Additional Information
Your Position with TNC
The Prescribed Fire and Stewardship Technician is a key position for the growth of our prescribed fire and land stewardship programs in Kentucky. The position is based in Lexington, KY, however a remote work option may be negotiated for highly qualified applicants residing within proximity of TNC work areas Lexington, Morehead, or London, KY. Frequent travel is required.
Essential Functions
The Prescribed Fire and Stewardship Technician (PFST) provides technical leadership and support to the Kentucky Business Unit and plans and directs preserve management programs and stewardship. The PFST addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual species, fosters cross-site learning among the conservation community, and supplies conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information relevant to the planning process. The PFST assists with developing and implementing conservation strategies related to prescribed fire and preserve stewardship and employs a full range of habitat management tools and strategies. They will also implement a variety of strategies to secure public and private funding support for TNC conservation priorities. The PFST coordinates community support, coordinates with partners, and ensures the maintenance of preserve areas frequented by the visiting public and coordinates multiple projects, sets deadlines and manages completion.
Responsibilities & Scope
- Assists with the implementation of prescribed burns by maintaining firebreaks, leading squads of 3 - 7 firefighters, maintaining fire equipment, and planning logistics.
- Assists with the development of prescribed burn plans, fire management plans, and land management plans.
- Maintains fire and stewardship supplies and equipment and maintains maintenance records.
- Maintains physical fitness necessary for maintaining wildland fire qualifications (arduous level).
- Works in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Leads vegetation and fire effects monitoring programs, collects maintains, and reports data.
- Leads and monitors work groups consisting of staff, interns, and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
- Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- Assists with hiring, supervising, and managing seasonal staff and volunteers.
- Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- Financial responsibility including working within a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors and assisting with budget development.
- Manages preserves, preserves infrastructure, and maintains hiking trails.
- Maintains herbicide applicator licenses and applies herbicides.
- Functions as a leader and member of a work team, in high stress environments.
- Networks with diverse groups, including landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members, volunteers, and the public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy programs/preserves.
As part of the Prescribe Fire and Stewardship Technician's ongoing professional development, they 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 and in the local community where the Conservancy works. This may include participation in wildland fire suppression activities in partnership with other non-profits, 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).
Nature · Kentucky Field Office