Job Type: Full-time, Temporary, Hybrid
Location: Klamath Falls, OR
Application Due Date: 4/25/2025
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.
Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”
The Nature Conservancy is the world’s leading non-profit organization working on fire issues. We have been working with fire since 1962, when we conducted our first controlled burn. Our approach has evolved from one that was primarily focused on managing our preserves for biodiversity to one that includes developing more equitable policy and funding, elevating the leadership of Indigenous fire practitioners, growing skilled and diverse fire management workforces, and helping communities develop ways to live more safely with wildfire.
WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER
The Nature Conservancy’s Oregon Fire Partnership program is working to support prescribed fire planning, implementation, and monitoring across the fire-adapted forests of Oregon. The Prescribed Fire Senior Crewmember will be an employee of The Nature Conservancy, based in one of three focal geographies working on a 4 to 10-person prescribed fire module. For approximately 6 months per year (mid-May through November), the Module Crewmember will work closely with the module leader, and partner organizations such as the U.S. Forest Service and other local, state, federal, NGO, university, and Tribal partners, in preparing, conducting, and evaluating/monitoring prescribed fire/fuels management activities in Oregon. The Crewmember will be expected to travel frequently within their focal area for prescribed fire assignments, and may be asked to travel to other geographies in the state depending on burn window availability and project needs.
The Prescribed Fire Senior Crewmember will report directly to the Prescribed Fire Module Leader and/or Assistant within their geography. This position is expected to help TNC, the U.S. Forest Service, and other partners to meet their respective prescribed fire and fuels management goals.
This six-month seasonal position is supported by federal, state, and private funding with the intention of assisting with prescribed fire across land ownerships. There may be an opportunity to extend the season if funding allows.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU
You will represent The Nature Conservancy Oregon’s Fire Management Program in the places you work. Your can-do attitude, safety mindset and fire practitioner skills will be important as the module prepares fire lines, maintains equipment, conducts pre and post-burn monitoring, interacts with landowners and community members, and completes other prescribed fire related tasks. We will ask you to serve in roles matching your qualifications and experience. As a Prescribed Fire Senior Crewmember, you will be asked to serve as a Firefighter Type 1 or Single Resource Boss during daily crew operations, including prescribed fire planning, preparation, implementation, and monitoring. This may include leading small squads of TNC employees, partner staff, or volunteers. We will look to you to take direction from crew leadership, and work with small groups to complete tasks and achieve goals associated with fire management.
The Prescribed Fire Senior Crewmember may participate in wildland fire management activities in partnership with other non-government organizations, Indigenous Peoples and Tribes, local fire departments, and local, state, and federal agencies, either as a TNC employee or as a short-term employee of a partner entity (such as an Administratively Determined short-term federal employee).
This is a seasonal, full-time, hourly wage position. Working over 40 hours a week will occur occasionally, especially during prescribed fire seasons and while traveling for assignments overtime rates apply after the first 40 hours each week. Travel expenses, meals and lodging will be provided by TNC when traveling for prescribed fire assignments.
Shared module housing will be provided by The Nature Conservancy and/or partner organizations at no cost to the employee.
Prescribed Fire Senior Crewmember will be expected to:
Perform tasks under the supervision of the Prescribed Fire Module Lead and Assistant and in coordination with local U.S. Forest Service Fire Management staff.
Function as a contributing member of a diverse, mixed-gender, cross-generational team with a range of experience and skills.
Follow established safe work practices.
Be able to perform heavy physical work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
Assist with all aspects of prescribed burning including planning, implementation, and monitoring.
Based on experience and qualification (either Firefighter Type 1 or Single Resource Boss), lead small groups in support of fire management activities under the direction of crew leadership.
Operate ATVs, UTVs, tractors, chain saws, leaf blowers and tow trailers.
Maintain assigned equipment.
Maintain accurate records of work time, expenses, etc. and submit reports in a timely manner.
Become competent with mobile mapping and data collection such as Collector for ArcGIS and Avenza Maps.
Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma and 6-months of related experience in fire operations, science-related field or similar field or related experience in land management.
Hold the NWCG qualification of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) as described in The Nature Conservancy’s Fire Manual: https://www.tncfiremanual.org/SquadBoss.htm
Achieve physical fitness standards as determined by the local Prescribed Fire Manager and as described in The Nature Conservancy’s Fire Manual: https://www.tncfiremanual.org/SquadBoss.htm
Must have experience operating and maintaining various types of hand tools and motorized equipment safely.
Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g., First Aid, CPR, chainsaw operation).
Multi-lingual and multi-cultural experience appreciated.
Desired Qualifications
Qualified as an NWCG Singe Resource Boss (Engine Boss or Firing Boss preferred) as described in TNC’s Fire Manual: https://www.tncfiremanual.org/SingleResource.htm
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
Experience managing volunteers or entry-level staff.
Ability and willingness to work in a team environment.
Maintain accurate records of work time, expenses, etc. and submit reports in a timely manner.
