The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube  or on Glassdoor.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

The Nature Conservancy is the world’s leading non-profit organization working on fire issues. We have been working with fire since 1962, when we conducted our first controlled burn. Our approach has evolved from one that was primarily focused on managing our preserves for biodiversity to one that includes developing more equitable policy and funding, elevating the leadership of Indigenous fire practitioners, growing skilled and diverse fire management workforces, and helping communities develop ways to live more safely with wildfire.

The Nature Conservancy’s Oregon Fire program is working to support prescribed fire planning, implementation, and monitoring across Oregon. The Prescribed Fire Module Assistant will be an employee of The Nature Conservancy, based in southern Oregon, one of three focal geographies, helping lead a new prescribed fire module comprised of up to 10 people. For approximately 6-8 months per year (spring through fall), the Module Assistant will work closely with the Module Leader, and organization partners such as the U.S. Forest Service and other local, state, federal, NGO, university, and Tribal partners, in preparing, conducting, and reviewing prescribed fire/fuels management activities in Oregon. During this time the module assistant will be expected to live in Klamath Falls, providing module leadership and other project planning, implementation, monitoring, and partnership support needs. For the remainder of the year, the Module Assistant will assist with priority TNC-focused projects including planning and implementation of prescribed fire/fuels on TNC and partner lands, engagement with TNC partners to develop and prioritize future projects, coordination with private, state, and Tribal entities to identify and recruit future module crewmembers, and other tasks.  The Module Assistant will be expected to travel frequently within their focal area for prescribed fire assignments. During the “offseason” (i.e., when the seasonal crewmembers are not working), the Module Assistant may live and work from any location in Oregon but will be expected to travel to their assigned geography to meet with partners in support of future planning, implementation, monitoring, and relationship building.

The Module Assistant will report directly to the Prescribed Fire Module Leader within their geography. This position is expected to help TNC, the U.S. Forest Service, and other partners to meet their respective prescribed fire and fuels management goals.

The Module Assistant, under the direction of the Module Leader will assist with training and mentoring module crewmembers representing a diverse set of partner organizations on prescribed fire assignments. This position will work independently and in teams, lead others, follow direction from supervisors, teach courses, and mentor others, while also advancing their own training and qualifications. The Module Assistant will work with and lead module crews which may consist of permanent and short-term TNC employees as well as volunteers, contractors, and assigned partner agency and Tribal staff serving on the module for a season or short-term rotation.

This 4-year term position is supported by federal, state, and private funding with the intention of assisting with prescribed fire across land ownerships.

 We are also hiring two Prescribed Fire Module Leader positions and encourage folks who are interested in either position to apply to both. 

The Module Assistant will assist with leadership of crews on prescribed burns, preparing fire lines, maintaining equipment, monitoring post-burn fire effects, and carrying out other prescribed fire and vegetation management related tasks. They will also work with partners to plan and prepare for prescribed fire operations, including unit layout, burn plan writing, and following TNC’s Fire Manual and Standard Operating Procedures.  

The Module Assistant will support prescribed fire planning, operations, monitoring, and training opportunities for other non-profit NGOs, Indigenous peoples and tribes, local fire departments, and local, state, and federal agencies, with a focus on providing inclusive workforce development opportunities for under-represented groups. It is imperative that the Module Assistant is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. This work may include engagement with willing private landowners in developing prescribed fire agreements, planning, and implementing prescribed fire on these lands.

In addition, they are responsible for safe and effective fire operations, and they will administer physical fitness testing, train, and organize crews, manage volunteers, and contribute to annual refresher training.

The Module assistant may participate in wildland fire management activities in partnership with other non-government organizations, Indigenous Peoples and Tribes, local fire departments, and local, state, and federal agencies, either as a TNC employee or as a short-term employee of a partner entity (such as an Administratively Determined short-term federal employee).

This is a regular, full-time, hourly wage position. Working more than 40 hours a week will occur occasionally, especially during prescribed fire seasons and while traveling for assignments overtime rates apply after the first 40 hours each week. Travel expenses, meals and lodging will be provided by TNC when traveling for prescribed fire assignments.  

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and 3 years of training in fire operations, science-related field or similar field or related experience in land management.
• Qualified NWCG Firefighter Type 1 (or equivalent qualification) as described in the TNC Fire Manual. https://www.tncfiremanual.org/SquadBoss.htm
• Be able to perform heavy physical work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.  Must achieve physical fitness standards as set by local Fire Manager and TNC Fire Manual.
• Must have experience operating and maintaining various types of equipment.
• Must have experience leading staff or volunteers on the fire line commensurate with qualification level.
• Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required (e.g., herbicide application, First Aid and CPR).
• Ability to meet all Conservancy Youth Qualification requirements and background checks.

Desired Qualifications

• Qualified NWCG Single Resource Boss (or equivalent qualification) as described in the TNC Fire Manual, or ability to meet qualification within one year as indicated in application materials. Http://tncfiremanual.org/singleresource.htm
• Function as a contributing member of a mixed-gender, cross-generational team with a range of experience and skills demonstrating a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
• Lead crew through with all aspects of prescribed burning including planning, implementation, and monitoring.
• Operate ATVs, UTVs, tractors, chain saws, and leaf blowers and tow trailers. Maintain assigned equipment.
• Experience keeping accurate records of work time, expenses, etc. and submitting reports in a timely manner.
• Competence with mobile mapping and data collection such as Collector for ArcGIS and Avenza Maps.