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Long Cane Ranger District, Sumter National Forest, SC, USA
Onsite
The Forest Recovery Lead Technician will support implementation of a five-year Hurricane Helene recovery and forest restoration agreement between The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the U.S. Forest Service on the Sumter National Forest, with a focus on the Long Cane Ranger District. The position will help deliver on-the-ground recovery work that reduces hazardous fuels, restores resilient forests, improves watershed health and biological diversity, and strengthens community wildfire preparedness across the western Piedmont landscape.
Working as part of TNC’s South Carolina Forest Recovery Team, the Lead Technician will provide day-to-day field leadership for forest restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, prescribed fire, post-storm recovery, and related monitoring activities. The position will organize field assignments, coordinate personnel and equipment, monitor progress, and work alongside TNC staff, U.S. Forest Service personnel, contractors, and other partners to maintain safe and efficient operations.
Work will occur primarily on the Long Cane Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest and may include adjacent lands where treatments directly support recovery and restoration objectives for the district. Some work will occasionally occur on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District or at other approved locations. Activities may include prescribed fire preparation and implementation, mechanical and manual fuels work, fire control feature construction and rehabilitation, invasive species treatment, vegetation management, field assessment, fuels characterization, data collection, and restoration of disturbed areas with native vegetation.
The Lead Technician will help maintain field readiness by inspecting and maintaining tools, vehicles, equipment, personal protective equipment, and supplies; coordinating logistics and mobilization; documenting accomplishments; and communicating field conditions, safety concerns, and operational needs to the Forest Recovery Director and U.S. Forest Service project contacts. The position may serve in Incident Command System positions for which the employee is qualified or formally assigned as a trainee.
The position requires work in variable weather, smoke, remote locations, difficult terrain, and physically demanding conditions. Frequent travel to project sites and occasional overnight, evening, weekend, and extended operational assignments will be required. This is a full-time, term position based in the western Piedmont of South Carolina, within reasonable commuting distance of the Long Cane Ranger District, and may be extended beyond the initial five-year term, subject to funding and organizational need.
If you are looking for meaningful field-based conservation work, join TNC’s South Carolina Chapter as a Forest Recovery Lead Technician supporting the Long Cane Ranger District. You will help turn Hurricane Helene recovery investments into visible, measurable results on the ground while building a strong safety culture and supporting a capable, collaborative restoration team.
We are seeking a practical, dependable field leader who can organize work, solve problems, communicate clearly, and contribute directly to demanding restoration and prescribed fire operations. The successful candidate will balance production, safety, stewardship, accurate documentation, and respectful collaboration with agency staff, contractors, partners, and communities.
The Forest Recovery Lead Technician will report to the South Carolina Forest Recovery Director or another designated TNC manager. The position will work closely with other Forest Recovery Team members, Long Cane Ranger District staff, and designated U.S. Forest Service project supervisors and technical specialists. The Lead Technician may organize daily work and provide technical coaching to assigned TNC staff, seasonal employees, volunteers, or contractors within delegated authority but will not supervise federal employees.
This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
The starting pay for a candidate selected for this position is $27.00 per hour. This only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
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TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
