Some users of LANDFIRE data say it is pretty good and is a great starting place, while other users say it needs improvement. The newly developed and released LANDFIRE data product review website (https://landfire.nkn.uidaho.edu/) is structured to help users provide feedback.

LANDFIRE has established a date of September 17, 2017, as a deadline for feedback to be reviewed what information could be used in the LANDFIRE remap.

Regardless which group you may put yourself in (LANDFIRE data is pretty good or needs improvement) now is the time to provide your feedback that could help make remap and future landscape data better.

For more information about this effort click here.

As a Nevada Conservation Corps Crew Member you will be given the opportunity to gain important technical and life skills. As a program within the educationally focused Great Basin Institute we are dedicated to not only teaching you skills required to accomplish the task at hand, but to provide you skills to further your environmental sciences career. The Crew Member position is the perfect entry level position in the conservation field and we intentionally structure our program to provide for possible upward mobility within the Great Basin Institute or to act as a stepping stone for your government career. Many of our alumni have gone on to do just that, some are now even our project partners.

You will start the season based out of Las Vegas working on a massive effort by the Bureau of Land Management(BLM) and USGS to restore areas affected by the devasting wildfires that sweeped Southern Nevada in 2005 and 2006. We will be dispersing seeds and planting of native species to create habitat islands in the Mojave desert. After the planting season we will work continue to work with the BLM National Conservation Areas, four different USFWS wildlife refuges, Southern Nevada Water authority, Clark County Wetlands Park.

For more information click here.

The Seasonal Preserve Management Assistant (PMA) will conduct various stewardship and ecological monitoring activities on the Brown Ranch and Pigeon Point Preserves in North Dakota.  They will live at the Brown Ranch but may travel to other North Dakota preserves. The Preserve Assistant’s primary responsibilities will include but may not be limited to: prescribed burning, fence construction, noxious weed control and monitoring control efforts, assisting with the collection of ecological monitoring data, assisting with firebreak preparation, and maintenance of preserve facilities and equipment.  The Seasonal Preserve Assistants supervise no staff and are supervised by the Sheyenne Delta Land Steward.  This is a seasonal position and the work dates are as soon as possible through the end of November for the candidate with the right skill set (GIS knowledge/experience).

HOW TO APPLY

For more information about and to apply to this position, click HERE. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 31, 2017. Applications will be reviewed and interviews may be conducted as they are received.

The Ecological Monitoring Program Coordinator will work collaboratively with GBI Program Coordinators, Data Specialists, field crews, other GBI staff, and BLM partners to fulfill the goals and objectives for projects implementing AIM and other sampling protocols in the six BLM-NV districts throughout the state. Specific duties include:

• Supervision, management, training, and coordination of AIM field teams;
• Recruitment of AIM field crews (one Lead and two Technicians per crew);
• Acting as liaison to BLM staff and other project affiliates;
• Implementation planning, equipment organization and maintenance, vehicle coordination, field protocol and data QA/QC standardization, and team deployment;
• Promoting a culture of safety and maintaining safety communication and best practices with AIM crews during the field season;
• Supporting data collection, organization, processing and QA/QC while ensuring consistency across crews;
• Reviewing, processing, and managing timesheets, time off requests, and other standardized paperwork;
• Travel, camping, and site visits to BLM District/Field Office Crews;
• Conducting interim AIM reporting and drafting summary AIM reports;
• Engaging in project fund processes including drafting grants, cost-estimates, and managing budgets;
• Participating in GBI or partner-sponsored training opportunities, and/or facilitating GBI workshops for Research Associates and AmeriCorps technicians and interns; and
• Performing additional duties, as needed.

This is principally an office-based position. Some travel, often involving camping, will be required to conduct site visits and support field crews.

Contract length: Beginning in August and renewable annually depending on funding and performance evaluation. Preference for a 2-year commitment.

Click here for more information.

This position and its section have responsibility for implementing those portions of the Air Quality Program (AQP) that are decentralized to the regions, as well as participating in various multi-program and government-government initiatives related to the Eastern Regional geographic coverage area. The section provides environmental services to protect air quality. The primary functions of the position include:

• Controlling industrial and commercial facility air pollution by ensuring compliance with air quality regulations and issuing permits.
• Reducing public health threats from smoke, from home heating, and outdoor burning by ensuring compliance with air quality regulations and issuing permits.
• Managing daily direct service activities of the AQP in the eastern region.

