VA Pinelands Burn Boss & Stewardship Manager

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 Program is within an hour’s drive of the City of Richmond’s vibrant festival, food, brewery, museum, recreation and music scene.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

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 & SCOPE

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Establishes excellent working relationships with outside partners, state/local/federal agencies, land managers, private landowners and the academic community.

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Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.

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Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.

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May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

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Financial responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, and assisting with budget development.

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Makes decisions in rapidly changing and potentially hazardous conditions that may affect the safety of staff and resources.

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Oversees staff and volunteers who serve as Burn Crew Members.

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Supervises professional staff, with responsibility for performance management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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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 .

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Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

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Demonstrated experience building relationships with a variety of stakeholders, i.e., state, federal agency partners, non-profit organizations.

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Must achieve annual physical fitness requirements specified in NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications (PMS 310-1).

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Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).

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Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.

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Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.

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Must have valid driver's license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

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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 .

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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.

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Forestry experience, including writing forest management plans and overseeing forestry consultants and loggers.

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Experience training and supervising staff and burn crew members or volunteers.

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Demonstrated ability and interest in private landowner outreach and community engagement.

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Familiarity with ecological management of longleaf pine ecosystem.

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Experience with grant proposal writing and administration.

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Experience with GIS mapping software such as ArcMap or ArcPro.

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Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

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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.

Salary Information

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $66,000 - $89,000. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. 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.

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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 applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.