Andrew Pickens Forest Recovery Technician

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Forest Recovery 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 Andrew Pickens 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 Southern Blue Ridge region of the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Working as part of TNC’s South Carolina Forest Recovery Team, the Technician will carry out field activities supporting forest restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, prescribed fire, post-storm recovery, and related monitoring. The position will complete assigned work in accordance with established plans, procedures, and technical direction and will work alongside TNC staff, U.S. Forest Service personnel, contractors, and other partners to support safe and efficient operations.

Work will occur primarily on the Andrew Pickens 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 Long Cane 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 Technician will help maintain field readiness by inspecting and maintaining tools, vehicles, equipment, personal protective equipment, and supplies; supporting logistics and mobilization; documenting accomplishments; and communicating field conditions, safety concerns, and operational needs to designated project leads. 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, steep and rugged mountain 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 Upstate of South Carolina, within reasonable commuting distance of the Andrew Pickens Ranger District, and may be extended beyond the initial five-year term, subject to funding and organizational need.

We’re Looking for You:

If you are looking for meaningful field-based conservation work, join TNC’s South Carolina Chapter as a Forest Recovery Technician supporting the Andrew Pickens 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 team member who can follow established plans, solve routine field 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.

Essential Functions:

• •Participate in field activities that support forest recovery, prescribed fire, hazardous fuels reduction, ecological restoration, and related conservation objectives.
• •Complete assigned field tasks in accordance with work plans, established procedures, technical direction, and changing field conditions.
• •Support the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and follow-up of prescribed fire, vegetation management, invasive species treatment, and other forest restoration activities.
• •Operate and maintain tools, vehicles, equipment, and project supplies in accordance with training, authorization, and established safety requirements.
• •Collect and maintain field data, treatment records, and other documentation needed to track accomplishments and support project reporting.
• •Promote safe and compliant operations by participating in briefings, hazard assessments, after-action reviews, and incident reporting and by following approved plans, policies, and environmental requirements.
• •Assist with field logistics and communicate operational needs, progress, safety concerns, and project results to designated project leads.
• •Work collaboratively with TNC staff, agency personnel, contractors, landowners, community members, and other partners; support training and outreach activities when assigned.

Responsibilities & Scope:

• •Performs field and operational tasks within established procedures and assigned priorities.
• •Is accountable for completing assigned work accurately, safely, and on schedule and for communicating conditions that may affect project delivery.
• •May work with minimal or distant supervision and make routine decisions based on training, experience, field conditions, and project direction.
• •May assist with project logistics, equipment and supply inventories, purchasing, data entry, and other administrative needs.
• •Builds effective working relationships with TNC staff, landowners, conservation partners, contractors, government personnel, community members, and the general public.
• •Supports daily field operations and the successful completion of assigned project activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• •AS/Technical or vocational degree in science-related field and 1-year related experience in custodial and ecological land management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• •Experience with natural systems.
• •Experience in ecological land management principles.
• •Experience operating and or repairing various types of equipment and machinery.
• •Experience performing physically demanding outdoor work safely and working as part of a field-based team.
• •Experience following maps, work plans, safety requirements, and technical instructions; maintain accurate records; and communicate effectively with coworkers and partners.
• •Must obtain and maintain Wildland Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2), First Aid, CPR, AED, and other qualifications or training required for assigned duties.
• •Valid driver’s license and must meet TNC’s vehicle-use requirements, travel frequently, and operate vehicles on unimproved roads.
• •May work in variable weather, smoke, steep and difficult mountain terrain, and other field conditions, including long or irregular hours and multi-day assignments, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Desired Qualifications:

• •Additional education or experience in forestry, natural resource management, fire ecology, ecological restoration, or a related field.
• •Experience with prescribed fire, wildland fire, fuels management, forest restoration, invasive species management, or related conservation practices.
• •Current NWCG qualifications or other relevant forestry, equipment, pesticide application, or safety certifications.
• •Experience operating and maintaining field tools, vehicles, trailers, or mechanical equipment used in land management activities.
• •Knowledge of common plant and animal species, Southern Appalachian forests and Southern Blue Ridge ecosystems, and natural resource management practices relevant to the project area.
• •Experience collecting field data and using common mapping, mobile data collection, and office software applications.
• •Experience working with government agencies, conservation organizations, contractors, landowners, volunteers, or other partners.
• •May complete assigned tasks independently, communicate clearly, meet established timelines, and contribute to a safe, accountable, and respectful team e