Forestry and Fire Specialist
The Forestry and Fire Specialist serves as the primary expert and program manager for forestry and fire management within Confidential Client's statewide Environmental Program. This role involves multidisciplinary work including prescribed and wildland fire management, natural resources, invasive species control, and coordination with federal and state agencies to ensure regulatory compliance and effective environmental stewardship. The position requires independent research, complex problem-solving, and collaboration across multiple agencies to support integrated forestry and fire management initiatives.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Public Sector — State Government / Public Safety.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
This role serves as the organizational expert for forestry and fire management within a statewide environmental program supporting Confidential Client. You will lead multidisciplinary work in forestry, prescribed fire, and wildland fire management and act as the primary point of contact for related environmental issues across state and federal partners.
Key responsibilities
- Manage forestry, prescribed fire, and wildland fire programs for Confidential Client facilities statewide
- Develop and maintain the Forestry Management Plan and Integrated Wildland Fire Management Plan
- Plan, coordinate, and execute prescribed burns and fire training consistent with federal, state, and local regulations
- Oversee Natural Resources programs, Integrated Training Area Management (ITAM), and invasive species control efforts
- Serve as primary liaison with National Guard Bureau (NGB), federal/state agencies, and internal stakeholders
- Perform research, collect and analyze environmental and regulatory data, and prepare technical reports and recommendations
- Coordinate cross-functional teams, contractors, and subject-matter experts to resolve complex environmental compliance issues
- Track program metrics, maintain records, and support permitting and compliance reviews
Who We’re Looking For
You’ll be successful if you combine technical forestry/fire expertise with strong program management and stakeholder coordination skills.
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental, natural resource sciences, or a closely related field — OR an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience
- Experience in forestry, prescribed fire, or wildland fire management programs
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply federal/state environmental laws, regulations, and policies
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical report preparation
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and coordinate multiple agencies and teams
Management Preferences (nice-to-have)
- Experience with Federal or State environmental laws, regulations, and policy implementation
- Experience planning and coordinating forestry and fire management with federal or state agencies
- Experience implementing integrated forestry, invasive species, or wildland fire management programs
Compensation & Benefits
- Recruitment range: $47,703 - $71,758 per year
- Full-time (40 hours/week) with state employee benefits: paid vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, retirement plan, and health insurance
- Potential eligibility for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness for qualified applicants
- Total compensation examples available via the NC OSHR Total Compensation Calculator
Location & Travel
- Primary work location: 539 Roberts Chapel Road, Stem, NC (position will report to Joint Force Headquarters, Raleigh, NC for an initial 3–4 month period)
- Position supports facilities statewide — travel across North Carolina is required
- Occasional field work, including prescribed burns and site visits, is expected
Minimum Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental, natural resource sciences, or closely related curriculum from an accredited institution; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience, documented on the application
Additional Notes & Compliance
- Confidential Client is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities will be considered during the hiring process and on the job.
- Applicants may be subject to position-specific background checks (including PREA-related checks where applicable).
- Attach unofficial transcripts when education credit or coursework verification is required. International transcripts should be evaluated by an accredited credential service.
- Applicants requesting Veteran’s or National Guard preference should attach the relevant documentation per state application instructions.
- Applicants should provide full work history (including internships and volunteer experience) and accurate dates to maximize proper evaluation and pay placement.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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