Prescribed Fire Lead – Mountain Region

North Carolina Zoo; North Carolina; On-site; USD 48,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Zoo seeks a Mountain Region Fire Management Specialist to lead ecological burning across regional parks. This role focuses on developing burn prescriptions, directing ecological burns, monitoring outcomes, and shaping fire management strategies with cross-regional collaboration.

Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor's in environmental or natural resources science and proven on‑the‑ground prescribed fire experience, plus NWCG training capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in on the ground prescribed fire implementation.
• Knowledge of fire management principles, burn prescription development, and ecological burning techniques.

Responsibilities

• Collect and manage data and geospatial maps for prescriptions, burn units, reporting, and planning.
• Assist with and lead prescribed burns, including monitoring before, during, and after operations.
• Support planning, installation, and maintenance of fire control lines.
• Purchase, maintain, and track fire equipment for regional fire crews.
• Coordinate prescribed fire activities with partner agencies on park lands.
• Plan and deliver NWCG fire trainings that support certification of Division burn bosses.
• Operate and maintain fire vehicles per Division standards.
• Perform wildland fire suppression, mop-up, and mitigation duties.

Skills

Prescribed fire experience

Geospatial data handling

NWCG training coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental or natural resources science

Tools

Geospatial software (GIS)

NWCG certifications (S-xxx)

Job description

The North Carolina Zoo seeks a Mountain Region Fire Management Specialist to lead ecological burning across regional parks. This role focuses on developing burn prescriptions, directing ecological burns, monitoring outcomes, and shaping fire management strategies with cross-regional collaboration.

Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor's in environmental or natural resources science and proven on‑the‑ground prescribed fire experience, plus NWCG training capabilities.