Prescribed Fire and Stewardship Technician

The Nature Conservancy (All); Morehead (KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy in Kentucky seeks a Prescribed Fire and Stewardship Technician to lead burn operations and stewardship programs. Based in Lexington with possible remote negotiation for nearby counties; frequent travel required to Morehead, London, and surrounding areas.

You will develop burn and land management plans, coordinate crews, and manage equipment and budgets while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance. Strong ArcGIS/GIS skills and NWCG FFT1 certification are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management or equivalent experience.
• FFT1 and Wildland Faller qualifications or equivalent training.
• Experience with wildland fire management and prescribed burns.
• Foundational knowledge of prescribed fire, fuels, restoration, and eastern forests ecology.
• Experience operating fire and stewardship equipment and driving with a valid license.
• Proficient in ArcGIS, Avenza Maps, GPS, and Microsoft products.
• Ability to meet arduous fitness standards and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead prescribed burns, maintain firebreaks, plan logistics with crews.
• Develop burn plans, fire management plans, and land management plans.
• Maintain supplies and equipment; track maintenance records.
• Maintain fitness for arduous pack tests and ensure valid driver's license.
• Work in varied conditions, remote sites, and hazardous terrain.
• Coordinate monitoring programs; collect and report data.
• Supervise teams including staff, interns, and volunteers over large areas.
• Assist with hiring, supervision, and budgeting; ensure policy compliance.
• Network with landowners, partners, and public to support Conservancy goals.

Skills

NWCG FFT1

Wildland Faller

ArcGIS

Avenza Maps

GPS

Microsoft Office

Driver's license

Physical fitness

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural resource management

Tools

Fire pumps

Power equipment

Tractors

Skid-steers

UTVs

Engines

Trailers

Job description

Your Position with TNC
The Prescribed Fire and Stewardship Technician is a key position for the growth of our prescribed fire and land stewardship programs in Kentucky. The position is based in Lexington, KY, however a remote work option may be negotiated for highly qualified applicants residing within proximity of TNC work areas Lexington, Morehead, or London, KY. Frequent travel is required.

Essential Functions
The Prescribed Fire and Stewardship Technician (PFST) provides technical leadership and support to the Kentucky Business Unit and plans and directs preserve management programs and stewardship. The PFST addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual species, fosters cross-site learning among the conservation community, and supplies conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information relevant to the planning process. The PFST assists with developing and implementing conservation strategies related to prescribed fire and preserve stewardship and employs a full range of habitat management tools and strategies. They will also implement a variety of strategies to secure public and private funding support for TNC conservation priorities. The PFST coordinates community support, coordinates with partners, and ensures the maintenance of preserve areas frequented by the visiting public and coordinates multiple projects, sets deadlines and manages completion.

As part of the Prescribe Fire and Stewardship Technician’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. 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 may include participation in wildland fire suppression activities in partnership with other non‑profits, local fire departments, and local, state, and federal agencies, either as a TNC employee, or as a volunteer or short-term employee of the partner entity (such as an Administratively Determined, short-term federal employee).

Responsibilities & Scope

• Assists with the implementation of prescribed burns by maintaining firebreaks, leading squads of 3 – 7 firefighters, maintaining fire equipment, and planning logistics.
• Assists with the development of prescribed burn plans, fire management plans, and land management plans.
• Maintains fire and stewardship supplies and equipment and maintains maintenance records.
• Maintains physical fitness necessary for maintaining wildland fire qualifications (arduous level).
• Works in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Leads vegetation and fire effects monitoring programs, collects maintains, and reports data.
• Leads and monitors work groups consisting of staff, interns, and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
• Assists with hiring, supervising, and managing seasonal staff and volunteers.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Financial responsibility including working within a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors and assisting with budget development.
• Manages preserves, preserves infrastructure, and maintains hiking trails.
• Maintains herbicide applicator licenses and applies herbicides.
• Functions as a leader and member of a work team, in high stress environments.
• Networks with diverse groups, including landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members, volunteers, and the public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy programs/preserves.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• NWCG Squad Boss (FFT1), and Wildland Faller qualified, or equivalent, documented training and experience at or above the FFT1 and Wildland Faller qualifications.
• Experience with wildland fire management in the Appalachians or similar ecosystems including but not limited to implementing prescribed burns, assisting with burn plan development, supervising squads, working with engines and UTVs, preparing firebreaks, monitoring fire effects, writing prescribed burn plans, and working with state and federal partners.
• Must have foundational knowledge and experience of prescribed fire, fuels management, restoration, and overall ecology of eastern forests, native grasslands found within Kentucky.
• Must have demonstrated experience maintaining and operation various types of fire and stewardship equipment including but not limited to fire pumps, power equipment, off-road vehicles, skid-steers, tractors, and the ability to load, transport, and tow trailers.
• Must be experienced using ArcGIS, Avenza Maps, GPS, and Microsoft Products.
• Must be able to maintain arduous fitness level demonstrated by successfully completing the arduous pack test and must have and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must have valid driver’s license and good driving record.

Desired Qualifications

• 5 years’ experience in natural resource management, similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Single Resources Boss – Engine Boss (ENGB), and / or Firing Boss (FIRB) qualified.
• Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.

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 the Auto Safety information page. 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.

Salary Information

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $55,000 - $57,000. 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. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring:

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