WRC Fire & Habitat Management Assistant Crew Leader

WRC Fire & Habitat Management Assistant Crew Leader

***Please submit your application by September 23rd, 2024 to receive priority consideration *** 

***Interviews will begin on September 30th, 2024*** 

Reports to: Staff Crew Leader 

Start/End Date: January 6th, 2025 – April 25th, 2025 

Pay: $650 per week plus an AmeriCorps Segal Education Award of $1,824.07 upon successful completion of program 

Status: Full Time Seasonal Staff, Exempt 

Location:  Operations Base – North Carolina State University Hill Research Forest, Camp Slocum, 918 State Forest Road, Bahama, North Carolina 27503   

Benefits  

• Housing: Shared crew cabins at Camp Slocum
• Option for limited Paid Time Off
• Conservation Legacy Employee Assistance Program
• Food budget while on project
• Fire boot stipend

Training and opportunities for the following certifications: 

• S-212 Chainsaw
• ICS-100 Introduction to ICS
• IS-700 NIMS Introduction
• S-130 Basic Wildland Firefighting
• S-190 Basic Wildland Fire Behavior
• L-180 Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service
• FFT2 (Firefighter Type 2 – crew member)
• Red Card
• FAL3 (Beginner (A) Faller)
• FAL3 (Beginner (A) Bucker)
• WFA
• Direct experience on prescribed burns with a variety of public land managers throughout the state of North Carolina
• AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of term. The education award may be used to pay educational expenses at eligible post-secondary institutions, including many technical schools, or to repay qualified student loans

Potential opportunities for the following certifications: 

• FAL2 (Intermediate (B) Bucker)
• FAL2 (Intermediate (B) Faller)

About Conservation Corps North Carolina    

The mission of Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) is to empower young adults through meaningful outdoor work that benefits North Carolina’s land and water and creates healthy communities.  

CCNC is a program of Conservation Legacy that partners with public land managers in North Carolina to engage motivated young adults (ages 18-30) to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout the region. 

Project Summary  

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of CCNC’s Fire and Forest Management program that is partnering with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to perform prescribed fire work and forestry. 

The crew will operate largely in the Butner, with the potential to travel elsewhere in the state as additional opportunities are available. During travel, the crew will be expected to camp in established or even primitive campsites with the necessary supplies to support their needs. The program will provide education, certifications, and on-the-job experience that will help participants pursue a variety of natural resource management careers.

These projects will include but not limited to: 

• Prescribed burn operations with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
• Fire prep-work such as creating and maintaining fire breaks, and fuels reduction projects

Hand tools, drip torches, and backpack blowers will be frequently used by this crew for the preparation and completion of prescribed burns. Tools such as chainsaws, brush cutters, and more will be used as required when additional equipment is beneficial.  

Position Summary 

ACLs are primarily 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- ACLs set an example of how to work hard with great enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions while practicing good judgement and safety. It means facilitating learning experience for Crew Members, both formally and informally.  This position may require additional participation time outside of standard project and crew hours.  

ACLs are asked to work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs. This is a seasonal position; ACLs are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.  

Once selected and prior to their start date, ACLs are required to complete an online enrollment process that includes completing e-forms, uploading IDs, enrolling with AmeriCorps, and beginning their background check process. For those with limited access to online platforms, accommodations may be available and can be discussed during the interview process. 

Schedule 

The crew will live, train, and work together as a team. It will be a flex schedule with a base schedule of 5 days on, 2 days off, 8 hours per day or 4 days on, 3 days off, 10 hours per day. During the fire season, the crew should anticipate working extended shifts up to 14 hours to accommodate long burn projects including night burns. The crew leader will work with CCNC staff to create work schedules and plans to complete assigned project work. The Crew Leader will supervise the crew’s living arrangements which will typically require the crew to live in cabins or tents on or close to project locations for different lengths of time. In general, hours will be 7:00 am to 3:30 or 5:30 pm and include two paid fifteen-minute breaks and one unpaid half hour lunch break. 

While the staff at CCNC and partners 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. 

Training 

The program will begin with one week of crew leader training followed by an intensive two weeks of training focused on pertinent certifications including FFT2 Red Card, Wilderness First-Aid, and S-212 chainsaw operation. Informal training will continue throughout the term with on-the-ground skills training that will include things like tool maintenance, fire-based ecology, and an overview of public land management agencies. Formal certifications are awarded at the end of the season.  

Supplies and Equipment 

Crew members supply their own personal outdoor gear equipment such as tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, and work pants.  CCNC can assist if this gear presents significant challenges to participation. CCNC will provide tools, food, group camp equipment (i.e., cook stove, water jugs), transportation to and from base camp to project locations, and Personal Protection Equipment (i.e., Nomex pants and shirt, neck and face covering, fire-rated work boots, helmet, leather gloves.)  

Housing Accommodations 

The housing accommodations at Camp Slocum are in primitive cabins. In the cabins there is a bed, a desk, and electricity which includes lights and outlets but no central heating. Small space heaters will be provided. The crew members will also have a shared restroom with showers and a toilet. The crew will also be using an outdoor kitchen provided by CCNC. There is also Wi-Fi that is free and available to use. Camp Slocum is a shared space and crew members will need to remember to treat the space as such and be respectful for everyone around them. Crew members must also remember that Camp Slocum is a remote area in which there is absolutely no public transportation. It is required that crew members have their own reliable personal transportation for days off. 

General Qualifications   

• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (exception for Veterans up to age 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)

Required Qualifications 

• Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission
• Must be able to demonstrate strong project management skills
• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others
• 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 CCNC) and a current driver’s license
• Be able to pass an arduous pack test for Firefighter Type 2 (carry a 45-pound pack 3 miles under 45 minutes)
• Ability to work a flex (variable) schedule that may change with little notice
• Ability to use a chainsaw, and other equipment frequently on rugged terrain and in inclement weather
• Be between the ages of 18 and 30
• Must be a US Citizen
• High School Diploma or GED
• Pass Background Checks: All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender list
• Eligible to serve an AmeriCorps term

Preferred Qualifications 

• 0-1 years’ experience with CCNC, other conservation corps or youth corps
• Background with experiential and/or environmental education
• Current and relevant certification in Wilderness Medicine (WFA, WAFA, WFR) with CPR/AED
• Leadership experience with youth or young adults
• Experience in backcountry camping/backpacking
• Adaptability
• Professionalism
• Strong conflict resolution skills
• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree in forestry, biology, ecology, natural resources management or related field
• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others
• Community-Building ethic
• Ability to operate and conduct field maintenance of vehicles and to recognize and avoid hazards associated with operating them.
• Ability to operate various types of hand and power tools and machinery in a safe and efficient manner.
• Ability to handle and maintain tools, equipment, and supplies in good working order for daily operation
• Ability to record and maintain data and keep monitoring records.
• Experience with prescribed or wildland fire
• Previous AmeriCorps experience

Required Skills and Responsibilities 

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.

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 directions 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 

• Be a model of ‘Leave No Trace’ techniques

Essential Requirements 

• Sit, stand, walk, speak, and hear
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time
• Safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis
• Work in variable weather conditions at remote locations on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances
• Remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries
• Live in a physically demanding, possible isolated environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several days. 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 6 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

CCNC is a drug-free organization.  Alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited while participating in program activities and on CCNC and program partner property. 

“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.” 

To Apply 

Complete the application, and upload resume. Cover letter is optional. 

Any questions can be addressed to:  

Drew Gotwals 

Fire and Forestry Coordinator 

agotwals@conservationlegacy.org 

**To be considered, you must upload a resume in addition to your application**