Type: Temporary, On-site
Supervisor: Director of Fire Ecology and Management
Location: Lumber City, Telfair County, GA
Salary: $2,400/month plus housing & training
Appointment: Seasonal, Jan 3, 2025 – June 3, 2025
Deadline: 11/18/2024
This position will fill the role of Gopher Tortoise management and prescribed fire technician at the Longleaf Stewardship Center in Lumber City, Georgia. The technician will aid our mission to improve habitat across southeastern Georgia for rare and endangered reptiles, such as the Gopher Tortoise and Eastern Indigo Snake in the longleaf ecosystems. This role will primarily work as a crew member on our prescribed fire team but may also include work in other aspects of management such as wildlife monitoring/surveying, invasive species control, and general trail maintenance. This position will provide the opportunity to work with many of our interagency burn team partners (The Nature Conservancy, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Forestry Commission, and Private Landowners) and gain training in fire management to become firefighter type 2 certified (FFT2). On-site housing with internet at the Longleaf Stewardship Center will be provided.
JOB DUTIES:
This position primarily will work to advance the restoration and management of natural systems and fire-dependent habitats in southeast Georgia
Assist on wildlife surveys across the southeast for Eastern Indigo Snakes, Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes, and Gopher Tortoises
Perform various prescribed fire and wildfire duties including firing, holding, mop-up, and gathering fire weather data
Prepare and maintain firelines
Operate fire equipment including ignition devices, 4WD trucks, ATV’s, UTV’s, portable pumps, small engines, tractors, chainsaws, hand tools, and GPS units
Maintain equipment and fire cache in fire-ready status; maintain clean and organized trucks and work areas
Will participate in various preserve maintenance activities (e.g. facility upkeep, fence construction/repair, trail maintenance, and invasive plant control using herbicides)
The position will be required to network with diverse groups including private landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the general public
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
The Gopher Tortoise management and prescribed fire technician will work in variable and extreme weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions:
Require considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
Present frequent possibility of injury.
Require long hours in isolated settings.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Associate’s/Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, ecology or related field
1-3 years’ experience in wildland fire management including prescribed fire; FFT2 certification
Any sawyer certification
Experience with heavy equipment (i.e. tractors, skid steers, bulldozers)
Experience recognizing plant and animal species and working knowledge of the ecology of the southeastern coastal plain or fire ecology in general
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma
Experience operating and maintaining various types of off-road vehicles and equipment
Acceptable motor vehicle record
Maintain personal appearance in professional, presentable fashion, suitable to represent The Orianne Society to partners and the public
Good interpersonal skills
Ability to maintain positive morale under adverse working conditions
Ability to get along in a group setting and make quick decisions under pressure
Ability to complete tasks in the absence of supervision
Willingness to work long hours, weekends, and live and work in close contact with coworkers
Must meet minimum Orianne Society training and health requirements for wildland fires at the moderate level: 2 mile walk with a 25 pound pack vest with a time of 30 minutes or less
Willingness to work outdoors in HOT weather
TO APPLY:
All candidates must submit a cover letter and résumé/CV with 2-3 references electronically to cgoldsmith@oriannesociety.org with subject line of Gopher Tortoise Management and Prescribed Fire Technician Application by November 18th, 2024.
