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Employment Opportunities

The Southern Fire Exchange is glad to share information about current, fire-related employment opportunities in the Southeast. If you know of any openings in your area, please contact us with the relevant details, and we’ll get the announcement posted for you.

Job: Assistant/Associate Specialist – Fire Ecology/Fire Science, UC Berkeley

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UC Berkeley is hiring a new full time researcher, potentially a person with a MS degree or somebody with BS and quite a bit of experience. 

Work includes projects in forests, woodlands, and shrublands including analyzing historical datasets, measuring the effects of prescribed fire and managed wildfires, and developing remotely sensed fire severity metrics in areas outside of conifer forests. 

Applicants can now apply here: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF03294.

The initial review date is 12/30/2021 but there will be an additional review date of 1/18/2022 since we are in the holiday season.

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Job: Sandhills Stewardship and Fire Program Manager, Nature Conservancy North Carolina

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The Sandhills Stewardship and Fire Program Manager develops, manages and advances conservation programs for the restoration and management of large-scale areas within the Sandhills region of North Carolina. This position has three major focal areas:

1) leading the restoration, management and monitoring of Longleaf pine savanna (and associated communities) in the Sandhills, especially on TNC lands, to help meet the organization’s goal of creating resilient and connected habitats;

2) leading the Sandhills prescribed burn program, including planning, implementing, and evaluating all aspects of the program, to enable the safe and long-term management of natural communities in the region; and,

3) interacting with direct reports, colleagues, partners and others in a way that fosters information sharing and learning, collaboration that leads to positive and strategic conservation actions, and leveraging of resources to increase the impact and influence of the Sandhills stewardship and fire management programs within the region.

Apply here.

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Job: Fire Management Specialist, Westhampton Beach, NY

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The Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission, through the Suffolk County Water Authority, is currently accepting applications for a Fire Management Specialist to perform key roles in managing the Comprehensive Prescribed Fire Program for the Central Pine Barrens region.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • leading the development and implementation of all aspects of the prescribed fire management program;
  • the supervision and training of prescribed fire crews;
  • conducting fuels, smoke and wildland fire management/mitigation;
  • assisting with public education and outreach
  • assisting in the preparation of prescribed and wildland fire management plans for ecological and fuel management in collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders.

The overarching programmatic goals for the prescribed fire program include fostering biological diversity; natural resource conservation and restoration and wildfire risk reduction within the Central Pine Barrens.
This position is full-time (37.5) hours a week and will be a designated term position that exists as long as the commission receives NYS funding to implement a prescribed fire program. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and ranges from $75,000 to $80,000 with benefits. The job posting and applications for this position can be reviewed and submitted through the Suffolk County Water Authority website.
The mission of the Central Pine Barrens Commission is to manage land use within the Central Pine Barrens to protect vital ground and surface waters and the region’s vast and significant natural, agricultural, historical, cultural, and recreational resources for current and future Long Island residents. Further information on the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission can be found by visiting our website and our prescribed fire page. 

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Jobs: Student Conservation Association Forest Management Corps

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In partnership with Student Conservation Association, National Forests in North Carolina will be hosting a regional, roving Forest Management Corps crew for a second year. This four member and one leader crew will engage on silviculture projects with National Forests in North Carolina, Cherokee National Forest, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest and the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests. The crew will begin in January 2022 and engage from the mountains to the coast through July 2022.

Please share this opportunity with any individuals who are looking to jumpstart a career in forestry. Crew members who complete 640 hours with the program have the opportunity to earn a Public Land Corps hiring authority which allows them to apply with merit status to United States Forest Service jobs. Interested candidates can learn more about the leader position here: https://www.thesca.org/2022-roving-forest-management-corps-project-leader and member positions here: https://www.thesca.org/serve/position/2022-roving-forest-management-corps/po-00731806.  Applications received by December 1st, 2021 will be given priority.

