SECC Assistant Crew Leader - National Park Service Veterans Fire Corps - 2024

Title: AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader- Veteran's Fire Crew (National Park Service) (Veteran status not required)

Reports to: Crew Leader, Fire and Fuels Coordinator

Locations: Crew will be based out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Project work will take place across the southeast on land managed by the National Park Service.

Season Dates: 1/5/2024-5/10/2024

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Exempt

Stipend: $500/week living stipend, $200/week housing allowance, paid biweekly. A $1,824.07 AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program.

Other Benefits: Paid certifications and trainings related to wildland firefighting, Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Certificate (upon successful completion of hours), Food & transportation provided while in the field overnight, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, and other developmental opportunities as available.

Crew Structure: 1 Crew Leader, 1 Assistant Crew Leader, 6 Crew Members

Southeast Conservation Corps:
 Engaging future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our nation’s lands through community-based service.

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC), a program of Conservation Legacy, is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. SECC selects young adults, ages 18-30, to complete conservation work projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC programs encourage environmental stewardship, foster community partnerships, and emphasize experiential learning. SECC serves a diverse population that is representative of the Southeast, including youth, graduates, veterans, and a cross-section of ethnicities and income levels. SECC is also an active member of the AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team (A-DRT), and as such, selected crews may be deployed on Disaster response projects for up to 30 days.

SECC works with a variety of land management agencies in Tennessee and throughout the Southeast region, such as the United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State Parks, and conservation-based non-profits. Projects vary but include trail construction and maintenance, ecosystem restoration, habitat restoration, fire fuels reduction, fencing on public lands, invasive weed removal, herbicide applications, and many others. The project work is manual labor based and most projects require a hike into and out of the project site daily carrying tools and a day pack. 

Crews work in front country and backcountry locations in all types of weather conditions. Schedules may vary, but generally are 9 days on and 5 days off for camping crews. Workdays are 10-hour shifts with scheduled breaks throughout the day. Depending on project work and location, other schedule variations may be implemented. While the staff at SECC works to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and work locations are subject to change per project needs.  

SECC is an independent, non-residential program. Crew Leaders are responsible for finding and attaining their own housing when not in the field. On-hitch crews prepare all their own meals and work together as a group to complete all necessary chores. Community/camp chores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions, conservation and/or corps related topics. The Crew Leader must supply 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. SECC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear and transportation between SECC Office and project sites. 

Position Summary:

The AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader (ACL) is responsible for facilitating a positive Crew Member experience.  The ACL is a full partner in the crew’s leadership, helping to communicate directions, projects specifications and constructive criticism throughout the term.  This position requires open dialog with the Staff Crew Leader; helping them to manage projects, project partners communications, overall logistics, and crew assignments.  

• It means more than just showing up and doing the work, it means setting an example of how to work hard with great enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions while practicing good judgement and safety. It means facilitating a learning experience for Crew Members, both formally and informally.  This position may require additional participation time outside of standard project and crew hours. 
• This position will be coached and mentored by an SECC Staff Crew Leader. ACLs are responsible for maintaining SECC’s high standards for technical work and hands-on member growth, managing projects and implementing feedback among crew members. The ACL Position is a key development opportunity designed to identify and overcome challenges in leadership through a hands-on leadership role in conjunction with close mentorship from the Staff Crew Leader. Qualified candidates will identify growth plans and assist the Staff Crew Leader in administrative functions.

Project Work:

Southeast Conservation Corps' Veterans Fire Corps (VFC) program provides training and on-the-job experience for Veterans, ages 18-35, interested in entering careers and gaining experience in wildland firefighting and natural resource management.

The program engages participants in a cohort environment in which a crew of Veterans and non-Veterans work together to train and complete projects related primarily to “fuels management” which will include prescribed burning and wildland firefighting. Leaders and crew should expect work to vary depending on region and season. In addition to fire, projects may include a variety of interdisciplinary work pertaining to natural resource management as needed.

