Fall Veteran's Fire Corps Member
Title: Veterans Fire Corps Crew Member
Date of Employment: August 10th - November 20th, 2020
Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Non-exempt
Location: Based out of Durango, CO
Salary: $425 / week living stipend, and $1,612.43 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 students loans.
Benefits:
USFS recognized Chainsaw Certification
Colorado Fire Camp Training & Certifications: S-130 & S-190, Firefighter Training and Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior. IS100b, Intro to Incident Command System. IS700, National Incident Management System.
First Aid & CPR
Uniforms, Personal Protective Equipment and Food while in field.
Ages: 21 - 35
Deadline: Multiple positions open until filled.
The Southwest Conservation Corps' 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.
Trainings will focus on gaining conservation and forestry skills, specifically the use of hand tools and the operation of chainsaws. Members will go to Colorado Fire Camp to earn S130- Firefighter Training, S190- Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior, S212- Wildland Fire Chainsaws, IS100b- Intro to Incident Command System, and IS700a-National Incident Management System, as well as First Aid/CPR.
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.
This AmeriCorps program is designed for veterans who separated from the military at any point after September 11th, 2001 (including but not limited to OIF, OEF, ONO, OCO, and GWoT veterans) who are interested in pursuing educational and professional development in resource management, wildland firefighting and other outdoor related fields.
All applicants must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and have a DD214. Crews are generally comprised of individuals 21-35 years of age who have minimal financial and/or personal commitments.
Required Skills
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 therefore may not apply directly to your position.
Participation and 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
- Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.
- Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.
- Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and organization staff.
- Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements
- Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.
Safety and Judgment
- Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
- Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard.
- Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions
- Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others.
- Respond appropriately to stress or crises.
- If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.
Environmental Ethics
- Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques
Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate)
- Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
- Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.
Substance Free
In accordance to a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property