DATES: Ongoing

STIPEND: $685/week 

LOCATION: Tucson, AZ 

BENEFITS:  Paid training, food budget while on hitch, Employee Assistance Program, some positions will offer health insurance benefits

CREW MODELS

GENERAL FIELD CREWS:

AZCC's Field Crew program engages motivated young adults, ages 18-25, to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout Arizona and southern New Mexico. With both camping crews and local day work crews, there are a variety of crews to choose from!

NATIVE AFFINITY CREWS:

A crew experience for NATIVE, young adults (18-30) looking to have a hands-on experience completing conservation projects on public lands. The power and impact of native affinity programming is due to the network of operational support from AZCC and the shared corps experience.

TUCSON LOCAL CREWS:

This conservation crew is for young adults (18-30) FROM PIMA COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREA interested in completing local conservation projects. Local crews for young adults provide members with job skills, leadership opportunities, challenging project work and personal and professional development. Crew members primarily live at home, but may camp, and work on projects during the day.

CREW LEADER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CREWS:

This AZCC crew is focused on connecting young adults (ages 21-30) ASPIRING TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS with conservation service work projects on public lands. The goal of the leadership development program is to provide participants with a variety of training focused on hard skills as well as leadership through peer leadership activities to prepare members for leadership roles within the conservation corps setting.  Upon completion of the leadership development program, members are encouraged to apply to be assistant crew leaders, crew leaders or youth conservation corps mentors.  

VETERANS FIRE CORPS CREWS:

The position is multi-faceted and demanding, but with opportunity for enormous rewards. Successful candidates will demonstrate high standards, compassion, excellent judgment, effective communication skills, initiative, and the desire to devote themselves (at least seasonally) to working alongside other military veterans, AGES 21-35 YEARS OLD, in an environmental setting.  The crew will have to work together and maintain a flexible, positive, and professional attitude. The program engages participants in a cohort environment in which a team of recent-era veterans work together to train and complete natural resource management projects, specifically related to fire fuels management and fuels reduction using chainsaws. This crew model also helps recent-era veterans transition from military to civilian careers. Participants MUST BE A MILITARY VETERAN, PROVIDE A COPY OF A VALID DD-214, OR RELEVANT DISCHARGE PAPERWORK, AND BE ABLE TO PASS A USFS PACK TEST AT THE “ARDUOUS” LEVEL (3-MILE HIKE WITH 45-POUND PACK IN 45 MINUTES)

YOUTH CONSERVATION CREWS:

Youth Conservation Corps members, AGES 17-18, OR 17-20, DEPENDING ON THE CREW, WILL WORK ON LOCAL PROJECTS WITHIN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES!  It is a day program where members will meet in the morning, work all day and then go home at night. Members must be able to actively participate in environmental education activities and practice appropriate safety procedures in all tasks assigned. This includes safe use of and maintenance of hand and power tools as necessary. 

COVID STRIKE TEAM CREWS:

The USFS COVID Response Crew will help support RECREATION MITIGATION PROJECTS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE IMPACTS OF HIGH USE DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, performing activities such as cleaning up and restoring of campground infrastructure, performing basic maintenance and rehabilitation of trails including new social trails, and other recreation infrastructure projects and activities that are directly impacted from the high visitation use due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. (1 crew leader and 2 crew member positions available). Members should expect to camp during some of the term and should be comfortable interacting with the public. Camping accommodations will be provided at developed campgrounds. 

PROGRAM SUMMARY                                               

ARIZONA CONSERVATION CORPS (AZCC):

Arizona Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. AZCC is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff, Pinetop, and Tucson. 

FIELD CREW PROJECT WORK:

AZCC AmeriCorps members serve a term of National Service in the State of Arizona and parts of the Southwest on professionally supervised crews as they explore a variety of opportunities for careers in the outdoors, learn practical field skills, and develop confidence as emerging leaders in the field of conservation.  Members are provided opportunities to learn and train under the guidance of professional staff within Conservation Legacy, while gaining career perspectives working alongside agency staff from the US Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, or Municipal, State and Non-profit organizations that work on our nation's public and tribal lands. AZCC Crews will become proficient in environmental stewardship practices, general worksite safety, Leave No Trace principles and outdoor living skills.  Most crews receive First Aid trainings.

Project work may vary due to seasonality and environmental safety concerns.  Projects that crews typically work on may include, but are not limited to:

• Trail construction and maintenance
• Invasive species management, including pesticide application
• Habitat restoration
• Fence installation/repair
• Land Management Inventory and Mapping
• Fire fuels reduction
• National Disaster Relief
• Community service
• Recreation and facilities maintenance and construction

SCHEDULE:

Generally, crews work a 9-day,10-hours/day ‘hitch’ schedule, while camping in front and backcountry settings. Typically, members will have 5 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 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.

CREW LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES

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

ASSISTANT CREW LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES

Assistant Crew Leaders (ACL) are responsible for facilitating a positive crew member experience by setting an example of enthusiasm throughout work and camp life. The ACL works in tandem with the Crew Leader to communicate directions, project specifications, and constructive criticism throughout the term of service. The ACL will expand their role, learn leadership strategies, assume management duties including filling-in for the Crew Leader in project relations or completing paperwork when needed.

TRAINING

The term begins with an intensive leadership training which focuses on developing outdoor leadership skills, goal setting, technical and field skills training and developing an understanding of AZCC procedures. We tend to approach this training with a train-the-trainer technique. Following leadership training, Corpsmembers will join leadership for orientation. This week-long orientation will consist of Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace, Outdoor Living, Crew Culture and Diversity, and goal setting. Depending on project needs, crews have possible specialized opportunities for instruction in herbicide handling, crosscut or chainsaw use and safety. Informal training will continue throughout the term with on-the-ground skills training to include things like tool maintenance, plant identification and an overview of public land management agencies.

EXPECTATIONS:  

AZCC is a drug-free organization; alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited. AZCC is an independent, non-residential program. The crew member must supply his/her/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. A suggested gear-list will be provided prior to starting the term of service.  AZCC will provide the tools, personal protective gear, budget for crew meals and transportation to projects.  Additionally, AZCC has pro-deals and some gear available to borrow.

CREW LEADER 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.
• Must hold an official certification in Wilderness First Responder and CPR.
• 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

CREW LEADER PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior AmeriCorps Service
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness travel, camp management and outdoor leadership.
• Professional technical certifications
• Relevant Bachelor’s degree.

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 provide some accommodations, excepting that which 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 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 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

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos
• Ability to write correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one on one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization
• Ability to add, subtract, multiple and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
• Ability to compute rate, ration, percent, land to draw and interpret bar graphs
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed, but un-involved written or oral instruction
• Display a professional and courteous attitude to co-workers, supervisors, and the general public at all times
• Must be willing to travel and work away from home when required
• Must be willing to work nights and weekends when necessary
• Report to the assigned job site in proper attire and ready to begin work at the designated start time
• Strict adherence to safety requirements and procedures as outlined in the Policies, Programs & Procedures Manual
• Willingness to work in a team environment and assist co-workers or supervisors with other duties as required