Call-When-Needed Wildland Fire Training Instructor

The Ember Alliance; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 24,796 - 33,062; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedule

Diverse training environment

Opportunities for creativity and expansion

Job summary

The Ember Alliance is seeking a Call-When-Needed Instructor in Fort Collins, CO to conduct wildland fire training events. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in prescribed fire and wildland experience, effective communication skills, and a commitment to working with diverse populations. Responsibilities include teaching courses, implementing training events, and engaging in prescribed fire operations. The position offers flexible scheduling and competitive hourly pay, with opportunities for overtime.

Qualifications

• Must pass the arduous pack test annually and maintain a Red Card.
• Must have experience teaching diverse populations.
• Knowledge of adult learning pedagogy preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with implementation of training events for TEA and partner organizations.
• Teach soft skills during NWCG courses.
• Occasionally engage in prescribed fire operations.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Enthusiasm for teaching

Saw skills and training experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Qualified as Single Resource Boss

Experience implementing NWCG classes

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Company Description

The Ember Alliance is a national organization of fire practitioners, researchers, analysts, and instructors dedicated to increasing the pace and scale of prescribed fire and planning. The Ember Alliance is dedicated to supporting fire as a natural process in fire‑adapted ecosystems on a landscape scale to improve ecosystem function and health and increase wildfire resilience.

TEA’s Training Program builds skills and confidence for fire practitioners from all backgrounds and experience levels in an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Our training events offer well‑rounded skill sets for fire practitioners to help build capacity for the fire management community We are dedicated to creating a better educational experience to reach underserved and underrepresented populations to promote a more diverse fire management community. TEA’s Training Department is part of a rapidly growing organization with lots of opportunities for creativity and programmatic expansion.

The Ember Alliance provides an open, transparent, and just organization and workplace. We strive for clear, open, and kind communication and are committed to centering, recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and supporting fire practitioners from traditionally underserved and underrepresented communities. We are dedicated to building a better way to do fire management, that recognizes the inherent value of our employees, that supports work / life balance, and provides an environment that supports growth.

Job Description

The successful candidate will have strong experience in conducting wildland fire training events (with a particular focus on 100-200‑level courses and saw training), extensive prescribed fire and wildland fire experience, strong communication skills, and a clear commitment to working with diverse populations. They will work under direction of the Assistant Director of Training to:

• Assist with implementation of training events for TEA, partner organizations (state, federal, non‑profit, youth corps, Department of Defense lands, etc.)
• Implement blended curriculum including virtually (instructor led online) and experientially (hands‑on)
• Teach ‘non‑traditional’ soft skills during NWCG courses (e.g. self‑care/stress management, conflict resolution, anti‑bullying, active bystander, etc.)
• Train underserved and underrepresented populations (POC, women, landowners, Department of Defense, etc.)
• Build skills and confidence for fire practitioners from all backgrounds and experience levels in an inclusive and supportive learning environment
• Manage work assignments with minimal direction from supervisors
• May oversee staff, volunteers, and individuals or crews from other agencies or organizations when serving in a leadership role during training
• Occasionally engage in prescribed fire operations and/or support a prescribed fire IMT during Training Events
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic, including a commitment to principles of Duty, Integrity and Respect. Actively participate in creating a kind, safe and healthy work environment which encourages the diversity, equity and inclusion of all people.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Qualified as at least Single Resource Boss, (and FAL2 if instructing for an S-212)
• M-410 or teaching equivalent and ability to be lead instructor for 100 and 200-level NWCG courses
• Experience implementing National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) classes in person and/or virtually including S-130/190 and S-212
• Clear verbal communication skills and strong organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for teaching
• Effective knowledge of common software applications (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching diverse populations, especially 18‑25 young adults from underserved and underrepresented communities, including Conservation Crews or Youth Corps
• Knowledge of adult learning pedagogy
• Experience working with partner organizations to organize and implement training events
• Experience as cadre on a Training Exchange (TREX)
• Experience working on Department of Defense (DoD) lands (military installations)
• Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
• Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4)
• Wilderness First Responder or higher medical qualifications
• Strong saw skills and saw skill training experience

We strongly encourage any individual that meets 80% or more of requirements to apply.

Additional Information

Fitness and Red Card Requirements

You must pass the arduous pack test annually and maintain a Red Card with currency in the position you are acting:

• Lead Instructor: Double Single Resource
• Assistant Instructor: Single Resource Boss Trainee, FFT1, Senior Firefighter
• Training Technician: FFT1
• All instructors on S-212 classes must maintain currency as a FAL2 or higher

Projects may require remote work outdoors in adverse conditions on steep and rugged terrain and/or in inclement and variable weather conditions. Employees must abide by The Ember Alliance’s current Covid policies.

Schedule Requirements

The schedule will vary depending on training needs. Training Projects may require working 10-12 hour days and/or outside of normal business hours, working during weekends and/or up to 14 days continuously, and travel for extended periods of time. Flexible work schedules will be considered to accommodate family or other commitments.

Pay

Call-When-Needed Instructor pay is determined by the position in which you are acting for a specific training:

• Lead Instructor (Double Single Resource, M-410): $24.00/hr
• Assistant Instructor (Single Resource Trainee/ FFT1): $21.50/hr
• Unit Instructor (FFT1 Qualification): $18/hr

Overtime is expected and will be based on operational needs. The Ember Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.

Location

The Ember Alliance is headquartered in Fort Collins; GPPFM is based in Loveland, CO. Our team works nationally on training assignments; the job may require extended travel.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit a one-page cover letter, two professional references who have seen you teach or a video recording of you teaching, resume, and fire master record. Copies of all NWCG certificates and all pages of completed task books must be provided prior to employment. Application is rolling. Please specify your earliest available start date.