Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP) - Veteran's Fire Corps, Salida 2023

Title: Veteran Fire Corps Crew Leader  

Reports to: Program Director  

Title: Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP)   

Reports to: Program Director  

Location: Salida, CO  

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Exempt   

Start/end date: March 27, 2023 – October 28, 2023

Living Stipend: $685/week 

Benefits: $4266.50 AmeriCorps Education Award, Food provided while in the field, uniforms. USFS recognized S-212 Chainsaw + additional wildland firefighting certifications. Wilderness First Aid & CPR/AED certification, housing at Colorado Fire Camp for off-time

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.  

Position Summary:   Crews consists of 6-8 post-911 Veterans and 2 leaders. Crews work in front and backcountry 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.  

 The Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP) for the VFC is designed for those with strong leadership capacity but need to build technical competencies required to lead wildland firefighting and/or land management crews. CLDPs, along with 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
• Demonstrate high skill in trauma-informed care 

 Project Management & Implementation  

• Instruct, 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, crew 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 and 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 purchases 

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Outdoor leadership experience with young adults 
• Physically fit and able to work 40-50 hr work weeks  
• High School diploma or GED certificate  
• Chainsaw experience  

• 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 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience with SCC or other conservation corps 
• Experience working with trauma-impacted populations  
• 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  

 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:  

 Complete CLDP Application and upload resume to the application. For questions, contact Therese Ryley, Program Director at tryley@conservationlegacy.org