Fall 2023 Veterans Fire Corps, Member

Title: Veterans Fire Corps, Crew Member   

Date of Employment: August 7th, 2023 – November 21st, 2023 

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 students loans.    

Benefits:   

• S-212 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 (NIMS).  
• First Aid & CPR    
• Uniforms, Personal Protective Equipment and Food while in field.   
• Opportunity for intermediate trainings on Chainsaw and Fire. 

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, or possibly a 4/3 schedule. 

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 and be between the ages of 21 – 35 at the start date. 

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.  

Minimum Qualifications:  

• To qualify, you must be between the ages of 21 and 35 
• Must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and have a DD214 and be between the ages of 21 – 35 at the start date. 
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.  
• A US citizen that has received (or on track to receive) a high school diploma or GED  
• All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check.   

Participant and Expedition Behavior  

• Serve effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions  
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program   
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of any kind  
• Appropriately represent SCC and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all time  

Risk Management and Judgement  

• Effectively follow direction by others, so that you will be able to successfully manage hazards  
• Ask clarifying question when you do not understand a task  
• Maintain focus during day, both while traveling and serving in varied weather conditions.  
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage without assistance from others.  

Environmental Ethics & Outdoor Skills  

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living and skills as appropriate to the project.   
• Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks  

Substance Free  

• In accordance with a drug free program, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and SCC activities, and while on organization property.   

To Apply:  

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.