Southwest Prescribed Fire Project Coordinator

Forest Stewards Guild; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 57,200 - 70,720; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave

Health and dental coverage

Retirement plan with employer match

Job summary

The Forest Stewards Guild in Santa Fe, New Mexico is seeking a full-time Prescribed Fire Project Coordinator to lead projects in their fire management program. This role focuses on fostering fire-adapted communities by supporting training, collaboration, and prescribed burns across varied landscapes.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree or relevant experience, NWCG qualifications, and strong skills in leadership and logistics. The position offers competitive compensation ranging from $57,200 to $70,720 annually, along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or three years of professional experience in fire management.
• NWCG qualification as FFT1 and chainsaw experience.
• Proven leadership and experience managing crews.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement prescribed burns led by the Guild.
• Support partner burn efforts and supervise crews.
• Create outreach to support prescribed fire initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Logistical coordination

Communication

Critical thinking

Problem-solving

Fire ecology

Education

Bachelor’s degree in fire ecology, forestry, environmental science, or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

Chainsaw

Job description

Full-time

Job Description

The Prescribed Fire Project Coordinator will coordinate projects within the Guild’s fire management program in New Mexico, which seeks innovative ways to build fire–adapted communities and landscapes by increasing the implementation of prescribed fire on private and public land, creating training and education opportunities, increasing collaboration, and broadening the definition of fire management. This position supports programs including the All Hands All Lands Burn Network and the Forest Stewards Youth Corps Fire and Fuels Crews, in addition to other existing programs and landscapes across the region.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and provide logistical support for and implement prescribed burns led by the Guild.
• Support partner burn efforts and supervise field‑based prescribed fire crews.
• Support wildland and prescribed fire training, including NWCG classes.
• Create a social and political environment that supports prescribed fire through outreach and education efforts.
• Work across jurisdictions with diverse partners to apply ecologically appropriate prescribed fire and fuels treatments that lead to resilient forests, watersheds, and communities.
• Provide planning and logistical support to ensure project completion.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in fire ecology, forestry, environmental science, or another natural resources field, OR three years of professional work experience in fire management, fire ecology, forestry, environmental science, or another natural resources field.
• Prescribed fire and/or wildfire experience with NWCG qualification as FFT1.
• Chainsaw experience and FAL3 qualification.
• Proven leadership and experience leading crews in prescribed fire or wildfire operations.
• Ability to work in difficult weather conditions, navigate rough terrain, and accommodate a flexible schedule to take advantage of prescribed burn windows.
• Strong logistical skills to coordinate and support prescribed burn operations.
• Proven dedication to operational safety.
• Strong self‑direction and project‑management skills to complete projects under deadlines.
• Strong critical‑thinking and problem‑solving skills, and attention to detail.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work closely with a team.
• Strong technical writing skills and effective knowledge of common software applications.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive off‑road in challenging conditions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of risk management with a strong commitment to safety.
• Forestry knowledge or experience in forest ecosystems of the Southwest.
• Prescribed burn planning and forest management planning experience.
• NWCG qualification as a Single Resource Boss (ENGB preferred).
• Chainsaw training experience and FAL2 qualification.
• State Certified Burn Manager, RXB3, or higher prescribed fire qualifications.
• Experience delivering formal classes and on‑the‑job training.
• Wilderness First Responder or higher medical qualifications.
• Experience with ArcGIS for map production and basic analyses.

Location

This position is located at the Forest Stewards Guild’s office in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It requires travel throughout the state, including overnight stays. All travel costs from the Guild office in Santa Fe are covered, including the use of a Guild vehicle. The opportunity to work from a home office on administrative tasks will be evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.

Physical and Fitness Requirements

You must pass a arduous work‑capacity test (pack test). Projects will require remote work outdoors in adverse conditions on steep and rugged terrain and variable weather conditions.

Schedule Requirements

The average work week is 40 hours, but the schedule may vary depending on operational needs. Projects may require working 10–16 hour days, outside of normal business hours, on weekends, for up to 14 days continuously, and traveling for extended periods to respond to weather windows and other demands. Flexible work schedules will be considered to accommodate family or other commitments.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will be based on experience and qualifications ranging from $57,200 to $70,720 annually. The Guild offers a competitive benefits package: paid leave accrued hourly from day one, an additional 12 paid holidays per year, employer‑sponsored comprehensive health and dental coverage available after 30 days (80 % coverage by the Guild), short‑ and long‑term disability, accidental death/dismemberment, life insurance, family leave, participation in a retirement plan with an employer match after 90 days, and family leave after 12 months (up to six weeks paid and six weeks unpaid).

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

The Guild is an equal‑opportunity employer.