The prescribed fire ecology technician will be part of a crew responsible for assisting with the implementation of prescribed fire primarily on Ceylon Wildlife Management Area, as well as other WMAs in Southeast GA.  Your work priority would be activities associated with prescribed burning, including firebreak construction, fuel reduction, burn operations, and pre- and post-burn monitoring. The technician may also be involved with exotic and invasive species control, native species planting, basic land management activities, and assisting in sensitive and endangered species recovery.

Burn crew work typically involves strenuous and often tedious physical work for prolonged periods of time under all extremes of weather. Hours of work can be long and irregular (sometimes on the weekend) with little control over your schedule. Days off may sometimes be on very short notice and subject to change. As part of the Interagency Burn Team (IBT), you will be working with several different agencies, including the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, Georgia Forestry Commission, US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, The Orianne Society, and other agencies, as well as dedicated volunteers and private landowners.

Qualifications

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• College degree and/or 6 months of related experience

• Ability to carry a 45 pound pack over 3 miles of level terrain in 45 minutes or less (Arduous Level Pack Test) and maintain fitness.

• Willingness to work long and irregular hours.

• Current driver’s license with clean driving record and able to pass a State of Georgia background check. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Qualified as or able to meet qualifications for FFT2, including Introduction to ICS (I-100), Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190), Firefighting Training (S-130), Chainsaw Use (S-212).

• Ability to perform the safe operation of chainsaws, 4x4 pickups, trailers, UTVs, pumps and hand tools.

• Ability and willingness to work in a team environment.

• Ability to perform hard physical work for extended and irregular periods, under adverse conditions in all extremes of weather.

The position will run from January 3 – June 27, 2025. There may be some flexibility on the ending date if other opportunities arise during the season. Housing will be provided at Altama Plantation WMA. Transportation to/from sites, and job-related equipment will be provided as well.