Title:  New River Gorge Veteran Fire Corps AmeriCorps Crew Leader  

Location: Based out of Beckley, WV

Start Date: Mid-January 2025

End Date: Late April 2025

Status: This is a full-time, seasonal AmeriCorps National Service position

Compensation: $650/week living stipend, $300/week additional benefit, and a $1,950 AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program.

Questions? Contact sakers@conservationlegacy.org  

 

Appalachian Conservation Corps:   

Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) works to connect young people to critical conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania. As a corps program, ACC partners with public land managers to identify, plan, and complete projects that improve public access, habitat quality, and economic development. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations. Our programs focus on service, place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility, and career development. ACC also provides an opportunity for members to learn about the local environment and issues affecting it and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.

The Veterans Fire Corps (VFC) program provides training and on-the-job experience for post-9/11 era veterans ages 18-35 who are 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 recent-era Veterans work together to train and complete projects related primarily to fuels management, which will include prescribed burning and wildland firefighting.  

Position Summary:  

The AmeriCorps 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 learning experience for crew members, both formally and informally.  This position may require additional participation time outside of standard project and crew hours.  

Wildland firefighting demands a high level of fitness to work in difficult environmental conditions, including steep terrain, extreme temperatures, altitude, and smoke. 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 are also included in this program. 

Project Work:  

This Veteran Fire Crew will typically be stationed at New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia but can also be deployed to other National Park Service sites within the Northeast region.  During their time in the field, crew members work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to wildland fire and natural resource projects. Members should expect work and schedule to vary depending on region and season. In addition to fire, the crew should be prepared to assist on a variety of projects including trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and habitat management.  

Responsibilities:

Project Management & Implementation   

Train and motivate a crew of six recent-era Veterans to complete Wildland Fire and other conservation projects efficiently on public lands.    Delegate project work & investment among ACL 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, Staff Crew Leader, members, and ACC staff.   

Safety & Risk Management   

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 ACC’s vans or large vehicles with trailers.   

 Administration    

Manage crew Medical History Forms and incident documentation in conjunction with the Staff Crew Leader 

Schedule:  

The schedule for this crew is heavily dependent on weather, partner schedules, and varying workload at any given time in the season. We ask members to be flexible and open to changing needs throughout the season. The typical hitch schedule is 4 days on and 3 days off. While in the field, crew members work 10 hours a day. The day starts with a stretch circle and safety meeting and includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half hour break for lunch.   

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

Crew Life:  

VFC ACLs with ACC serve on a crew with 6 crew members and are supervised by a staff crew leader, with whom they work to project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. Food is provided while in the field. Crews work together to plan meals and complete all necessary chores (cooking, washing dishes, etc.). Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if known ahead of time. Many evenings include group discussions on conservation topics.  When living on site, members will camp, travel, work, and eat as a crew. No drug or alcohol consumption is allowed during work related travel at any time. 

ACC supports a culture of feedback and growth. ACLs will set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance through both self-evaluation and a review with their Crew Leader in the middle and at the end of their season. Evaluations will cover topic areas including Corps culture, leadership, service & experiential learning, risk management, professionalism, and technical skills. ACLs will also be asked to evaluate the program and their experience at the end of their term.  

Expectations:  

ACC is an independent, non-residential program. Participants are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when not in the field. Some equipment is available to borrow throughout the season, but ACLs are asked to supply as much of their own personal outdoor gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc.) as possible. A gear list is provided upon acceptance into the program. In addition to providing food while in the field, ACC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between ACC offices and project sites. 

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. 

Benefits:  

$650/week living stipend and $300/weekly additional benefit, paid bi-weekly $1,950 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of service term  On-the-job training and certification opportunities including Wildland Fire Red Card, S212 Chainsaw Certification, and First Aid/CPR Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist   Uniform shirts, helmet, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary safety equipment provided    Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths  

General Qualifications:  

Be a military veteran able to provide a DD214 or NGB-22 upon interview   Be between the ages of 18 and 35   Able to pass the USFS arduous level pack test (3-mile hike with 45-pound pack within 45 minutes)   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)   No previous experience is required, but a general comfort and previous knowledge of working/living in an outdoor setting is helpful.   

Minimum Qualifications:   

Strong project management skills.    Strong conflict resolution skills Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions.    Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, LNT principles.    Current Wilderness First Aid Certification with CPR/AED.    Clean driving record (insurable by ACC) and a current driver’s license.   

Preferred Qualifications:   

Experience working with recent-era military Veterans Experience with ACC or another Conservation Corps.    Previous Wildland Fire experience and certifications  Background with experiential and/or environmental education.     Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people.     US Forest Service or NPS chainsaw certification.    Wilderness First Responder Certification with CPR/AED.    

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 particular position.  

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.   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 ACC 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 can 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 and Outdoor Skills 

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 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 weather. Some remote locations 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 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.