COASTAL REGION FIRE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

pKjersten Peterson /ppNovember 6, 2026 /ppNorth Carolina /ppCoastal Region Fire Management Specialist /ppbJob Type /b: Full time, on-site /ppbLocation /b: North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
- Wake County, NC /ppbPay /b: $47,703-$65,591/year /ppbApplication Deadline /b: November 20, 2026 /ppThe North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) enriches people's lives through education and stewardship of North Carolina's natural and cultural resources. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including historic sites, museums, state parks, trails, aquariums, the North Carolina Zoo, the Library of North Carolina, the State Archives, the North Carolina Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. These programs and places unite North Carolinians, create a shared identity, and provide common ground. For more information, please visit We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team. /ppMany state parks contain fire-dependent natural communities that require periodic burning to stay healthy and resilient. The Division uses prescribed fire to maintain these ecosystems and aims to restore fire-adapted habitats across the state parks system. This position serves as the Regional Fire Management Specialist responsible for implementing the regional ecological burning program. Key duties include preparing burn prescriptions, leading ecological burns, monitoring fire effects, and recommending fire management strategies. The role also collaborates with staff across regions and supervises a Regional Fire Team to ensure safe, effective, and science-based ecological burning. /ppThis position will be located at a park in the Coastal Region with regional responsibilities spanning several counties. /ph3Key Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To /h3ulliCollect and manage data and geospatial maps for prescriptions, burn units, reporting, and planning. /liliAssist with and lead prescribed burns, including conducting site monitoring before, during, and after operations. /liliSupport the planning, installation, and maintenance of fire control lines. /liliPurchase, maintain, and track fire equipment for regional fire crews. /liliCoordinate prescribed fire activities with partner agencies on park lands and cooperating agencies lands. /liliWork with program staff to plan and deliver NWCG fire trainings that support certification of Division burn bosses and coordinate additional experiential fire training opportunities. /liliOperate, drive, and maintain fire vehicles according to Division standards. /liliPerform wildland fire suppression, mop-up, and mitigation duties as requested and assigned. /li /ulh3Minimum Education And Experience /h3ulliBachelor's degree in one of the agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution. /liliOR /liliAn equivalent combination of education and experience. /li /ulh3Preferred Qualifications /h3pCandidates meet the minimum qualifications of this position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. Vacancy specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and/or management preferences are not required. /ppApplicants who possess the following are preferred: /pulliDemonstrated experience in on the ground prescribed fire implementation. /liliKnowledge of fire management principles, burn prescription development, fire protection practices, firefighting equipment, and ecological burning techniques. /liliKnowledge of conservation principles and best practices for protecting park resources. /liliAbility to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Division staff, partner agencies, environmental organizations, park support groups, the public, and neighboring landowners. /liliUnderstanding of the management of natural resource-based parks, natural areas, and nature preserves. /li /ulh3Position/Physical Requirements /h3ulliTypical work schedule is Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm; projects at parks may require many additional hours of travel. /liliMust be able to perform work inside and outside in various environmental conditions with or without a reasonable accommodation. /liliMust have the ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects with or without a reasonable accommodation. /liliMust have a valid driver's license issued from within the United States or be able to obtain one within 90 days of employment. /li /ulh3Within 12-24 months of hire date, must have the ability to obtain and maintain: /h3ulliClass A CDL /liliCPR Certificatio