Oregon Prescribed Fire Specialist

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Oregon Prescribed Fire Specialist (PFS) will be a key staff member with the Oregon Chapter’s fire management program whose vision is to support healthy and resilient ecosystems and fire-adapted communities by demonstrating a shared-stewardship model and an inclusive fire management culture bridging in western science and traditional ecological knowledge. The PFS will support a growing fire program, including assisting the Oregon Fire Program Director in fire program planning, training and coordination of prescribed fire modules, and partnership building. They will work closely with other TNC Oregon Staff to advance the conservation strategies of Oregon TNC. This is a salaried, three-year term position supported by federal, state, and private funding.

This position will focus on convening and supporting cooperative burn projects across the state by providing project management, coordination of resources, and communication both within TNC, and with partners. Commensurate with qualifications, this individual will help plan and lead fire line operations for the Oregon Chapter of TNC including coordination of crews, volunteers, and contractors on TNC and partner lands. In order to support these key outcomes, this individual must build and sustain lasting relationships with external parties and negotiate agreements, subawards, or contracts to accomplish program goals.

We’re Looking for You:

This position, supervised by the Oregon Fire Program Director, will work closely with prescribed fire partners to inspire and support the growth of local-prescribed fire capacity and cross-boundary burn models across the fire-adapted landscapes of Oregon. This will include building and maintaining relationships with federal, state, and local government agencies, indigenous communities, and private organizations. They will support strategic action and will assist with planning and implementation of prescribed fire operations on TNC, tribal, state, private, and federal lands in Oregon. This position will work extensively through partnership with the United States Forest Service (USFS) particularly in Oregon’s dry forest habitat, and contribute to projects on USFS Wildland Fire Crisis Strategy priority landscapes.

As part of the PFS’ ongoing professional development, they will be responsible for keeping abreast of new burn techniques and equipment to enhance and maintain/grow professional fire certification credentials. 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). The PFS will have support to continue advancing training and qualifications in support of their position duties, as approved by the Fire Program Director.

Employee travel and overnight stays may comprise up to 30% of this position’s workload. Travel expenses, including lodging, and transportation (airfare, TNC vehicle, rental, or personal vehicle mileage reimbursement) will be covered by TNC. This individual may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. They will also be expected to work virtually with colleagues and partners from across the state, region, and county. This position is a grant-funded three-year term with potential opportunity to extend.

What You’ll Bring:

• 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 Single Resource Boss, including coursework and experience requirements, or can do so within one year. See the Conservancy’s Fire Management Manual for a full explanation of qualification requirements: http://www.tncfiremanual.org/SingleResource.htm.
• Must achieve physical fitness standards as set by local Fire Manager and TNC Fire Manual.
• Experience supporting prescribed fire operations.
• Experience in developing prescribed burn unit plans.
• Experience training staff and burn crew members, partners, or volunteers.
• 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.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Meets NWCG qualifications for NWCG RXB2 (Burn Boss) or similar, including coursework, fitness and experience requirements.
• Experience with multi-organizational burning.
• Experience with grant management and financial reporting.
• Familiarity with fire effects and fire behaviour in Oregon fuel types.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in fire management, conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
• Experience managing projects under deadlines with collaborators, volunteers, and/or contractors.
• Completing tasks independently and with respect to timeline(s).
• Willingness to work towards TNC Fire Manager Qualification as outlined in the TNC Fire Manual - https://www.tncfiremanual.org/Manager.htm
• Multi-lingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

POSITION LOCATION
Preferred Location: Central Oregon (Bend, Redmond, La Pine, Prineville)
Flexible Within OR TNC Dry Forest Landscape: (Klamath Falls/Ashland, Pendleton/La Grande/Baker City, or Bend/La Pine/Prineville/Redmond).

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!