Join the Forest Stewards Guild, NC Forest Service, and other practitioners for a virtual learning experience. This video discusses the basics of prescribed fire, and the tools needed for private forest landowners to burn their own land. In this video practitioners answer frequently asked questions specifically about how fire in the mountains is ecologically beneficial.
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Party for the Pine Fire Festival
Weymouth Woods is happy to announce a date has been set for Party for the Pine 2022! With disappointing cancellations due to weather and the pandemic for the past 3 years, everyone is eager to throw the best birthday party possible for our famous longleaf pine on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022 as it turns 474 years old.
More information will be posted on the Friends of Weymouth Woods website when available.
Continue ReadingJob: North Carolina Fire Program Director, The Nature Conservancy
The Fire Program Director supports and guides Chapter programs to ensure the scientifically defensible execution of forest restoration and management throughout NC, with the goal of increasing resilience of forest ecosystems in the face of climate change. This position provides oversight and technical support to TNC fire operations in North Carolina, ensuring adherence to the highest for safety and mitigation of risk, while achieving ecological outcomes. The NC burn season is year-round with a peak burn season between January and May, and the program accomplishes an average of 130 burns per year on 38,000 acres. Most burns are conducted in coastal plain longleaf pine systems and pine-oak forests in the Southern Blue Ridge. For most of the annual acreage burned, TNC is assisting partner agencies. TNC staff from across the state may lead or assist with burns in 3-5 locations on the same day, including in neighboring states, and often share crews with state partners. Permanent TNC fire staff are based in 5 locations across the state and an additional 50 seasonal fire staff are hired in support of our programs throughout the year. The Fire Program Director has oversight of fire qualifications and fire implementation but does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.
The Fire Program Director approves Site Fire Management Plans and Prescribed Burn Unit Plans, and modifies or exempts specific fire management requirements as defined in TNC’s Fire Management Manual. They mentor, evaluate and designates burn bosses, in writing, with notification to the Fire Management Coordinator; certifies task books, including RxB2; conducts or assists with training at local and national levels; and ensures that TNC’s fire guidelines and requirements are met or exceeded. They have the authority to temporarily suspend fire management program operations because of safety concerns or non-compliance with TNC standards. They provide technical and scientific support to fire planners and burn bosses, reviews proposed contracts and staff qualifications for prescribed fire operations and provides input to TNC legal counsel on fire policy. They may teach fire training classes with NC fire partners. They keep current on internal and external developments and trends in the field of wildland fire management and keeps abreast of new burn techniques and equipment to enhance skills and maintain/grow fire credentials of TNC staff. This may include participation in wildland fire suppression activities with external partners. To maintain excellence in their program, they build strong partnerships with public and private partners to further the goals of TNC, and keeps senior leadership in their area informed of fire program activities, needs, risks and accomplishments.
The Fire Program Director ensures that the best available science guides our forest restoration work and conservation strategies, with an emphasis on building resilience in natural communities, thus allowing them to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem function in a changing climate. They assist in developing and implementing relevant strategies as part of the chapter’s Conservation Steering Committee. They pursue grants and private donations to support the fire program and manages relevant grants and contracts. They are a member of the Southern Blue Ridge and Longleaf Whole Systems teams and connects chapter work to TNC’s North America Living with Fire strategy. They serve as the principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, and the academic community on fire issues. The position will build on a history of local collaboration as well as the support of national networks such as the Fire Learning Network. They play a guiding role in the Southern Blue Ridge Fire Learning Network and represents TNC on the NC Prescribed Fire Council, the NC Fire Environment Committee, and TNC’s Fire Management Advisory team.
We prefer that this position is based in Durham, North Carolina by early fall 2021. Because of COVID, initial work may need to be conducted from a home office and in the field, until TNC guidance allows office work, likely in late summer of 2021.
Apply on the TNC Careers website, search “North Carolina fire.”
Continue ReadingJob: Land Management Technician, Bladen County NC
Position: Land Management Technician
Location: Bladen County
The company office is in Bladen county NC 1.45 hours from
Raleigh, 1 hour from Wilmington, and 1 hour from
Fayetteville NC. Twin Creeks services most of the south east
of North Carolina and we manage properties in Bladen,
Pender, Sampson, Duplin, Cumberland, Columbus, New
Hanover, and Brunswick Counties.
Terms of employment:
We are looking to fill one immediate position.
• Pay based on training and experience.
• Some weekend work may be required.
Scope of Work:
We are a land management company based in Eastern Bladen County. We offer many services to our clients
such as prescribed burning, tree planting, herbicide application, and forestry mulching. We are looking for an
experienced, punctual, self-motivated person to assist with prescribed burns in the dormant and growing
seasons. On non-burn days the employee will assist with a variety of daily tasks such as operating and
maintaining equipment i.e. (mini ex, tractor, dozer, skidder, UTV, truck and trailer, etc.).
Candidates will need basic math skills and reliable transportation. Background in prescribed fire, forestry,
wildlife, or biology is preferred. A pesticide license is a plus. Candidate must be willing to work in all types of
weather conditions and work with herbicides.
Typically work-days are from 7:30am-5pm with an hour for lunch M-Th and half day on Friday except during
burn season Oct-May. During burn season, days can be longer and weekend work is a possibility.
Preferred qualifications:
• A minimum of one year of college studies in forestry, ecology or a closely related field.
• Familiarity with the plants and plant communities of the North Carolina coastal plain.
• Experience operating various types of heavy equipment as well as smaller Equipment (chainsaws, brush cutters,
UTVs, ATVs, portable pumps, drip torches, etc.).
