SECC & TN - Northwest Georgia Fire Management Technician

Title: Northwest Georgia Fire Management Technician

Reports to: Katie Owens; Program Coordinator, The Nature Conservancy – Georgia Chapter 

Locations: Based in Rome, GA 

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Exempt (450-hour AmeriCorps National Service) 

Stipend: $400/week – paid bi-weekly   

Other Benefits: Dorm housing is provided 

Start/End date:   01/01/24 – 04/30/24 (17 weeks and 1 Day)

Positions Available: 4

Position opened until filled.  

Southeast Conservation Corps:   
SECC empowering young adults to cultivate compassion, responsibility, and grit through community service, hard work, and environmental stewardship.   

The Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. The SECC selects young adults, ages 18-30, to complete conservation work projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC programs encourage environmental stewardship, foster community partnerships, and emphasize experiential learning. SECC serves a diverse population that is representative of the Southeast, including youth, graduates, veterans, and a cross-section of ethnicities and income levels.   

Site Description: 
Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, water, and oceans at an unprecedented scale. We are providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 72 countries including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities. For more information about The Nature Conservancy visit: The Nature Conservancy: A World Where People & Nature Thrive  (nature.org)

Overview:  

Northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama are home to hundreds of thousands of acres of forests that have been suppressed from fire for decades. Most of these forests need fire to benefit wildlife, reduce fuels to prevent catastrophic wildfires, and to be overall productive timber forests. TNC works closely in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama with private landowners, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, and the Talladega National Forest on timber management, trail maintenance, and prescribed burning.  This internship will have opportunities to burn with local counties, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, and the Talladega National Forest, all who embrace the return of fire to Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama for community and environmental benefits. 

In addition to returning fire to the landscape, this internship will have the opportunity to maintain several preserves and easements that TNC owns to protect biodiversity and provide recreational access for the public. The intern will also assist with the upkeep of established and well used trail systems found on the preserves.

Position Responsibilities: 

• Seasonal Prescribed Burns.Involves conducting prescribed burns for the benefit of rare and endangered species. Intern will participate in prescribed burn operations throughout Northwest Georgia on key preserves owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Intern will also be assisting TNC partners such as private landowners, state agencies, federal agencies, and potentially the Alabama TNC Chapter.
• Assistance with ignition, control, mop-up, suppression, and monitoring. Involves participation in preparation of fire lines, maintaining equipment, post-burn monitoring and other tasks.
• The Montane Longleaf Ecosystem is a rare ecosystem found only in Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama. A generous portion of this internship will focus on the restoration or maintenance of the montane longleaf ecosystem by planting and the use of fire. TNC expects this years’ work will directly benefit at least 5,000 acres of land.
• Preserve Management. When conditions are not conducive to prescribed burns, interns will perform other duties such as habitat restoration.
• Northwest Georgia is also home to one of the most biologically diverse river systems in the southeast, the Upper Coosa Watershed. There will be opportunities to assist with river restoration projects, with a focus specifically on expanding the Dub Denman Canoe Trail in the Tallapoosa River Watershed.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• A high school diploma and 6 months of related experience is required.
• Must be willing to complete online and in person training to become a Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2).
• Must have the ability to hike on an uneven terrain, off trail on unmarked paths in slippery and/or wet conditions.
• Must have the capacity to use sharp tools and carry heavy equipment.
• Must achieve arduous physical fitness fire standard (Walk 3 miles in 45 minutes carrying a 45lb pack).
• Must have a valid driver’s license and hold a good driving

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience operating various types of equipment (Type 6 Engine and UTVS).
• The ability to pull an 18-foot trailer.

AmeriCorps Qualifications:  
To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30 and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award.  

Work Schedule: 

The position lasts approximately 17 weeks (4 months), from January through April. The Intern will work a 40-hour work week, Monday through Friday with lunch breaks each day. Due to the position being weather dependent, some weekends will be worked. Since the position involves fire and tracts of varied sizes, some workdays will be more extensive than others. This will result in half days on non-fire related workdays.

Housing: 

Housing is available for students.  Students will share a 2-bedroom duplex with the fire crew lead. The students room will be setup as bunk housing.  Students must sign a housing agreement with The Nature Conservancy. 

Training: 

• Preparing Fire Lines

Intern will learn to use fire tools and establish knowledge of fire lines prior to prescribed burns. This individual will also learn to drop snags close to fire lines using chainsaws. Trainings include:

1. Fire Fighter Type II Certification (FFT2)
2. Introduction to ICS (I-100)
3. Human Factors on the Fire Line (L-180)
4. Wildland Fire Chainsaws (S-212)

• Wildland Fire Operations

Intern will learn the essential functions and responsibilities of ignition, control, mop-up, suppression, and post burn monitoring. Trainings Include:

1. Introduction to Wild Land Fire Behavior (S-190)
2. Firefighter Training (S-130)
3. Burn Training

• Stewardship Work

Intern will learn to assist with overseeing shortleaf and longleaf tree plantings and gain knowledge on rare aquatic and terrestrial species and monitor them. This individual will also learn to perform the basics of invasive species removal and control.

Transportation: 

A personal vehicle is required to get to the worksite and/or office. The intern will also drive an agency vehicle for this position. The driver must pass a background check, review, and sign The Nature Conservancy’s Vehicle Safety Agreement. The intern will also have to pass Conservation Legacy’s driver background screening to drive.

Compensation:  
Interns are paid a living stipend of $400 per week ($800 dispersed bi-weekly) before taxes, via direct deposit. Upon successful completion of the term of service AmeriCorps members will earn an AmeriCorps Segal education award in the amount of $1,824.07 to be used for student loans, qualifying programs/classes, or tuition for traditional Title IV accredited colleges.  

Participation and Expedition Behavior: 

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem-solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements.
• Appropriately always represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners.

Safety and Judgment  

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury, or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise, such as darkness or high winds. 
• Effectively perceive, understand, and follow directions from others so that you will be able to execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards successfully. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or must be given during exposure to the hazard. 
• Stay alert and focused for several hours while traveling and working in varied weather conditions. 
• Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those previously identified by others.  
• Respond appropriately to stress or crises. 
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.     

Outdoor Skills (where appropriate): 

Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain hydrated, fed, and properly dressed to remain healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.   

Substance Free: 

In accordance with a drug-free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.  

Additional Notes: 

All applicants are required to perform a criminal history check, offers of employment are contingent upon results. 

 This program is available to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

To Apply:  

Follow the SECC link and complete the application. Please include 3 references, a resume, and a copy of your transcripts (unofficial is okay). You can put the references in a word doc and upload it alongside your resume. A cover letter is encouraged but not required. 

If you have questions about the position, please contact: 

Katie Owens

Program Coordinator

The Nature Conservancy – The Georgia Chapter

(706) 767-0497 

kowens@tnc.org 

If you have questions about the application process, please contact: 

Kahla Stewart

Intern Program Coordinator

Southeast Conservation Corps 

(423) 402-6004 

kstewart@conservationlegacy.org