Skillbridge Staff Crew Leader

Title: Skillbridge Staff Crew Leader

Start date: July/August 2023

End date: December 11^th 2023

Wages: $800/week, paid bi-weekly

Location: New Bern, North Carolina

Benefits:

• Health Insurance after 60-day probationary period
• Conservation Legacy Employee Assistance Program
• Training and opportunity for the following certifications may include:
  • ICS–100 Introduction to ICS
  • IS-700 NIMS Introduction
  • S-130 Basic Wildland Firefighting
  • S-190 Basic Wildland Fire Behavior
  • S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaw
  • S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior
  • L-180 Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service
  • FFT2 (Firefighter Type 2 - crewmember)
  • Wilderness First Aid and CPR
  • Paid Time Off

Housing will not be provided, however camping free of charge in the Croatan National Forest at the District office or nearby campgrounds may be allowed.

Program Summary

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and Conservation Corps of North Carolina (CCNC) have partnered to create a new Active-Duty Conservation Corps Program in North Carolina.  The program trains active-duty military personnel for a career in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) United States Forest Service (USFS) and other public land management agencies through the SkillBridge Program of the Department of Defense (DoD) Transition Assistance Program. 

The Staff Crew Leader will be leading a four-member crew that will work on forest management projects including fuels reduction, fire line construction, vegetation management, and various other forestry practices. The program will provide education, certifications, and on-the-job experience that will help participants pursue a variety of natural resource management careers. These members will be part of the SkillBridge program and will be Active-Duty Military individuals. The crew will begin August 21^st and will end December 8^th.

Program Partners

Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) - CCNC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a national service corps that empowers and trains veterans and young adults to be the next generation of natural resource leaders.  CCNC gives participants opportunities to do meaningful work that preserves our land and water and creates healthy, resilient communities.

United States Forest Service (USFS) – The mission of the USFS is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The National Forests in North Carolina (NFsNC) leadership strong supports this program. 

Department of Defense – This crew will be a SkillBridge program of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Transition Assistance Programs (TAPs). The program will engage active-duty military in the last 180 days of the service as they transition to civilian life.

Program participants will train in multiple resource areas with the USFS including the following: 

• Recreation Management (hazard tree removal, train maintenance and construction)
• Fire (site preparation, fire line creation, prescribed burn operations)
• Silviculture (timber stand improvement, timber volume data collection)
• Botany (habitat restoration work and invasive plan treatment)
• Wildlife Management (observation data entry, gopher frog habitat restoration)
• Archaeology (site condition monitoring, excavations, graveyard maintenance)
• Law Enforcement and Investigation (Ride along days with District Law Enforcement)
• Engineering (trail bridge repairs, culvert condition surveys)
• Timber (sale administration and marketing)
• Geospatial Information Systems and Data
• Visitor Engagement
• Disaster Recovery 

Crew Leader Responsibilities

Crew Leaders (CL) are responsible for facilitating a positive crew member experience by setting an example of enthusiasm throughout work and camp life. The CL works in tandem with the Assistant Crew Leader to communicate directions, project specifications, and constructive feedback throughout the term of service. The CL is expected complete project and Corpsmember paperwork in a timely manner and professionally represent CCNC.

Training

The program will begin an intensive two weeks of training focused on forest management certifications and USFS leadership skills. Informal training will continue throughout the term with on-the-ground skills training that will include things like tool maintenance, plant identification, and an overview of the USFS and other public land management agencies. Training start date is flexible.

Schedule:

The schedule will be a day crew model; 4 days on (Monday-Thursday), 10-hour work-days with 3 days off each week.

Workdays will start with a Job Hazard Analysis safety meeting followed by a 15-minute warm-up exercise and a 15-minute stretch.  Days will include two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute lunch.

Most project work will be based out of the Croatan National Forest. There will be one to four weeks of project work in the Uwharrie National Forest as well, which will require the crew to stay overnight in provided cabins or tent camping.

Qualifications

• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a changing work environment including willingness to work a varying schedule. This position could also be deployed for national disaster relief, outside of the region, for multiple weeks at a time.
• Excellent communication and teaching/mentoring skills including strong conflict resolution and team building skills.
• Ability to perform administrative duties, such as managing crew budget and documents and utilizing Microsoft programs.
• Ability to pass an arduous pack test for Firefighter Type 2 certification (carrying a 45 pound pack for three miles under 45 minutes)
• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently and in collaboration with a small group.
• Valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
• Have US Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency status. 
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Pass background checks: all offers of positions are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and Federal criminal background check
• 21+ years of age with leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Faller B Chainsaw Certification, or readiness to evaluate as one
• Prior AmeriCorps Service and/or leading a conservation crew
• Certification in Wilderness First Aid/Responder and CPR.
• Military Veteran
• Relevant Bachelor’s degree.

Expectations  

CCNC is a drug-free organization; alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited. CCNC is an independent, non-residential program. Participants must supply his/her/their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. A suggested gear-list will be provided prior to starting the term of service.  CCNC will provide the tools, personal protective gear, budget for crew meals and transportation to projects.  Additionally, CCNC has pro-deals and some gear available to borrow.

Physical, Emotional, and Mental Safety:

Proper safety procedures must be observed in all tasks, including the repair and use of hand and power tools used on projects.

• 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 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.

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

Environmental Ethics: 

• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques at all times
• Outdoor Skills and Fitness
• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living, travel, and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, practice self-care by staying adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed, so as to remain 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 challenging weather conditions. These remote locations may require up to 12 hours to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

"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."