1

Prescribed Fire Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Out-of-state assignments are optional and include prescribed fire assistance in the late spring, wildfire assignments in the summer, and training opportunities throughout the year. This is a ...

Wildland Fire Fellow

Carterville, IL · On-site

$15.75 - $18.25/hr

Out-of-state assignments are optional and include prescribed fire assistance in the late spring, wildfire assignments in the summer, and training opportunities throughout the year. This is a ...

The incumbent helps with a variety of fire/fuels management activities; such as, fire suppression, prescribed fire, mechanical fuel treatments, project monitoring, and data collection (forestry or ...

The Fire Management Specialist is a key position for the growth of our prescribed fire programs in ... The FMS leads or assists with prescribed burn planning on TNC and partner lands, leads or assists ...

The incumbent helps with a variety of fire/fuels management activities; such as, fire suppression, prescribed fire, mechanical fuel treatments, project monitoring, and data collection (forestry or ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Prescribed Fire information

See salary details

$11

$29

$50

How much do prescribed fire jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for prescribed fire in the United States is $29.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $39.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Prescribed Fire job?

A Prescribed Fire job involves planning and conducting controlled burns to manage vegetation, reduce wildfire risk, and restore ecosystems. Professionals in this field work with fire crews, land managers, and environmental agencies to ensure burns are conducted safely and effectively. Responsibilities may include preparing burn plans, monitoring weather conditions, and using specialized equipment to ignite and control fires. These roles are often found in government agencies, conservation organizations, and private land management companies.

What is another name for a prescribed fire?

A prescribed fire is also known as a controlled burn or controlled fire. These terms refer to intentionally setting and managing fires to reduce wildfire risk, improve habitat, or manage vegetation, often requiring certification and adherence to safety protocols.

What conditions are best for a prescribed fire?

Prescribed fire professionals prefer conditions with moderate to low wind speeds, high fuel moisture, and air temperatures that support controlled burning without risk of escape. Ideal conditions include a stable atmosphere and sufficient humidity to prevent unintended spread, ensuring safety and effectiveness during burn operations.

What does a typical workday look like for someone in a Prescribed Fire position?

A typical workday in a Prescribed Fire position often involves planning and conducting controlled burns, monitoring weather conditions, preparing equipment, and coordinating with landowners and fire crews. You may spend time in both the field and the office, balancing hands-on fire implementation with administrative tasks such as reporting, mapping, and compliance documentation. Safety briefings and collaboration with various agencies or stakeholders are common parts of the job. The role can be physically demanding and may require irregular hours depending on burn windows, but it offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on ecosystem health and wildfire prevention.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Prescribed Fire position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Prescribed Fire role, you need a strong understanding of fire ecology, land management, and wildland fire behavior, often demonstrated by education in natural resources or forestry and specialized fire training. Technical proficiency with fire management tools, GIS mapping systems, and completion of relevant certifications such as NWCG (National Wildfire Coordinating Group) courses are typically required. Attention to detail, effective teamwork, and strong communication skills are important soft skills for ensuring safety and successful coordination during burns. These qualities are crucial for minimizing risk while achieving ecological management goals and complying with safety regulations.

What does a prescribed fire do?

A prescribed fire is a controlled burn conducted by fire professionals to reduce excess vegetation, manage ecosystems, and decrease the risk of larger wildfires. Prescribed fire specialists plan and execute these burns using specific tools and safety protocols to ensure environmental and public safety.
More about Prescribed Fire jobs
What cities are hiring for Prescribed Fire jobs? Cities with the most Prescribed Fire job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Prescribed Fire jobs? The most popular types of Prescribed Fire jobs are:
What states have the most Prescribed Fire jobs? States with the most job openings for Prescribed Fire jobs include:
Infographic showing various Prescribed Fire job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 73% In-person, and 27% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,830 per year, or $29.2 per hour.

Call-When-Needed Wildland Fire Training Instructor

The Ember Alliance

Fort Collins, CO

Contractor

Re-posted 7 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

 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/hr  
  • Assistant Instructor (Single Resource Trainee/ FFT1): $21.50/hr
  • Unit Instructor (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.