For a full position description click here.

This position is part of the Monitoring staff of the Private Forests Program in Salem. The purpose of this program is: to encourage economically efficient forest practices that ensure the continuous growing and harvesting of forest tree species, consistent with the sound management of soil, air, water, fish and wildlife resources and to assure the continued benefits of these resources for future generations; to provides technical and financial assistance to non-federal forest landowners to improve the management on private forest lands; and to minimize the incidence and severity of forest insect and disease impacts on non-federal forest land throughout the state. The benefits derived from this program affect all Oregonians. The program directly regulates forest operations statewide on all non-federal forestland. The program also encourages voluntary actions that go beyond the standards of the forest practice rules and as such is a major element supporting the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds.

The purposes of this position are: (1) to plan, lead, improve and implement a state-wide monitoring and evaluation program to measure the implementation and effectiveness and of the Oregon Forest Practices Act in meeting Private Forest Program goals and objectives; (2) coordinate monitoring activities within the department and among state and federal agencies, research scientists, forest landowners and other interests; (3) provide technical guidance and consultation on monitoring to forestry staff and field personnel, landowners and other groups; (4) serve as a technical advisor to the state about monitoring needs and methods; and (5) design databases, manage data in a GIS system, and perform advanced statistical analysis of data sets in order to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the Forest Practices Act. This position will complete tasks and assignments without supervision and independently decide day to day methods, priorities, and activities to achieve results.

Click here for more information.

Interns will work in a crew of 3 people (one crew lead and two technicians) to monitor land health on National Monument lands, vegetation treatments, rangeland allotments, or reference areas. Participants will manage all aspects of vegetation monitoring using the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) methodology. More information on the BLM’s AIM strategy can be found here. Experience with identifying vegetation to species is essential for the position. Within all plots, vegetation will be identified to species; line-point intercept will be used to gather species cover and composition data; shrub density will be measured; and soil descriptions will be required. All point data will be gathered using a GPS unit and stored in an ArcGIS geodatabase. Data are entered into the Database for Inventory, Monitoring, and Assessment (DIMA) on site with ruggedized tablets and are further analyzed and synthesized into various reports for future land management planning. DIMA requires a high level of Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC), therefore attention to detail is paramount for these positions. Subsequent, professional reports must be completed and will involve the presentation of scientific data and pre and post treatment analysis. Crew may be camping 1-6 nights/week, depending on location.

The Crew Leader will be required to report data on multiple levels (i.e. district/field office lead, the National Operations Center, Jornada Rangeland Research Programs, etc.). As such the ability to communicate effectively with agency staff and a diverse public is essential. Subsequent reports must be completed and will involve the presentation of scientific data and pre/post treatment analysis. The Crew Lead is also responsible for: supporting and managing the field crew, coordinating field logistics and scheduling, managing the crew’s budget, and completing administrative paperwork.

Click here for more information.

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) has openings for 5 Staff Scientists to pursue independent, internationally recognized research programs in the tropics. Previous tropical experience is not required. We are especially interested in hiring scientists in animal behavior, terrestrial microbial ecology, forest biology and marine science. We will consider exceptional candidates in any of our research areas. Positions are for full-time research and include internal research funds.

Click here for more information.

A Wildland Firefighter (GS-04 Range/Forestry Technician) is a skilled wildland firefighter. May be assigned to carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfire, and burnout operations; utilizes a variety of specialized tools, equipment and techniques while actively managing wildfires. May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.

A Wildland Firefighter (GS-05 Range/Forestry Technician) is a senior wildland firefighter performing all aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up. Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents. May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.

For more information and to apply, click HERE.

Oklahoma’s Rural Fire Defense 80/20 Reimbursement Grant program provides funding to rural fire departments serving a population of less than 10,000 for rural fire department equipment purchases or construction. The grants provide reimbursement of 80% of the total amount of the project. Grant recipients receive reimbursement only after the purchase or construction costs have been paid by the recipient.

The 80/20 Grant applications are made usually available in July and are due by September 1st each year.

For more information, click HERE.

The Northeast Forest Fire Protection Compact and the North Atlantic Fire Science Exchange are seeking presenters for sessions at their 2018 meeting, Igniting Exchange: Bridging the Gap between Science and Management. A true EXCHANGE designed to expose fire managers to useful scientific studies and expose scientists to the implications of their science. Presentations must be relevant for fire managers and scientists in the North Atlantic region of the United States and Canada.
 
