Fall 2023 Veterans Fire Corps, Crew Leader

Title: Veterans Fire Corps, Crew Leader  

Dates: August 7th, 2023 – November 21st, 2023

Status: Seasonal, Full time, Exempt 

Location: Based out of Durango, CO 

Salary: $690 - $800 weekly, Depending on experience 

Benefits: Wildland fire certification from Colorado Fire Camp, S-212 Chainsaw training and certificate, medical training (BFA + CPR), food provided while in the field, uniforms, 

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a program of the non-profit service organization, Conservation Legacy, that is built on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that operated from 1933 – 1942. SCC provides youth and young adults opportunities to complete conservation projects on public lands. While serving with SCC, members receive training on job skills, conflict resolution, leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. Programs are developed using a step ladder approach to provide a progression of skill development based on a member’s needs. Members receive a weekly living allowance, training, and an AmeriCorps Education Award (for qualifying individuals).     

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. 

Responsibilities: 

Leadership & Mentorship: 

• Manage, supervise, and lead the day-to-day details of project work  
• Integrate values pertaining to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) within the corps 
• Implement skills training on worksite and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics 
• Promote individual corps member development and a healthy community 
• Must be willing to follow and enforce all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent SCC. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program 

Project Management, Safety & Implementation:  

• Train, motivate and supervise a crew of Veterans to efficiently complete conservation projects, while working long hours and managing high quality of work and crew morale 
• Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems 
• Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners & SCC staff 

Administration: 

• Complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly field reports, corps member and peer evaluations, restorative justice forms, incident response forms, and project related deliverables 
• Manage food budget and credit card for purchases 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission 
• Desire to learn from and work with recent era military veterans 
• Ability to effectively manage all aspects of crew life and production within a 40-50-hour work week 
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment 
• Must be adaptive, patient, and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout 
• Able to work long days in adverse conditions 
• Must be able to speak, understand and write English 
• Significant chainsaw operations and maintenance experience 
• High School diploma or GED certificate 
• Must be 21, have a clean driving record (insurable by SCC) and a current driver’s license 
• Exhibits the ability to effectively work on diverse teams or with a variety of populations, including those underrepresented at our organization and those of BIPOC communities 

Preferred Qualifications or a Strong Desire to Grow in the Following: 

• Experience with Wildland Firefighting, SCC or other conservation corps 
• Experience with experiential and/or environmental education 
• Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people 
• Time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others 
• Strong conflict resolution skills 
• Leadership experience with Veterans 
• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others  

To Apply:  

Complete the Crew Leader application: www.sccorps.org/join/crew-leaders/ 

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