ALBANY PINE BUSH PRESERVE COMMISSION

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:                                                        Fire Technician

Department:                                                  Conservation

Supervisor:                                                    Tyler Briggs   

Location:                                                        Albany, NY               

FMLA Status:                                                Non-Exempt    

Classification of Position:                             Seasonal

Dates of Employment:                                  March 23, 2026 – October 23, 2026

Compensation and Hours Per Week:         $18/hour - 37.5 hours/week

Housing (if included):                                   Limited Housing Available as Taxable Benefit

Date Prepared:                                              1/27/2026

Summary of Position:

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission (APBPC) is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP) and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities. The Management Plan for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve guides all aspects of creating and managing the preserve.

The 3,400+ - acre APBP, located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent ecosystem provides habitat for many plants and animals, including more than 20 percent of New York State’s wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, such as the endangered Karner blue butterfly. The APBP is a National Natural Landmark, Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Site, National Recreation Trail Site, a New York State Unique Area, Birding Trail Site and Bird Conservation Area, and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and over 20 miles of trails, the APBP offers visitors with a variety of interests many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing.

As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center at 195 New Karner Road, Albany, is a “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. This unique destination provides for exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Fire Technician will participate in prescribed fire operations, which include: notifications, firebreak prep, ignition, control, suppression, and mop-up, etc.  Additionally, the Fire Technician will participate in: training, preparing and maintaining firebreaks, maintaining equipment, fuels and fire effects monitoring, prescribed fire prescription writing/mapping, and data entry.  During times of limited fire management work the Fire Technician will be assigned to assist the science and stewardship programs.  Stewardship activities will include but not limited to: native seed collection, boundary posting, trash removal, trail work, facility/equipment maintenance, invasive species management (herbicide work) and tree planting.  Additionally, the Fire Technician will perform other duties as assigned.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2), per NWCG guidelines (https://www.nwcg.gov/publications/pms310-1).
• Ability to orient oneself in the field; Ability to use maps, compass, Avenza Maps
• Valid state driver’s license; ability to drive four-wheel drive vehicles and experience towing a trailer.
• Ability and willingness to perform difficult physical work for extended and irregular periods, under adverse conditions and in various extremes of weather.
• Excellent physical conditioning and the ability to complete the arduous level work capacity test:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/Work-Capacity-Test-brochure.pdf

• Ability and willingness to work weekends and travel on short notice for extended periods of time. This travel could include assignments to wildland fires through our state/federal partners.
• Ability to work under variable weather conditions, on difficult terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

APBPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

APBPC does not discriminate in its employment opportunities or practices on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, hairstyle and hair texture, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, gender identity, transgender status, genetic information/predisposition or carrier status, age, religion, creed, domestic violence victim status, and any other classification protected by federal, state or local law.

APBPC is an at-will employer.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of APBPC for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.