They invite you to submit your abstract to amanda@forestguild.org by September 15th, 2017. Abstracts should include presentation title, presenter contact information, and a 300-word maximum abstract of your proposed presentation, including a focus on application of research to management.

For more information about session themes, click HERE.

A postdoctoral fellowship is available in the Sewall Lab in the Department of Biology at Temple University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). The postdoctoral fellow will investigate the effects of prescribed fires and other forest management efforts on a target forest community in south-central Pennsylvania. Primary objectives include research to understand the effects of prescribed fires, thinning, and other management efforts on (1) forest communities, (2) wildfire risk, and (3) tree growth rates. Research is focused on both the development of manuscripts for publication and clear communication of results to collaborating forest managers via reports, presentations, and informal consultations. The position will primarily focus on analysis of a rich set of existing data available from the field site, but some field work is also possible. The postdoctoral fellow will also develop and train collaborating professional foresters in effective and feasible protocols for forest and fire monitoring. Opportunities will also exist to collaborate on ongoing applied research on bats, butterflies, and forest and grassland ecosystems that is being conducted at the same site.

For more information click here.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Use established protocols to conduct inventories and monitoring of breeding birds, raptors and Washington ground squirrels on the Boardman Conservation Area
• Assist with invasive species mapping and management on the Boardman Conservation Area, Lindsay Prairie Preserve, Lawrence Memorial Grasslands Preserve, Tom McCall Preserve, and Research Natural Areas located on the Boardman Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility
• Supervise seasonal staff, work crews, and volunteers
• Assist with implementation of grassland and shrub-steppe restoration on the Boardman Conservation Area and the Boardman Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility; including seed collection, site preparation, planting, maintenance, and monitoring.
• Assist with preparation of proposals to a variety of granting entities
• Assist with preparation of interim and final reports detailing project accomplishments 
• Work with local, state, and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and private stakeholders on joint projects
• Coordinate use and maintenance of TNC facilities, tools, and equipment including: field house upkeep and repair, vehicle and equipment maintenance, fence repair, and prescribed fire activities
• Operates heavy farm machinery

HOW TO APPLY

For more information about and to apply to this position, click HERE. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 8:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on August 29, 2017.

The Burn Crew Manager supervises Burn Crew Members in preparing fire lines, maintaining equipment, post-burn monitoring and other tasks.  May perform other preserve management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire.

As part of the incumbent’s ongoing professional development, he/she will be responsible for keeping abreast of new burn techniques and equipment to enhance skills and maintain/grow professional fire certification credentials.  In addition, they shall work to build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and in the local community where the Conservancy works. This may include participation in wild land fire suppression activities in partnership with other non-profits, local fire departments, and local, state and federal agencies.

HOW TO APPLY

For more information about and to apply to position, click HERE. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 25, 2017.

The Missouri Ozarks Burn Crew Member participates in wildland fire operations which include ignition, control, mop-up, suppression, monitoring, and other tasks as assigned.

The Burn Crew Member may assist on wildland fire operations in other parts of the region with federal, state, or private partners, or travel to other areas of the state or out-of-state to assist other TNC programs or partners on prescribed or wildland fires. Housing is provided to fire crew members.

The expected duration of this position is, October 23, 2017 – March 23, 2017.

HOW TO APPLY

For more information about and to apply to this position, click HERE.  All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 25, 2017.

Nominations are now open for new members of the International Association of Wildland Fires' (IAWF) Board of Directors. Nominations will be accepted through September 30, 2017 and successful candidates will begin their 3-year term on January 1, 2018. Individuals meeting the requirements listed below may self-nominate.

REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION

• Must be an "individual" member of the IAWF in good standing. Student, Corporate and Agency members are not eligible.
• The IAWF Board of Directors is a working Board. We expect that individuals serving the membership in these positions will contribute the time, energy and expertise to serve on committees, participate in eleven (11) conference calls per year and generally assist in furthering the mission of the Association. (Calls are scheduled the last Tuesday every month, except December and generally last about 60 minutes.)
• Applicants with skills/expertise in Financial Management, Board Governance, and Communication/Journalism/Media (Writing and Editing) are highly encouraged to apply.

