AZCC VFC Assistant Crew Leader Tucson- Fall 2024

Start Date: August 19th, 2024

 

End Date: December 2024 (actual end date TBD)

 

Combined Stipend: $950/week

 

Location: Tucson, AZ

 

Benefits: 

 

·       S-212 Chainsaw Certification

 

·       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);

 

·       AmeriCorps Education Award

 

·       Paid training

 

·       Food budget while on camping hitch

 

·       Employee Assistance Program

 

 

 

Program Summary

 

Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC):

 

Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) seeks qualified candidates for Veteran Fire Corps (VFC) Assistant Crew Leader positions based out of Tucson, AZ for the 2024 Fall season. AZCC offers opportunities for individuals to work in a crew environment on national lands throughout the southwestern United States and elsewhere. Successful assistant crew leaders are self-motivated, energetic and tenacious – they understand the value of hard work in the outdoors and are driven to excellence in conservation. Veteran status is preferred for this position.  The VFC aims to retrain recent era military veterans for careers in conservation, fuels management, and wildland firefighting. VFC programs accomplish this goal by immersing participants in a conservation crew experience.  

 

 

 

What does it mean to be an Assistant Crew Leader (ACL) on a Veterans Fire Corps Crew? 

 

Assistant Crew Leaders (ACL) will work in co-leader pairs with a crew leader to lead 5-7 members and are responsible for oversight of all field-aspects of their crew including project work, camp life and crew dynamics. Together they will work as a fuels crew for the duration of the season. The ACL is responsible for facilitating a positive corps member experience.  This means creating a positive attitude within the crew about the workday, the project and VFC.  The ACL is expected to learn new skills rapidly and assist the crew leader in teaching these skills to corps members.  

 

 

 

Training 

 

Most AmeriCorps terms will begin with an orientation: crewmembers who attend the full orientation will receive training on First Aid (typically Wilderness First Aid), Leave No Trace, Outdoor Living, Crew Culture and Diversity, leadership development, and goal setting. There is also potential need to pass a USFS Arduous Pack Test depending on proximity to fire related project work. Informal hands-on training will continue throughout the term with on- the- ground skills training. Depending on the project needs, crews may receive specialized training in herbicide handling, crosscut saw, chainsaw, dry stone masonry or rigging. Additionally, ACL’s will participate in an intensive leadership training to include things like conflict resolution, project partner interactions, leadership theory and more.  

 

 

 

Schedule:

 

Generally, crews work an 8-day, 10-hours/day ‘hitch’ schedule, while camping in front and backcountry settings. Typically, members will have 6 days off in the town of the home base office.  Drive time to and from the work site from the home base office is typically included in the hitch schedule.  Applicants should expect the project schedule and type of work to vary. Workdays will start with a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) 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.

 

 

 

What We Provide:       

 

·       Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

 

·       Transportation from office to projects

 

·       Budget for meals is provided while in the field

 

·       Field uniform shirts & First aid kits

 

 

 

You Provide:

 

·       Transportation from home to the office

 

·       Personal camping gear, such as a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad

 

·       Work pants and leather boots (6 inch upper, Vibram soles)

 

·       Day pack and multiday pack

 

·       Rain gear

 

 

 

Housing:

 

Housing on days off is not provided. AZCC is an independent, non-residential program. All members and staff are responsible for finding housing while not on project.

Assistant Crew Leader Qualifications 

 

Required Qualifications 

 

·       Previous leadership experience. 

 

·       Desire to work exclusively with recent era military veterans.

 

·       Strong technical skills including trail maintenance, chainsaw operation and maintenance, crosscut use and maintenance, hand tool maintenance, fencing, ecological restoration, and backcountry work and travel. 

 

·       Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment. 

 

·       Excellent communication and teaching/mentoring skills. 

 

·       Strong conflict resolution and team building skills. 

 

·       Proficient in computer programs and technology, especially email and Microsoft programs.

 

·       Ability to perform administrative such as managing crew budget and documents. 

 

·       Strong time-management skills and ability to work both independently and in collaboration with a small group. 

 

·       Ability and willingness to work a flexible and varying schedule, including long term (2 weeks – multi-month) assignments away from the regional office. 

 

·       Valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record. 

 

·       Must be able to pass a criminal history background check. 

 

 

 

Preferred Qualifications: 

 

·       Prior AmeriCorps service. 

 

·       Veteran status and/or previous work experience with veterans. 

 

·       Experience with backpacking, wilderness travel, LNT, camp management and outdoor leadership. 

 

·       Previous employment with a federal land management agency. 

 

·       Professional forestry or wildland fire experience. 

 

·       Professional technical certifications in chainsaw operation, 4x4/OHV, wildland firefighting. 

 

·       Relevant bachelor’s degree. 

 

 

 

Physical Requirements: 

 

To successfully perform essential functions the ACL is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, and hear. The ACL will be required to run, climb, hike, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl on a frequent basis. Will need to be able to carry heavy loads with backpack and to use hand tools in a variety of weather conditions. 

 

Must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, computer, reach with hands and arms. 

 

Must be able to drive a vehicle frequently/infrequently during work shift. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

 

 

 

Expectations:

 

AZCC is an independent, non-residential program, so housing is not provided. The ACL must supply his/her own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, 6-inch leather work boots, personal cook set, personal food etc. AZCC will provide the tools, protective gear, community food, and transportation to projects.

 

 

 

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. 

 

·       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. 

 

·       Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason. 

 

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

Environmental Ethics: 

 

·       Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques. 

 

·       Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as 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. 

 

·       Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate).

 

 

 

Substance Free: 

 

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

 

 

 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

 

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.