Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals

Job Listings Title:
Extension Associate in Wildland Fire - North Carolina State University

Post Date
1/6/2026

Expiration Date
1/16/2026

Details:

Essential Job Duties	The College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University (NCSU) is hiring a dynamic and effective educator for the position of Extension Associate in Wildland Fire. This is a full-time, grant-funded professional staff position (expected through June 30, 2029) that joins the 11-person Extension Forestry team. The position is dedicated to expanding North Carolina’s capacity for safe and effective prescribed fire implementation. This role’s primary focus is prescribed fire training and education, including serving as essential operational leadership during burns and providing expert instruction (including NWCG training, coordinating the student “Fire Pack” crew), serving a varied audience of students, landowners, and partners. This position may require up to 15% overnight travel, necessitating professional scheduling, to include nights and weekends. The position will provide programmatic support by managing the program’s grant and equipment, offering technical fire expertise, maintaining key partnerships, and leading educational outreach efforts, all while ensuring strict compliance with NC State Extension policies and reporting to the Department Extension Leader. The initial appointment is for one year, with continuation based on satisfactory performance and continued funding. Responsibilities: Prescribed Fire Training, Education and Capacity Building (50%) Supervise, train, and mentor students by providing technical guidance, administrative support, and performance feedback. Expand the prescribed fire program through coordinating and instructing NWCG and other fire courses (e.g., FOR 265 Fire Management, FOR 491 Wildland Firefighter, RT-130), and through hands-on training opportunities. Coordinate resources (equipment, personnel) with state/federal agencies and organizations to schedule burns and facilitate training. Manage logistics for seasonal fire modules, including housing, arrangements, and supplies. Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements. Leadership and Programmatic Support (25%) Work closely with NC State Extension’s Wildland Fire Extension Associate and Specialist to provide technical leadership and overall support for fire and stewardship programs. Assist with annual budget planning, and grant, supplies, and equipment management. Maintain strong professional relationships within the fire community and with many partners including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, indigenous communities, and private organizations. Coordinate the “Fire Pack” student burn crew, advise the Student Association for Fire Ecology (SAFE), and maintain comprehensive student training records. On-the-Ground Planning and Operations (20%) Assist with all aspects of prescribed fire implementation including operational and administrative functions. Conduct site visits with students and landowners to provide expert guidance on the logistical aspects of safe and successful prescribed burns. Provide operational expertise and leadership for NCSU students and crew members during prescribed burns, often assisting with or leading burn implementation. Maintain tools, equipment and supplies to ensure crew readiness. Operate and maintain prescribed fire equipment and vehicles. Develop and review prescribed burn plans.
Other Responsibilities	Other Work Responsibilities (5%) Manage and deliver comprehensive educational outreach programs (virtual and in-person), overseeing all phases from planning and marketing to logistics, delivery, and evaluation. Maintain and utilize digital platforms (e.g., WordPress, Instagram) to drive online communication and wildland fire outreach. Create and produce a range of program materials including marketing collateral, technical fact sheets, and professional publications. Secure and manage external funding through successful grant proposal development and ensure strict financial compliance. Facilitate and execute all event logistics, including physical setup/breakdown (lifting up to 50 lbs.) and conducting programs in varied outdoor environments and weather conditions. Additional duties as assigned.

Essential Job Duties

The College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University (NCSU) is hiring a dynamic and effective educator for the position of Extension Associate in Wildland Fire.

This is a full-time, grant-funded professional staff position (expected through June 30, 2029) that joins the 11-person Extension Forestry team. The position is dedicated to expanding North Carolina’s capacity for safe and effective prescribed fire implementation. This role’s primary focus is prescribed fire training and education, including serving as essential operational leadership during burns and providing expert instruction (including NWCG training, coordinating the student “Fire Pack” crew), serving a varied audience of students, landowners, and partners. This position may require up to 15% overnight travel, necessitating professional scheduling, to include nights and weekends. The position will provide programmatic support by managing the program’s grant and equipment, offering technical fire expertise, maintaining key partnerships, and leading educational outreach efforts, all while ensuring strict compliance with NC State Extension policies and reporting to the Department Extension Leader. The initial appointment is for one year, with continuation based on satisfactory performance and continued funding.

