Fire Manager

Fire Manager

The Prescribed Fire Manager provides support to the Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana BU for fire management activities related to prescribed fires, wildfires, fire training and fire qualifications. With prescribed burn qualifications including National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Prescribed Fire Manager (RXMG) and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2), the position reviews and approves fire management plans, prescribed burn plans, and contractor qualifications. The Prescribed Fire Manager mentors, supports, evaluates, certifies, and designates burn bosses. They provide Ignition Authorizations for Conservancy prescribed burns. They ensure Conservancy fire management requirements and guidelines are met or exceeded and keep senior leadership in their area informed of fire program activities, needs, risks and accomplishments. The Prescribed Fire Manager modifies or exempts specific fire management guidelines as defined in the Fire Management Manual, with written justification.

The Prescribed Fire Manager ensures that fire personnel qualification records are annually collected for and maintained in the IQCS database. They ensure timely notifications are made for all reportable fire incidents and annual reporting of the program's fire management activities. They review proposed contracts and agreements related to fire management activities and provide comments to TNC legal counsel. The Prescribed Fire Manager oversees internal reviews and designs and implements fire safety standards specific to the programs overseen, provided that those standards meet or exceed organizational standards, and may suspend fire management program operations if there is clear evidence of safety violations, serious risk of potential safety violations, or non-compliance with Conservancy SOPs, requirements, or guidelines.

As part of the incumbent's ongoing professional development, they will keep abreast of internal and external developments in the field of wildland fire management to maintain excellence in their program. Additionally, they shall build strong partnerships with public and private partners to further the goals of the Conservancy in their area of responsibility, including delivery of or assisting with fire management training at local, regional, and national levels, participating in wildland fire suppression activities with partners as TNC employee or as a volunteer or short-term employee of the partner entity. Attendance at a Conservancy Fire Manager's Workshop is strongly recommended.

Responsibilities and Scope:

• Oversees professional staff with responsibility for fire training, implementation and career development.
• May lead or monitor work groups consisting of staff, interns and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
• Ensures that fire personnel qualification records are maintained; collects annual updates of information for IQCS and submits them to National training office.
• Must build relationships with external parties and negotiate complex agreements to accomplish program goals.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and at least 4 years' experience in fire management or natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must meet NWCG qualifications for RXB2 (Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2), including coursework and experience requirements. See the TNC's Fire Management Manual for a full explanation of qualification requirements.
• Experience in developing strategies.
• Experience in reviewing prescribed burn unit plans and site fire management plans.
• Experience in training and curriculum design.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience leading effectively in stressful situations.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
• Experience communicating effectively with internal colleagues, partners, and or media.
• Must achieve physical fitness standards as set by the local Fire Manager and TNC Fire Management Manual.
• Fire Manager Qualification must be approved and designated in writing by the Conservancy Fire Management Coordinator.

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability and willingness to achieve NWCG Prescribed Fire Manager (RXMG) qualification.
• Familiar with the fuel types and geography for which fire management activities occur and must have a demonstrated ability to evaluate people, programs, and potential problems, and to build partnerships.
• Multi-lingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
• Ability and willingness to communicate and work closely with burn bosses, land managers and scientists to develop strategies and meet conservation and fire management objectives.
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
• Familiarity with fire effects and fire behavior in local fuel types.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in fire management, conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
• Knowledge of Conservancy fire management Standard Operating Procedure, requirements, and guidelines.
• Completing tasks independently and with respect to timeline(s).
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.

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.