Southwest Prescribed Fire Project Coordinator

Since 1995, The Forest Stewards Guild’s national network of members, staff, and partners have advanced the culture of forest stewardship based on ethical principles, best-available science, and diverse experience. Practicing what we preach through real-world projects is a distinction that brings value and substance. We explore and demonstrate what works in the woods and showcase effective forest management practices through outreach, training, and policy development. In other words, we combine strategy and action to position ourselves as the heart of the forest stewardship movement, driving its growth and impact nationwide.

The Guild is dedicated to providing an open, transparent, and just organization and workplace. We strive for clear, open, and kind communication and are committed to recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and supporting staff from underrepresented communities. We are dedicated to building a work culture that recognizes the inherent value of our employees, supports a healthy work-life balance, and provides an environment that supports personal and job growth.

We believe that a diverse workforce reflects the strengths of all members of our community. The Forest Stewards Guild strives to create a collaborative, supportive, and respectful setting for all employees and partners. To meet this goal, we recognize and celebrate the wide range of differences that characterize our members, employees, partners, and collaborators. Indeed, it is those differences that enhance our organization and help us to meet our mission and vision. The Guild values diverse forests because they are more productive, more resilient, more adaptable, and better able to recover from disturbances. Similarly, our community is healthier when we are inclusive of a diversity of people and perspectives.

The Prescribed Fire Project Coordinator will coordinate projects within the Guild’s fire management program in New Mexico, which seeks to find innovative ways to build fire adapted communities and landscapes by increasing implementation of prescribed fire on private and public land, creating training and education opportunities, increasing collaboration, and broadening the definition of fire management. This position supports programs including the All Hands All Lands Burn Network and the Forest Stewards Youth Corps Fire and Fuels Crews, in addition to other existing programs and landscapes across the region.

This position spans both field and office responsibilities including planning, coordinating, and providing logistical support for and implementing prescribed burns led by the Guild, supporting partner burn efforts, and supervising field-based prescribed fire crews. This position will also support wildland and prescribed fire training including NWCG classes. This job will work to create a social and political environment that supports prescribed fire by supporting outreach and education efforts.

The position will work across jurisdictions with diverse partners to apply ecologically appropriate prescribed fire and fuels treatments that lead to resilient forests, watersheds, and communities. The Project Coordinator will provide planning and logistical support to ensure project completion.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in fire ecology, forestry, environmental science, or other natural resources field OR three years of experience of professional work in fire management, fire ecology, forestry, environmental science, or other natural resources field

• Prescribed fire and/or wildfire experience, and NWCG qualification as FFT1

• Chainsaw experience and FAL3 qualifications

• Proven leadership and experience leading crews in prescribed fire or wildfire operations

• Ability to work in difficult weather conditions, navigate in rough terrain, and accommodate a flexible schedule to take advantage of prescribed burn windows

• Strong logistical skills to coordinate and support prescribed burn operations

• Proven dedication to operational safety

• Strong self-direction and project management skills to complete projects under deadlines

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and attention to detail

• Clear verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work closely with a team

• Strong technical writing skills and effective knowledge of common software applications

• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive off-road in challenging conditions

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of risk management with a strong commitment to safety

• Forestry knowledge or experience in forest ecosystems of the Southwest

• Prescribed burn planning and forest management planning experience

• NWCG qualification as a Single Resource Boss (ENGB preferred)

• Chainsaw training experience and FAL2 qualification

• State Certified Burn Manager, RXB3, or higher prescribed fire qualifications

• Experience in delivering formal classes and on the job training

• Wilderness First Responder or higher medical qualifications

• Experience with ArcGIS for map production and basic analyses

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation and Benefits Package

Compensation will be based on experience and qualifications ranging from $57,200 to $70,720 annually. In addition, the Guild offers a competitive benefits package. Paid leave is accrued hourly from the first day of employment, with an additional 12 paid holidays a year. Employer-sponsored comprehensive health and dental care coverage is available after 30 days and the Guild covers 80% of the cost. Short and long-term disability policies, accidental death/dismemberment, life insurance, and family leave are paid by the Guild. Participation in a retirement plan with an employer match is available after 90 days. Family Leave after 12 months, including up to six weeks paid leave and six weeks unpaid leave.

The Guild is dedicated to providing an open, transparent, and just organization and workplace. We foster a work culture that recognizes the inherent value of our employees, supports a healthy work-life balance, and fosters personal growth. The Guild is an equal opportunity employer.

Location

This position is located at the Forest Stewards Guild’s office in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This position requires travel throughout the state, including overnight stays. All travel costs from the Guild office in Santa Fe are covered, including the use of a Guild vehicle. The opportunity to work from a home office on administrative tasks will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Fitness and Red Card Requirements

You must pass the arduous work capacity test (pack test). Projects will require remote work outdoors in adverse conditions on steep and rugged terrain and/or in inclement and variable weather conditions.

Schedule Requirements

The average work week is 40 hours, but the schedule may vary depending on operational needs. Projects may require working 10-16 hour days and/or outside of normal business hours, working during weekends and/or up to 14 days continuously, and travel for extended periods of time to respond to weather windows and other demands of the position. Flexible work schedules will be considered to accommodate family or other commitments.

How to apply

Interested applicants should visit the Smart Recruiters posting and email a one-page cover letter, resume, one-page writing sample, three professional references, and earliest available start date to aetkind at forestguild dot org by 5PM on March 30th, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The cover letter should indicate your earliest available start date.

Contact us

Questions about this position can be directed to Alex Etkind: aetkind at forestguild dot org.