Veterans Fire Corps Crew Member-AmeriCorps

About the role

Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM), an AmeriCorps program, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s. CCNM crews are typically based in Las Cruces, NM and all project work will take place on public lands in New Mexico and surrounding states.

Responsibilities

• Engage in conservation service projects and learn new skills through experience.
• Work with a variety of land management agencies, spending up to 8 days in the field camping.
• Carry out all personal supplies and group camp supplies to the campsite and worksite, including a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes.
• Participate in a cohort environment where a team of recent-era military veterans work together to train and complete natural resource management projects, specifically related to fire fuels management and fuels reduction using chainsaws.
• Assist recent-era veterans in their transition from military to civilian careers.
• Complete project work and practice appropriate safety procedures in all areas, including safe use and maintenance of hand and power tools as necessary.
• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment and effectively communicate concerns as they arise directly to supervisors and organization staff.
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them.
• Represent the program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners in an appropriate and professional manner.
• Work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs.

Requirements

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• Passes USFS Pack Test at the "arduous" level (3 mile walk with a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes).
• Willingness to be an active member of a team, willing to accept differences, and have initiative.
• Desire to devote themselves (at least seasonally) to working alongside other military veterans, ages 18-35, in an environmental setting.

Skills

N/A

Benefits

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1956.35
• Living Allowance of $500 per week
• Additional Benefit of $400 per week
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible

Pay

$16.00 per hour

Schedule

Typically, this position is expected to serve Tuesday to Tuesday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service. This position generally entails an 8 days on / 6 days off hitch schedule. Time off will not be permitted during hitches, and members/leaders are expected to plan accordingly. Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Housing

Housing on days off is not provided. Crew members are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when not in the field.

Orientation and Training

• AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities training.
• Training on Leave No Trace, Outdoor Living and Nutrition, Wilderness First Aid, and other trainings as needed for project work.
• VFC members will be required to complete a USFS Arduous Pack Test and will also receive S-130 and S-190 Firefighter Training, S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, and S-212 Chainsaw Training.
• Crew members will be required to complete IS100b Intro to Incident Command System, IS700 National Incident Management System, and L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service prior to the beginning of the season.

Our Commitment

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions.

Evaluation and Reporting

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service. Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Contact Information

Supervisor Name: Kimberly Chavarria
Email: kchavarria@conservationlegacy.org
Phone: (575) 294-4537