Responsibilities:

Prescribed Fire Training, Education and Capacity Building (50%)
- Supervise, train, and mentor students by providing technical guidance, administrative support, and performance feedback.
- Expand the prescribed fire program through coordinating and instructing NWCG and other fire courses (e.g., FOR 265 Fire Management, FOR 491 Wildland Firefighter, RT-130), and through hands-on training opportunities.
- Coordinate resources (equipment, personnel) with state/federal agencies and organizations to schedule burns and facilitate training.
- Manage logistics for seasonal fire modules, including housing, arrangements, and supplies.
- Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.

Leadership and Programmatic Support (25%)
- Work closely with NC State Extension’s Wildland Fire Extension Associate and Specialist to provide technical leadership and overall support for fire and stewardship programs.
- Assist with annual budget planning, and grant, supplies, and equipment management.
- Maintain strong professional relationships within the fire community and with many partners including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, indigenous communities, and private organizations.
- Coordinate the “Fire Pack” student burn crew, advise the Student Association for Fire Ecology (SAFE), and maintain comprehensive student training records.

On-the-Ground Planning and Operations (20%)
- Assist with all aspects of prescribed fire implementation including operational and administrative functions.
- Conduct site visits with students and landowners to provide expert guidance on the logistical aspects of safe and successful prescribed burns.
- Provide operational expertise and leadership for NCSU students and crew members during prescribed burns, often assisting with or leading burn implementation.
- Maintain tools, equipment and supplies to ensure crew readiness.
- Operate and maintain prescribed fire equipment and vehicles.
- Develop and review prescribed burn plans.

Other Responsibilities

Other Work Responsibilities (5%)
- Manage and deliver comprehensive educational outreach programs (virtual and in-person), overseeing all phases from planning and marketing to logistics, delivery, and evaluation.
- Maintain and utilize digital platforms (e.g., WordPress, Instagram) to drive online communication and wildland fire outreach.
- Create and produce a range of program materials including marketing collateral, technical fact sheets, and professional publications.
- Secure and manage external funding through successful grant proposal development and ensure strict financial compliance.
- Facilitate and execute all event logistics, including physical setup/breakdown (lifting up to 50 lbs.) and conducting programs in varied outdoor environments and weather conditions.
- Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	A Master’s degree (preferred) in a natural resources, forestry, fire, science communication, or other science-related field, or a bachelor’s degree and at least five (5) years of related work experience.
Other Required Qualifications	Strong oral and written communication skills, including effective use of electronic and printed media Excellent time and resource management skills Experience training and/or supervising staff, burn crew members, or volunteers Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with experience collaborating with agencies, landowners, or other partners Basic knowledge of educational technologies and their appropriate use in the development and delivery of educational programs Proficiency in basic office software (e.g., Excel, Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, etc. or related applications) Self-directed and self-motivated with the ability to multitask, set priorities, seek opportunities, manage resources, and exhibit success Uphold and promote the College of Natural Resources’ Vision, Mission, Values and Strategic priorities Ability to obtain and maintain valid North Carolina driver’s license; willingness to drive extended distances, including ability to operate a manual transmission vehicle, and tow a trailer Ability to lift and carry at least 50 pounds Ability to pass the Wildland Firefighting Arduous Work Capacity Test annually Ability to achieve and maintain a NWCG Single Resource Boss or Incident Commander Type 4 qualification within the first year of employment Ability to become a North Carolina Certified Burn Manager within the first year of employment
Preferred Qualifications	At least five years of wildland fire experience Experience in the development of experiential learning or training programs Demonstrated ability to secure and manage external funding Knowledge and experience in planning, conducting, and evaluating Extension or non-formal education programs Willingness/ability to learn new skills, tools, techniques, software, and approaches Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific findings for a less technical audience Experience in data collection and management, website editing (e.g., WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix) Experience with ArcGIS Experience with social media program management (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, YouTube) Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, work, teach, and interact effectively with all stakeholder groups, regardless of their varied background or knowledge level of forest and fire management Knowledge and experience related to wildland fire, prescribed fire and southeastern U.S. natural resource management Knowledge of the Land Grant Mission and the role of Extension Demonstrated ability to teach effectively in formal and non-formal settings
Required License(s) or Certification(s)	Qualified as a NWCG Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) or higher Valid driver’s license required
Valid NC Driver's License required	Yes
Commercial Driver's License required	No

Employer:
NC State University
Contact:
Jennifer Fawcett

Email:
jennifer_fawcett@ncsu.edu

Website:
https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/225880