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Gopher Tortoise Management and Prescribed Fire Technician

The Orianne Society

Lumber City, Georgia

Job Type Temporary
Salary Details $2,400 /mo
Deadline Nov 18, 2024
Experience 0 - 1 years

POSITION TITLE: Gopher Tortoise Management and Prescribed Fire Technician

SUPERVISOR: Director of Fire Ecology and Management

LOCATION: Telfair County, GA

SALARY:  $2,400/month plus housing & training

APPOINTMENT: Seasonal, Jan 3, 2025 – June 3, 2025

This position will fill the role of Gopher Tortoise management and prescribed fire technician at the Longleaf Stewardship Center in Lumber City, Georgia. The technician will aid our mission to improve habitat across southeastern Georgia for rare and endangered reptiles, such as the Gopher Tortoise and Eastern Indigo Snake in the longleaf ecosystems. This role will primarily work as a crew member on our prescribed fire team but may also include work in other aspects of management such as wildlife monitoring/surveying, invasive species control, and general trail maintenance. This position will provide the opportunity to work with many of our interagency burn team partners (The Nature Conservancy, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Forestry Commission, and Private Landowners) and gain training in fire management to become firefighter type 2 certified (FFT2). On-site housing with internet at the Longleaf Stewardship Center will be provided.

JOB DUTIES

  • This position primarily will work to advance the restoration and management of natural systems and fire-dependent habitats in southeast Georgia
  • Assist on wildlife surveys across the southeast for Eastern Indigo Snakes, Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes, and Gopher Tortoises
  • Perform various prescribed fire and wildfire duties including firing, holding, mop-up, and gathering fire weather data
  • Prepare and maintain firelines
  • Operate fire equipment including ignition devices, 4WD trucks, ATV’s, UTV’s, portable pumps, small engines, tractors, chainsaws, hand tools, and GPS units
  • Maintain equipment and fire cache in fire-ready status; maintain clean and organized trucks and work areas
  • Will participate in various preserve maintenance activities (e.g. facility upkeep, fence construction/repair, trail maintenance, and invasive plant control using herbicides)
  • The position will be required to network with diverse groups including private landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the general public

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

The Gopher Tortoise management and prescribed fire technician will work in variable and extreme weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions:

  • Require considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
  • Present frequent possibility of injury.
  • Require long hours in isolated settings.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Associate’s/Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, ecology or related field
  • 1-3 years’ experience in wildland fire management including prescribed fire; FFT2 certification
  • Any sawyer certification
  • Experience with heavy equipment (i.e. tractors, skid steers, bulldozers)
  • Experience recognizing plant and animal species and working knowledge of the ecology of the southeastern coastal plain or fire ecology in general

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • High school diploma
  • Experience operating and maintaining various types of off-road vehicles and equipment
  • Acceptable motor vehicle record
  • Maintain personal appearance in professional, presentable fashion, suitable to represent The Orianne Society to partners and the public
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Ability to maintain positive morale under adverse working conditions
  • Ability to get along in a group setting and make quick decisions under pressure
  • Ability to complete tasks in the absence of supervision
  • Willingness to work long hours, weekends, and live and work in close contact with coworkers
  • Must meet minimum Orianne Society training and health requirements for wildland fires at the moderate level: 2 mile walk with a 25 pound pack vest with a time of 30 minutes or less
  • Willingness to work outdoors in HOT weather
HOW TO APPLY

TO APPLY

All candidates must submit a cover letter and résumé/CV with 2-3 references electronically to cgoldsmith@oriannesociety.org  with subject line of “Gopher Tortoise Management and Prescribed Fire Technician Application” by November 18th, 2024

When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.

Category Forestry, Wildlife
Tags Wildland Firefighter