Job Type: Full-time, on-site
Location: Upper Lake, CA
Salary: $70,000-$85,000/yr at 100% FTE (flexible if part-time is desired - minimum of 24 hrs/wk required)
Application Due Date: Reviewed on rolling basis
Position Overview:
The Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance (TERA) is a cross-cultural, multi-organizational collaborative that works to revitalize ecology, economy, and culture through indigenous-led stewardship. The mission of TERA, founded in 2019, is to cultivate land stewardship, livelihood, and leadership skills that weave collaborative relationships between Tribal members and the community at large for the benefit of all lands and beings. The Fire Manager & Training Officer is an experienced fire and fuels management practitioner, engaging instructor, and strong project manager experience with significant experience in prescribed fire and/or wildfire management. The Fire Manager & Training Officer will work closely across the organization to develop and lead trainings, to plan and implement ecocultural burns on Tribal, private, state, and federal lands in Lake and Mendocino Counties, and build capacity for TERA’s intertribal 1 hand crew. The position is estimated to be approximately 50% administrative work in the office, and 50% field work.
Primary Responsibilities:
Training Lead (50%)
Act as lead instructor for TERA NWCG trainings and contribute to other TERA ecocultural stewardship and fire trainings as needed
Mentor on-the-job training crew who will receive 10 weeks of on-the-job training
Fire Project Management (25%)
Participate in site visits with Tribal and agency partners, land owners/managers, and TERA team
Create and/or contribute to burn unit, project, and contingency maps
Write, contribute to, and review federal burn plans for TERA burns
Contribute to planning and implementing TERA burns, including permits, unit prep, coordinating with partners, scheduling burn dates, and providing guidance to TERA crew
Participate in TERA and Lake Cal-TREX ecocultural burns in operational roles, including burn boss, firing lead, holding lead, and/or other leadership positions
Collaborate with TERA staff and partners to plan and implement ecocultural fire trainings
TERA Crew Development (25%)
Collaborate with other TERA staff to develop and implement trainings for TERA crew to support building fire-related skills and increasing fireline readiness and safety
Mentor crew on project work
Support TERA crew members in building NWCG qualifications, including providing training and mentorship on task book and qualification management, coordinating with partners such as USFS and TNC on securing training assignments for crew members, and going out on assignments with TERA crew members in a leadership role
The balance of these three primary responsibilities is dependent on grant funding and organizational priorities and is likely to shift over time. This position requires flexibility and a willingness to put energy toward what is most important at any given time.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in ecology, natural resources, forestry, or related field or equivalent experience
Familiarity with the concept and application of Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Experience working with Tribal nations and knowledgeable about contemporary challenges, concerns, and interests of Lake County Tribal community and ecology
6 + years experience as Project Manager implementing fire, fuels management and/or restoration projects
6 + years fireline experience in cultural fire, prescribed burning, and/or wildfire management
Proficient mapping skills - preferably GIS and/or CalTopo
5 + years of grant management experience
Proficiency and flexibility with office technology, specifically Google Drive, Mac and/or PC operating systems, smartphones, conference calls (Zoom), Word, and Excel
NWCG qualification as a Single Resource Boss or higher
Federal (RXB2) and/or state (CARX) burn boss qualification, or ability to obtain one or both of these qualifications within one year of beginning this position
Able to work with diverse groups and build and maintain strong working relationships
Able to develop and follow a prioritized plan of work, set and keep deadlines, and work on multiple projects concurrently
Strong communication skills with the ability to listen well, and write and speak effectively
Able to contribute to a high-functioning, collaborative team environment
Vehicle and valid driver’s license
Native American Preference Applies: Preference given to qualified Native Americans pursuant to the Indian Self Determination and Education Act, public Law 93-638
To apply, send your resume and cover letter via email with the subject line “Fire Manager” to jobs@tribalecorestoration.org and use the following naming conventions for your files:”LastName, FirstName_FireManagerApp_FileType (Resume or CoverLetter)”. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. For more information, email jobs@tribalecorestoration.org.
See the “Apply” or “Learn More” links below for more information.
