Senior Burn Crew Member

What We Can Achieve Together: As part of the Nebraska Fire Team, the Senior Burn Crew Member (SBCM) works to build prescribed fire capacity in the Nebraska Sandhills and surrounding areas. The Fire Team builds capacity in burn co-ops to help them control the woody plants that threaten the grasslands in their communities. The Nebraska Sandhills is a 12-million-acre landscape of rolling sand dunes covered by sandhills prairie, one of the world’s largest and most intact temperate grasslands. The SBCM participates in wildland fires on lands owned by public and private landowners as well as by TNC and oversees staff and volunteers during fires, which may include ignition, control, mop-up, suppression, and monitoring. They support the Nebraska Fire Team working with private landowners and partners at events related to prescribed fire, such as trainings, workshops, and meetings. The Fire Manager or other team members may assign the SBCM other land management work as needed. The SBCM has opportunities to earn advanced fire qualifications through training and to take on increasing responsibility for projects. The SBCM will build and maintain relationships with conservation partners, the fire community, and local communities in the Sandhills. The SBCM will be responsible for staying current on burn techniques and equipment to enhance skills and gain professional fire certifications. The SBCM may participate in wildland fire suppression 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 SBCM reports to Nebraska’s Burn Crew Manager. YOUR POSITION WITH TNC Senior Burn Crew Member (SBCM) works in a team environment and participates in wildland fire operations overseeing staff and volunteers during fire related activities which include ignition, control, mop-up, suppression, monitoring. SBCM may conduct other land management activities as assigned by a Burn Crew Manager or other command position. This position operates throughout Nebraska, with primary responsibilities in the Nebraska Sandhills. The selected candidate should be based in north-central Nebraska. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The SBCM participates in preparing fire lines, maintaining equipment, pre-burn and post-burn monitoring, and other tasks while overseeing staff and volunteers. May perform other land management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire.   As part of the SBCM’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 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). RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE Function as both leader and member of a work team, in a high-stress team environment. Convey work instructions to subordinates.                Works under close supervision of the Burn Boss during fire operations. Perform other land management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire. Perform heavy physical work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. Assist with administrative tasks necessary for documenting work activities as requested by the supervisor. Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record. Assists with all aspects of prescribed fire implementation including operational and  administrative functions. Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context. Build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and with many partners including government agencies, indigenous communities, and private organizations. Makes decisions in rapidly changing and potentially hazardous conditions that may affect the safety of resources. Help develop and review prescribed fire burn plans. Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements. The PFS is responsible for safe and effective fire operations, administers physical fitness testing, trains, and organizes workshops and helps provide annual refresher training. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS High school diploma. Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualified, including Introduction to ICS (I-100), Human Factors on the Fire Line (L-180), Introduction to Wild Land Fire Behavior (S-190), Firefighting Training (S-130). See TNC Fire Management Manual . Two seasons as a qualified FFT2 or agency equivalent.  Must achieve physical fitness standards as determined by the local Fire Program Manager and the TNC Fire Manual. Experience operating various types of equipment.                         Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g., First Aid, CPR). DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS 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.           Two or more years of experience in fire operations related experience in land management or a similar field. Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Web browsers).  Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages. This description is not designed to be a complete l