1

Manager Prescribed Fire Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Forester - Open Pool

Durango, CO ยท Hybrid

$50K - $55K/yr

Participate in pile burning and prescribed fire on state lands as qualified and assigned; follow ... Ability to manage low to moderate complexity forestry and natural resource projects, including ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Manager Prescribed Fire information

What is a Manager Prescribed Fire?

A Manager Prescribed Fire is a professional responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing controlled burns, also known as prescribed fires, to achieve specific land management objectives. These objectives can include reducing wildfire risk, improving ecosystem health, and promoting native species. The manager ensures that all burns are conducted safely, in compliance with regulations, and under appropriate weather conditions. They work closely with landowners, fire crews, and regulatory agencies to create burn plans, obtain permits, and monitor fire effects. This role requires expertise in fire behavior, ecological principles, and safety protocols.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Manager Prescribed Fire?

To thrive as a Manager Prescribed Fire, you need expertise in fire ecology, land management, and incident command, usually backed by a degree in natural resources or a related field and wildland fire certifications. Familiarity with GIS mapping, fire behavior modeling software, and safety compliance systems is crucial. Strong leadership, decision-making, and communication skills help manage teams and coordinate with agencies under dynamic conditions. These competencies ensure safe, effective prescribed burns that support ecological goals and minimize risk.

What are some common challenges faced by a Manager Prescribed Fire and how can they be addressed?

A Manager Prescribed Fire often encounters challenges such as unpredictable weather conditions, coordinating with multiple agencies, and ensuring public safety. Effective planning, clear communication with team members and stakeholders, and staying updated on local regulations are essential to address these challenges. Additionally, Managers must be adept at risk assessment and problem-solving to adapt plans when conditions change suddenly. Developing strong relationships with local communities and training teams in the latest fire management techniques can also help overcome these obstacles and ensure successful prescribed burns.

What is the difference between Manager Prescribed Fire vs Prescribed Fire Specialist?

AspectManager Prescribed FirePrescribed Fire Specialist
CertificationsFire Management Officer, S-130/190, and other certificationsFirefighter Type 2, S-130/190, and related certifications
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple prescribed burns, manages teams, plans projectsConducts prescribed burns, implements fire plans, monitors conditions
Employer & IndustryFederal, state agencies, land management organizationsFire departments, land agencies, conservation groups

While both roles involve prescribed fire, the Manager Prescribed Fire typically oversees planning and management, whereas the Prescribed Fire Specialist focuses on executing burns and monitoring conditions. The manager has more leadership responsibilities and often holds advanced certifications, while the specialist is more hands-on with fire implementation.

What are the most commonly searched types of Prescribed Fire jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Prescribed Fire jobs in Colorado are:

Infographic showing various Manager Prescribed Fire job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Call-When-Needed Wildland Fire Training Instructor

The Ember Alliance

Fort Collins, CO โ€ข On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Company Description

The Ember Alliance is a national organization of fire practitioners, researchers, analysts, and instructors dedicated to increasing the pace and scale of prescribed fire and planning. The Ember Alliance is dedicated to supporting fire as a natural process in fire-adapted ecosystems on a landscape scale to improve ecosystem function and health and increase wildfire resilience.

TEA's Training Program builds skills and confidence for fire practitioners from all backgrounds and experience levels in an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Our training events offer well-rounded skill sets for fire practitioners to help build capacity for the fire management community We are dedicated to creating a better educational experience to reach underserved and underrepresented populations to promote a more diverse fire management community. TEA's Training Department is part of a rapidly growing organization with lots of opportunities for creativity and programmatic expansion.

The Ember Alliance provides an open, transparent, and just organization and workplace. We strive for clear, open, and kind communication and are committed to centering, recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and supporting fire practitioners from traditionally underserved and underrepresented communities. We are dedicated to building a better way to do fire management, that recognizes the inherent value of our employees, that supports work / life balance, and provides an environment that supports growth.

Job Description

The successful candidate will have strong experience in conducting wildland fire training events (with a particular focus on 100-200-level courses and saw training), extensive prescribed fire and wildland fire experience, strong communication skills, and a clear commitment to working with diverse populations. They will work under direction of the Assistant Director of Training to:

  • Assist with implementation of training events for TEA, partner organizations (state, federal, non-profit, youth corps, Department of Defense lands, etc.)
  • Implement blended curriculum including virtually (instructor led online) and experientially (hands-on)
  • Teach 'non-traditional' soft skills during NWCG courses (e.g. self-care/stress management, conflict resolution, anti-bullying, active bystander, etc.)
  • Train underserved and underrepresented populations (POC, women, landowners, Department of Defense, etc.)
  • Build skills and confidence for fire practitioners from all backgrounds and experience levels in an inclusive and supportive learning environment
  • Manage work assignments with minimal direction from supervisors
  • May oversee staff, volunteers, and individuals or crews from other agencies or organizations when serving in a leadership role during training
  • Occasionally engage in prescribed fire operations and/or support a prescribed fire IMT during Training Events
  • Demonstrate a strong work ethic, including a commitment to principles of Duty, Integrity and Respect. Actively participate in creating a kind, safe and healthy work environment which encourages the diversity, equity and inclusion of all people.
Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Qualified as at least Single Resource Boss, (and FAL2 if instructing for an S-212)
  • M-410 or teaching equivalent and ability to be lead instructor for 100 and 200-level NWCG courses
  • Experience implementing National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) classes in person and/or virtually including S-130/190 and S-212
  • Clear verbal communication skills and strong organizational skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for teaching
  • Effective knowledge of common software applications (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience teaching diverse populations, especially 18-25 young adults from underserved and underrepresented communities, including Conservation Crews or Youth Corps
  • Knowledge of adult learning pedagogy
  • Experience working with partner organizations to organize and implement training events
  • Experience as cadre on a Training Exchange (TREX)
  • Experience working on Department of Defense (DoD) lands (military installations)
  • Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
  • Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4)
  • Wilderness First Responder or higher medical qualifications
  • Strong saw skills and saw skill training experience

We strongly encourage any individual that meets 80% or more of requirements to apply.

Additional Information

Fitness and Red Card Requirements

You must pass the arduous pack test annually and maintain a Red Card with currency in the position you are acting:

  • Lead Instructor: Double Single Resource
  • Assistant Instructor: Singe Resource Boss Trainee, FFT1, Senior Firefighter
  • Training Technician: FFT1
  • All instructors on S-212 classes must maintain currency as a FAL2 or higher

Projects may require remote work outdoors in adverse conditions on steep and rugged terrain and/or in inclement and variable weather conditions. Employees must abide by The Ember Alliance's current Covid policies.

Schedule Requirements

ย The schedule will vary depending on training needs. Training Projects may require working 10-12 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. Flexible work schedules will be considered to accommodate family or other commitments.

Pay

Call-When-Needed Instructor pay is determined by the position in which you are acting for a specific training:

  • Lead Instructor (Double Single Resource, M-410): $24.00/hrย ย 
  • Assistant Instructor (Single Resource Trainee/ FFT1): $21.50/hr
  • Unit Instructorย (FFT1 Qualification): $18/hr

Overtime is expected and will be based on operational needs. The Ember Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.

Location

The Ember Alliance is headquartered in Fort Collins; GPPFM is based in Loveland, CO. Our team works nationally on training assignments; the job may require extended travel.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit a one-page cover letter, two professional references who have seen you teach or a video recording of you teaching, resume, and fire master record. Copies of all NWCG certificates and all pages of completed task books must be provided prior to employment. Application is rolling. Please specify your earliest available start date.