Crew Leader - Veterans Fire Corps Salida 2023

Title: Veteran Fire Corps Crew Leader

Reports to: Adult Program Manager

Location: Salida, CO

Status: Seasonal, Exempt

Wages: $690-800/week DOE

Health Benefits: Health Benefits Eligible

Other Benefits: Food provided while in the field, uniforms, wildland fire certifications, housing at Colorado Fire Camp for off-time as needed.

Start/end date: March 27 – October 27, 2023 (with option to extend if slots are available on other crews)

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.

Veteran Fire Corps Crew Leader Position Summary: Crews consists of 6-8 post-911 Veterans and 2 leaders. Crew works closely with the Pike San Isabel National Forest Salida Ranger District in front country locations in all weather conditions. Standard schedule consists of 8 days on-hitch and 6 days off or 5 days on-hitch, 2 days off. On-hitch, crews camps together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores. SCC has an option for accommodations off-hitch for VFC crew leaders and crew members.

Crew Leaders will lead Veterans in completing technical wildland firefighting certification courses and fuels reduction projects while instilling interpersonal skills and leadership skills. Crew leaders will also be responsible for leading crews in environmental stewardship, i.e. Leave No Trace, and risk management. A variety of soft skills and technical competencies are required to be successful in this role. See below for core competencies:

Responsibilities & Core Competencies: 

 Leadership & Mentorship 

· Integrate values pertaining to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) within the corps

· Foster 21st century work skills in corps members, i.e.: collaboration & teamwork,

creativity & imagination, critical thinking, problem-solving, flexibility & adaptability

· Model strong communication and conflict resolution skills

Project Management & Implementation 

· Train & motivate a crew to complete high quality technical fire mitigation projects

· Implement a 10-hour workday and ensure professionalism is maintained at camp

· Delegate project work & camp chores

· Effectively coordinate logistics with project partners, co-leader, & SCC staff 

Risk Management 

· Analyze, manage, and inform on hazardous conditions and crew health

· Exhibit strong situational awareness at worksite and campsite  

· Transport crew and equipment safely in SCC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers 

Administrative Skills 

· Meet all deadlines for documentation, i.e., timesheets, evaluations, incident reports, etc

· Record all project related outcomes and deliverables 

· Manage food budget and credit card for purchases, providing receipts for all purchase

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Outdoor leadership experience
• NWCG or Equivalent Faller B Chainsaw certification (Or ready to evaluate as one)
• Physically fit and able to work 40-50 hr work weeks 
• High School diploma or GED certificate 
• Must be 21, or have had a driver’s license for 3 consecutive years with a clean driving record (insurable by SCC), and a current driver’s license
• Must hold current/relevant medical certification (WFR, WEMT, or OEC) with CPR/AED 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience with SCC or other conservation corps
• Experience working with veterans
• Wildland firefighting experience
• Military experience preferred

Essential Functions: 

· Frequently required to walk, hike, sit, talk and listen. 

· Required to use hands to operate objects and tools, and to reach with hands and arms. 

· Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 

· Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to focus. 

· Required to drive an SCC vehicle 

· Enforce 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. 

· Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions 

To Apply:  · Visit: http://www.sccorps.org/join/crew-leaders/ and click the link for Veterans Fire Corps Leader out of Salida, CO. For questions, please contact Therese Ryley, Program Director, at tryley@conservationlegacy.org

Conservation Legacy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.