Prescribed Fire Operations Specialist

  • Full-time

Company Description

The Gravitas Peak Prescribed Fire Module is a wildland fire resource focused primarily on prescribed fire and fuels management. The Module is a highly adaptable resource comprised of two T6 engines, six full-time staff, and appropriate overhead, fire monitoring, and technology assets. The Module partners with stakeholders to conceptualize forest management and prescribed fire projects as well as providing the administrative and technical services to make these projects a reality. The Module serves as a force multiplier, creating prescribed fire incident management organizations in remote locations and standing up a ten-person hand crew through call-when-needed resources and detailers. Gravitas Peak is working towards Wildland Fire Module certification and have hired and equipped towards type 1 WFM requirements. In 2019, Gravitas Peak burned over 40,000 acres on independent and partner projects, providing extensive leadership and operational resources.

The Module has an equally important parallel mission: to serve as a training program for young adults (18–25 year old) from underrepresented and underserved populations. We provide a training program that prepares young firefighters for competitive employment with the Nation’s land management agencies and a path to success and independence.  

The Forest Stewards Guild is a national organization of foresters and allied natural resource professionals dedicated to practicing and promoting values-based forestry. The Guild has over 700 professional members who manage over 42 million acres of forestland in the United States and Canada. The Fire Management Program is dedicated to supporting fire as a natural process in fire-adapted ecosystems on a landscape scale to improve ecosystem function and health and increase wildfire resilience. 

The Guild is dedicated to providing an open, transparent, and just organization and workplace. We strive for clear, open, and kind communication and are committed to centering, recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and supporting fire practitioners from traditionally underserved and underrepresented communities. We are dedicated to building a better way to do fire management, that recognizes the inherent value of our employees, that supports work / life balance, and provides an environment that supports growth.  

Job Description

The Forest Stewards Guild is hiring a seasonal position in Colorado! The Prescribed Fire Operations Specialist will support the Guild’s Fire Management program and be a member of the Gravitas Peak Prescribed Fire Module. The position has both field and office responsibilities, including but not limited to project implementation, leadership roles on prescribed fires and wildfires, collaborative burn coordination, and young adult mentorship. Candidates should have a passion for increasing the pace and scale of prescribed fire, increasing diversity and inclusion in the fire practitioner community, and mentoring fire practitioners from underserved and underrepresented communities.   

The successful candidate will have extensive prescribed fire and wildland fire experience, strong organization skills, the ability to embrace adversity and uncertainty, and a clear commitment to working with diverse populations. They will: 

  • Engage in prescribed fire and wildfire operations, often as a squad boss or single resource boss. 

  • Support a prescribed fire Incident Management Team. 

  • Be supported towards a RXB2 certification, depending on individual qualifications and aptitude. 

  • Provide mentoring to trainee firefighters, including a five-person squad as the program develops. 

  • Coordinate with project partners to ensure planning, personnel, and equipment needs are met. 

  • May oversee staff, volunteers, and individuals or crews from other agencies or organizations when serving in a leadership role in prescribed fire or wildfire operations. 

  • May work in variable weather conditions, in remote locations, and on difficult or hazardous terrain and / or in other physically demanding environments. 

  • Travel for extended periods of time and work outside of normal business hours. 

  • Be supported in pursuing suppression opportunities through our partner network. 

  • Assist with cache management and other logistics assignments. 

  • Maintain fire equipment and apparatus. 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • Clear verbal communication skills and strong organizational skills. 

  • FIRB  

  • High school diploma (or equivalent) and five years of training in wildland fire operations. 

  • Experience using and maintaining firefighting tools, equipment, and engines. 

  • Experience in prescribed fire operations and leadership. 

  • Must achieve minimum physical fitness standards for Arduous positions for wildland fire. 

  • Effective knowledge of common software applications. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • FEMO or FOBS experience.  

  • Strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm and experience working with young adults from underserved and underrepresented communities. 

  • Saw and vehicle maintenance and repair skills. 

  • ENGB or CRWB 

  • Ability to create and manage GIS data as well as create clear maps. 

  • Wilderness First Responder or higher medical qualifications. 

We encourage any individual that meets 75% or more of requirements to apply.  

Additional Information

Compensation: 

$25/hr. Paid leave and paid holiday benefits are provided. Employer-sponsored health and dental care coverage is available after 30 days of continuous employment. Participation in a retirement plan with employer match is available after 90 days. We will consider flexible work schedules to accommodate family or other commitments. The Forest Stewards Guild is an equal opportunity employer.  

Location: 

The fire crew is based in Loveland, CO. and works nationally on training assignments, suppression and prescribed fire, and fuels treatments projects. Up to 50 % of the job will require extended travel. The opportunity to work from a home office on administrative projects will be evaluated on a case by case basis for individuals with a proven record of successful independent remote work.  

Contact Us: 

Interested applicants should submit a one-page cover letter, three professional references, resume, and fire record to Daniel Godwin (daniel at forestguild.org). This position is open until filled with initial consideration starting 28-FEB 2020. Daniel can also be reached at 970 919-0190 x701. Please specify your earliest available start date.