Prescribed Fire Manager

The Nature Conservancy in Washington has reopened our search for a Prescribed Fire Manager. The position description is the same, but the position is now a regular, full-time position (no longer term-limited), and the salary range was increased.

The work location is flexible within the dry forest region of Central Washington (Wenatchee, Ellensburg, Cle Elum, Yakima), but the ability to be on-site at TNC locations in Washington is required. If you or anyone you know is interested in this exciting opportunity, review the attached job posting and apply online. Please share this with people who may be interested in the position.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

Large wildfires threaten our communities, the quality of our air, and the very existence of our forests. Nearly every year our state is setting new records with bigger, more destructive and more deadly fires. TNC is the world’s leading environmental non-profit organization that conducts controlled burns and works on other fire-related issues, such as training people from all walks of life to safely use fire, and helping communities better prepare for wildfires.  The Prescribed Fire Manager will be the lead staff member within the Washington Chapter’s programmatic effort focused on accelerating ecological fire to build wildfire resilience in frontline communities of Central and Eastern Washington. This position supports and guides Chapter programs to ensure the scientifically defensible execution of forest restoration and management throughout WA, with the goal of increasing the resilience of forest ecosystems and frontline communities in the face of climate change. The Prescribed Fire Manager works to increase political social license, funding and staff capacity for on the ground implementation of beneficial fire to improve community resilience and engage frontline communities in creating local and equitable solutions to wildfire issues. This position provides oversight and technical support, ensuring adherence to the highest for safety and mitigation of risk, while achieving ecological outcomes. This position has oversight of fire qualifications and fire implementation but does not have direct supervisory responsibilities. The Prescribed Fire Manager ensures that the best available science guides our forest restoration work and conservation strategies, with an emphasis on building resilience in natural communities, thus allowing them to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem function in a changing climate. They connect chapter work to TNC’s North America Living with Fire strategy. The position will build on a history of local collaboration as well as the support of national networks such as the Fire Learning Network. Please see attached document for full position description.

We’re Looking for You: 

Passionate about fire management and conservation? Join us as a Prescribed Fire Manager! You’ll help build Washington’s prescribed fire workforce and implement prescribed burns to increase community wildfire resilience. With certifications like NWCG RXMG and RXB2, you’ll mentor burn bosses and keep our leadership informed. Stay ahead with industry updates and help us advance conservation goals. Ready to ignite change? Come join TNC and apply today! 

What You’ll Bring: 

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 4 years’ experience in fire management or natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Must meet NWCG qualifications for RXB2 (Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2), including coursework and experience requirements. See the TNC’s Fire Management Manual for a full explanation of qualification requirements. 
• Experience in developing strategies. 
• Experience and commitment to work with communities using empathetic listening to build and maintain the public acceptance and support needed to regularly use prescribed fire as a land management tool. 
• Experience in reviewing prescribed burn unit plans and site fire management plans. 
• Experience in training and curriculum design. 
• Supervisory experience. 
• Experience leading effectively in stressful situations. 
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Box, and Web Browsers. 
• Experience communicating effectively with internal colleagues, partners, and or media. 
• Annually pass physical fitness testing at the arduous level. 
• Fire Manager Qualification must be approved and designated in writing by the Conservancy Fire Management Coordinator. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ability to act in accordance with the Washington equity statement and Washington statement of commitment to Indigenous Peoples; be respectful of differences of identity and/or beliefs, and successfully work across those differences to meet work objectives. 
• Ability and willingness to achieve NWCG Prescribed Fire Manager (RXMG) qualification. 
• Familiar with the fuel types and geography for which fire management activities occur and must have a demonstrated ability to evaluate people, programs, and potential problems, and to build partnerships. 
• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities. 
• Ability and willingness to communicate and work closely with burn bosses, land managers and scientists to develop strategies and meet conservation and fire management objectives. 
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles. 
• Familiarity with fire effects and fire behavior in local fuel types. 
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in fire management, conservation, land management and natural resource preservation. 
• Knowledge of Conservancy fire management Standard Operating Procedure, requirements, and guidelines. 
• Experience writing and securing grants. 
• Completing tasks independently and with respect to timeline(s). 
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages. 

SALARY INFORMATION

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $79,000 – $89,000 annually. 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.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for job ID #56299, submit your resume and required cover letter online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. The position will remain open until filled, with priority consideration for applications received by 3/17/2025 at 8:59 PM PST. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.