy works.

If you have a passion for leading & collaborating with others to get good fire on the ground, then this job is for you! Position will begin on January 6, 2027 and terminate on May 28, 2027 (end date negotiable). Position will be based out of Awendaw, SC, with housing provided.

What You'll Bring:

• Qualified Fire Fighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) and successful completion of FFT1 task book. Requirements for FFT1 can be found in the Conservancy Fire Management Manual at: http://www.tncfiremanual.org/SquadBoss.htm .
• Ability to achieve a NWCG arduous wildland firefighter rating by carrying a 45lb-pack 3 miles in less than 45 minutes.
• Experience supervising staff or volunteers is required.
• Experience operating and maintaining various types of equipment, including 4WD vehicles, Type-6 Engines, ATVs/UTVs, chainsaws, drip torch, etc.
• Willingness to travel extensively and occasionally work weekends and maintain a flexible work schedule.
• Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
• Willingness to provide lace-up leather boots, minimum height of 8 inches.
• Must have a valid driver's license and good driving record.

Desired Qualifications

• Qualified Single Resource Engine Boss (ENGB) and successful completion of ENGB task book. Requirements for ENGB can be found in the Conservancy Fire Management Manual at: http://www.tncfiremanual.org/SingleResource.htm .
• Qualified as Intermediate Faller (FAL2), or ample chainsaw experience and training to safely supervise crew during saw operations.
• Advanced medical experience or qualifications i.e., Wilderness First Responder or EMT.
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail.
• Motivated, self-starting l