Ecological Fire Program Manager

Description

What We Can Achieve Together:
The Ecological Fire Program Manager (EFPM) is a salaried position and the lead staff member within the Washington Chapter’s Ecological Fire Program, designed to build wildfire resilience in frontline communities of Central and Eastern Washington.

This program addresses the wildfire crisis by:

Working in collaboration with partners, engaging communities, and TNC’s fire programs.

Ensuring that place-based fire management is implemented at an increased pace and scale through strategic and innovative expansion of projects, methodologies, tools, and funding.

Improving forest resilience and watershed health across the western dry-forest ecoregion.

The EFPM accelerates the use of ecological fire through development and implementation of community-based cooperative burning programs with Indigenous partners and communities at the highest risk of wildfire impacts. They support and guide Chapter programs to ensure scientifically defensible execution of forest restoration and management throughout Washington, increasing the resilience of forest ecosystems and frontline communities in the face of climate change.

This position also works to increase political social license, funding, workforce capacity, and on-the-ground implementation of beneficial fire to improve community resilience and engage frontline communities in creating local and equitable solutions to wildfire issues. The EFPM supervises staff and oversees fire qualifications and fire implementation.

The EFPM ensures that the best available science guides forest restoration work and conservation strategies, with an emphasis on building resilience in natural communities to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem function in a changing climate. The successful candidate will connect chapter work to TNC’s North America Living with Fire strategy and our Western Dry Forests and Fire Program, building on local collaboration and the support of national networks such as the Fire Learning Network.

Essential Functions

The EFPM establishes TNC as a major conservation partner within the fire management community and leads in defining conservation priorities and long-term strategies. They develop partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues and communicate solutions and best practices widely. They engage local communities, negotiate solutions with government agencies and landowners, and develop innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to manage natural systems to build resilience against climate change.

Anticipated percentage of time relative to key job duties:

Relationship Building, Facilitation & Communications: 40%

Project Management, Implementation & Problem Solving: 25%

Grants and Contracts Management: 25%

Other functions: 10%

Responsibilities & Scope

The EFPM is a strategic leader who translates plans into action, motivates the team, and fosters alignment to achieve organizational goals. Responsibilities include:

Managing the Accelerating Ecological Fire program’s Theory of Change and reporting quarterly progress.

Establishing and maintaining optimal standards of performance for the program, controlling costs, and managing budgets.

Developing contracts and grants related to prescribed fire implementation that align with TNC’s approach, Strategic Framework, and conservation objectives.

Supporting prescribed fire workforce development and implementing prescribed burns to increase community wildfire resilience.

Conducting or assisting with local and national training; ensuring TNC’s fire guidelines are met or exceeded.

Providing technical and scientific support to fire planners and burn bosses, reviewing contracts and staff qualifications, and advising TNC legal counsel on fire policy.

Staying current on developments in wildland fire management, new burn techniques, and equipment.

Building strong partnerships to further TNC goals and keeping senior leadership informed of program activities, needs, risks, and accomplishments.

Time Allocation:

75%: Strategic leadership, coordination, budget, and contract management.

25%: Prescribed fire implementation.

Level of Position
The EFPM is a mid-level conservation team position within the Washington Chapter, accountable for conservation results within their control.

Key Duties:

Develop and implement a proactive, systems-level program focused on ecologically based fire management.

Establish TNC as a major conservation partner within the fire management community.

Provide capacity to test social license assumptions and establish community-based cooperative burning models with an equity lens.

Serve as the principal contact for government agencies, conservation organizations, and the academic community on fire issues.

Strategically invest in pilot projects using TNC business unit strengths to advance forest resilience.

Provide internal and external communications to accomplish policy objectives and advise on policy issues.

Coordinate community support, manage contracts, and implement program strategies around workforce development and prescribed fire use.

Work closely with TNC staff to implement restoration and management on several thousand acres of public and private lands.

Direct prescribed fire operations and develop/review Prescribed Burn Unit Plans.

Supervise staff, including performance management, training, and development.

Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.

Pursue grants and private donations, managing relevant grants and contracts.

Work Environment and Schedule

Flexible work location within Central Washington dry forest region; must be able to work on-site at TNC locations.

Long hours in variable weather, remote locations, difficult terrain, and physically demanding circumstances.

Annual Pack Test (Arduous Duty): 3-mile walk over level terrain in ≤45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.

Frequent (sometimes overnight) travel required.

What You’ll Bring

BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience in partnership development with non-profits, community groups, and government agencies.

Experience leading and managing crew members in prescribed fire implementation, including training and supervising staff and volunteers.

Experience as a course instructor for entry to mid-level wildland fire and prescribed fire courses.

Annually pass physical fitness testing at the arduous level.

3–5 years related experience in fire operations or ecological land management.

Experience using ESRI software: ArcMap, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, Collector, or Field Maps.

Desired Qualifications

Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience, especially with Indigenous communities.

Experience fostering public acceptance and support for prescribed fire.

5–7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field.

Holds NWCG qualifications for RxB2.

Experience collaborating with public, private, and NGO partners.

Political savvy and strong communication skills in English and other relevant languages.

Experience with communities impacted by climate-related natural resource emergencies.

Experience facilitating collaborative decision-making across diverse stakeholders.

Grant writing and securing experience.

Salary Information

Starting pay range: $79,000–$89,000 (USA).

Actual pay depends on location, qualifications, skills, and experience.

Who We Are
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) protects the lands and waters on which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create on-the-ground solutions to global challenges. TNC values include respect for people, communities, and cultures, offering career development, flexible schedules, and a rewarding mission.

TNC cultivates an inclusive work environment, recognizing unique talents and experiences beyond job postings. As TNC says: “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring

Since 1951, TNC has grown from a small non-profit to a global environmental leader.

More than 1 million members, 400+ scientists, and a diverse staff and partner network.

Comprehensive benefits package: health care, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) with 8% match, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance programs, and other well-being benefits.

Flexible work environment supporting employee health and well-being.

Equal Opportunity Employer
TNC is committed to equal employment opportunity, valuing contributions from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. We encourage applicants from all protected classes.

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Accommodations for disabilities are available via [email protected]

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