Job Type: Full-time, on-site
Location: Sparta, TN
Salary: $24.50-$26/hour
Description:
The Appalachians Fire Practitioner (AFP) supports prescribed fire implementation in the southern Appalachians of Tennessee and surrounding locales on TNC and partner land congruent to the Appalachians Program’s 2030 goals in the Resilient and Connected Network of the southern Appalachians. The AFP also supervises seasonal prescribed fire module members in prescribed fire activities as needed for accomplishing seasonal prescribed burn objectives. The AFP will be based out of TNC’s Bridgestone Nature Reserve at Chestnut Mountain near Sparta, TN, and will support prescribed fire capacity needs for TNC and our partners with concentric frequency across TN, the Southern Appalachians, the entire Appalachians range, and more broadly across North America.
The AFP participates in preparing firelines, maintaining equipment, prescribed fire operations, mop-up, monitoring and other tasks as assigned. AFP will perform other land management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire and will assist in building prescribed fire capacity by leading trainings and giving presentations. In addition, they shall work to build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and in the local community where the Conservancy works. This may include participation in fire suppression activities, either as a TNC employee, or as a volunteer or short-term employee of the partner entity (such as an Administratively Determined, short term federal employee). As part of the AFP’s ongoing professional development, they will be responsible for keeping abreast of new burn techniques and equipment to enhance skills and maintain/grow professional fire credentials. Ability to perform heavy physical work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
Responsibilities and Scope:
Function as both leader and member of a work team, fostering a highly effective and high-reliability team environment.
Supervises Burn Crew Members, and/or Senior Burn Crew Members during fire operations.
Assists with logistics, expenses, time reporting, and other administrative tasks for squad members as assigned.
Convey work instructions to Burn Crew members.
Monitor the progress of Burn Crew Members toward achieving fire management goals and ensures safety.
Makes decisions on the fireline based upon evaluation of fire behavior, available resources, and judgment.
Perform other land management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire.
Support building/expansion of prescribed fire capacity by assisting in planning new burn units, leading trainings, and giving presentations to engage community and build a volunteer roster as appropriate.
Ability to perform heavy physical work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record.
Minimum Qualifications:
High school diploma and 1-year training in fire operations, science-related field or similar field or related experience in land management.
Qualified Fire Fighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) and successful completion of FFT1 task book. Requirements for FFT1 can be found in the Conservancy Fire Management Manual.
Two or more seasons as a Senior Burn Crew Member or similar agency qualification.
Must achieve physical fitness standards as set by local Fire Manager and the TNC Fire Manual.
Experience operating and maintaining various types of equipment.
Experience supervising staff or volunteers is required.
May be required to obtain related licenses and certifications such as CPR and herbicide application.
Preferred Qualifications:
1-2 years training in fire operations or other science-related field or related experience in land management or similar field.
Ability to evaluate inputs in a rapidly changing work environment and make decisions that affect the safety and work of firefighters within squad.
PC familiarity, including database knowledge, to maintain preserve records.