Click here for more information.

The Blowing Rocks Preserve Maintenance Specialist is part of the Field Initiatives Department’s (FID) South Florida Conservation Program (SFL) of the Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The position works under the supervision of the Blowing Rocks Preserve Manager and is based at the 73-acre Blowing Rocks Preserve (BRP) on Jupiter Island, FL. The Specialist is responsible for Preserve-based facilities and equipment maintenance and assistance with conservation programs at BRP. BRP is one of four flagship preserves that The Nature Conservancy’s Florida Chapter owns and operates. Originally protected for its unique rock formations and sea turtle nesting habitat, today the Preserve also serves as a model for successful coastal habitat restoration. This part-time position may have potential for future full-time employment depending on Preserve needs and employee performance.

HOW TO APPLY

For more information about and to apply to this position, click HERE. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 26, 2017.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Land Stewards lead work days to ensure the implementation and community support of preserve management plans and monitor a portfolio of preserves and conservation easements. Land Stewards maintain preserve areas frequented by the visiting public, execute and monitor habitat management projects, assist with prescribed fire and restoration operations and planning, and maintain tools and equipment.

HOW TO APPLY

For more information about and to apply to this position, click HERE. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 28th, 2017.

Fires are increasing in frequency, size and intensity partly due to climate change and land management practices, yet there is limited knowledge of the impacts of smoke emissions —both short term and long term. EPA is using its expertise in air quality research to fill the gaps in scientific information and to develop tools to prevent and reduce the impact of wildfires and controlled or prescribed burns. The wildland fire research has three main goals:

• Provide new science to understand the impacts of smoke on health, and how this knowledge can instruct smoke management practices and intervention strategies to reduce health impacts. 
• Provide essential novel data on smoke emissions to construct the national emission inventory used to understand air quality across the country.
• Improve understanding of how smoke from fires affects air quality and climate change.

To visit the web page, click HERE.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Hart Prairie Preserve Manager is responsible for all aspects of the management of the Conservancy’s 245-acre Hart Prairie Preserve and is a member of the Chapter’s Forest Team. The position maintains the property and buildings associated with the Preserve, including planning and management of restoration activities to reduce fire risk in the ponderosa pine, aspen, and mixed conifer forest stands, restoring historic meadow conditions, protecting/enhancing the condition of the rare Bebb’s willow community on the property, and improving hydrological conditions that support the Bebb’s willow and other communities on the property. Works with the U.S. Forest Service to help ensure the 13,000-acre Hart Prairie Restoration Project is implemented as part of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative, and serves as the Chapter’s representative to the Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership, which advocates for, helps plan and fund for restoration activities within the greater Flagstaff area.  Responsible for coordinating ongoing and new research efforts by university and other researchers utilizing the preserve for appropriate ecological research. The Hart Prairie Preserve Manager prepares and manages the Preserve’s budget, oversees contractors, work crews, and other volunteers working on Preserve infrastructure and habitat improvements, and oversees staff and volunteers performing outreach programs for the public including youth. Coordinates and hosts agency personnel, staff from throughout the organization, and other partner groups who use the facilities for meetings, overnight retreats, donor events, and tours with public officials. Coordinates community support, maintains preserve areas frequented by the visiting public and coordinates multiple projects, sets deadlines and manages to completion.

HOW TO APPLY

For more information about and to apply to this position, click HERE. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 21, 2017.

A postdoctoral scholar position is available in the Goldstein Research Group at UC Berkeley focused on development of the new Comprehensive Thermal Desorption Aerosol Gas Chromatograph (cTAG) instrument through a DOE SBIR Grant, and its application to measure emissions from biomass burning during the NOAA sponsored FIREX field campaigns. Responsibilities will include working as part of the development and application team for cTAG, development of data analysis tools for chromatographically separated high resolution time of flight mass spectrometer data, collection and analysis of field measurements, collaborating with the cTAG and FIREX science teams, preparation of reports to funding agencies and manuscripts for peer reviewed publication.

Click here for more information.

The Cooperative Extension (CE) advisor for forestry will conduct a locally based extension, education and applied research program to address high priority issues in both coniferous and hardwood forests with a focus on sustainability by promoting the fundamental criteria of economic stability, environmental stewardship and social equity. Important issues to be addressed include forest management, economics, restoration, watershed and landscape sciences, and fire and fuels management. Key clientele include Registered Professional Foresters, Industrial and Non-industrial timberland owners, NGOs, oak woodland landowners, policy and decision-makers, and other forest-related stakeholders.

