Seasonal Fire Technician

The Fire Technician will participate in prescribed fire operations, which include: notifications, firebreak prep, ignition, control, suppression, and mop-up, etc.  Additionally, the Fire Technician will participate in: training, preparing and maintaining firebreaks, maintaining equipment, fuels and fire effects monitoring, prescribed fire prescription writing/mapping, and data entry.  During times of limited fire management work the Fire Technician will be assigned to assist the science and stewardship programs.  Stewardship activities will include but not limited to: native seed collection, boundary posting, trash removal, herbicide work, trail work, GPS/GIS mapping, facility/equipment maintenance, invasive species management (herbicide work) and tree planting.  Additionally, the Fire Technician will perform other duties as assigned.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission (APBPC) is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP) and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities. The Management Plan for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve guides all aspects of creating and managing the preserve.

The 3,400+ - acre APBP, located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent ecosystem provides habitat for many plants and animals, including more than 20 percent of New York State’s wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, such as the endangered Karner blue butterfly. The APBP is a National Natural Landmark, Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Site, National Recreation Trail Site, a New York State Unique Area, Birding Trail Site and Bird Conservation Area, and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and over 20 miles of trails, the APBP offers visitors with a variety of interests many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing.

As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center at 195 New Karner Road, Albany, is a “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. This unique destination provides for exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2), per NWCG guidelines (https://www.nwcg.gov/publications/pms310-1).
• Ability to use maps, compass, Avenza Maps, GPS, GIS, and aerial photos; ability to orient oneself in the field. 
• Valid state driver’s license; ability to drive four-wheel drive vehicles and experience towing a trailer.
• Ability and willingness to perform difficult physical work for extended and irregular periods, under adverse conditions and in various extremes of weather. 
• Excellent physical conditioning and the ability to complete the arduous level work capacity test:
• https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/Work-Capacity-Test-brochure.pdf
• Ability and willingness to work weekends and travel on short notice for extended periods of time.  This travel could include assignment to wildland fires through our state/federal partners.
• Ability to work under variable weather conditions, on difficult terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

Job Title: Fire Technician
Department: Conservation
Supervisor: Briggs
Location: Albany, NY 
FMLA Status: Non-Exempt  
Classification of Position: Seasonal
Dates of Employment: March 25, 2024 – October 25, 2023
Compensation and Hours Per Week: $17/hour - 37.5 hours/week
Housing (if included): Limited Housing Available as Taxable Benefit


APBPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
APBPC does not discriminate in its employment opportunities or practices on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, hairstyle and hair texture, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, gender identity, transgender status, genetic information/predisposition or carrier status, age, religion, creed, domestic violence victim status, and any other classification protected by federal, state or local law.

APBPC is an at-will employer.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of APBPC for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please reply by 1/31/2024
Please email cover letter, resume, and 3 references to: tbriggs@albanypinebush.org
For questions concerning this position please contact: 
Tyler Briggs, Fire Manager at the above email address.
No phone calls please.
 

 

Date Posted: 01-16-2024

Expire Date: 01-31-2024

Contact Name: Tyler Briggs

Contact Email: tbriggs@albanypinebush.org

Additional Instructions:

Please email cover letter, resume, and 3 references to: tbriggs@albanypinebush.org For questions concerning this position please contact: Tyler Briggs, Fire Manager at the above email address. No phone calls please.