RFP - Fire Management Program Assessment & Planning Consultant

Fire Management Program Assessment and Planning

Archbold Biological Station seeks a highly qualified fire and natural resource management professional to conduct an independent assessment of its prescribed fire program and to help develop an updated, rigorous, science-based Fire Management Plan and associated policies and procedures.

Archbold is a biological research and conservation organization where prescribed fire is integral to both land stewardship and long-term ecological research. Archbold manages fire-dependent ecosystems that support threatened and endangered species and other significant conservation resources. Fire management decisions must therefore integrate operational effectiveness and safety with ecological science, research needs, habitat management, restoration, and species conservation.

This is a specialized consulting engagement anticipated to extend approximately 9-12 months. The work will require substantial on-site engagement at Archbold Biological Station in Venus, Florida.

Working with Archbold leadership, scientists, and land management staff, the consultant will:

• Assess Archbold’s existing prescribed fire program, including plans, policies, procedures, staffing, training, safety practices, operational protocols, and organizational capacity.
• Develop or substantially revise Archbold’s Fire Management Plan and recommend associated policies, procedures, and operational standards consistent with nationally recognized prescribed-fire standards. The consultant shall engage Archbold’s science team throughout the planning process and incorporate their input to ensure the revised plan effectively balances prescribed-fire operations, ecological management objectives, and ongoing research needs.
• Evaluate how prescribed fire is planned and implemented in relation to ecological research, long-term monitoring, threatened and endangered species, habitat needs, and conservation priorities.
• Assess the integration of prescribed fire with broader land-management needs, including ecological restoration, invasive species management, and management of fire-adapted ecosystems.
• Review prescribed-fire safety practices, crew qualifications, training, decision-making, and risk-management procedures, and recommend improvements consistent with rigorous professional standards.
• Assess the equipment and apparatus required to conduct prescribed fire safely and effectively — including vehicles and their condition and adequacy, fireline and ignition equipment, and personal protective and safety equipment — and recommend acquisitions, replacements, or upgrades.
• Recommend appropriate roles, responsibilities, staffing, training, partnerships, and other resources necessary for a safe and effective long-term fire management program.
• Identify the specific qualifications, certifications, and training that program personnel require, and determine what it would take to bring Archbold’s crew qualifications and operational protocols up to nationally recognized standards, including a practical, phased path to get there.
• Provide strategic guidance during implementation of priority recommendations.

The successful consultant will have:

• A master’s degree or higher in ecology, natural resources, conservation biology, wildlife biology, forestry, fire ecology, or a closely related scientific or natural resource discipline.
• Significant professional experience in prescribed fire and natural resource management, including planning and implementation of prescribed burns in fire-adapted ecosystems.
• Experience developing, implementing, evaluating, or substantially contributing to fire management plans.
• Familiarity with, and the demonstrated ability to apply, nationally recognized…