NC Southern Blue Ridge As-Needed Burn Crew Member

What We Can Achieve Together:

The As-Needed Burn Crew Member (BCM) supports prescribed fire preparation, implementation, and follow-up activities throughout the Southern Blue Ridge region. Work may include preparing and maintaining fire lines, operating hand tools and equipment, ignition, holding, patrol, mop-up, monitoring, and related forestry or land-management projects. The BCM works under close supervision, maintains required fire qualifications and fitness standards, and builds effective working relationships with Conservancy staff and fire-management partners. Work may occur in variable weather, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

We’re Looking for You:

The NC Southern Blue Ridge As-Needed Burn Crew Member supports prescribed fire preparation, implementation, and follow-up work, along with related forestry and land-management projects as assigned.

Compensation is $22.42 per hour and includes travel time from the designated meet-up location to and from the work site. If overnight travel is required, compensation will occur during actual work hours. No housing is provided, and candidates are responsible for securing housing within commuting distance of Asheville, North Carolina.

Essential Functions

The NC Southern Blue Ridge As-Needed Burn Crew Member participates in prescribed fire and related land-management work throughout the Southern Blue Ridge region under the direction of the Stewardship Manager and Crew Leadership. A substantial portion of work Nov – Jan emphasizes burn-unit preparation, including fire line construction and maintenance, vegetation and fuels removal, equipment preparation, and other tasks needed to make units ready for burn implementation. Staffing needs average 2–4 operational periods biweekly, but work can be sporadic and clustered around suitable weather and project needs. No minimum number of work opportunities is guaranteed or implied, and crew members may accept opportunities as their schedules allow.

The NC Southern Blue Ridge As-Needed Burn Crew Member assists with prescribed fire operations on TNC preserves and partner lands in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. Duties may include fire line construction, holding, ignition, patrol, mop-up, fuels, weather and fire behavior monitoring, and operation of pumps, engines, UTVs, hand tools, and other equipment when trained and authorized. The position may also assist with forestry and land-management projects throughout the year, including vegetation management, fuels reduction, and related field work. Burn Crew Members represent TNC on partner projects and are expected to work safely and professionally.

The NC Southern Blue Ridge As-Needed Burn Crew Member must provide fire boots that meet TNC Fire Management Manual requirements and must provide transportation to the designated meet-up location, usually Asheville, North Carolina. TNC will provide transportation from the meet-up location to and from work sites. TNC can provide required flame-resistant clothing (Nomex), a line pack, fire shelter, radio, and radio harness as needed. TNC’s fire management manual

Responsibility & Scope

• Works in a high stress team environment.

• Works under close supervision.

• Ability to perform heavy physical work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

The NC Southern Blue Ridge As-Needed Burn Crew Member supports prescribed fire preparation and operations, from constructing and maintaining fire lines to ignition, holding, patrol, mop-up, and post-burn monitoring. Crew members may also support forestry, fuels-reduction, and other land-management projects throughout the year while developing practical skills and maintaining professional fire qualifications.

Ready to be a part of wildland fire operations? Join us as an As-Needed Burn Crew Member and be at the heart of the action! From ignition to mop-up, you'll tackle tasks like preparing fire lines and monitoring post-burn activities. But that's not all – your journey with us means continuous growth. Master new techniques and equipment to level up your skills and certifications. Plus, you'll build strong relationships within the fire community and local areas where we operate. Come join TNC and apply today!

What You’ll Bring:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Current qualification as Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2), including I-100, L-180, S-190, S-130, IS-700, completion of a training burn, and any additional requirements identified in the TNC Fire Management Manual.
• Must achieve physical fitness standard as determined by local Prescribed Fire Manager and the TNC Fire Management Manual.
• Experience safely operating hand tools, power equipment, vehicles, or other equipment used in fire, forestry, natural-resource management, or comparable field work.
• Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required (e.g., First Aid, CPR).

Desired Qualifications

• Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated. 
• Training, education, or experience in wildland fire, prescribed fire, forestry, biology, ecology, natural-resource management, or a related land-management field.
• Ability and willingness to work in a team environment.
• Flexibility in scheduling – assignments will vary, both in location and duration, from minimal hours per pay period to many hours, depending on conditions and other factors. Locations scattered around western NC and into TN, SC and GA from Asheville base.
• Experience operating vehicles, pulling equipment trailers, and operating UTVs safely; relevant operator training or licensing is desirable.
• Ability to evaluate inputs in a rapidly changing work environment and make decisions that affect the safety and work of firefighters within squad.
• Ability to coordinate with staff through technology including text messages and emails; familiarity with Avenza PDFMaps.
• Additional training or experience that supports the work, such as S-212 Wildland Fire Chain Saws, S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use, UTV safety and operations, pump or wildland engine operations, First Aid/CPR, and Avenza Maps. Chainsaw experience is highly desirable. Preference may be given to applicants with qualifications or experience above the FFT2 level.

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.

Salary Information:

The pay rate for a candidate selected for this position is $22.42 per hour. This rate only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are:

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 include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One 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. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring:

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.