Job Type: Full-time
Location: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Salary: $67,674-$108,060/year
Description:
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is seeking a qualified individual to serve as the department’s first ever fire management position. Our fire program is growing and looking to build capacity with a full-time fire manager. Located within the Bureau of Conservation, the Prescribed Fire Operations Manager (PFOM) will work closely with Tennessee State Parks and the Natural Areas Program to implement fire management on TDEC lands. Our resource-focused, science-driven fire program has accomplished great things in recent years and is looking to continue that momentum as we build capacity. The PFOM will help coordinate 15-20 prescribed burns per year and ensure program readiness to respond to wildfires within the state. This position will work with over 60 militia-style firefighters from across TDEC, and will be supported by our team of botanists, ecologists, hydrologists, archaeologists, zoologists, park rangers, conservation workers, interpretive guides, and GIS gurus. This position will be responsible for ensuring alignment with the Tennessee Division of Forestry and NWCG standards, writing and reviewing burn plans, leading prescribed burns, coordinating training opportunities and trainee assignments for TDEC staff, maintaining an equipment cache, and tracking agency fire objectives
Minimum qualifications for this job include a bachelor’s degree, five years of experience of full-time professional work in wildland fire, ecology, or land management, and single resource boss qualification. Preferred candidates will have Burn Boss or Burn Manager training, GIS experience, and a demonstrated history working on teams with diverse backgrounds. The duty station will be in Nashville, and there is some opportunity for remote work. This position has statewide responsibility and will require regular fieldwork and occasional overnight travel. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications (MQs) for this position. For MQs and how to apply, please visit: http://www.tn.gov/careers.
Highlighted Responsibilities & Requirements
Working knowledge of ecological concepts in Tennessee related to fire management.
Qualified as a single resource boss (CRWB, ENGB, FIRB preferred).
Experience writing burn plans and executing prescribed burns.
Ability to conduct public outreach related to natural areas preservation.
Familiarity with ArcPro Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS) units, and mapping mobile applications.
Ability to operate various equipment used in land management (e.g., fire engine, ATVs, tractors, chainsaws, mowers, skid steer).
Ability to conduct field work and site assessments, sometimes in difficult terrain and the ability to meet physical standards of arduous wildland fire certification.
LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION, NATURAL AREA DIVISION, DAVIDSON COUNTY
WORKING TITLE: PRESCRIBED FIRE OPERATIONS MANAGER
The duty station will be in Nashville, and there is some opportunity for remote work. This position has statewide responsibility and will require regular fieldwork and occasional overnight travel.
This position may require a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree and equivalent to five years in one or a combination of the following: natural
and cultural resource operations, GIS, capital/maintenance projects, and park
interpretation/recreation or other related field.
OR
Substitution of Experience for Education: Experience in one or a combination of the following may
substitute for the required bachelor's degree on a year for year basis to a maximum of four years:
natural and cultural resource operations, GIS, capital/maintenance projects, and park
interpretation/recreation or other related field.
NSQs: A valid motor vehicle operator's license.
Employees must obtain and maintain their Certified Interpretive Guide (GIG) certificate within 1
year of employment.
Overview
An employee in this class manages a team that oversee special projects and activities that contribute to a statewide Parks and Conservation program, including recreation, education, interpretation, volunteer, non-profit and/or resource management projects. This is the management job classification in the series and differs from that of Park Project Manager in that the latter coordinates training, cultivates best practices for the field, leads special projects, and may supervise assigned staff. This classification differs from that of a Parks & Conservation Director in that the incumbent of the latter manages supervisors of multiple teams.
Responsibilities
1. Provides Consultation- Develops plans and/or advises their team on strategies to implement protect and promote natural and cultural resources through research of like agencies and development with stakeholders. Develops presentations to management regarding practical applications and potential benefits of Parks & Conservation programs and projects such as interpretive program delivery, land and real estate, and natural resources.
2. Supervision- Supervises and coordinates the projects of staff as assigned. Clearly communicates expectations to employees and colleagues and follows up with assigning goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable, and time specific (S.M.A.R.T.) and reports performance through the individual performance plan system for all full-time employees.
3. Resource Management- Utilizes best practices to identify, protect, and promote natural and cultural resources. Lead and conduct activities, including boundary marking and investigations, trail management, scientific studies, fire management, habitat improvement, invasive species removal, permitted hunts, volunteer activities, and more.
4. Communication with External Stakeholders- Negotiates and develops contracts and agreements with individuals and organizations. Collaborates with state, local, and federal agencies, non-government
organizations, and contractors.
5. Cultivates Innovation- Develops new best practices to protect and promote natural and cultural resources through research of like agencies and development with stakeholders. May manage staff who coordinate recreation, education, interpretive, and/or resource management projects.
6. Training and Developing Others- Mentors and develops new staff members. Develops and implements
training plans relevant to assigned program areas, in remote and in person formats. Develops standard operating procedures relative to assigned program area(s).
7. Data Management- Actively interprets and presents data for assigned projects to implement process improvements and create agency strategy.
Competencies (KSA's)
Competencies:
1. Balances Stakeholders
2. Cultivates Innovation
3. Directs Work
4. Situational Adaptability
5. Persuades
Knowledges:
1. Administration and Management
2. Communications and Media
3. Information Technology
4. Customer and Personal Service
Skills:
1. Critical Thinking
2. Management of Material Resources
3. Monitoring
4. Instructing
5. Management of Financial Resources
Abilities:
1. Deductive Reasoning
2. Information Ordering
3. Written Comprehension
4. Problem Sensitivity
Tools & Equipment
1. Computer/ Phone
2. Copier/ Scanner
3. Vehicles
4. Resource management and recreation equipment
TN Driver Standards
State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:
A valid driver's license
For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.
Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.