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Job: Fire Management Officer, National Park Service, Tupelo, MS

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This position reports directly to the Chief Ranger. Work environment is mountainous terrain, often in inclement weather or at night.

  • The Fire Management Officer will lead and manage all operational fire, prescribed fire and fuels, fire ecology, fire information, planning, administration and human capital.
  • Ensures that the fire management program is in compliance with environmental laws, regulations and policies.
  • Develops and reviews fire prevention plans.
  • Ensure that all phases of fire management planning are completed.
  • Monitors fire season severity predictions, fire behavior and fire activity levels and takes appropriate action.

Apply through USAJobs by November 24.

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Jobs: Wildland Fire Apprenticeship Program, US Fish and Wildlife Service

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As part of the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program, you will serve as a registered apprentice in a developmental capacity as a wildland firefighter trainee. Positions in the Southeast including stations in Mississippi, Virginia, Florida, and Texas.

Apply through USAJobs by December 2 here.

Duties may include serving on one or more of following module types; hand crew, helitack, fire use or engine. Will fight wildland fires in extreme heat conditions.

Hotshot Crew – Apprentice serves on a 20, person organized crew which is used primarily for wildfire suppression, fuels reduction, and other fire management duties. Performs all aspects of wildland fire or prescribed fire operations, however are very specialized and are generally placed in the most rugged terrain on the most active and difficult areas on wildfires. Hotshot crews are utilized throughout the country and may spend extended periods away from their home units. The crews place a great deal of emphasis on physical fitness.

Wildland Fire Module – Apprentice serves on a handcrew, or on a prescribed or wildland fire module. Performs all aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations such as, line construction, ignition device (e.g. fuses, drip torches, flares, and terra torch) use, patrolling fire line and the use of water and hand tools to perform mop-up. Performs the duties of a chainsaw operator and performs chainsaw maintenance and simple repairs. Collects
fire weather data, fuel loading data, tree stand density data and fuel and/or soil moisture samples.

Wildland Fire Engine – Apprentice serves on a wildland fire engine. Starts pump engine, primes pump, adjusts engine speed and pump valves, lays hose, and uses appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and additives. Services and makes minor repairs to engine; inspects, checks and services accessories such as pump, water lines, tank, reels, or pump power plant; and keeps in fire readiness. Inspects, cleans
and stows hose. Makes emergency repairs and adjustments of pump while in use. Performs line construction and mop-up activities. Performs the duties of a chainsaw operator and performs simple chainsaw maintenance.

Helitack – Apprentice serves on a helitack module. Loads helicopter with personnel and cargo, considering methods, weight distribution, necessity for securing cargo, total weight, etc. Inventories and inspects helicopter accessories, fire tools, and equipment. Assures that needed tools and equipment are available for firefighting tasks. Performs helicopter longline operations and maintains accessory equipment. May exit helicopter in remote areas to assist in the construction of helispots, or to attack wildland fires, or spot fires. Performs helicopter longline operations. May serve as a rappeller or short hauler. Will fight wildland fires in extreme heat conditions and participate in search and rescue operations. Performs the duties of a chainsaw operator and performs simple chainsaw maintenance.

Other apprenticeship training assignments may include: trail maintenance; may be assigned to a fire lookout for reporting of fires; with training may serve in wildland fire dispatch center communicating weather and resource status.

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Job: Prescribed Burn Crew (Part-Time), Fork Ridge Environmental Consulting NC

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The Prescribed Burn Crew Helpers will participate in the preparation and implementation of prescribed burns on the Bayfields property in Bladen County, NC. Additional forest management work to manage the property (vegetation trimming, timber stand improvement, boundary line maintenance, etc.) may also be needed.  

These will be occasional positions on a call-when-needed basis, largely dependent on weather conditions that are conducive to prescribed burning. The positions will run approximately 12 weeks from January 2nd to March 31st, 2022. Occasional work may also be available in the early spring (April and May).

$15 per hour.

Full information and application instructions here.

