Prescribed Fire Program Coordinator

Prescribed Fire Program Coordinator

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Conservation Program Biologist I (AGFC Prescribed Fire Program Coordinator) is responsible for supervising a wildlife or fisheries management area. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency policy.

Job Type: Full time, on-site

Location: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - Little Rock, Arkansas

Pay: $61,443-$86,609/year

Final date to receive applications: August 12, 2026

Typical functions include:

• Assisting program coordinators, habitat biologists, other staff and agency partners in the planning, preparation, and implementation of projects on wildlife management areas.
• Participating in developing wildlife management area recommendations and the development of short- and long-term plans for future agency conservation activities.
• Coordinating and leading biological surveys and studies of wildlife to determine population growth, propagation rates, and the effect of environmental and human conditions on particular species. Summarizing data and preparing reports.
• Communicating regularly with the Regional Supervisor regarding oversight for budgets, contracts and grants, and assisting in the supervision of professional and technical personnel, contractors, part-time employees, interns and volunteers.
• Overseeing overall project operational duties and supervision of employees in the absence of Regional Supervisor. Assisting with overall management of a region by submitting recommendations and reports to the Regional Supervisor.
• Assisting with budget development by reviewing and recommending requests from regional personnel and submitting budget recommendations to the Regional Supervisor. Developing, submitting, reviewing, approving, and directing implementation of budgets, invoices, project plans, regulations and operational procedures.
• Reviewing biological data to analyze trends affecting management priorities and program requirements.
• Drafting public land management plans and overseeing their implementation through direct participation, assigning appropriate personnel, assembling data, submitting and approving final data products and reports.
• Assisting with both regional and division administrative duties. Serving on statewide and broader working groups and teams.
• Conducting public relations work with various agencies, private industry, professional and civic organizations and outdoor recreational groups.
• Must understand and be willing to function in a multi-faceted, team-oriented work environment. Must maintain close individual contact with and develop solid working relationships with all Wildlife Management Division, agency and partner organization personnel.
• Participating in public outreach regarding management activities and regulations.
• Leading nuisance wildlife capture and relocation.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Serving as the AGFC statewide prescribed fire program coordinator.
• Burn Boss certified at AGFC policy standards or federal RXB3, TFLD, or higher certified by NWCG standard.
• Working with staff to plan prescribed burns, conduct burns, and track accomplishments towards habitat restoration goals.
• Responsible for administering training and physical fitness tests to ensure staff meet qualifications for burning.
• Coordinating with partners (US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Quail Forever, etc.) to work towards achieving habitat restoration goals statewide.
• Assisting the private lands habitat division to administer Qualified Prescribed Burner training and serving on the advisory board for the Qualified Prescribed Burner certification program.
• Serving as the Arkansas representative on the Southern Fire Exchange and the Arkansas Fire Council board.
• Serving on a cooperative team to plan the Arkansas Wildland Fire Academy with partners.
• Working with staff to prioritize prescribed fire efforts on clearly defined habitat conditions, goals, and objectives to ensure prescribed fire activities result in shifting habitats toward desired conditions as outlined in the Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan for terrestrial habitats.
• Overseeing post-fire plant community monitoring across the state.
• Assisting with grant writing to secure funding for program implementation.
• Overseeing purchase of all equipment (PPE, ATV torches, Radios, etc) needed for prescribed burns.
• Tracking and sharing accomplishments with agency staff and partners.

Minimum education and/or experience:

• The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, botany, or a related field; plus two years of experience in wildlife management or a related field. Other job-related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements, except for certification or licensure requirements, upon approval of the Human Resources Chief.

Preferred education and/or experience:

• A master's degree in wildlife biology, conservation biology, natural resources, environmental science, or a related field, plus…