Trainings may include:

• S130- Firefighter Training
• S190- Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior
• S212- Wildland Fire Chainsaws
• ICS-100: Intro to Incident Command System
• IS-700: National Incident Management System
• First Aid/CPR certificates

This program will provide practical, hands-on training and certifications related to natural resource management and wildland firefighting. The program is comprehensive and intentionally structured to prepare Veterans to transition into civilian careers focused on wildland firefighting. Additional opportunities such as repeated networking with Federal employees and training on the federal land management application process is also included in this program.

Hitch Schedule:  

This position will operate on a variable “hitch” schedule, but generally it will follow 9 days on and 5 days off for camping crews. Workdays follow a 10-hour shift with scheduled time for breaks. While the staff at SECC work to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and work locations are subject to change per project needs. 

The crew will tent camp in the field for the entire season. Workdays are typically 10 hours with scheduled breaks throughout the day. Depending on project work and location, other schedule variations may be implemented. 

General Qualifications:

• Members must pass the Arduous Work Capacity (PACK) Test within the first two weeks of the season to participate in this program (3-mille hike with 45-pound pack within 45 minutes)
  • Wildland firefighting demands a high level of fitness to work in difficult environmental conditions, including steep terrain, extreme temperatures, altitude, and smoke.
• Be between the ages of 18 and 35
• 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 and/or State criminal background check
• Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (individuals are eligible if they have not already completed 2 full years of AmeriCorps service, or 4 AmeriCorps service terms, whichever comes first – please contact us if you are unsure of your eligibility)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission
• Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions
• Must be able to demonstrate strong project management skills
• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment
• Willingness to learn and be a part of a dynamic community of peer leaders
• Must be adaptive, patient and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, and LNT principles
• Must be 21+, OR have a clean driving record for 3+years (insurable by SECC) and a current driver’s license
• Willingness to deploy on a Disaster Response

Preferred Qualifications

• Background with experiential and/or environmental education
• 0-1 years’ experience with SECC, other conservation corps or youth corps
• Wildland Fire experience (Hot shot, hand crew, engine crew, etc.)
• Faller B Chainsaw certification (Or ready to evaluate as one) 
• Familiarity with basic conservation skills (hand tool use and maintenance, etc.) 
• Current and relevant certification in Wilderness Medicine (WFA, WAFA, WFR) with CPR/AED
• Forest Service chainsaw certifications
• Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people
• Desire to work on a variety of conservation-based projects
• Strong conflict resolution skills
• Experience with Disaster Response
• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree
• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others

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 therefore may not apply directly to your position.

• Frequently required to walk, hike, sit and talk or listen
• Required to use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, 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 SECC vehicle
• Must be able to speak, understand, read and write English
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• Ability to pass Conservation Legacy’s criminal history checks 
• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident and provide primary documentation to support this

Required Skills:

Leadership & Mentorship

• Manage, supervise, and assist leading the day-to-day details of project work.
• 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, supportive community.
• Must be willing to follow and enforce all SECC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southeast Conservation Corps. 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 & Implementation

• Assist in training and motivating a crew of six to eight veterans to efficiently complete conservation projects on public lands within a 10-12-hour workday.
• Delegate project work & investment among co-leader and crew.
• Manage on-the-ground quality and quantity of project work.
• Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems.
• Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners, co-leader, & SECC staff

Safety & Risk Management

• Implement and enforce SECC’s COVID-19 Pandemic Policies and Procedures (provided to applicants during interview process), including mask use, handwashing.
• Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site.
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety.
• Transport crew and equipment safely in SECC’s vans or large vehicles with trailers

Administration

• As delegated by Staff Crew Leader, complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly project reports, corps member and peer evaluations, disciplinary action forms, incident reports, etc., and submit in a timely manner.

Safety and Judgment:

• 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 of 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.
• Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site.
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety.
• Transport crew and equipment safely in SECC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers

Environmental Ethics:

• Learn, practice, and teach ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques.

Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate):

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project.
• Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed to remain generally 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/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

Substance Free

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

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

To Apply: Complete the Application, upload cover letter and resume.

Any questions can be addressed to:

Allison Lincoln

Fire and Fuels Coordinator

423-664-7945

ALincoln@conservationlegacy.org