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Job: Northwest Florida Prescribed Burn Association Coordinator, Tall Timbers Research Station

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Job Type: Full Time
Salary: DOQ
Benefits: Benefits include health and dental insurance, retirement, paid vacation and sick leave.
Term: 3 years
Supervisor: Director of Private Lands Fire Initiative
Closing Date: 11/30/2021
Job Description for Northwest Florida PBA Coordinator
Office Location; Bonifay, FL


General Overview: Tall Timbers, a research station and accredited land trust, is seeking an
experienced professional to serve as the coordinator for the Northwest Florida Prescribed Burn
Association (Association). This position 1) acts as a coordinator at the behest of the Tall
Timbers, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Association 2) works closely
with Board of the Association and other partners to coordinate and ensure prioritization and safe
execution of prescribed burns on private land within the Association 3) leads the effort to create
communication and collaboration with private land participants within the Association 4) assists
in reducing backlog of NRCS burn acres when and where feasible within Association and 5)
assists in burn implementation as needed as a team member with the Tall Timbers Private Lands
Burn Team.


Responsibilities:
1) facilitate day to day operations of the Association.
2) incorporate at least 50 private landowners for inclusion in the Association.
3) coordinate with Tall Timbers staff to utilize the SE Fire Map tool to prioritize these
landscapes for burning.
4) serve as a regional outreach coordinator or expert in prescribed burning.
5) help instruct landowners through the burning process to include use of vendors.
6) set up and maintain at least one fuel treatment demonstration area in the region.
7) coordinate at least quarterly prescribed burn workshops and/or trainings and/or learn to burns
in each region.
8) assist individual members of the Association through the prescribed burning process (both pre
and post fire) by utilizing their knowledge of fire behavior, fire effects and the business of
prescribed burning.
9) coordinate semi-annual training in prescribed fire practices
10) work with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), NRCS and other
regional partners to find funding to establish and maintain a local burn trailer or equipment cache
to be utilized by Association.
11) serve as a facilitator and matchmaker between private landowners in the PBA and private
vendors or other regional burn teams to ensure burning takes place in a timely manner.
12) coordinate closely to ensure adequate, localized training for workforce development in
prescribed burning.
Tall Timbers Research, Inc. is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization whose mission is to foster exemplary land stewardship through
research, conservation and education. Equal opportunity employer.
13) coordinate an annual meeting with prescribed burning vendors to help address regional
constraints to more prescribed burning.
14) serve as a prescribed burn crew member with the Tall Timbers burn team.
15) at least weekly correspondence with other PBA coordinators and Tall Timbers supervisor.
16) weekly correspondence with regional NRCS staff.
17) communicates research needed to facilitate more prescribed burning to NRCS Working
Lands for Wildlife Regional Coordinator and Tall Timbers staff.
18) keep up with budget, quarterly reporting and record keeping


Qualifications
• A minimum qualification of a Bachelor’s degree in the field of forestry and/or wildlife or
relevant nature resource degree
• At least 5 years of experience in natural resource management.
• Prescribed fire training is necessary (state certification and/or S130, 190 series).
• Understanding of how burn vendors operate is preferable.
• Familiarity with fire ecology of the Southeastern U.S. is essential.
• Familiarity with mapping programs and project management tools.
• Ability to complete tasks in the absence of supervision. Self-motivated.
• Willingness to work long hours and weekends as needed, and work in close contact with
colleagues and landowners of varying backgrounds and dispositions.
• Excellent people skills.
• Strong attention to details and process.
• Familiarity of NRCS cost-share programs is desirable.
• Must show proof of vaccination for COVID-19.


Location: Office space is made available in Bonifay, Florida, but applicant can spend 3-4 days /
week telecommuting. Computer available. Phone stipend available. Work miles reimbursed.

To Apply: Send cover letter and CV or resume to jmcguire@talltimbers.org with the subject line
“Coordinator of NW Florida Prescribed Burn Association”. Please no calls

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