Gopher Tortoise Management and Prescribed Fire Technician

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.