Prescribed Fire & Stewardship Technician

Prescribed Fire and Stewardship Technician

The Prescribed Fire and Stewardship Technician (PFST) is a key position for the growth of our prescribed fire and land stewardship programs in Kentucky. The position is based in Lexington, KY, however a remote work option may be negotiated for highly qualified applicants residing within proximity of TNC work areas Lexington, Morehead, or London, KY. Frequent travel is required.

The PFST provides technical leadership and support to the Kentucky Business Unit and plans and directs preserve management programs and stewardship. The PFST addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual species, fosters cross-site learning among the conservation community, and supplies conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information relevant to the planning process. The PFST assists with developing and implementing conservation strategies related to prescribed fire and preserve stewardship and employs a full range of habitat management tools and strategies.

They will also implement a variety of strategies to secure public and private funding support for TNC conservation priorities. The PFST coordinates community support, coordinates with partners, and ensures the maintenance of preserve areas frequented by the visiting public and coordinates multiple projects, sets deadlines and manages completion.

• Assists with the implementation of prescribed burns by maintaining firebreaks, leading squads of 3 – 7 firefighters, maintaining fire equipment, and planning logistics.
• Assists with the development of prescribed burn plans, fire management plans, and land management plans.
• Maintains fire and stewardship supplies and equipment and maintains maintenance records.
• Maintains physical fitness necessary for maintaining wildland fire qualifications (arduous level).
• Works in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Leads vegetation and fire effects monitoring programs, collects maintains, and reports data.
• Leads and monitors work groups consisting of staff, interns, and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
• Assists with hiring, supervising, and managing seasonal staff and volunteers.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Financial responsibility including working within a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors and assisting with budget development.
• Manages preserves, preserves infrastructure, and maintains hiking trails.
• Maintains herbicide applicator licenses and applies herbicides.
• Functions as a leader and member of a work team, in high stress environments.
• Networks with diverse groups, including landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members, volunteers, and the public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy programs/preserves.

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

  NWCG Squad Boss (FFT1), and Wildland Faller qualified, or equivalent, documented training and experience at or above the FFT1 and Wildland Faller qualifications.

  Experience with wildland fire management in the Appalachians or similar ecosystems including but not limited to implementing prescribed burns, assisting with burn plan development, supervising squads, working with engines and UTVs, preparing firebreaks, monitoring fire effects, writing prescribed burn plans, and working with state and federal partners.

  Must have foundational knowledge and experience of prescribed fire, fuels management, restoration, and overall ecology of eastern forests, native grasslands found within Kentucky.

  Must have demonstrated experience maintaining and operation various types of fire and stewardship equipment including but not limited to fire pumps, power equipment, off-road vehicles, skid-steers, tractors, and the ability to…