Job Type: Full time, on site
Location: The Nature Conservancy - Waverly, VA
Pay: $66,000-$89,000/year
Application Deadline: July 27, 2026
Description:
The Virginia Pinelands Program is located in the rural southeastern coastal plain of Virginia and encompasses the northern range of the longleaf pine ecosystem, recognized as one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in North America. Our work is focused on restoring fire-maintained pine savanna habitat to contribute to TNC’s nine-state conservation goals for the longleaf pine system. Other TNC priority systems in the region include floodplain forests situated along the region’s river corridors and peatland forests of the Great Dismal Swamp. All project work is highly collaborative with public agency partners. TNC and partners have protected 160,000 acres in the region and are actively acquiring lands to expand the land base for fire management. TNC’s anchor property, 4,000-acre Piney Grove Preserve, serves as a regional hub for collaborative conservation.
The Virginia Pinelands Burn Boss & Stewardship Manager position is focused on prescribed fire management and forest stewardship. The position will be stationed at TNC’s Virginia Pinelands office in Waverly, VA and will report to the Virginia Pinelands Program Director. The position supervises the Pinelands Restoration Specialist and works closely with TNC’s Virginia Statewide Fire Manager/Longleaf Pine Specialist and a wide range of state and federal agency partners, private landowners, volunteers and others to implement projects on TNC and partner lands.
The Virginia Pinelands Burn Boss & Stewardship Manager is responsible for the restoration and management of TNC’s network of nature preserves located in southeastern Virginia. The position directs prescribed fire operations and develops prescribed burn plans and site fire management plans under the guidance of the Fire Manager for VA. The Burn Boss & Stewardship Manager is responsible for safe and effective fire operations, leads burns on TNC and partner lands, administers physical fitness testing, trains and organizes crew, conducts annual refresher training, and maintains documentation files for crew member training and qualifications. The position oversees seasonal fire crew members, volunteers and permanent staff. Responsibilities also include fireline construction and maintenance, monitoring fuel conditions, equipment maintenance, data entry and compilation. The position participates as a leader on the Conservancy’s statewide fire management team and effectively communicates between diverse teams of Conservancy and partner agency staff, volunteers, and interns.
As part of the incumbent’s ongoing professional development, the Burn Boss & Stewardship Manager will be responsible for keeping abreast of new burn techniques and equipment to enhance skills and maintain/grow professional fire certification credentials. 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 wildland fire suppression activities in partnership with other non-profits, local fire departments, and local, state, and federal agencies, 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).
The Burn Boss & Stewardship Manager will oversee and implement other land management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire. They lead or assist with restoration timber sales, native groundcover restoration, invasive species control, endangered species management, and maintenance of preserve infrastructure. They manage hunt leases, oversee contracts conduct conservation easement and fee land monitoring and respond to inquiries about TNC lands. The position assists with fundraising efforts including leading donor field trips to TNC preserves and preparing grant proposals.
Responsibilities and Scope:
Establishes excellent working relationships with outside partners, state/local/federal agencies, land managers, private landowners and the academic community.
Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
Financial responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, and assisting with budget development.
Makes decisions in rapidly changing and potentially hazardous conditions that may affect the safety of staff and resources.
Oversees staff and volunteers who serve as Burn Crew Members.
Supervises professional staff, with responsibility for performance management.
Minimum Qualifications:
Candidates meeting NWCG qualifications for RxB2 strongly preferred, but will consider equivalent experience or qualification from non-NWCG agencies and candidates meeting NWCG qualifications for Single Resource Boss (e.g. FIRB, ENGB) and additional progress toward burn boss qualification. See the Conservancy’s Fire Management Manual for a full explanation of qualification requirements: http://tncfiremanual.org.
Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience building relationships with a variety of stakeholders, i.e., state, federal agency partners, non-profit organizations.
Must achieve annual physical fitness requirements specified in NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications (PMS 310-1).
Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
Must have valid driver's license.
Desired Qualifications:
Fully meets NWCG qualifications for RxB2, including coursework and experience requirements. See the Conservancy’s Fire Management Manual for a full explanation of qualification requirements: http://tncfiremanual.org.
Bachelor’s degree and more than 3 years’ experience in fire operations or natural resource management, similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Forestry experience, including writing forest management plans and overseeing forestry consultants and loggers.
Experience training and supervising staff and burn crew members or volunteers.
Demonstrated ability and interest in private landowner outreach and community engagement.
Familiarity with ecological management of longleaf pine ecosystem.
Experience with grant proposal writing and administration.
Experience with GIS mapping software such as ArcMap or ArcPro.
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
Willingness to live within 30-minute drive of Waverly, VA / within the Pinelands Program Area
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