• Successful completion of a forestry summer camp or an equivalent summer field skills camp.
• Manual labor skills (e.g., painting, basic equipment maintenance).
To Apply:
If interested, submit a resume and cover letter citing relevant skills or work experience to
[email protected]
Job: Natural Resource Crew Technician, NC State Parks
Job Type | Temporary |
Salary Details | $15.00 per hour |
Deadline | May 24, 2021 |
The Natural Resource Crew Technician participates in operations, restoration, maintenance, and management of park properties. This crew will be primarily focused on invasive species management but will participate in other natural resource management activities such as prescribed fire, timber stand improvement, monitoring, planting, etc.
Prescribed fire which may include but not limited to burn unit prep, fire operations, managing staff and volunteers, maintenance of equipment and supplies, mop up, and monitoring.
Invasive Species management which may include but not limited to chemical and mechanical control, mapping/surveys, education, and monitoring project sites.
Restoration activities which may include but not limited to planting, mid-story control, timber marking, etc.
Work Schedule:
- Standard work week will be Monday through Friday 0800 hours to 1700 hours but will change frequently and on short notice
- Work week is 40 hours with occasional weeks over 40 hours, occasional weekend hours
- Requires ability to travel and stay overnight frequently
- Based at Raven Rock State Park, Lillington, NC
- Housing is available at Raven Rock State Park
Required Qualifications:
- Ability to operate various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (chainsaws, ATV/UTV, tractor and implements, leaf blower, radio, hand tools, drip torch, backpack sprayers, etc.)
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions from co-workers
- Ability to develop time frames and then complete task within time frames
- Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather
- Ability to navigates to remote sites with map, written directions, and GPS
- Qualified as, or able to meet qualifications for Fire Fighter Type 2
Minimum Experience and/or Education:
- High school diploma and 1 year experience in science related field, or land management field work
- Prefer associates with 1-year experience or bachelor’s degree in forestry, biology, ecology, natural resources management or related field
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability and willingness to handle herbicides during vegetation management
- Ability to mix, handle, and apply herbicides in accordance with label directions and crew supervisor instructions
- Ability to learn how to correctly identify invasive plants with minimal review, and to differentiate invasive plants from native vegetation of similar appearance
- Ability to operate and conduct field maintenance of vehicles and to recognize and avoid hazards associated with operating them
- Ability to operate various types of hand and power tools and machinery in a safe and efficient manner
- Ability to handle and maintain tools, equipment, and supplies in good working order for daily operations
- Ability to record and maintain data and keep monitoring records
- Qualified as Fire Fighter Type 2 or quickly meet the qualifications
Complexity/Problem solving:
- Resolves challenges with supervisor
- May resolve management problems independently or as delegated by natural resource staff
- Consult with supervisor to develop plans for resolution of unusual or complex problems
Discretion/Latitude/Decision Making:
- Consults with supervisor on unusual or complex issues
- Make day to day decisions affecting individual work and work of the natural resource crew
Responsibility/Oversight-Financial and Supervisory:
- Receives detailed instructions to complete required tasks
- May work under close supervision or infrequent supervision
- Conducts support duties such as routine maintenance of equipment with help of supervision
Communications/Interpersonal contacts:
- Ability to interact with the members of crew, park staff, and public
- Consults with supervisor in event of any unusual circumstance, problem or question that falls outside of general park management realm
Working Conditions/Physical Effort:
The Natural Resource Crew Technician may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
These conditions:
- Present frequent possibility of injury
- Require long hours in isolated settings
- Require physical exertion, outdoors, in all weather conditions and on difficult and sometimes hazardous terrain
- Outdoor environment presents potential exposure to poisonous plants and biting or stinging insects.
- Require the ability to operate heavy machinery
HOW TO APPLY
Applicant needs to email a cover letter and resume to [email protected]
Continue ReadingJobs: Crew Members, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Conservation Corps and General Field Crew
Conservation Legacy North Carolina is hiring for two crews with terms beginning June 8. A BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Conservation Corps Trail Crew will be based in Cherokee, NC and a Field Crew open to all applicants will be based in Durham NC.
Full information and applications instructions here.
Continue ReadingJob: Natural Resources Specialist, Huntersville, NC
POSITION SUMMARY
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is excited to add a Natural Resources Specialist to our team! This position will participate in and oversee the management of invasive species at Latta Nature Preserve. The incumbent will also perform a variety of technical tasks in support of habitat restoration, natural resource management, and flora and fauna inventory. In addition, they will be a key member of the Natural Resources team in managing and improving the nature preserves and natural communities. This full-time position will primarily work Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm at Latta Nature Preserve.
Application instructions and full information here.
Continue ReadingUpdate Publication: Using Fire to Improve Wildlife Habitat
The North Carolina State Extension publication Using Fire to Improve Wildlife Habitat has been updated and rereleased.
Continue ReadingPartner Webinar: NC State Climate Office Data System Public Launch
Join this free webinar launch to learn about two new tools from the NC State Climate Office!
Cardinal is the new data retrieval system designed to make accessing data from weather and
climate stations across the state easier, and Scout guides users through exploring recent
weather data and station information.
Job: NC State Parks Burn Crew, Seven Springs, NC
NC State Parks is hiring one position that has become available on the North Carolina State Parks Burn Crew that is based out of Cliffs of the Neuse State Park in Seven Springs, NC. This crew travels and works statewide for wildland fire operations in NC State Parks.
Applicants can email Andrew Slack ([email protected]) directly with their resumes.
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