Title: Crew Member – Veterans Fire Corps 2024 (in partnership with the USFS – Cibola National Forest)

Date of Employment: January 15, 2024 – March 22, 2024

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Non-exempt   

Location: Based out of Durango, CO   

Salary: $600 weekly ($400/week living stipend + $200/week housing stipend) And an AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program. The education award may be used to pay educational expenses at eligible post-secondary institutions, including many technical schools and G.I. Bill approved programs, or to repay qualified student loans.

Members will earn the following trainings and certificates:

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• S130: Firefighter Training
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• S190: Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior
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• S212: Wildland Fire Chainsaws
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• L-180: Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service
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• I-100: Intro to Incident Command System
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• IS-700: National Incident Management System
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• First Aid/CPR certificates
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• Arduous Work Capacity (PACK) Test
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Southwest Conservation Corps: The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization, whose mission is to empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities and the environment. SCC supports youth crews, adult camping crews (ages 18-30), and Veteran fire crews (ages 18-35) with crew-based programming to complete challenging and impactful conservation projects throughout the Los Valles and Four Corners Regions. Projects include: trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, invasive species removal, hazardous fuels reduction, re-vegetation and local environmental service projects. Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief. SCC crews work in national parks, forests, and other public lands throughout central and southwestern Colorado.

The Veterans Fire Corps program provides training and on-the-job experience for post 9-11 era veterans interested in entering careers and gaining experience in natural resource management. 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. Project work and schedules will vary depending on region and season. Projects require members to camp and live on project locations for up 8 days at a time, followed by 6 days off, or possibly a 4/3 schedule.  

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.      

Required Skills & Experience 

Requirements:

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• Military Service – All applicants (ages 18-35) must have a valid DD214, NGB22, or equivalent document; or currently be serving in the National Guard or Reserve. 
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• Physical Fitness – Applicants must be able to run and hike for project work and physical training.  Members must also be able to walk up to 8 miles per day with a 45 – 65lb backpack during the orientation phase of the program.
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• Commitment – All applicants must partake in all activities during the program.  Members must make a strong commitment to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training and national forest service events.  Members must commit to participating in all crew activities for the duration of the session with little time off. Project work will vary and is often unpredictable.  
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• Risk Management -You will be expected to take a serious attitude toward individual and group safety all day and every day.  You will be working around dangerous equipment and environments.   
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• Substance Free – All applicants are prohibited from utilizing any controlled substance including alcohol or cannabis while at work, at camp, or in sponsored housing.
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• Professionalism – Members must be willing to appropriately represent the SCC Program and AmeriCorps.  Members must dress appropriately in uniform at all times, utilize appropriate language, and conduct themselves to the highest professional standard at all times.
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• Expedition Behavior - Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences. 
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 Essential Functions:

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• Frequently required to walk, hike, sit, talk and listen.
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• Required to use hands to operate objects and tools, and to reach with hands and arms.
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• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
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• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to focus.
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• Must be able to speak, understand, read and write English.
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• Follow all SCC policies. SCC is a substance free work environment. All must refrain from the use of tobacco products, vaping, alcohol, and drugs while in the program.
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• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
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Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and may not apply to your particular position.

To Apply:   

Click \"Apply\" Below!

Any questions can be addressed to:  

Lane Tomassini, ltomassini@conservationlegacy.org  

Greta Binzen, gbinzen@conservationlegacy.org

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.