FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR CREWS, STAFF AND COMMUNITIES, THIS CREW HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19. AS THIS SITUATION DEVELOPS, AND DECISIONS ARE MADE, WE WILL ADVERTISE DATES. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE WITH THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND WE WILL KEEP CONSISTENT AND DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH ALL APPLICANTS.

PROGRAM DATES: Immediate Opening - December 18, 2020

WAGES: $685/week

LOCATION: Las Cruces, NM

BENEFITS: Food budget while on project; Employee Assistance Program; health benefits for eligible positions

CONSERVATION CORPS NEW MEXICO (CCNM), a program of Conservation Legacy, seeks qualified candidates for VETERAN FIRE CORPS CREW LEADER positions based out of LAS CRUCES, NM.

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.  This AmeriCorps program is designed for veterans who separated from the military at any point after September 11th, 2001 (including but not limited to OIF, OEF, ONO, OCO, and GWoT veterans) who are interested in pursuing educational and professional development in resource management, wildland firefighting and other outdoor related fields.

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.

In response to COVID-19, we have adjusted our typical schedule to keep health and safety as our top priority. Currently, the typical schedule is 8-hour days: 10 days on followed by four days off, or five days on followed by two days off. Depending on proximity to the work site, crews either return to town each day, or camp at the project site (we refer to this as a “hitch”) for its duration. The day starts with a stretch circle and safety meeting, includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half hour break for lunch. 

 Trainings will focus on gaining conservation and forestry skills, specifically the use of hand tools and the operation of chainsaws. 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. 

*NOW OFFERING ORIENTATION ONLINE AND REMOTELY. A CLEAN AND SOCIALLY DISTANT SPACE AT THE OFFICE WITH A COMPUTER IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. 

Crews are generally comprised of individuals 21-35 years of age who have minimal financial and/or personal commitments.  

CREW LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES

Crew Leaders will work with an Assistant 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. This team will work as a fuels crew for the duration of the season.

Crew Leaders are responsible for facilitating a positive crew member experience by setting an example of enthusiasm throughout work and camp life. The Crew Leader and Assistant Crew Leader work in tandem to communicate directions, project specifications, and constructive criticism throughout the term of service. The Crew Leader is expected to complete project and Corpsmember paperwork in a timely manner and professionally represent AZCC in project relations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• • 21+ with some leadership experience

    • Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a changing work environment including willingness to work a varying schedule. This position could also be deployed for national disaster relief, outside of the region, for multiple weeks at a time.
    • Excellent communication and teaching/mentoring skills, as well as, strong conflict resolution and team building skills.
    • Ability perform administrative duties, such as managing crew budget and documents and utilizing Microsoft programs.
    • Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently and in collaboration with a small group.
    • Valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
    • 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 criminal background check

     

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

    • Prior AmeriCorps Service
    • Experience with backpacking, wilderness travel, camp management and outdoor leadership preferred.
    • Professional technical certifications
    • Certification in Wilderness First Responder and CPR.
    • Relevant Bachelor’s degree.
    • Experience with native and invasive New Mexico plant population identification.
    • Experience with survey work related to wildlife management.

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
• 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 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.

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.

Required Skills Required Experience