Altamaha Stewardship and Fire Assistant Manager

The Altamaha Stewardship and Fire Assistant Manager assists with leading and directing stewardship and fire operations on TNC preserves and partner lands in conjunction with state, federal, and non-profit partners. Work includes the direction, management, development and coordination of conservation programs with an emphasis on prescribed fire, including advanced fireline leadership, supervision of interns, and volunteers. Program assistance with data collection for administration of grants and staff qualifications.

The Altamaha Stewardship and Fire Assistant Manager directs work teams comprised of both TNC and external partner employees to ensure the coordination, community support and implementation of management plans on protected lands. This position serves as a qualified fireline leadership moving towards a Burn Boss qualification, providing advanced fireline leadership and command on prescribed fires, and holds program administration responsibility, including budget oversight, contract management, and reporting for the Altamaha fire and stewardship program.

The Altamaha Stewardship and Fire Assistant Manager may supervise seasonal interns and volunteers, with responsibility for hiring, training, performance management, and development. This position maintains and manages partner relationships, and preserve areas frequented by the visiting public, removes exotic species and/or monitors and researches species, maintains tools and equipment, operates heavy machinery, and opens and closes preserve to the visiting public.

This position will also provide insight and assistance with timber management activities in the pursuit of ecological restoration.

• Assists with the management of TNC properties (and co-managed GADNR lands) in the Altamaha region of Georgia for biological diversity, resiliency, and ecosystem services.
• Lead implementation of annual and longer-term land management plans, including prioritizing tasks and developing cost estimates.
• Monitor preserve use including hunting leases, contractors and others engaged in activities on Conservancy property.
• Write burn plans that meet or exceed TNC requirements and achieve ecological management objectives.
• Prepare units for prescribed burns.
• Serve in manner moving towards Burn Boss qualification and in other advanced fireline leadership roles on prescribed fires, holding NWCG SRB qualification.
• Direct and coordinate the activities of seasonal stewardship staff, crew members, and volunteers on the fireline.
• Direct other aspects of stewardship on the Altamaha project landscape, including but not limited to timber management; planting/restoration of longleaf pine and other native species; management of exotic, invasive plants and animals.
• Oversee ecological monitoring activities, both independently and in collaboration with other monitoring partners (e.g., GADNR).
• Maintain and foster cooperative management relationships with managers of other natural areas, commercial timber lands and public lands.
• Assist with meeting TNC 2030 goals as they relate to the Longleaf Pine Whole system objectives of restoring longleaf pine habitat across the range within Southeast Georgia.
• Other land stewardship activities, as required.

• Supervises seasonal interns and volunteers, with responsibility of assisting with recruiting, hiring, onboarding and training.
• Builds and leads effective seasonal crews committed to program goals; provides regular feedback and coaching and holds volunteers accountable to safety standards and performance expectations.
• Serves as a point of escalation for personnel and fireline safety issues involving supervised staff; ensures appropriate training and qualification standards are met before staff are assigned to fireline duties.

• Work with private and public landowners to encourage sustainable and ecologically compatible stewardship practices in strategically important areas.
• Represent TNC on local, state and national fire-related working groups.
• Lead media relations and community outreach within the project area, in consultation with the Altamaha Stewardship Manager.
• Provide advanced technical expertise in fire management, land stewardship and forestry within the Altamaha/Fort Stewart Significant Geographic Area for planning purposes and to other Conservancy programs where needed and compatible with local responsibilities.
• Design and coordinate training for current and…