Prescribed Fire Operations Manager

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is seeking a qualified individual to serve as the department’s prescribed fire operations manager. TDEC has a successful fire program and is looking to increase capacity with a full-time wildland fire operations manager. Located within the Bureau if Conservation, the successful candidate will work closely with Tennessee State Parks and the Natural Areas Program to implement fire management on TDEC lands. Through an existing resource-focused, science-driven fire program, the fire operations manager will help coordinate 15-20 prescribed burns per year on agency land and ensure program readiness to assist our partners to suppress wildfires within the state when requested. This position will work with over 60 militia-style firefighters from across TDEC; and will be supported by our team of botanists, ecologists, hydrologists, archaeologists, zoologists, park rangers, conservation workers, interpretive guides, and GIS gurus. The fire operations manager will be responsible for ensuring alignment with the Tennessee Division of Forestry and NWCG standards, writing and reviewing burn plans, leading prescribed burns, coordinating training opportunities and trainee assignments for TDEC staff, maintaining an equipment cache, and tracking agency fire objectives.

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree, 5 years’ experience of full time professional work in wildland fire, ecology, or land management, and a single resource boss qualification. Preferred candidates will have Burn Boss or Burn Manager training, GIS experience, and a demonstrated history working on teams with varied backgrounds.

The duty station will be in Nashville with opportunity for some remote work. With statewide responsibility, the position requires regular fieldwork with occasional overnight travel. Questions about qualifications and job duties can be directed to sam.king@tn.gov

Application period ends Jan 26, 2026