Job Title/Position: Seasonal Prescribed Fire Crewmember January 4th to June 21st, 2027

Location:  Canoochee Sandhills WMA, Pembroke, GA

Job Responsibilities: The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Wildlife Conservation section is seeking to hire six seasonal associates for implementing prescribed fire across South Georgia, primarily targeting high-priority gopher tortoise habitat.  Associates will be a part of a 6-person burn crew stationed at the Canoochee Sandhills WMA in Pembroke, Georgia. Work priorities will include prescribed fire operations, fireline construction, maintenance of fire equipment, and pre/post-burn monitoring. The crew may also be involved with exotic and invasive species control, native species planting, other land management activities, and assisting in species monitoring/surveys.

Burn crew work typically involves strenuous or tedious physical work for prolonged periods of time under all weather conditions, sometimes in remote areas.  Hours of work can be long and irregular (sometimes on weekends) with little control over scheduling.  Days off may be short notice and subject to change. This is an opportunity to acquire valuable training, certifications, and experience working closely with natural resource management professionals.

As part of the Interagency Burn Team (IBT), you will be working with a variety of different agencies, including Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, Georgia Forestry Commission, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Orianne Society, and other agencies and organizations, as well as dedicated volunteers and private landowners.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Ability to complete minimum NWCG requirements for Basic Wildland Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) including Introduction to ICS (ICS-100), Introduction to NIMS (IS-700) Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (L-180), Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190), Firefighter Training (S-130), and Chainsaw Use (S-112)
• Be able to pass an Arduous Work Capacity Test (walk 3 miles in 45 minutes with a 45lb pack)
• Willing to work long and irregular hours.
•  Current driver’s license with clean driving record and able to pass a State of Georgia criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current NWCG qualifications for Basic Wildland Firefighter (FFT2) or higher, including Introduction to ICS (ICS-100), Introduction to NIMS (IS-700) Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (L-180), Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190), Firefighter Training (S-130), and Chainsaw Use (S-112).
• Experience with the safe operation and general maintenance of chainsaws, UTVs, ATVs, portable pumps, backpack sprayers, hand tools, and ignition devices.
• Experience pulling trailers with a pickup truck, sometimes over long distances and in off-road situations.
• Ability to perform hard physical work in adverse conditions and weather.
• Experience with operation and basic maintenance of farm/heavy equipment and implements.

Salary: $14-15/hour based on experience. Crew Leader may receive $17/hour based on experience.

Transportation to/from sites, training, and job-related equipment will be provided.

Housing is provided.