Job Type: Full-time, on-site
Location: Boulder, CO (preference for Boulder/metro Denver, but flexible within Colorado Front Range)
Salary: $71,000 - $81,000
Application Due Date: 6/14/2025
Position Overview:
The Prescribed Fire Project Manager will be a key member of The Nature Conservancy’s Colorado Forest and Fire Program, which aims to build wildfire resilience across 300,000 hectares of dry forest ecosystems in Colorado and contribute to the ambitious goals of TNC’s Western Dry Forests and Fire Program. This role supports a diverse portfolio of prescribed fire projects that advance collaborative fire use, cultural burning, and forest restoration in priority landscapes. Working closely with partners—including federal, state, Tribal, academic, and nonprofit organizations—the Project Manager will lead or support activities including: co-developing and implementing a comprehensive prescribed fire smoke monitoring plan with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and State air regulators, supporting burn plan development and coordination of prescribed fire activities on partner lands, coordinating USFS requests for TNC North America Prescribed Fire Modules, participating in prescribed fire trainings, performing fire effects monitoring, supporting prescribed burns led by TNC and/or partners, and advancing other strategic actions of the Colorado Forest and Fire Program
Position Details:
This is a full-time, salaried position funded through March 31, 2030. Continuation beyond that date is contingent on funding and other considerations. The position reports to the Colorado Fire Program Manager and will be embedded within project teams that may have their own reporting structures.
While this role does not include direct staff supervision, the Project Manager may serve in a supervisory capacity on fire assignments, depending on qualifications and in accordance with TNC’s Fire Management Manual.
Travel and Field Work Expectations:
The Prescribed Fire Project Manager will travel frequently across Colorado, often with limited notice due to prescribed fire windows or other operational needs. While many assignments will be day trips, some will require overnight travel—ranging from a few days to up to two weeks, particularly for extended fire assignments such as Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges. Occasional long days, evenings, and weekend work should be expected.
Priority work areas include National Forest System lands along the Colorado Front Range and partner lands in Southwest Colorado.
Fieldwork may involve challenging conditions, including remote locations, hazardous terrain, and variable weather.
Professional Development and Partner Engagement:
Ongoing professional development is a key component of this role. The incumbent will stay current on evolving burn techniques and equipment and maintain or enhance professional fire certifications. They will also cultivate relationships within the fire management community, with forest and watershed collaborative groups, and in the local communities where the Conservancy operates.
Work may include participation in wildland fire suppression activities in collaboration with non-profits, Tribes, local fire departments, and government agencies. This may occur as a TNC employee or as a short-term or volunteer member of a partner agency (e.g., through an Administratively Determined federal appointment).
Requirements:
BA/BS and 5 years’ experience in fire management or natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Must meet National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualifications for Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) or equivalent experience or qualification from non-NWCG agencies. See the Conservancy’s Fire Management Manual for a full explanation of qualification requirements: https://www.tncfiremanual.org.
Experience building relationships and working closely with a variety of partners, i.e., fuels and fire managers, land managers, Tribal Nations, and scientists.
Experience supporting prescribed fire operations and training, including supervising staff and burn crew members or volunteers.
Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
Other requirements for the role:
• Must achieve and maintain physical fitness standards as set by local Fire Manager and the TNC Fire Manual.
• Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g., First Aid, CPR).
• Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
Desired Qualifications:
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated
Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
Experience working with a diverse range of natural resource managers and stakeholders on collaborative planning, analysis, and public engagement projects.
Experience working with Tribal Nations and/or other Indigenous communities and organizations.
Experience with project management and maintaining accountability for deliverables.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, ability to write reports, represent TNC in the community, and communicate fire management-related subject matter effectively across cultural boundaries and to a variety of technical and non-technical audiences.
Familiarity with fire effects and fire behavior in wildland settings.
Familiarity with smoke monitoring and Colorado prescribed fire smoke permitting requirements.
Ability to become competent with field data collection and data analysis.
NWCG qualified (or desire to work towards qualification) in one or more of the following positions: Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO), Single Resource Engine Boss (ENGB), Single Resource Firing Boss (FIRB).
See the “Apply” or “Learn More” links below for more information.
