Job Type: Full-time, on-site
Location: Trinity County, California
Salary: $75,004-$81,244/year
Description:
The Watershed Research and Training Center (WRTC) is seeking a Prescribed Fire Manager to continue the development and management of our innovative work in cooperative prescribed fire planning, capacity building, and implementation in Trinity County, California. Major responsibilities will include burn planning, risk management, coordinating training opportunities, working with WRTC’s fuels crew on burn unit preparations, leading cooperative burns, and fostering partnerships. This position will operate under supervision of the Co-Directors of Fire Management.
The successful candidate will be challenged to design and implement cooperative prescribed fire projects that foster resilient ecosystems, optimize local workforce development and landowner benefits, and protect communities from wildfire. Expect opportunities to advance your career, build professional skills and networks, and contribute to important community and conservation outcomes in the world-renowned Klamath Mountains bioregion, across Northern California, and beyond.
Current fire management program activities and responsibilities: At the state level, WRTC serves as a leader in prescribed fire policy reform, participates actively in the Governor’s Forest Management Task Force and Prescribed Fire Workgroup, and leads a cooperative prescribed fire capacity-building initiative known as Cal-TREX. Within Northern California, WRTC serves as the fiscal agent for the Northern California Prescribed Fire Council and sponsors a range of networking, training, and workshops. WRTC is also working with North State partners on an “all hands/all lands” burn initiative to share resources across the region. At the local level, WRTC fosters, develops, and leads cooperative prescribed fire projects in Trinity County, California, with over 4,000 acres currently under burn plans.
WRTC also leads the Trinity Integrated Fire Management Partnership, a Trinity County-wide initiative to expand the use of prescribed fire on both public and private lands through diversified workforce development, strategic burn planning, public engagement, and cooperative burn implementation. Major partners include WRTC, Trinity County Resource Conservation District, US Forest Service, CAL FIRE, several volunteer fire departments, private contractors, and private landowners. This position will serve in leadership roles at the local level, with some opportunities to engage with regional and statewide initiatives.
Position Scope, Responsibilities, and Core Duties:
Supervise two Trinity County Prescribed Fire Operations Specialists, overseeing weekly work tasks.
Meet with landowners, scout properties, develop burn plans, apply for permits, work with WRTC’s fuels crew on burn unit preparations, and coordinate burn implementation during available burn windows.
Coordinate burns, securing applicable permits, arranging for workforce and equipment needs, and leading burn-day logistics with support from the Trinity County Prescribed Fire Operations Specialists and the Co-Directors of Fire Management.
This position will serve in a leadership role on private land burns that WRTC leads.
The position will also be expected to plan cross-boundary burns, and to serve in a supporting role on cooperative burns, both broadcast and pile, on federal lands and other partner’s lands.
The position will be expected to host and lead the Trinity Integrated Fire Management Partnership, and expand into new areas throughout Trinity County.
Work is currently focused in and around the Hayfork Valley, Weaver Basin, Junction City and Douglas City and there are exciting opportunities for cooperative burning in Mad River, Ruth Lake, Lewiston, Big Bar and Burnt Ranch.
Work with the Co-Directors of Fire Management to establish and maintain an effective and reputable training program, focused on empowering and increasing the skillsets of under-represented prescribed fire practitioners throughout Trinity County.
Serve as a lead instructor (if qualified) and cadre member for a variety of NWCG courses and live fire training events.
Helping with local and non-local Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) events. TREX events range from 10-14 day events operated as Type III incidents, to 1-3 day cooperative training events, to sustained capacity-building technical support (burn planning, basic training, leadership of small cooperative training burns, prescribed burn association development, etc.)
Required Qualifications:
The applicant must have experience with project and budget management, and strong organizational skills. The applicant must have a minimum of 5 years of cultural burning, prescribed fire and wildfire experience, minimally qualified as a Single Resource Boss (equivalent experience will be considered). Must be able to pass the arduous work capacity test. The applicant must be able to demonstrate leadership experience. Other equivalent experience will be considered, but must be clearly described in the cover letter and resume.
Desired Qualifications and Skills:
The applicant will preferably be qualified at the Burn Boss level. If not already qualified, the successful candidate will be put on a developmental track toward becoming a skilled and experienced CARX and/or RXB2 burn boss. Aspiring individuals will be supported in advancing their professional qualifications with funded time for training and individualized personal development. A degree in a relevant natural resources management field would be beneficial, but past job experience is also valued.
Other Considerations:
This job is based out of Trinity County, California. Close-proximity remote worksites may be considered, if the applicant is willing to travel and camp on a frequent basis.
This position will be responsible for working with the Co-Directors of Fire Management in fire program evaluation and strategic planning to ensure the effectiveness of our investments and to contribute to adaptive management.
This position will be responsible for contributing to funding proposals to partner agencies and foundations to help secure future funding support for projects and the position, with support from the Co-Directors of Fire Management and other organizational staff.
This position will require written reporting in support of grant compliance, and some preparation of Fire Network Blogs and social media posts in support of public engagement and communications priorities.
This position will represent WRTC in partner and funder relationships.
To Apply:
Send your resume, three references, and a cover letter to Miller Bailey at firemanagement@thewatershedcenter.com. For questions, please contact Miller at 619-358-3903
