South Lake Tahoe, California, USA

Location flexible throughout Northern California. Locations for projects this position will work on include the North Coast and Sierra Nevada.

#LI-POST

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Grounded in science, we develop innovative solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity; respect for people, communities, and cultures; and a collaborative, bipartisan approach. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world.

The California Chapter is TNC’s largest state program and one of the largest, most dynamic conservation organizations in the country. With approximately 230 employees, from financial analysts and fundraisers to ecologists and economists, we are currently invested in 14 strategies to address the biggest challenges facing California and the world, including numerous community-based projects designed to increase the pace, scale, and effectiveness of conservation. Over the past six decades, we have protected 1.4 million acres, 5,000 miles of streams, and 3.8 million acres of ocean habitat in California and off the coast.

The California Chapter believes that we are most effective when we are embedded in our state’s communities, politics, media, and environmental issues. For this reason, and to reduce our carbon footprint when meeting in person, all staff live in California, including those in a home office.

Finally, we are passionate about the middle ground in American politics and life. The hallmark of The Nature Conservancy is its “big tent” approach, engaging people across the political and ideological spectrum to find solutions that last. We ask all employees to embrace this critical strategic position of our organization.

The Prescribed Fire Specialist will play a pivotal role in a new programmatic effort to scale up the prescribed fire workforce across California. Most of the prescribed fire projects the PFS will support will function as cooperative burns or Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges (TREX), which provide experiential training that builds robust local capacity for fire management and offers professional fire practitioners a more holistic perspective—while implementing treatments that support community and ecological objectives.

The Prescribed Fire Specialist (PFS) will direct prescribed fire operations for the California Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), which includes managing controlled burns on TNC preserves, supporting partner burns, developing Prescribed Burn Unit Plans and Site Fire Management Plans, and may involve coordinating fire suppression activities on rare occasions. The PFS will be responsible for safe and effective fire operations, administering physical fitness testing, training and organizing contractors/volunteers/crew members; conducting annual refresher training, and maintaining documentation files for contractor and/or crew member training and qualifications. The PFS will evaluate trainees and certify task books for positions up to RxB2. The PFS may perform other preserve management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire.

As part of the incumbent’s ongoing professional development, the PFS 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, with Indigenous peoples and tribes and in the local communities where the Conservancy works. This may include participation in wildland fire suppression activities in partnership with other non-profits, tribes, 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). May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. This position is a grant-funded three-year term with opportunity to extend.

Are you passionate about returning fire to fire-adapted ecosystems and burning and learning in a collaborative setting with diverse partners?

Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. TNC has been conducting prescribed burns for 60 years, first on our own preserves and now in partnership with all kinds of people in a wide variety of landscapes around the world. We are seeking a highly motivated team player to join California Chapter of TNC as the Prescribed Fire Specialist. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about growing and diversifying the prescribed fire workforce and motivated to work with a wide range of partners to establish and advance prescribed fire projects, mainly in forested fuel types in the Sierra Nevada and the North Coast.

Come join TNC and apply today!

• 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 (Burn Boss) or have the ability to qualify as an RxB2 within one year of employment (including coursework, fitness and experience requirements). See the Conservancy’s Fire Management Manual for a full explanation of qualification requirements: http://www.tncfiremanual.org/BurnBoss.htm.
• Must achieve physical fitness standards as set by local Fire Manager and TNC Fire Manual.
• Fire Manager Qualification must be approved and designated in writing by the Conservancy Fire Management Coordinator.
• Experience directing prescribed fire operations.
• Experience training and supervising staff and burn crew members or volunteers.
• Experience leading effectively in stressful situations.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with cooperative burning and indigenous-led burning.
• Multi-lingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 3 to 5 years related experience in fire operations or ecological land management, similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to recognize plant and animal species for executing an ecologically appropriate fire regime.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation.
• Experience managing projects under deadlines with collaborators, volunteers, and/or contractors.
• Experience communicating effectively with internal colleagues, partners, and the media.

Each person who works at TNC contributes to our goal of protecting nature for future generations. Another one of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe feel that their unique contributions are valued. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “You’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.” To learn more, head to YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

We’re proud to support the health and wellbeing of the people we employ. We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package that includes healthcare coverage, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other benefits that support work-life balance.

If you’re interested in working with us, please apply—we’d love to hear from you.

Salary is based on candidate experience and geographic location. This position's location is flexible within the very large region of Northern CA. For all of Northern CA, our estimated salary for this position would fall within $61,500 - 84,325. The hiring team will be able to provide a narrower range to individual candidates as they move forward in the hiring process.

To apply for job ID 52568, submit your materials (resume and cover letter) online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ . This position will be open until filled, and we encourage applying before Sunday, April 9. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19. By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status or other status protected by law.