Veterans Fire Corps Crew Leader

Position Title	Veterans Fire Corps Crew Leader
Status	Field-based, seasonal, full-time, exempt
Location	Based out of Tucson, AZ and Durango CO. May require frequent overnight travel throughout the Southwest, including: Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Salary/Grade	$485 – $565 weekly stipend (depending on experience), may be subject to $25 meal deduction
Deadline	Open until filled
Start Date	Position start dates vary depending on program and region, see description below for additional details

Program Overview:

The AmeriCorps Veterans Fire Corps program provides training opportunities and on-the-job experience for post 9-11 era veterans interested in entering into careers and gaining experience in natural resource management and wildland firefighting. The program engages participants in a cohort environment in which a team of recent era veterans works together to train and complete natural resource management projects, specifically related to fire fuels management and fuels reduction. As crews advance in their training, there may be opportunities for crews to collaborate with federal land management agencies on pile or prescribed burn assignments on public lands. Project work and schedules will vary depending on region and season. Some projects may require members to camp and live on project locations for up to 9 days at a time, followed by 5 days off; other projects will involve daily commuting and will require members to have local housing and transportation.

Trainings will focus on gaining conservation and forestry skills, specifically the use of hand tools and the operation of chainsaws. Additionally, the program aims to provide background knowledge and introductory training in Wildland firefighting. The program assists veterans in their transition to civilian careers by providing contact with potential future employers and trainings in applying for federal land management jobs.

Position Overview:

Veterans Fire Corps leaders perform a variety of roles and are the key to our program’s success. The position is extremely dynamic and demanding: Successful candidates will demonstrate excellent judgment, leadership and work ethic. Candidates must be compassionate and have an intense desire to devote themselves to their crew and the environment. The Crew Leader position requires supervisory, education, and technical aptitude as well as a high level of comfort in the outdoors.

Crew Leader Duties and Responsibilities:

Manage, supervise, and participate in daily project work.
Maintain a healthy, inclusive and equitable social environment amongst crew members.
Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site.
Train and motivate a crew of six veterans to efficiently complete fuels mitigation projects on public lands.
Coordinate logistics with project sponsors, program staff, and co-leader.
Implement educational curriculum via formal and informal lessons.
Complete professional documentation (Time sheets, daily and weekly reports, Corpsmember and peer evaluations, incident reports, etc…).
Manage petty cash, gas cards and food budget.
Transport crew safely in SCC’s 12-passenger vans or large SUV’s.
Promote corpsmember development.

Required Qualifications:

Outdoor Leadership experience.
Strong desire to work with cohort of veterans.
Familiarity with basic conservation skills and hand tool maintenance.
Experience using and maintaining chainsaws.
Excellent organizational skills.
Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions.
High School diploma or GED required.
Current Wilderness First Aid or higher and CPR certification.
Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference.

Preferred Qualifications:

Service with the US Armed Forces
Current WFR or WEMT Certification
Wildland Fire or Forestry experience.
Experience working with recent era veteran populations
Experience teaching outdoor and/or environmental education.
Good driving record (insurable) and current driver’s license.
Relevant Bachelor’s Degree.
Previous Conservation or Corps experience.

Essential Functions:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit and talk or listen. The employee is required to use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to focus. The employee is frequently required to drive an SCC vehicle, and must be able to speak, understand, read and write English. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Current Program Dates (subject to change):

Durango, CO Positions : SPRING: March – June SUMMER: June – August Fall: August – October

Tucson, AZ Positions: SPRING: February – May SUMMER: May – July FALL: September – December

To Apply:

Complete the Crew Leader Application, available by CLICKING HERE. Contact regional staff below for a paper application:

Four Corners – Durango, CO

Linnaea Renz, Program Coordinator

701 Camino del Rio, Suite 101

Durango, CO 81301

Phone: (970) 403-0146

Email: linnaea@sccorps.org

Sonoran Desert -Tuscon, AZ

Attila Boros, Program Director

1376 W. St. Marys Rd.

Tuscon, AZ 85745

Phone: (520) 884-5550 ext. 6#

Email: attila@sccorps.org

SCC Organizational Statement:

To the men and women who have served our country:

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) honors your dedication and service to the United States of America. SCC is a nonpolitical organization that does not advocate nor take positions on issues of national security. SCC respects and honors veterans’ experiences during military service and carries no judgment about those experiences. SCC is a professional organization whose first priority is to honor, respect and improve the lives of the Corpsmembers, staff, stakeholders and communities that it serves.