Click here for more information or to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES: This is a tenure-track, academic-year position. The successful candidate will be expected to: 1) teach two upper-division undergraduate courses (forest economics and forest resources management) and 2) develop a leading research and/or extension program in forest resource management and/or economics that addresses critical issues at the state, national, and/or international levels. The balance of research and/or extension will be negotiated depending on candidate’s interest and background. Interdisciplinary collaboration across the department’s diverse natural resources faculty will be essential. Depending on the candidate’s interest, a courtesy appointment in the Department of Agricultural Economics is possible.

QUALIFICATIONS: A Ph.D. in natural resource management or economics, with a focus on forest resource issues. Candidates should have 1) previous experience successfully teaching university courses; 2) demonstrated scholarship in research and/or extension through publication in refereed journals, 3) demonstrated success or the potential to develop a vigorous, extramurally funded research and/or extension program, and 4) demonstrated success working on research teams addressing multi-disciplinary problems. Undergraduate or graduate training and/or work experience in forestry is strongly preferred.

For more information click here.

You are invited to participate in the continuing evaluation of the Joint Fire Science Program’s Fire Science Exchange Network. This web-based survey focuses on the communication and application of fire science research results and resources. Sponsors are specifically interested in knowing about your opinions and experiences with the Fire Science Exchange in your region. This evaluation project is based at the University of Nevada, Reno and includes all of the Fire Science Exchanges across the United States. Your responses to the questions will be used to help the JFSP Fire Science Exchange Network address your fire science information needs and ultimately enhance fire science delivery.

The survey will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete. JFSP realizes that some of you may have completed a version of this survey in the past. Continued participation of prior respondents and participation from new respondents is essential in helping the JFSP Fire Science Exchanges progress toward their goals. Your participation in this study is voluntary, and all of your responses will remain completely confidential. Please click on the following link or copy and paste the link into your web browser:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JFSP2017Evaluation

If you have any questions or problems accessing the survey, please contact Evaluation Coordinator Bret Davis at bretd@unr.edu telephone (775) 784-6637. During the next four weeks, you will receive two follow-up emails regarding your invitation to participate in this survey.

Thank you for your time and involvement in helping the JFSP to learn more about how to improve fire science delivery and communication in your region.

Bill Evans, Ph.D., Professor of and Human Development and Education, University of Nevada, Reno (wevans@unr.edu)

Loretta Singletary, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, Department of Economics; Interdisciplinary Outreach Liaison, Cooperative Extension, University of Nevada, Reno (singletaryl@unr.edu)

Bret Davis, Ph.D., Research and Evaluation Specialist, Human Development and Family Studies, University of Nevada, Reno (bretd@unr.edu)

Chris Copp, MA, Doctoral Student, Interdisciplinary Social Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno (christopherjcopp@gmail.com)

Challenge Summary:

Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies are interested in new ways to monitor air quality during fire events to better protect public health. Air quality managers and public health officials have limited access to accurate information on ground-level air pollution levels in the vicinity of wildland fires, making it difficult to provide appropriate strategies to minimize smoke exposure. Most air pollution monitoring equipment is large, not easily transportable, and complex to operate. Today, emerging technologies – including miniaturized direct-reading sensors, compact/powerful microprocessors, and wireless data communications – offer the opportunity to develop new systems to quickly gather and communicate air pollution data.

Wild fires are increasingly common events that produce significant air pollution, posing health risks to first responders, residents in nearby areas, and downwind communities. Also, wild fires are increasing in frequency and intensity, and the fire season is growing longer.  Prescribed fires, which are used to manage ecosystems or reduce risk of wild fires, are typically managed to minimize downwind impacts on populated areas; however, people in close proximity may still be exposed to smoke.  The description “wildland fires” refers to both wild and prescribed fires.

This challenge seeks a field-ready prototype system capable of measuring constituents of smoke, including particulates, carbon monoxide, ozone, and carbon dioxide, over the wide range of levels expected during wildland fires. The prototype system should be accurate, light-weight, easy to operate, and capable of wireless data transmission, so that first responders and nearby communities have access to timely information about local air quality conditions during wildland fire events.

For more information, click HERE.