The Opportunity
As our Project Manager & Estimator – Prescribed Fire & Vegetation Management, you'll lead the planning, estimating, and delivery of prescribed fire projects while overseeing the administration and continued development of MNL's wildfire suppression program.
This role combines project management, estimating, client relationship management, and technical leadership to support MNL's fire services. You'll manage projects from initial client discussions and proposal development through project completion, financial closeout, and ongoing customer support while helping strengthen and expand MNL's fire capabilities.
While experience with prescribed fire is valuable, we're also interested in candidates with strong project management and estimating experience in vegetation management, natural resources, ecological restoration, construction, or a related field who are excited to develop additional technical expertise in fire services.
What You Will Do
Client & Project Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients throughout the life of each project
- Build long-term client relationships through responsive communication, technical expertise, and reliable project delivery
- Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, documentation, invoicing, and project closeout
- Coordinate project execution to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget
- Identify opportunities to support future prescribed fire and other Vegetation Management needs
Estimating & Financial Management
- Prepare estimates, proposals, budgets, and project scopes for prescribed fire and related Vegetation Management services
- Conduct site visits and evaluate project conditions to develop accurate pricing and execution plans
- Monitor project financial performance and identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency
- Support annual planning, forecasting, budgeting, and workload management for fire services
Fire Technical Leadership & Program Development
- Serve as MNL's technical resource for prescribed fire planning, estimating, and project management
- Manage complex, higher-risk, or strategically important prescribed fire projects
- Help develop consistent estimating practices, project management processes, and program standards
- Support and mentor other Project Managers & Estimators as MNL continues expanding its prescribed fire capabilities
- Stay current on industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and emerging fire management techniques
Wildfire Suppression Program Administration
- Oversee the administrative management and operational readiness of MNL's wildfire suppression program
- Coordinate personnel qualifications, equipment readiness, annual training requirements, and deployment documentation
- Support suppression mobilizations by coordinating required logistics, documentation, and contractual requirements
- Evaluate program performance following deployments and recommend improvements that strengthen future readiness
Vegetation Management Project Support
- Support project management and estimating efforts across other Vegetation Management service lines during periods of lower fire activity
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen project delivery and operational consistency across the department
What You Will Need To Be Successful
- Three or more years of experience in project management, estimating, vegetation management, ecological restoration, natural resources, construction, or a related field
- Experience preparing estimates, proposals, budgets, contracts, and project scopes
- Ability to manage multiple projects while balancing customer expectations, financial performance, and operational priorities
- Strong organizational, communication, decision-making, and relationship-building skills
- Ability to interpret technical requirements and translate them into accurate estimates and executable project plans
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate project, financial, and contract documentation
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn project management and estimating software
- Ability to travel regularly to project sites and work in both our Otsego, MN office and field environments
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with prescribed fire planning, implementation, or project management
- Working knowledge of prescribed fire operations, planning requirements, and applicable regulations
- National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) training or qualifications
- Experience supporting wildfire suppression operations or program administration